FOUR CUTS DEEP

The name Four Cuts Deep came from the notion that bands (or their producers) positioned the single on side 1, track 4 of the LP, requiring the listener to first labor through — and presumably come to enjoy — three other tracks before hitting the sweet spot. I was more of a side 2, track 1 guy myself. Four Cuts Deep was a no-frills hard rock foursome, very out of vogue in 1984-85, but definitely what I was interested in. The front guy had a good voice, but came off a little too wholesome for the subject matter (their best song was called "Vicious," about a girl). The band's songwriter and guitarist Bruce Hanson would form Hip Shy the following year, taking on vocals and significantly improving a good formula.

I'm particular to the flyer for its use of presstype (well, it certainly doesn't look typeset, anyway) and pre-"Physical" Olivia Newton John. The ironic use of mainstream celebrities for promoting the cause of independent music was still humorous in the mid-80s (by 1990 everything was ironic and everyone was too cool to laugh). As to the coupon, it's so way out it defies commentary. Or not. "$2 with this pass" was to encourage the drive from New Brunswick to Dover, but given that's two hours roundtrip, for most lazy asses it might as well have been Cuba. The code I assume was facetiously/cynically included to discourage copying. And "Printed in the U.S.A."? Very funny.

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