Sup everybody,

I’m playing a solo Hit set a week from today, that’s Tuesday, September 1st, at Cobra Club in Bushwick (6 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn). Also on the Stacked bill are Death 13 and Fritzleschats, pretty sure I’m opening. 7 PM doors, $10 cover:

In terms of what I’ll play, I think you can expect deep cuts from the forthcoming album, like “Griffey Strum,” which Cameron and I played a couple weeks ago at Windjammer (presented here in two parts):

I also wanna try testing out some new stuff I’ve been messing around with, like this one which has a melody and some lyrics but is as of now unfinished:

Will I finish it in time for the show? There’s only one way for you to find out!

See ya there,

Craig

Sup everybody,

This Friday, August 7th, Hit is BACK in da Big Apple, playing a stripped down but still rockin’ set at the Windjammer (552 Grandview Ave, Ridgewood) on a stacked Footlight Presents show with Old Table, Sky Mall and Salt. We’ll be playing some rarer tracks that no one in the tristate area has ever seen live. Starts at 8:30, you can get advance tix here.

I did actually play all these rare tunes solo at last week’s Chicago show though. Big thanks to shortblade and Modern Cults, who were both great, for hopping on the bill and making my vain side quest of playing a solo show on a trip to see family possible. Here’s a snippet of a song called “Doorstop,” a teaser of which was featured in a past newsletter:

I also played a couple songs off our first album Bestseller, including a droney version of “Never Gonna Get It Back Again”:

But there were two songs from our forthcoming album that I both felt would suit a solo arrangement especially well, and was especially nervous about screwing up. One is the B-side “Homework,” which I was originally going to do with backing tracks as the song is built around a pair of pitched up/down vocal lines in lieu of bass or percussion. It’s the one song no other member of the band plays on, and here I tried it by combining four parts for two instruments:

The other was “Griffey Strum,” which is the centerpiece of the new album. It’s got three main sections, here’s most of the first one, which is basically like a verse and chorus:

Then there’s a middle section, one of my favorite moments production-wise on the record, which I kinda Billy Braggified here. You can also hear the beginning of the last section, a poppier coda, but you’ll have to wait for the album to hear the whole shabang..

This set underwent many iterations over the last month or so. I originally made these janky drum tracks on my Kaossilator for every song, and was going to karaoke “Griffey” to the studio instrumental track. But as a recovering rockist it felt increasingly un-Craiglike, and the margin for error seemed too thin (thinking of the fabled Van Halen “Jump” Disaster of Aught Seven). Gradually I ditched the tracks, then whatever songs wouldn’t work without them, and finally landed on the all-live set I wound up playing.

Even as I was soundchecking, I was thinking, “Damn I sound horrible, why did I do this,” but mercifully, the show itself was the best run through I ever did of the set, and people liked it! Friday’s show will be kind of a midway between the solo show and our usual full band ones. Will you mercifully like it? Come to the Windjammer and find out…

- Craig

Sup everybody,

This Thursday (July 30th), I’ll be playing a solo Hit set at Burlington Bar in Chicago (3425 W. Fullerton Ave) on a stacked bill with shortblade and Modern Cults. Doors are at 8, shortblade is on first at 9. You can get tix here.

The last time I played one of these, I basically just did all the songs we usually play that I thought basically worked solo, and kept the arrangements largely the same. Essentially it was like if you had isolated tracks of just my guitar and vocals from a regular set of ours.

This time, I spent a lot more time thinking about which songs would be best suited for this, how I could reinvent the material, and what the setup should be (at one point, I was going to straight up karaoke a song. I can confirm that will no longer happen). There’ll be songs from our first album, songs from our forthcoming second album, songs that have never been performed live, and even a B-side. I’m pretty happy with the setlist I landed on, and have rehearsed it a bunch over the last few weeks. I’d say I make anywhere from 1 to 3 noticeable-to-me screwups with each run, and it’s possible the whole thing will be a disaster. I hope you can make it!

