Big Heavy Stuff - Bruises - Limited Edition CD

Pre-order - Releases 20 June 2025

"Vinyl Style CD" Reissue in Gatefold Sleeve, with art by Matt W. Bayes and photos by Sophie Howarth Photography

Mixed and Mastered by Wayne Connolly from original tapes

A BRUISES COMPENDIUM/BHS SONGS FROM 1995-1997

2025 marks the 30th anniversary of Big Heavy Stuff entering Charing Cross Studios  in Waverley to record both their primary 90’s releases “Covered In Bruises” and “Maximum Sincere”.

Love As Fiction Records is proud to release two deluxe vinyl/CD/cassette issues in association with the band that cover the complete sessions, along with a subsequent complete recording at Troy Horse Studios which bridges the gap between the “Max” and “Size Of The Ocean” albums.

Many tracks appear across the two releases either as alternative arrangements of future songs or unreleased tracks appearing for the first time anywhere. All songs have been freshly mixed from the 2 inch analogue master tapes by Wayne Connolly at Alberts especially for these 2025 editions.

The “Covered In Bruises” EP from 1995 was the final recording the band released on the Volition label after signing to it in 1991.

The title track and the opening song “Birthday” received nation wide radio play, the latter performed on Channel 7’s “Denton” program as well as being the only vinyl release from the 90’s, backed with unlisted “secret” track “White Flag” in the US on the deSoto label via Washington DC band Jawbox.

J.Robbins from that band was responsible for the unique artwork on what is now a collectable piece in the band’s discography.

After this Big Heavy Stuff then left their longtime mentor Andrew Penhallow (R.I.P.) at Volition and signed to Melbourne label Shock.

This period was extremely prolific, with singer/songwriter Greg Atkinson and guitarist Carolyn Polley taking full advantage of their new and young rhythm section Eliot Fish/bass and Nick Kennedy/drums.

Along with all the songs that were released on the original EP in 1995, “A Bruises Compendium” contains songs recorded for but not released on 1997’s “Maximum Sincere” album and a full session the band did as ideas continued to flow for the following album “Size Of The Ocean”. 

Some of the tracks, including a full band early arrangement of their most streamed song “Hibernate”, were re-worked for that 2001 album. Some have never appeared anywhere and illustrate the diverse interests and alternative paths the band could have taken.

Opening song “Birthday” reinstates the original counter vocal recorded with Peter Milton Walsh, whose legendary project The Apartments has included all BHS members from this line-up over the decades. Both the full band arrangement of “Scars” plus original “Birthday” vinyl b-side and live favourite “White Flag” have been liberated from 90’s CD secret bonus track purgatory to sit alongside a diverse array of tight tracks.

Mixed and mastered into a cohesive whole by Wayne Connolly at Alberts, the previously released songs sound better than ever, the previously unheard tracks a revelation.

Released in very limited 2LP/CD/cassette formats through Love As Fiction Records, “A Bruises Compendium - BHS songs 1995-1997” is an 18 track feast for fans and novices alike.

“We can walk on our hands and get covered in bruises…”

BHS ON LOVE AS FICTION RECORDS:

“Size Of Ocean” 2LP/cassette LAFR003

“Live At Triple J 2004” LP/CD LAFR006

“Dear Friends And Enemies” 2LP/2CD/2cassette LAFR008

 

BIG HEAVY STUFF “A Bruises Compendium/BHS songs from 1995-1997”

2LP/CD/Cassette/digital

 

Tracklist:

Birthday

Covered In Bruises

Everyday I

Eye For An Eye

Beautiful Scenario

Hibernate

Lovesick Individual

White Flag

Silo 747

Will, There’s A Way

Too Much Coffee Man

XY Chromosome

Swedish Chef

Firefly

Hank

Research

Scars

American (I’ll Be One)

 

Greg Atkinson

Eliot Fish

Nick Kennedy

Carolyn Polley

 

Recorded by David Trumpmanis at Charing Cross Studios, Sydney in 1995 & 1996.

Assisted by Peter Jones in 1996.

Birthday outro wailing - Nick Craft.

Don’t Call Me Cute - Peter Milton Walsh.

Recorded by Darren Atkinson at Troy Horse Studios, Sydney in 1997.

Assisted by Mickey Levis.

Guest guitar - Billy Bones Roland.

2025 mixes produced and mastered by Wayne Connolly at Alberts, Sydney.

2inch tape transfers by Sam Horsburgh and Phil Punch.

Project coordinator - Nick Kennedy.

2025 artwork by Matt Bayes. Band portraits Sophie Howarth @sophiehowarthphotography

 

Thank you 2025: Frank Villante, Heath Bradby, Matt Tutt, Peter Fenton, Liam Judson, J. Robbins, Kim Coletta all of the above.

2025 Love As Fiction Records.