Merchandise

Merchandise is a post-punk group from Tampa, United States, active since 2008. The line-up includes Carson Cox and David Vassalotti, and the project begins as a trio before going through repeated changes in approach and personnel.

Style and development

The band is associated with post-punk, shoegaze and indie rock, and its sound draws on punk, balladry, psychedelic textures, art-school ideas, low humour, classical study and pop hooks. It develops through a process of continual revision rather than a fixed formula.

Releases and reception

Merchandise issues a series of records and tapes on independent punk labels before reaching a wider audience with Children of Desire, its second LP, which appears in 2012. The record receives praise from Pitchfork, NME, Spin and other critics. In 2013 the band releases Totale Nite on Night People and tours extensively in the United States and Europe.

Discography

The band’s early output includes self-released CD-R and cassette releases, split tapes, the LP (Strange Songs) In The Dark, the single Schoolyard [Club Mix], the lathe-cut single Es Muerte, and the CD-R Tour. Later releases include Children of Desire, Totale Nite and BBC Sessions.

Other context

The name Merchandise is also used by a separate UK indie pop band from Bolton, but the Tampa group is the post-punk act associated with this entry.