For everyone who isn’t in the Chicago area, once I drive back to da Big Apple we’ll be doing another stripped down set as part of this also-stacked bill Friday, August 7th at Windjammer with Old Table, Sky Mall and Salt. Here’s Will from Old Table’s awesome flyer:

More on this one in the next newsletter!

- Craig

Sup everybody,

This Thursday (7/23) Hit is playing at Mama Tried in Sunset Park (787 3rd Ave, Brooklyn) with Headfooter and Pastel Hell. Weather permitting, it’s gonna be outside (forecast right now is 82 degrees and sunny) and starts at 7, over at 10, aka the weeknight ideal. Plus it’s free! First show since May, how can ya miss it..

Also a reminder that the following Thursday (7/30), I’ll be playing a solo show at Burlington Bar in Chicago. I’ve been hard at work figuring out what to play and how, but will probably be playing a bunch of songs we either haven’t done in a while or have never attempted live with the full band. At the very least it will be a novel experience, which is really all you can ask for.

The I-80 7-10 split tour, they’re calling it. If you can’t get to both, you gotta at least try to get one…

- Craig

Sup everybody,

There are two Hit shows this month. The first one is July 23rd at Mama Tried in Sunset Park (787 3rd Ave, Brooklyn) with Headfooter and Pastel Hell, and will be a trio show as our beloved pal Justin has moved to LA. As an aside, we’re looking for a replacement—if you play guitar (or possibly even synth or something else weird), are a quick study with experience playing live, can create abstract yet tuneful sounds with your instrument, and are up to the challenge of learning some kind of complex songs, please get in touch. Anyway, show starts at 7, no cover!

The second one is July 30th in Chicago at Burlington Bar (3425 W Fullerton Ave) with shortblade and Modern Cults, the latter of which I’ve been featured alongside on some compilations, Beach Boys-related or otherwise, over the years. I’ll be playing this one solo, my first time doing that since the set I played at Bar Freda last year. If all goes according to plan I’ll not only be dusting off some oldies but playing some songs we’ve never done live as a band, and may never do live as a band! One night only baby:

Lastly, the new Hit album is more or less DONE. I’ve shared it with a few people so far, if you’d like to give it a listen and tell me what you think, lemme know…

- Craig

Sup everybody,

This Friday (May 22nd) Hit is playing at Gold Sounds in Bushwick (44 Wilson St) with Believe in Ghost!, Cellophane Kiss and Pleasure Death. We’re on first at 8 PM so be there early!

As you may remember, last newsletter I said that if three or more people replied “HIT ME” I would post a teaser of a song off the new Hit album. Six resounding HIT ME’s later, you, the fans, get your wish. Here’s a 99% finished mix of a song called “Softlock,” which we WILL play Friday. I have no idea how epilepsy works so if you’re sensitive to flashing colored text, skip to around the 0:12 mark. Otherwise give ‘er a spin:

Wonder what happens after the 2:00 mark? The only way to find out at this time is by coming to Gold Sounds and hearing the whole thing, live in the flesh.

See ya Friday,

Craig

Sup everybody,

The next Hit show is Friday, May 22nd at Gold Sounds in Bushwick (44 Wilson Ave) with Believe in Ghost!, Cellophane Kiss and Pleasure Death. I think we’re on first but I’ll find out. If we are, that’s what, like 8ish on a Friday? In other words PRIMETIME. You can get tix here or at the door.

The new Hit album has now reached the “last round of tweaks” stage of mixing, so things are nearing the finish line. I debated including a full-on teaser here but since I can’t tell who reads the full newsletter and kinda assume no one does, I will leave it up to you, the fans: if three or more people reply or comment “HIT ME” then when I send a reminder newsletter for this show, I’ll include a high quality clip of a song from the album. Otherwise, NO DICE. Until then, here’s a behind the scenes look at a mix of the song “Doomsdays” being printed:

PEACE,

Craig

Sup everybody,

Just reminding you all that Hit is playing the Windjammer in Ridgewood (552 Grandview Ave) this Thursday, April 16th, with 0 Conduit and Skeeter de Milo. Doors are at 8:30 and I believe we’re first at 8:45 sharp. We’re dusting off a new song we haven’t played since last year, and WILL play “Pure Unreal” to placate any who may be disappointed when there’s no normal sounding songs in the setlist. There will be one. You can get advance tix here or just buy ‘em at the door.

