Estrus: Shovelin’ The Shit Since ’87

by Chris Alpert Coyle, Scott Sugiuchi, Art Chantry (Foreword)

Shovelin’ The Shit Since ’87  is the complete, as-yet-untold story of US garage rock powerhouse  Estrus Records,  which for nearly two decades churned out hundreds of releases from some of the biggest garage, trash, surf, and punk bands worldwide, among them  The Makers, The Mummies, Man . . . or Astroman? , and label head honcho  Dave Crider ’s drunk/punk quartet  The Mono Men . Shovelin’  charts the label’s highs and lows – from its highly successful hosting of the annual Garageshock, arguably the greatest series of garage rock “festivals," to the devastating loss of its warehouse in a fire. Estrus is one of the few record labels whose cover art and other graphics match the brilliance of its music, thanks to the contributions of trash-culture visionary  Art Chantry .   Packed with iconic visuals the book draws on lively, extensive interviews, never-seen-before archival photos, oddball artifacts, and more, to give a fascinating insight into the major players behind one of garage rock's most influential and successful independent record labels.

Genres: Music

256 pages, Hardcover

Published November 21, 2023

Reviews

[Joe James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine reading a book about the smuttiest record label to ever exist and crying multiple times before you finish.

While the overall focus might be the history and art of Estrus, the underlying themes are friendship, camaraderie, family, and community.
My only complaint would be that the book is too short, but then again, I also feel like the lectures I found by Art chantry on YouTube are too short as well.

If you consider yourself something of an outsider, someone who marches to the beat of their own drum, or just can’t get enough of hot rod, famous monsters, or unique, handmade art, Estrus might be the label for you.

Long live Estrus!
RIP Mort!
Hail, Hail Criders!

[Ty Stranglehold · Rating 5 out of 5]

A visually stunning history of a one of a kind record label. A must-read for budget rock aficionados and graphic design nerds alike.

[Jake Jarmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough history of a one-of-a-kind record label! There will NEVER be another Estrus Records!