Sound System had been rehearsing songs for A Safe Place for about five months when access to their workspace, the band rehearsal room at Simpson College's Amy Robertson Music Center, was unexpectedly withdrawn. Without a place to set up amplifers and drums, it was going to be very difficult to begin session work for the album.
On top of that, several members of the current lineup, including the drummer, had little to no experience with multitrack recording. The band was fine playing live, but playing to a click track or a disembodied guitar or vocal takes a little getting used to.
Steve had managed to rent a rehearsal space on the north side of Indianola, but he didn't have the keys yet. Simpson College was out for spring break, so CW's dorm room became a makeshift studio for a week. CW, Justin, Steve, Phil, and Aaron got together to record a few new songs, some favorite covers, and a couple of old forgotten gems on Steve's four-track recorder. The result was a five-song EP, which was dubbed Variety Pack.
In the months to follow, Sound System added a singer, played two live gigs, shifted focus to alternative rock covers, changed their name to Velvet Picasso, and had a meltdown. CW, the last founding member, left the band he had started three years earlier, and the Variety Pack EP became Sound System's last studio recording.
Cassette cover art
Sorry, no cassette cover is available at this time. But be sure to check back soon!
Track listing
01 What I Like About You
02 Castles In the Sand
03 Head Over Heels
04 Maybe I'm Amazed
05 What Have We Got Here?
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