The Picture Head compilation features all-new tracks from six La Mesa bands, released on the neighborhood-based Quasi Recordings label run by Matt Rhea.
“Our goal is to bring our tiny La Mesa music community a little closer together,” says Rhea. “We’re producing each tune for the compilation in a similar way, so the CD has some continuity with the overall vibe. We’re trying to find different rooms around town to record [in] that might add some character to the tracks. So far, we’ve used a church sanctuary and a couple of living rooms.”
Picture Head includes exclusive tracks from Edward Biagiotti as well as new songs from Milt Ellison and Rhea’s own bands Manganista and No Reply. A free download of No Reply’s “I Don’t Want to Change the World” is currently available on the Quasi Recordings Facebook page.
Rhea recalls an early gig for No Reply at La Mesa landmark Jolt N’ Joe’s. “We weren’t very good when we started out, and our equipment sucked. About ten seconds into our opening tune, the guitar went out, leaving only bass and drums. While the guitarist fiddled with his amp and tried to sing at the same time, we pressed on and slaughtered the segue into song two. The guitar was working when we plowed into the third tune, but the bass player’s strap broke. He had to hold his bass up with his knee while he played and sang the song, and then the guitar went out again.
“Rumor has it that there’s a video floating around of this show, but I don’t want to see it.”
A preview single from Picture Head, “Pretty Eyes” by Jason Thomas, was released via the Quasi Recordings Facebook page. In March 2014, Rhea emailed to say "The family and I just made a goofy little video for one of my new songs, 'Nuts & Bolts.'"
April 2018 saw the debut of a new EP, Meh.