Wheezing Maniac – Shade Through The Night Door

Wheezing Maniac was a mysterious, short-lived band with enigmatic lyrics that was active in Southern California in the late eighties. They only released a few cassette demos which were promoted via MRR zine and a split 7” with Fully Unnecessary Noise which came out on Dead Moon’s Oregon-based Tombstone Records.

Due to their off-kilter originality, high energy, and thanks to the help of Larry Harmon of Genetic Disorder zine, two of their tracks, namely “Dollar on a Platter” and “Don’t Come Close,” found their way onto the seminal classic skateboarding video H-Street’s Hokus Pokus.

Describing the video as a game changer would not be an overstatement, since it turned out to be one of the most influential skate films of all time. A generation of skaters raised on watching that film and since 1990 embraced the songs as part of their unique culture, though over the years the music has begun to be found by other music fans who value art created with a distinct and personal vision.

Shade Through the Night Door LP on Putojefe Records contains all 17 original songs the band ever recorded, enhanced by an impeccable remastering job which has given these tunes an invigorated new spirit.