RED GHOST RECORDS

David Aaron Clark's appearance suggested one who sprawled in a beanbag chair 17 hours a day reading comic books. Actually he did read comic books — graphic novels, if you must — but the guy wasn't lazy. From 1986-88, besides his college studies and day job, he fronted two bands (Plague Dogs, False Virgins); wrote and edited a zine (Chrome On Fire); and formed the Red Ghost label. A typical micro-Indie, Red Ghost existed to promote a specific sound — a sound Clark was determined to see thrive in New Brunswick. It was a label in name only (i.e., there was no company, and certainly no money to be made), with Clark cajoling a band who caught his ear to record a few songs, which became a 45 or cassette. As a brand, Red Ghost didn't exactly cohere; there was no recognizable look and feel, no consistency to speak of. But as a declaration of Clark's tastes, mission accomplished. The acts who worked with him — Catharsis, Bad Karma, Leather Studded Diaphragm, and of course False Virgins — sounded like they recorded in darkened rooms. Survey the song titles from an imaginary Red Ghost mini-compilation: "Feel Your Pain," "Suicide Song," "Insomnia," "Living With The Dead." Even when played for laughs, none of it was lighthearted.

The thing is, like most of what Clark did at the time, Red Ghost failed to hold his interest long enough to gain momentum. Or perhaps he figured he had made his point and moved on. A brief New Brunswick chapter, then, but on par with Martin Atkins' interlude with New Brunswick, where he launched his Invisible label (see also: What You Can't See Won't Hurt You). And in fact, several Red Ghost artists/bandmembers recorded for Atkins as well.

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