Out Of My Way, Meat Puppets

Artist: Meat Puppets Title: Out My Way Album Type: Six-Track EP (Original Vinyl Release) Original Release Date: Early 1986 Label: SST Records (Catalog: SST 049) Genre: Alternative Rock / Cowpunk / Hard Rock

Background & Production Released between their psych-country masterpiece Up on the Sun and the art-rock leaning Mirage, Out My Way captures the Meat Puppets in a transitional, high-energy phase. Recorded in March 1986 at Chaton Studios in Phoenix, Arizona, the EP was produced by the band alongside Steven Escallier. It is often cited as the moment the Kirkwood brothers began leaning harder into their ZZ Top and Led Zeppelin influences, shedding some of their "spacy" psychedelic folk for a "bottomy," riff-heavy sound. The sessions were famously loose—the band reportedly spent more time "lying around" than practicing—resulting in a raw, spontaneous energy that defined their mid-80s output.

Musical Composition & Style The EP is a frenzied 25-minute blast that blends desert-rock grit with frantic speed and laconic, sun-drenched vibes.

• Major Highlights: The title track "Out My Way" and the frantic opener "She's Hot" are cornerstones of their 80s "riff-rock" era.

• The "Little Richard" Cover: Features a famously hyperactive, aggressive rendition of "Good Golly Miss Molly" that bridges the gap between 50s rock-and-roll and 80s hardcore punk.

• Sonic Texture: Incorporates elements of funk and southern rock, moving away from the "jangly" textures of their previous album toward a more traditional, hard-rocking foundation.

• Rhythmic Dexterity: Showcases the telepathic interplay between Curt Kirkwood’s liquid guitar leads, Cris Kirkwood’s heavy bass grooves, and Derrick Bostrom’s relentless drumming.

Original Pressing & Collector Notes Original 1986 SST pressings are highly valued by collectors of the American underground scene, as they represent the "Golden Era" of the label.

• Identification: Look for the SST Records logo and the catalog number SST 049. Runouts on original US copies typically feature the "·kdisc" stamp and "JG" (initials of lacquer cutter Joe Gastwirt).

• Vinyl Quality: Many original US copies were pressed at Rainbo Records and are known to be "dark brown translucent" when held up to a strong light (a characteristic of the Quiex-type high-quality vinyl used by some independent plants in the 80s).

• Packaging: Features a full-color, semi-glossy jacket with iconic cover art by Cinda Smith and Curt Kirkwood. Original copies often included SST "Guns or Records?" fold-out catalogs and merch sheets.

• The 45 vs. 33 RPM Quirk: Some later reissues (like the 2013 MVD release) mistakenly list "45 RPM" on the labels despite the record playing at 33 ⅓ RPM, a common error that confuses newer collectors.

• Market Rarity: While 1986 copies appear regularly on the secondary market, finding one with the original SST inserts and a clean, non-scuffed jacket is increasingly difficult.

• • Keywords: Meat Puppets, Out My Way, SST Records, Original Pressing, 1986 Vinyl, SST 049, Kirkwood Brothers, Cowpunk, Alternative Rock, Good Golly Miss Molly.

  • Collection Ideas: SST Records Grails, 80s American Underground, Desert Rock Roots, Hardcore Gone Folkloric.

  • Related Artists: Hüsker Dü, Minutemen, Dinosaur Jr., Butthole Surfers, The Replacements.

MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve