Death by Milkfloat - Processed: dEAth bY MILKFLOAT 1990-91

The original Processed album was recorded at Fairview Studios, Hull, in 1990. It comprised twelve tracks intended for a vinyl release, plus two “bonus” tracks, intended to flesh out the space available on a new, and as yet rarely seen technology: the compact disc. DBM were afforded two full weeks with “Count” Danny Shackleton, then a junior sound engineer, taking charge of recording and production duties. It all went smoothly; creativity flowed, and the band’s bold energy was captured with tightness and precision. DBM left Fairview with a collection of songs they were happy with on a fancy new DAT, fully expecting, at some point in the near future, for it to become their debut album. But what followed remains a mystery.

After delivering the material on-time and on-budget, the channels of communication between DBM-HQ and their record label completely broke down. Original release schedules were put back, artwork remained unapproved, and telephone messages left on squeaky answer machines were never returned. It was as if the whole project had been a figment of the band’s collective imagination; as if the record deal had actually been...imaginary? Over a year passed without any sign that Processed would ever see the light of day. But the band pressed on. Regular gigs at home and abroad followed, and new material was written and crafted in rehearsal and on stage. Then, in 1991, long term admirer and Membranes alumni, Nick Brown, approached Milkfl oat about putting out a 7” single on his newly formed ClawFist label.

Eager to put the Processed debacle behind them, Milkfloat headed back to Fairview, with Danny Shackleton again behind the desk, to record five new songs, two of which became their single Rule & Thumb. Money – or the lack of it – was always the biggest factor driving the decisions of self-fi nancing indie bands, and now was no different for DBM. The budget for the new sessions stretched to recording time, but not recording tape. Two inch, twenty-four track studio reels never did come cheap, and that was the case in 1991. So, in order to put anything new down, the band decided to sacrifice one of the reels from the Processed sessions; losing over half of the original recordings in order to give birth to new ones. A decision that would influence things over thirty-five years later.

Disc One contains fully remixed versions of nine tracks from the original Processed and Rule & Thumb sessions, plus Sloworm (featuring a new poem by Attila the Stockbroker), which was one of the original “bonus” tracks that should have been included on the original Processed CD.

Disc Two contains the original version of Processed, with its intended track running order, original mixes by Danny Shackleton, digitally remastered by Ant Chapman.

We’re very proud of the results.