Name: Population 11
Brand: Randy Holden

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

EZRDR116

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Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

180 Gram Vinyl.

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Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2020-07-03

Signed copies

Signed copies: Yes

Supplier GB

Forte

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

603111735719

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Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: Yes / black

Artist

Randy Holden

Genre GB

Metal

Label GB

Riding Easy Records

Riding Easy Records is a boutique record label based in Hermosa Beach, California. Since its founding in 2013 by *founder's name*, the label has been dedicated to releasing limited vinyl runs of heavy psych, doom, metal, and rock music. Originally known as Easy Rider Records, the label had to change its name to RidingEasy in May of 2014 due to a cease and desist from the parent company of Easyriders Magazine. With their passion for unique and powerful music, Riding Easy Records continues to bring exceptional talent to the forefront of the music industry.

At Riding Easy Records, we pride ourselves on curating a diverse roster of talented artists who push boundaries and create captivating sounds. Our limited vinyl releases allow fans and collectors alike to own a piece of musical history while supporting emerging musicians.

With our roots firmly planted in the vibrant music scene of Hermosa Beach, California, we have become known for our commitment to quality and authenticity. Each release from Riding Easy Records is carefully crafted with attention to detail, ensuring that every album is not only musically compelling but also visually stunning.

“Godzilla just walked into the room. People just stood there with their eyes and mouths wide open.” To hear Randy Holden describe the audience’s reaction in 1969 to his solo debut performing with a teeth-rattling phalanx of 16 (sixteen!) 200 watt Sunn amps is about as close as many of us will get to truly experience the moment heavy metal music morphed into existence. However, at last we have unearthed the proper fossil record. Population II, the now legendary, extremely rare album by guitarist / vocalist Holden and drummer / keyboardist Chris Lockheed is considered to be one of the earliest examples of doom metal. Though its original release was a very limited in number and distribution, like all great records, its impact over time has continued to grow.

In 1969, Holden, fresh off his tenure with proto-metal pioneers Blue Cheer (appearing on one side of the New! Improved! Blue Cheer album and touring for the better part of a year in the group), aimed for more control over his band. Thus, Randy Holden - Population II was born, the duo naming itself after the astronomical term for a particular star cluster with heavy metals present. “I wanted to do something that hadn’t been done before,” Holden explains. “I was interested in discordant sounds that could be melodic but gigantically huge. I rented an Opera house for rehearsal, set up with 16 Sunn amps. That’s what I was going for, way over the top.”

And over the top it is. The 6-song album delves into leaden sludge, lumbering doom and epic soaring riffs that sound free from all constraints of the era. It’s incredibly heavy, but infused with a melodic, albeit mechanistic, sensibility. “At the time, I was hearing these crazy melodies everywhere I went,” Holden says. “I thought I was going crazy.” For example, one day he slowly rooted out a powerful sound that had been nagging him and discovered it coming from a ceiling fan. “Machinery all around us doesn’t turn in a perfect rhythm. That’s what I was tuning into, I heard the music and the discordant sounds coming from the machinery. It was perfect for rendering the machine we built.” 

Troubles with the album’s release bankrupted Holden, who subsequently left music for over two decades. It was bootlegged several times over the years, but until now hasn’t seen a proper remaster. “The original mastering just destroyed the dynamics of it,” Holden says. “They flattened it out. Now we got a really nice remaster that should be the closest thing to the original recording.”

Population 11

Music GB