See ya then,

Craig

Sup everybody,

Hit is playing a Footlight Presents show at the Windjammer in Ridgewood (552 Grandview Ave) on Thursday, April 16th with 0 Conduit and Skeeter de Milo (video release). That’s two weeks from today, and Justin’s coming down for this one so you’ll get the full dual guitar Hit Experience™️. It’s 8:30 PM doors and I think we’re opening, so shoot to get there around then. Advance tix avail here.

As a show of goodwill, here’s another song snippet from our forthcoming album. This one’s called “Doorstop,” and I would say it’s one of the more tender songs of the batch.

Of the 14 songs we recorded, we’ve got eight working mixes so far, so it’s gettin’ there. It may not seem like it, but anytime I send one of these newsletters out, I’m bombarded with messages asking, “when’s this album gonna be done? I need it PRONTO. I’m fucking dying out here!” To that I say, we’re working on it. In fact, here’s proof. Charles and I are just out of frame, working extremely hard:

John Cale voice It would be soon…

Keep poundin’,

Craig

Sup everybody,

Just sending out a reminder that we’re playing a stacked show at Rubulad this Friday (March 20th) with Nicole Yun, The Library Is on Fire and Brood X. E-mail/DM me for the address, it’s in Bushwick. We’re on first at 8 PM.

We’re playing this one as a trio, and a couple poppier numbers will be dusted off to go with the more messed up sounding ones. One song we’ll play that’s both messed up and poppy is this one called “The Latch,” here’s a snippet of a WIP mix that starts at the top of the second verse and runs to the end of the track:

There is almost exactly one whole minute of audio that precedes this clip, which I am withholding. The ONLY way you’ll get to hear it is if you come to the show Friday. Your move…

Keep poundin’,

Craig

Sup everybody,

Hit is playing this stacked show at Rubulad in Bushwick on Friday, March 20th. We’ll be opening for Nicole Yun, the Library Is on Fire and Brood X. Gonna be a good one, hit me up for the address!

Also, the Beach Boys covers compilation I mentioned in the last newsletter is out now, featuring my cover of “Break Away” (which I unintentionally stylized as “Breakaway” whoops). There’s 42 other great covers, spanning the entire BB’s catalog (including Brian Wilson solo material, both released and unreleased). Check it out here and snag your digital copy. Suggested price is $15, and all proceeds go to the Oakland Immigrant Family Defense Fund.

Keep poundin’,

Craig

Sup everybody,

Just a reminder that this Tuesday (Feb 24th), Hit is playing the Gutter in Williamsburg (200 N. 14th St, Brooklyn). You can get tix here or at the door.

Music starts at 8 PM sharp with Will Moloney of Old Table, and we’re on third. We’ll be playing a slew of unreleased classics, including this one called “Serrated Sunshine”:

Speaking of classics, here’s another WIP snippet of a cover of the Beach Boys song “Break Away” that I’m working on for the next Beach Boys Club compilation:

Some may remember my cover of “This Whole World” for their last compilation:

Alright, I think that’s enough media to justify sending a second newsletter about Tuesday’s show. Hope to see you there!

Keep poundin’,

Craig

Sup everybody,

Hit is playing a show February 24th at the Gutter in Williamsburg (200 N 14th Street, Brooklyn). It’s presented by Our Wicked Lady, and the bill features Will Moloney of Old Table, Cellophane Kiss and Aim for the Bushes. You can get advance tix here.

Tru Hitheads will remember all our triumphs at the old OWL, rocking our unique brand of noise rock and jangle pop to tens of people. Ancient New Yorkers will also recall that time the guy with Ebola went bowling there and they had to shut it down and send in people in hazmat suits. The confluence of these things is surely not to be missed. Plus just think about how freaking epic it will be to see us play at a bowling alley, in a ticketed room separate from the bowling alley part. We’re gonna be like Blues Traveler in Kingpin. I’m gonna gain the weight and everything!

