About Me
Ethel Meserve was the name of a store on Allen Street in downtown State College, PA run by a woman of the same name. She ran the store for several decades selling various knick-knacks, home furnishings, lamps, candles etc. In the early to mid-90's, shortly after the band formed, she stopped running it herself when she became too old to manage her business. The store finally closed in the late 90's while the lady was close to a 100 years old, and the band itself found its end in 1998. Ethel Meserve = name of store = name of woman = name of band.
Discography
Demo
Four songs were recorded and mixed on May 20, 1995 at Data Music Services in Altoona, Pennsylvania by David Villani. Originally released by Ethel Meserve on 200 tapes during their first tour. Remixed on January 5, 1998 at Audible Images Recording in Port Matilda, Pennsylvania by Bill Filer and then rereleased on the "Spelling The Names" CD. Songs are: Reelies, H.A.L, Yadin's Hair, Calba's Last.
Pierman b/w Paladin Taim 7"
Recorded and mixed on November 7, 1995 at Social Services Recording Studio in Baltimore, Maryland by John Chriest and Charles Jamison and released by Tree Records in 1996 (TREE 04). Pressings include: 1000 chipboard with brown and blue ink (label credited as The Flutterby Tree Conspiracy), postcards included; 500 chipboard with green and black ink on purple swirl vinyl, different artwork and no postcards included.
Post Marked Stamps No.3 7"
"Belated Blues" was recorded and mixed on August 20, 1996 at Social Services Recording Studio in Baltimore, Maryland by John Chriest and Charles Jamison and released on the third part of the "Post Marked Stamps" split 7" series dedicated to long distance lovers by Tree Records in 1997 (TREE 9.3). The other side of the record, of which 1200-1500 were pressed, features "Dauphine" by Giants Chair. The label of the record is switched and according to the pressing plant, Giants Chair were from Pennsylvania and Ethel Meserve were from Missouri.
Tamsen b/w Onward Foster 7"
Recorded and mixed on November 18 & 19, 1996 at Social Services Recording Studio in Baltimore, Maryland by John Chriest and Charles Jamison and released by Caulfield Records in 1997 (CR 028).
The Milton Abandonment LP / CD
Six songs were recorded in a New York City loft with Fred Weaver from July 16-19, 1997. Pressings include: 1000 CDs with poorly printed cover; 500 CDs with redesigned cover. The only full length of the band was released by Tree Records in 1997 (TREE 14). The release of the vinyl version was licensed to Her Magic Field Records out of Sweden. 525 LPs with the redesigned cover were put out in 1999 (HMF 04). Songs are: West Decatur, Tacoma Narrows, Lessons From Pella, Windom Earle, Ina, East Coker.
Spelling The Names CD
The final release of Tree Records was done in 2000 (TREE 24). It is a posthumous collection of the Ethel Meserve songs including the demo, the 7"s and one song named "Waltz of Gibraltar". This song was recorded during the "Pierman / Paladin Taim" session and can only be found on this CD of which 1000-1500 were pressed. Buy it here .
Compilations
A rerecorded version of "Calba's Last" is featured on the (Don't Forget To) Breathe LP+10" / CD compilation, released by Crank! Records in 1997 (CRC 011).
"Reelies" is featured on "The Eagle Has Landed" 2x12" compilation, released by Tranquility Base Records in 1998 (TBR 04).
"East Coker" is featured on the Southern/Tree/Polyvinyl - fall/winter 1998 CD compilation.
"Belated Blues" and all songs that were released within the "Post Marked Stamps" series were rereleased by Tree Records in 1999 as a 10x7" box set, as well as on CD with detailed liner notes by Ken Shipley included (TREE 09b/09a). Buy the CD here .
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Further pressing info and photos of releases can be found here .
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This fan page is dedicated to Ethel Meserve the band and the person, Ken Shipley & Tree Records and of course to the fans.
If you have any pictures, flyers, interviews, live recordings or past touring info you want to share with fans, please get in touch. Thanks for visiting! (My personal profile is here .)
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