Jason Molina & The Spineriders’ “Hello Future Tinglies”

Jason Molina was from Lorain, Ohio.  He became well known performing and recording as Songs: Ohia, as a solo artist and with a revolving cast of musicians. Beginning in  2003, he recorded either under his own name or with a stable line-up of band members as the Magnolia Electric Company.

Molina first used the Songs: Ohia name on a mid-’90s single for Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s Palace Records. That alone should give you the sense of Molina’s uniqueness in American music, as with most non-household names.

However, he did not begin there. Before that he played bass and sang back-up vocals in the punk band Spineriders. On August 27, Aquabear Legion (an online music site originating from Athens, Ohio) teamed up with Misra Records and re-released The Spineriders 1991 album first in digital form and to celebrate Cassette Store Day on cassette tape on September 7.

“Our aim in unearthing Hello Future Tinglies is to provide an invaluable window into the life, circumstances and experiences of a young Northeast Ohio native whose extraordinary gift would grow, take form and awaken the world in innumerable ways,” the label writes on its website.

Spineriders was Molina’s high school band, and they sound like, well, a high school band. The Lorian, Ohio crew squeeze 13 tracks into just 25 minutes; even the ambling instrumentals exude a raw, ragged energy. The album provides an invaluable window into the life of Molina whose extraordinary gift would grow, take form and awaken the world in innumerable ways.

Molina who passed away at age 39 this past March was a prolific recording and touring presence, both in the U. S and in Europe, having released over 25 albums and Eps as well as innumerable singles. 

Great artists rarely uncover their muse overnight. Inevitably, it is the summation of his/her life experience. Before Jason Molina was known as a beautiful, heart-wrenching songwriter, he was an angst-ridden teenage bass player. The Spineriders provide the context within which one of independent music’s most beloved artists was born.

The re-release is born out of a friendship between Todd Jacops (founding Spineriders and Songs: Ohia member) and Leo DeLuca (Misra Records manager) – both Ohio natives. Todd played on the debut “Nor Cease Thou Never Now” 7” (Palace Records), the “One Pronunciation of Glory” 7” (Secretly Canadian’s second release), Songs: Ohia (debut LP), and Hecla & Griper. After Jason passed away, and the original Spineriders were consulted, the two decided to excavate Hello Future Tinglies.

There are just 300 cassette copies of Hello Future Tinglies up for grabs and, if any are left, through Mirsia’s online store. All proceeds benefit the Musicians Emergency Medical Association, a non-profit group that aims to “stabilize and improve the quality of life of people in the entertainment industry” by providing health care aid. 

In the meantime, remember the fallen singer-songwriter by streaming their entire album below courtesy of our friends at Spin magazine: