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Punk Rock and Other Assorted Bullshit

Reptile House

September 08th, 2005 | Posted by: Eric | Category: 80's Hardcore

Reptile House - I Stumble As The Crow Flies

My post on the Bouncing Babies compilation a couple of weeks back generated some comments and emails both praising and asking for more Reptile House. Reptile House were a Baltimore band circa 1982-1987 and are notable for having a pre-Lungfish renaissance man David Higgs on vocals and London May (Samhain) on drums. In 1985 Reptile House released their only 7″ I Stumble As The Crow Flies, produced by Ian Mackaye. The record was released as Dischord #15 3/4, a split with Baltimore label Druid Hill. The four tracks on the 7″ contain some melodic, atmospheric guitar sounds that reminds me at times of the Proletariat’s Indifference LP. Reptile House would eventually release a solid and enjoyable posthumous LP titled Listen to the Powersoul in 1988. Like this EP it to is currently out of print.

1985’s I Stumble As The Crow Flies 7″
Reptile House - Keelhaul Love.mp3
Reptile House - Social Champion.mp3
Reptile House - Mrs Rain.mp3
Reptile House - Sleestak Weather.mp3

13 Comments so far

  1. cliff September 9th, 2005 6:07 pm

    You have just made my fucking day with this post. This 7″ has been my record nerd holy grail since about 1996.

  2. malfeitor September 10th, 2005 12:32 pm

    Sweet, I was about to borrow this from a friend to rip it and now I don’t have to. SiLT has saved me 1/2 hour to waste doing something else I don’t need to be doing!

  3. Jim H September 11th, 2005 3:05 am

    My fave HC band - I saw them numerous times in the ’80s - Daniel was so cool back then.

  4. malfeitor September 13th, 2005 1:12 am

    I think the mp3 for Keelhaul Love is messed up, it just ends abruptly. Just lettin’ you know.

  5. Eric September 13th, 2005 2:46 am

    Thanks… it’s corrected now, having some issues with hosting, ftp, etc.

  6. Dave Clifford September 15th, 2005 7:36 am

    Thanks for posting this!! A friend taped this 7″ for me back in 1987 and I’ve been hoping to stumble upon it for years ever since. I bought the LP (which is great too) when it came out but somehow I don’t think it quite holds up to the sheer mid-fi coolness of this EP. I’d long given up hope that anyone cared about this band as much as I did. I like them much more than Lungfish in fact.

  7. Scott December 13th, 2005 4:17 pm

    Finally i get to hear the elusive Reptile House… Many Thanks for putting this up!!!

  8. T January 14th, 2006 3:27 am

    One of the first shows I went to at the age of 13 in 1983.Tales of Terror,Reptile House and Ruin .Reptile House was an incredible live band and danny had made this incredible flier for the show.(I need to hit the attic and find that)I think a baltimore band gray march played also.

  9. jon February 23rd, 2006 9:17 pm

    thanks for posting these! i have the lp at home, but, sadly, i have yet to actually LISTEN to it. i am the laziest!

    thanks again!

  10. Ryan March 8th, 2006 1:31 am

    you wouldn’t have any more Reptile house or Grey MArch. Seeing this reminded me of my Baltimore days.

  11. Katya Oddio August 17th, 2006 7:31 pm

    Just lost most of my old records in a flood, so on a whim, I looked up some titles online and found you again. How fantastic! I can see that I will be spending many an evening visiting with you! Congrats on a great blog, and best of luck with it in the future.

    Also, here is a pic of my attempt at salvaging some of the Baltimore-DC-VA rekkids, including the Reptile House LISTEN TO THE POWERSOUL mentioned in your post, Grey March mentioned in a comment, and Baltek. So sad. [big sigh]

  12. Katya Oddio August 17th, 2006 7:32 pm

    Miss Bad Manners didn’t even say thanks! THANK YOU, SILT!!

  13. Rick January 3rd, 2007 2:45 pm

    Anyone interested I wrote a bio for Reptile House, which is posted on Allmusic.com. I’d love to get my hands on any old RH or other old B-more flyers,band pics, or live video footage. Hey-that Tales of Terror show must have been sick. Where was is? Jules?

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