These songs were all recorded on cassette or 1/4-inch reel to reel 4-track recorders between 1987 and 1990. Note the mono drum track in each song. That drum track is often a mix-down of a drum track and a bass track. Such was the way of the teenage home studio musician before the PC wave. Far before personal CD burners, the Base Apes' music was only available on cassettes (third generation, at that, due to primitive double tape deck mastering). Accompanied by inky copy machine inserts fashioned from photo cut-outs, artwork duplicates, lyric sheets, black construction paper and scotch tape, the product was still scarfed up by fellow students.

These students also showed their support at (the very infrequent) gigs, practices, and (among others) the high school talent show. When the high school faculty halted production of materials on the Xerox (and the sale of tapes to classmates for their lunch money) the Base Apes earned the slogan "Banned by Waynesville High" as well as a watchful eye and a shaking finger from authoritative WASPs with '80s Satan Fever. Also, the elders of Harmony Baptist Church delivered a tactless ultimatum to Mom which ended in her boys' excommunication. Sadly, after a slew of tapes ("The Basement Masquerades"), one 7" ("The Orgy of Hatred"), and a few shows, the group disbanded. Now, due to occasionally surfacing interest and reminiscence of the Base Apes, and the availability of the proper technology, this CD has been made to preserve a major part of our lives and a bit of Waynesville, Missouri, history. Enjoy!

Sam "Sambone" Sugar

www.samsugar.com

2004-12-03: The Remastered Masquerades is now accompanied by The Supplemental Masquerades, a 10-track EP that includes the remainder of Base Apes material that would not fit on the original compilation.