In other news, last week I wrote a review for Pitchfork of the great new Railings album. Depending on whether you’ve maxed out your free articles for the month, you can read it here. I’ve never pitched writing anything before, and have only ever written for Talkhouse thanks to sheer nepotism, so cold emailing Pitchfork on a lark and getting a near-immediate response was a fun surprise. Not sure I’ll try again as the delight of batting 1.000 outweighs any ambition I have, but we’ll see. At any rate, you should check out this album and the whole Railings back catalog, it’s all insanely good and criminally unsung.

You should also check out Ian’s new album Imbue, which Obscure Sound called “an atmospheric gem of an album.” So many great textures and sounds, I think my favorite is “The World’s Funniest Weather.”

Keep Poundin’,

Craig

Sup everybody,

Just sending out a reminder that the first 1WT show of the year, and first one in a long ass time, is this Wednesday (January 14th) at Sleepwalk (251 Bushwick Ave). It features a great bill I’m really excited for: Hit is playing, along with Wild Lawn and Railings. You can get tix here or at the door. For any working stiffs, the show is conveniently timed — doors are at 7, whole show will wrap before 10 PM — and plus it’s the first Hit show since last July. Music starts at 7:30 sharp with Railings, who just put out a great new album.

See you Wednesday, or see you…… in hell!!!!!

Keep Poundin’,

Craig

Sup everybody,

The first 1WT show of 2026 is January 14th at Sleepwalk (251 Bushwick Ave). Hit is playing, along with Wild Lawn and Railings. This will be the first Hit show in SIX months, so not going would be seriously messed up. Just deeply immoral. Doors are at 7 and music starts at 7:30, meaning everything should wrap by 10. Perfect for anyone who’s got work in the morning! You can get tix here.

This past Saturday was the first Miracle Sweepstakes show in ten months, and despite us only practicing once (I got the flu at Thanksgiving, thanks mom 🙄), it went well! John V. Variety bootlegged pretty much the entire set. Here’s a brand new one that for now at least is called “MS Dream”:

Pixelation is my bad, I think some of these got crushed by my phone’s bad reception. We actually had a multi-camera setup, as this will be eventually seeing theatrical release. Here’s a snippet of the song from Paul Thomas “zit remedies” Anderson:

We also played some other still yet-to-be-recorded tunes that have featured in the newsletter before. This one is called “Lambchop,” it’s the shortest MS song ever:

And this one is called “Axeman’s Delight”:

We dusted off some classics too. Here’s “Shoot the Blue” with a lil’ extra vocal help:

As well as “Rapture,” which is off our first album. Most people don’t own it..

Shout out to the Shell for having us. I didn’t get any vids but DEADHORSE and Pigeon also rocked it. The chorus to Pigeon’s song “Kingdom” in particular has been rattling around in my head all week:

There’s more where that came from in 2026. Until then,

KEEP POUNDIN’

Craig

Sup everybody,

Miracle Sweepstakes is playing a show this Saturday, December 13th at a house venue in Bushwick called the Shell. Also on the bill are Pigeon and Deadhorse. It starts at 8 and we’re on first. If you wanna go, just hit me up and I’ll send ya the address. We’ll be playing songs from all our albums, including one that doesn’t even exist yet! It’s the first MS show since February and who knows when we’ll play another house show, so only a lowly hater would skip this one.

In other news, the new Hit album is basically fully tracked, we just gotta mix it. I’ve also been messing around demoing songs for a possible solo project, including this one the other week called “Magnetar”:

Like those sick drum fills? Stay tuned for more new music in 2026. Until then—

Keep Poundin’,

Craig

Sup everybody,

The new Hit single “Pure Unreal” is out now! The music video is premiering on Get Alternative here, and the song is streaming here on Spotify and here on Apple Music. If you use something more esoteric (Tidal, Amazon, et al), it might be linked here.

