Victoria, British Columbia-based college rock band 64 Funnycars has returned with an expanded edition of Hogwild, bringing previously unreleased recordings from its original lineup to audiences more than three decades after the sessions took place.
Released November 12, 2026, through the 604 Records Decades series, the remastered collection expands the band’s original four-song 1990 EP into a six-track release. The project includes two archival recordings, “Crush” and “My First Date,” offering a broader look at the group’s evolving sound and its connections to the Pacific Northwest’s independent music scene.
Hogwild Reissue Revisits 64 Funnycars’ Final Original-Lineup Sessions
Originally recorded at Seattle’s Egg Studios with producer Conrad Uno, Hogwild documents the final studio sessions featuring founding members Tim Chan, Eric Cottrell, Eric Lowe and Colin Macrae.
The recordings took place during a transitional period for the Victoria group. By January 1990, Cottrell had announced plans to relocate to Japan, prompting the musicians to schedule another recording session before his departure.
The material followed the band’s previous release, Happy Go Lucky, and demonstrated an increasingly diverse musical direction.
While the group’s early recordings emphasized melodic punk and guitar-driven college rock, the Hogwild sessions incorporated elements of surf rock, country, rockabilly and 1960s rhythm and blues.
The expanded release preserves that experimentation while making previously unavailable material accessible to contemporary listeners.
Seattle Recording Sessions Reflect Pacific Northwest Music Connections
The recordings also highlight the relationship between Victoria and Seattle’s underground music communities during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Both cities supported active independent scenes built around campus radio, smaller venues and collaborations between musicians.
Victoria was associated with influential punk acts including Nomeansno and the Dayglo Abortions, while Seattle supported emerging alternative and melodic rock groups such as the Young Fresh Fellows and the Posies.
Conrad Uno and Guest Musicians Shape the Recordings
Uno’s previous work with the Young Fresh Fellows influenced 64 Funnycars’ decision to record at Egg Studios.
By the time the group returned, the studio had acquired a Spectrasonics recording console originally designed for Stax Records in Memphis.
The equipment complemented the band’s growing interest in vintage American musical styles.
The sessions also featured contributions from Young Fresh Fellows musician Scott McCaughey and fiddler Mike Chang of Seattle band Like Rain.
Their involvement reflected the close creative relationships developing between musicians on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border.
Expanded Hogwild Album Features Six Tracks
The original four-song EP showcased the band’s ability to move between musical genres without abandoning its energetic guitar-based identity.
“Fading Away” combined jangling guitars with lyrics inspired by concerns surrounding the proposed redevelopment of Victoria’s historic St. Ann’s Academy.
“Highway to Parksville” explored instrumental surf rock and rockabilly, while “Alone With the Blues” drew on country influences associated with Gram Parsons, Hank Williams and Dwight Yoakam.
“AMC Pacer” offered a humorous, high-energy tribute to the unconventional American automobile.
Previously Unreleased Songs Expand the Archival Collection
The newly released “Crush” reflects the band’s interest in melodic alternative rock associated with the Replacements, Hüsker Dü and Soul Asylum.
“My First Date,” meanwhile, draws inspiration from classic soul performers including Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett.
Written using Eric Lowe’s lyrics about unsuccessful romantic experiences, the recording features Chan’s rhythm-and-blues-inspired vocals, Macrae on piano and Uno’s extensive use of reverb.
Although the band invested considerable studio time in the track, it remained unreleased during the original EP’s commercial run.
Hogwild Preserves a Defining Chapter in Victoria’s Independent Music History
The original Hogwild EP appeared in May 1990, after Cottrell had relocated to Japan and Robin Platts had joined the group.
64 Funnycars continued recording and performing through subsequent lineup changes, eventually sharing a Victoria stage with British punk band Buzzcocks before disbanding in 1992.
The expanded edition provides a historical record of the band’s original lineup and the musical experimentation that characterized its final sessions together.
With six remastered tracks, Hogwild also highlights the cross-border relationships that helped shape independent Canadian rock during a period of significant change in the Pacific Northwest music industry.
The album is available through digital streaming platforms, while additional recordings and merchandise can be found through the band’s official Bandcamp page.
For longtime followers and listeners discovering the group for the first time, the reissue offers a renewed opportunity to explore a distinctive chapter of British Columbia’s alternative music history.
George Orwell is a writer and contributor covering politics, society, culture, and current affairs. His work focuses on providing clear analysis and thoughtful commentary on the issues shaping modern Britain and the wider world, helping readers better understand complex topics.
