Victoria, British Columbia-based college rock band 64 Funnycars has released an expanded, remastered edition of its 1990 EP Hogwild, bringing previously unreleased recordings from Seattle’s Egg Studios to listeners more than three decades after the original sessions.
Released November 12, 2026, through the 604 Records Decades series, the six-track collection includes the original four songs alongside two archival recordings, “Crush” and “My First Date.” The project documents the final studio sessions featuring the band’s founding lineup.
Expanded Hogwild EP Revisits 64 Funnycars’ Original Lineup
Originally issued as a four-song, seven-inch EP in May 1990, Hogwild captures a transitional period for the Victoria group, whose music combined melodic punk, power pop, jangly guitars and influences from surf rock and country.
The recordings feature Tim Chan, Eric Cottrell, Eric Lowe and Colin Macrae, who returned to Seattle’s Egg Studios to work with producer Conrad Uno.
The sessions followed Cottrell’s announcement that he would relocate to Japan in January 1990. With the departure approaching, the musicians arranged another recording session to preserve their newest material.
All six compositions were written after the band’s previous release, Happy Go Lucky, reflecting an increasingly diverse musical direction.
Seattle Recording Sessions Strengthened Pacific Northwest Connections
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Victoria and Seattle maintained interconnected independent music communities supported by college radio, small venues and touring bands.
While Victoria’s punk scene included groups such as Nomeansno and the Dayglo Abortions, Seattle was developing a broader alternative rock movement featuring the Young Fresh Fellows, the Posies and Mudhoney.
64 Funnycars drew inspiration from these communities without fully adopting either hardcore punk or the emerging grunge sound.
Uno’s work with the Young Fresh Fellows had initially attracted the band to Egg Studios.
By the time the musicians returned, the studio had installed a Spectrasonics recording console originally built for Stax Records in Memphis, providing equipment suited to the group’s expanding interest in 1960s rhythm and blues.
The sessions also featured contributions from Young Fresh Fellows musician Scott McCaughey and Mike Chang of Seattle band Like Rain, who added fiddle.
Remastered Collection Highlights Surf Rock, Country and Power Pop
The expanded Hogwild demonstrates the band’s willingness to experiment across musical styles while retaining its energetic guitar-driven identity.
“Fading Away” combines jangling guitars with lyrics inspired by opposition to the proposed redevelopment of Victoria’s historic St. Ann’s Academy.
“Highway to Parksville” shifts toward instrumental surf rock and rockabilly, while “Alone With the Blues” incorporates country influences associated with Gram Parsons, Hank Williams and Dwight Yoakam.
Chang’s fiddle contributes to the country arrangement.
Another original recording, “AMC Pacer,” delivers an energetic surf-rock tribute to the unconventional American automobile.
Previously Unreleased Songs Expand the Historical Record
The two additional tracks provide further insight into the band’s musical development.
“Crush” reflects influences from the Replacements, Hüsker Dü and Soul Asylum, combining melodic guitar arrangements with a harder alternative rock approach.
“My First Date” explores 1960s rhythm and blues, drawing inspiration from Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Phil Spector.
Based on lyrics by Lowe about unsuccessful romantic relationships, the recording features Chan’s expressive vocals, Macrae on piano and extensive studio reverb added by Uno.
Although the band devoted considerable recording time to the composition, it was excluded from the original EP.
The musicians also reused multitrack tape from their earlier sessions, eventually exhausting the available recording space during a performance of “Sugar Shack.”
Archival Release Preserves Victoria Band’s Musical Legacy
By the time Hogwild first appeared in May 1990, Cottrell had relocated to Japan and Robin Platts had joined the group.
64 Funnycars continued performing and recording through subsequent lineup changes, eventually sharing a Victoria stage with British punk band Buzzcocks before disbanding in 1992.
The remastered release forms part of 604 Records’ ongoing Decades archival series, which revisits recordings from earlier periods of Canadian music.
Key tracks include “Fading Away,” “Alone With the Blues” and “AMC Pacer.” The expanded EP is available through digital streaming platforms, while the band’s music and merchandise can be purchased through Bandcamp.
More than 36 years after the original sessions, Hogwild offers a documented snapshot of Victoria’s independent rock community and its connections with Seattle’s influential underground music scene.