I think this one’s up there with “Shoot the Blue” and “Relative Mind” as one of the catchiest songs I’ve ever written. If you agree, tell a friend! I really don’t know how else music can get heard in today’s world. Maybe I should offer royalties on the song to anyone who’s a shooter for it like some sort of ESOP or something. We could make “Pure Unreal” the Green Bay Packers of songs.

Anyways, please check it out, I think it’s really good. I made the video myself, made the cover art myself, it is my little pocket gesamtkunstwerk.

KEEP POUNDIN’,

Craig

Sup everybody,

The new Hit single (and hit single) “Pure Unreal” comes out this Tuesday, October 14th. Seeing as Hit is the most unsearchable band name in music history, I’ve for the first time made a pre-save link for Spotify users. Head to https://ffm.to/pureunreal and click where it says “Pre-Save” to get “Pure Unreal” straight to your library as soon as it comes out. If you aren’t a Spotify user, just uh, search for it on Deezer or whatever when it comes out.

Otherwise, pre-saving the song supposedly helps it algorithmically somehow, which in this specific instance is of the utmost importance. I bet $69,000 on Kalshi that this song would become an actual chart topper, so if you care about me and don’t want me to wind up in the freakin’ East River with cement shoes, you know what to do…

@one.weird.trick.recsTHE JOURNEY BEHIND THE SONG: PART TWO a documentary miniseries on the making of “PURE UNREAL” by HIT, which comes out OCTOBER 14TH on ONE WEIRD TRICK#newmusic #indiemusic #educational #behindthescenes #musician

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The pre-save thing is not the only way I’m humiliating myself for this release. There is now a 1WT TikTok, where I’ve already posted four installments in an ongoing docuseries called The Journey Behind the Song, a behind the scenes look at how “Pure Unreal” came to be, soup to nuts. You can follow me at @one.weird.trick.recs. All the same vids are also on our Instagram as reels.

That said, having TikTok now I gotta say it is the most diabolical and heinous social media platform I have ever encountered. My algorithm on there is completely untouched — I don’t even know how to search stuff, the interface makes me feel like I’m 80 years old — and this is the kind of messed up stuff I get fed:

No wonder 12-year-olds can’t read and all think Charlie Kirk was awesome, they’re just watching SEAL Team Six gorillas tell them they’re little bitches. We really should’ve banned this thing when we had the chance. But alas, since it exists we should make the most of it and use it as a means to feed my ego. Society is cooked anyway.

KEEP POUNDIN’,

Craig

Sup everybody,

Long time no post. While there haven’t been any shows in a while, we have been hard at work on new Hit music. The first fruit of that labor is coming out two weeks from today, Tuesday, October 14th, and it’s a single called “Pure Unreal.” Below is a 1WT exclusive teaser of the music video I made for it:

Gonna just go mask off here— I don’t think you’ll hear a catchier song this year. When people talk about the Perfect Pop Song, they mean this song. It is a tru banger. To quote Babe Ruth after he hit 60 home runs in 1927, “Let’s see some other son of a bitch match that!”

In other news, if ya missed it I got to interview perhaps my all-time favorite singer for Talkhouse recently, Colin Blunstone of the Zombies. We talked about one of my all-time favorite albums, Odessey and Oracle, which was recently reissued. I even got a free copy of it!

That’s all for now. Maybe if I figure out how to make a pre-save page or one of those dumb Linktree things or whatever, I will bug you once again. Until then,

KEEP POUNDIN’,

Craig J. Heed

Sup everybody,

Just shootin’ out a quick reminder that tomorrow night (July 8th) we’re playing at Cassette (68-38 Forest Ave, Ridgewood) on this noisy bill courtesy John V. We’re on first at 8 PM sharp, followed by Hallcat (mem. Godcaster) and watergh0st. $15 cover, a nominal fee for music of this caliber…

Could be the last show for a little bit, so do try to make it out!

Keep Poundin’,

Craig