Racer-X

{{short description|1984 EP by Big Black}} {{About|the EP by Big Black|other uses of the term|Racer X (disambiguation)}} {{More citations needed|date=May 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Racer-X | type = EP | artist = Big Black | cover = Big Black - Racer-X cover.jpg | alt = | released = March 10, 1985 | recorded = 1984 | venue = | studio = | genre = Noise rock, post-hardcore | length = 15:36 | label = Homestead, Touch and Go | producer = | prev_title = Bulldozer | prev_year = 1983 | next_title = Atomizer | next_year = 1986 | misc = {{Extra album cover | header = 1992 reissue | type = EP | cover = Big Black - Racer-X reissue cover.jpg | border = | alt = | caption = }} }} {{Music ratings |rev1 = AllMusic |rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|title=allmusic ((( ''Racer-X'' > Review )))|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r164082|pure_url=yes}}|publisher=Allmusic|author=Kellman, Andy|accessdate=March 17, 2010}}</ref> |rev2 = ''Christgau's Record Guide'' |rev2score = A−<ref name="Christgau">{{cite book|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=B&bk=80|chapter=B|accessdate=August 17, 2020|title=Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s|publisher=Pantheon Books|year=1990|isbn=0-679-73015-X|via=robertchristgau.com}}</ref> |rev3 = ''The New Rolling Stone Album Guide'' |rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>Brackett, Nathan. "Big Black". ''The New Rolling Stone Album Guide''. November 2004. pg. 69, cited March 17, 2010</ref> |rev4=Tom Hull |rev4score=B+<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tomhull.com/ocston/nm/get_gl.php?n=big+black|title=Grade List: big black|author=Tom Hull|author-link=Tom Hull (critic)|website=Tom Hull - on the web|accessdate=4 September 2020}}</ref> }}

'''''Racer-X''''' is the third EP by American post-hardcore band Big Black. It was released by Homestead Records on March 10, 1985 and reissued by Touch and Go Records in 1992.

''Racer-X'' was the first of Big Black's recordings to cement their instrumental lineup of two guitarists, one bassist, and an E-mu Drumulator drum machine. It was the final Big Black release to feature bassist Jeff Pezzati, who left to dedicate more time to his primary band Naked Raygun.

==Title== Racer X was a character on the anime series ''Speed Racer.'' The EP's title track makes numerous references to the original TV show.

==Single== The song "Il Duce" (about Benito Mussolini) was recorded in the same session as the songs from the ''Racer-X'' EP. The song was released the same year as a 7" single backed with "Big Money" from ''Atomizer''. Homestead records also issued a promotional 12" version of the single with "Il Duce" and "Big Money" on the A-side and three live tracks on the B-side.<ref name="BB Discog">{{cite web|last=Anti|first=Obik|title=Big Black: Racer X|url=http://www.dementlieu.com/users/obik/bigblack/discog/racerx.html|work=Big Black, from pre-history to present|accessdate=24 December 2012}}</ref>

==Cover art== The original EP featured cover art by Nate Kaatrud (better known as National Kato/Nash Kato) of Urge Overkill. When Touch and Go reissued the EP in 1992, the original artwork could not be found and a new cover was produced.<ref name="BB Discog" />

==Track listing== #"Racer-X" - 4:01 #"Shotgun" - 3:28 #"The Ugly American" - 2:41 #"Deep Six" - 3:14 #"Sleep!" - 2:42 #"The Big Payback" (James Brown) - 2:29

==Personnel== * Steve Albini: electric guitar, vocals * Santiago Durango: electric guitar * Jeff Pezzati: bass guitar * Roland: drum machine * John Bonhen: saxophone on "The Ugly American"

Recorded by Iain Burgess in Chicago.

==Influence== The Japandroids covered "Racer-X" during their Dec 15, 2009 Daytrotter session. Of “Racer X” they say this: <blockquote>We’re recording a 7-inch in January and this going to be the B-side. This song was originally done by Big Black and came out on the Racer-X EP in 1984. Our version is pretty good, but the original is a masterpiece.</blockquote>

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Big Black EPs Category:1985 EPs Category:Homestead Records EPs Category:Touch and Go Records EPs