We've always been fond of complicated projects, as well as involving people in a special event. As members of the Sub Pop singles club in the late 80s, we remembered the anticipation and joy of receiving our monthly present from Sub Pop, and we wanted to recreate those feelings with a Simple Machines project. But, in typical Simple Machines style, we took everything a step further.

We spent all of 1993 knee-deep in the Working Holiday project. We released a two-band 7'' every month, celebrating holidays and often-overlooked events in history. Each month's 7" was mailed out to the 633 series members, and the remaining 1200 were sold through mailorder and stores. On top of receiving a 7'' every month, members also got a 1993 wall calendar designed by Hatch Show Print chock full of interesting facts about every day of the year, a stylish box to keep their singles in, and a birthday gift.

After a year's worth of stuffing, stamping, boxing and shipping 36,000 7''s, we were ready for a party. We capped off the series with a Working Holiday 3-Day Weekend from January 7-9, 1994. Over eighteen bands from the series and 500 showgoers braved blizzard conditions for a weekend of revelry at DC's Black Cat Club. The show included a cocktail party, incredible performances by all the bands, raffles and confessions, all tied together with words of wisdom from MC Jason Noble of Rodan/Rachel's. Best of all, the entire show was recorded by Bob Weston and Geoff Turner, which eventually showed up as a limited edition release in the Working Holiday compilation CD.

The Compilations