Dopamines - Soap And Lampshades - 12' EP (Light Blue Single Sided/Etched B Side)

Originally released in 2007, "Soap and Lampshades" captured The Dopamines at the beginning of a run that would eventually make them one of the most recognizable punk bands to come out of Cincinnati. The EP has long been a favorite among longtime listeners, not only because of the songs themselves, but because it documents a version of the band that was still developing the approach that would define later records. Rad Girlfriend Records is bringing the release back in a new format that gives these recordings the presentation they deserve. This reissue arrives as a one-sided 12" LP featuring the original six songs on the A-side and a newly etched B-side. The package also includes updated artwork, expanded liner notes, and track-by-track song descriptions written by guitarist Jon Lewis. Those notes provide additional context about the writing, recording, and circumstances surrounding the songs, offering a closer look at a period that helped shape the band's future releases.The importance of "Soap and Lampshades" becomes even clearer when viewed alongside the Dopamines' later catalog. Many of the themes, songwriting ideas, and musical directions that would appear on subsequent albums can already be heard here. The EP serves as a bridge between the band's earliest days and the records that followed, making it an essential part of the Dopamines' history rather than simply an early release that has become difficult to find. Listeners familiar with the band's recent material will notice the differences between where the Dopamines are now and where they were when these songs were recorded. The current version of the band reflects years of touring, recording, lineup changes, and growth as songwriters. "Soap and Lampshades" captures a younger band working through the ideas that would later become central to their identity. Hearing the EP today provides a clear picture of that progression and shows how much of the band's foundation was already in place from the start. Over the years, the Dopamines have built a catalog that includes several full-length albums, singles, splits, and compilation appearances,.Songs from "Soap and Lampshades" have remained important to longtime fans because they represent the beginning of that story. They are the recordings that introduced many listeners to the band and helped establish the direction that would continue across future releases. This Rad Girlfriend Records edition presents "Soap and Lampshades" as both a historical document and a key chapter in the Dopamines' catalog. For listeners who discovered the band years ago and for those hearing these songs for the first time, this reissue offers a chance to revisit the release that helped start it all.