Aphids In The Hall

"**Aphids In The Hall**" is a 7" EP by Schwump, with musical backing and production by The Residents, released September 12th 1976 on Ralph Records.

It was the first release by an artist other than The Residents on Ralph, and led the way for other unusual or obscure musicians to sign to the label later in the decade.

## History

Schwump (or Barry Schwam) had come to The Residents' attention earlier in the 1970s, when he was a DJ in Portland, Oregon who was known for his broadcast of an all-toad opera. Schwump had been writing and performing songs on his radio show and recording with only drums and a kazoo in his attic for some time already. He was introduced to the group early in their career by mutual friend, KBOO-FM DJ Bill Reinhardt.

In 1976 The Residents and Schwump recorded a number of tracks which would finally result in the release of "Aphids In The Hall" in September. As well as the B-side "You're A Martian/Home", The Residents recorded several further tracks with Schwump during these sessions, including "Singer Of Sad Songs" and "Devil Makin' Whoopee", which have never seen an official release.

The recording date of the single has been cited as either February 1974 or February 1976.

## Release

The release of the single was limited - Schwump claims that circumstances prevented him from signing the contract, others have said that Schwump was concerned about piracy of the single.

After this point, Schwump promptly fell out of touch with The Residents until the early 1990s when he reached out to the band by sending in the mail card included in his personal copy of "Aphids In The Hall".

The single had long never been available following its original pressing, though the tracks were re-recorded and released by Schwump in 2001. It was finally reissued forty-two years after its initial release, in 2018 as a 7" vinyl pressing on Psychofon Records.

## Track listing

1. Aphids In The Hall (3:23)
2. You're A Martian/Home (2:38)

## Credits

* Cover Art: Porno/Graphics
* Produced By: Residents Uninc.
* Written By: Schwump
* 'You're A Martian/Home' assisted by The Residents

## See also

* "The Spot" by Snakefinger
* *Chewing Hides The Sound* by Snakefinger
* *Greener Postures* by Snakefinger
* "Tornader to the Tater" by Gary Panter
* Schwump
* Ralph Records

## External links and references

* "Aphids In The Hall" on Psychofon Records
* "Aphids In The Hall" on Discogs

1. ↑ Ralph Records Newsletter (Vol 1, Feb 1977)
2. ↑ W.E.R.I.D Book of The Residents (1979)

**Major works**
*Rusty Coathangers for the Doctor* (1970) · *The Ballad of Stuffed Trigger* (1970) · *The W\*\*\*\*\* B\*\*\* Album* (1971) · *B.S.* (1971) · *Santa Dog* (1972)
**Other recordings**
"I Hear Ya Got Religion" / "Moonman" (1969) · *1-10 (With A Touch of 11)* (1972)
**Compilation albums**
*ERA B474* (2012) · *The Delta Nudes' Greatest Hiss* (2013) · *The Residents Present The Delta Nudes* (2016) · *A Nickle If Your Dick's This Big* (2019) · *Warning: Uninc.* (2022)
**Live shows**
The Boarding House, October 18th 1971 · Philip's Wedding, October 31st 1971 · Chris' Party, February 12th 1972
**Collaborators**
Randy Rose · Charles Bobuck · Hardy Fox · Homer Flynn · Palmer Eiland · Roger "Bunny" Hartley · Jay Clem · John Kennedy · Roland Sheehan · Bob Tangney · Jim Whitaker · N. Senada · Philip "Snakefinger" Lithman · Peggy Honeydew (Margaret Swaton) · The Singing Lawn Chairs (Pamela Zeibak)
**Related articles**
San Mateo apartment · Hal Halverstadt · Porno Graphics · Sycamore St. studio · Ralph Records · The Residents · *Vileness Fats* · *Meet The Residents* · *The Third Reich 'n Roll* · "Satisfaction" · "**Aphids In The Hall**" · The Cryptic Corporation · *WB:RMX*‎‎‏‏‎