How The Midwest Was Won isn't so much a compilation of early 90's punk tracks as much as it is a joint art project for a school assignment. That is certainly not true, but the booklet, inner art, and certainly the music radiates with an innocent zeal only describable as juvenile. It was released in 1993 by two labels, Subfusc (run by one of the original guitarists for popular Illinois emo band, Braid) and Kiss Of Winter (a mystery label with few other releases). The format is 2x7," meaning two small records as opposed to the regular sized 12" LP's. Each record has one song by four different bands, two songs on each side and with song order changing around on each record for a total of eight songs. The four bands are 8-Bark, Cap'n Jazz, Friction, and Sunspring. All are from the Chicagoland area, say for Sunspring who hail from Louisville. The music is fleety lo-fi rock with an emphasis on the chaotic wall of sound these young bands were known for. Two songs are classic hardcore covers (one by the Big Boys, the other by Jawbreaker). This is a strange record, filled with odd lyrics like "tippy toed noses nippy touch." Kurt Vonnegut gets a nice shout-out in the credits too. A rather rare record, only 1000 were made, and still an important document for the Midwest rock music scene. These four ragtag bands were never known for triumphant splendor and huge hit songs or albums. I'd be surprised if they ever broke even. Yet, their passion shines through every moment of unfiltered bedlam. They may not sound clean or even coherent, but they have dignity and creativity. And maybe that is actually saying something. Just maybe.
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