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Woolworthy's Rick Uncapher lists 10 essential Boss Tuneage Releases, and then some
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Thomas
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Tuesday, July 8, 2025 - 10:58
Woolworthy's Rick Uncapher lists 10 essential Boss Tuneage Releases, and then some

Chicago’s Woolworthy recently returned to the spotlight with Fall With You, a brand new EP released via UK punk label Boss Tuneage Records, one of the UK's longest running punk labels. The four-track collection—recorded and mixed by producer Mike Hagler (John Langford, The Mekons, Wilco) at Kingsize in Chicago—builds on the momentum of the band’s 2023 comeback album Electric Heartbreak, their first release in 18 years.

To celebrate the release, bassist Rick Uncapher takes a deep dive into the label’s rich catalog and shares 10 of his all-time favorite Boss Tuneage releases. From cult classics to modern gems, Uncapher’s picks highlight the diverse, decades-spanning legacy of the label that helped bring Woolworthy’s latest chapter to life. And to make things even better, Rick was nice enough to provide a Spotify playlist as well for your listening pleasure!

 

Rick: It’s crazy to think that Aston (Boss Tuneage Records) has been putting out records for three decades. From promoting melodic punk gems that slipped under the radar to documenting the best of UKHC, his commitment and tenacity are impressive, to say the least. The label’s discography is diverse—and deep. Very deep. So narrowing this down to just ten was tough… so I threw in some extras. Here are a few of my personal favorites.

 

10. Woolworthy – Electric Heartbreak (2023)

Rick: Yes, I know this is my own band—but I’m including it because it’s our only vinyl release on the label and it celebrated 25 years of working with Boss Tuneage (across various projects), which is pretty wild and worth a mention.

Favorite Track: Under and Over

 

9. The Unknown – Pop Art (2000)

Rick: I first connected with Ken, the singer, through a CD trade via Maximumrocknroll classifieds in the ’90s, and years later, both our bands ended up on Boss Tuneage. The Unknown wore their Descendents/ALL influence on their sleeves but brought their own Cleveland-style pop-punk energy to the mix. They put out several solid releases, but this one stands out.

Favorite Track: Disappear

 

8. Chillerton – Bleak Unison (2007)

Rick: We played with this killer band from Portsmouth, England on Textbook’s first UK tour. They delivered raw emo-punk—like a more technical Jawbreaker. Definitely worth checking out.

Favorite Track: Holden

 

7. Bedford Falls – Savings and Loan (2008)

Rick: I met Tom and his band Bedford Falls while on tour with Textbook back in 2007 and I was instantly hooked. If you're into melodic ’90s-style rock à la The Replacements, Superchunk, or The Lemonheads, this band is for you. They’ve got solid songs across their catalog, but this album rocks.

Favorite Track: Who’s Coat Is That Jacket?

 

6. Scarper! – Every Turn (2001)

Rick: Emo meets pop-punk—with—gasp!—a trumpet! Mac, the singer, was a huge Mega City Four fan, and it shows in the melodic songwriting. Woolworthy toured the UK with them in 2001, and we became fast friends who we still see to this day. Underrated and the loveliest of lads.

Favorite Track: Whispering

 

5. The Magnificent – Pay the Crimes (2009)

Rick: I first met Jimmy Islip back in 2001 when Woolworthy played a show with his old band Eighty-Six—he was drumming at the time. Years later, my band Textbook (and Noise By Numbers, too) toured with his next project, The Magnificent, where he was singing and playing bass. They were excellent—gritty, melodic punk with a working-class heart and a hint of folk-punk in the vein of Frank Turner.

Favorite Track: Six Beers

 

4. Pavers – Return from the Island of No Return (2003)

Rick: Buffalo, NY band fronted by Scott Reynolds of ALL fame. The Pavers mixed punk, pop, emo, and even some heavier hardcore-ish moments into something very unique (not unlike ALL). Woolworthy toured Europe with them in 2002, and they were great live too. I’ve heard rumors they might be recording again…fingers crossed.

Favorite Track: Teacup

 

3. The Leif Ericsson – Split 7” w/ Southport

Rick: One of the best bands we played with in the UK. Gruff vocals and gritty melodies that hit like Leatherface or Hot Water Music. Criminally overlooked.

Favorite Track: Fell the Gatsos

 

2. Annalise – Tour Issue (2000)

Rick: I got turned on to these guys through Fracture Magazine head honcho and Scarper! guitarist Russell Gallon, who released some records by Annalise on his label Pig Dog. Woolworthy ended up playing a bunch of shows with them on our UK tour in 2001 (with Scarper! too), and they were fantastic. Super catchy melodic punk with a mod swagger. They went on to do an LP on No Idea Records and seemed to disappear after that. It’s a shame, because Annalise were really fucking good.

Favorite Track: Signposts and Alleyways

 

1. Milloy – More Than a Machine (2007)

Rick: Boss Tuneage might’ve only handled the vinyl for this release, but it doesn’t matter—Milloy was a powerhouse. Woolworthy played with them in Sheffield UK in 2001—I think it might’ve been their first gig—and that’s how I first heard them. These guys were seriously slept on outside of England. They were the UK’s answer to Hot Water Music: technical, melodic, and catchy as hell. Later on, Textbook played a few Out of Spite festivals with them, and they crushed it live every time.

Favorite Track: (The Boy with No) Shoes

 

Honorable Mentions

  • Blocko – Oimo (2001) // Favorite Track: Rabbit Punch
  • The Tank – Remodel (2006) // Favorite Track: Self Defeating
  • All Systems Go – Mon Chi Chi (2202) // Favorite Track: Tell Vicki
  • Beezewax – South of Boredom (1999) // Favorite Track: Play It Safe
  • Higley – Self-Titled (2017) // Favorite Track: Goodnight Old Ghost
  • Doughboys – La Majeure 1987 (2003) // Favorite Track: Stranger From Within
  • The Asexuals – Greater Than Later (2000) // We connected with Boss Tuneage Records because Woolworthy had recorded a cover of The Asexuals song “Love Goes Plaid” in 2000. Lovely stuff // Favorite Track: Be What You Want

 

Tom Dumarey
Tom Dumarey

Lacking the talent to actually play in a band, Tom decided he would write about bands instead. Turns out his writing skills are mediocre at best as well.