The progressive rock band Seiche was a Chicago trio that existed for a brief period in the late 1970s/early 1980s. Though they weren’t around for long, they did put out an album, a record that’s become highly coveted. Now, decades after it was first pressed, Seiche’s exceptional LP is back.

Seiche consisted of Steve Zahradnik (guitar/vocals), Tom Vess (bass/vocals), and Marc Levinson (drums). The unofficial fourth member was Joe Klinger, their manager/producer, and one of the founders of the band. All had graduated from high school just a year or so prior. The guys in Seiche may have been young, but they were already experienced players, though they were songwriting novices. Encouraged by Klinger, Seiche worked up original material in a Chicago garage, which also served as a hang-out spot for the group.
 

 
In the spring of 1981, Seiche went into a local studio to work on an album. Produced and engineered by Klinger, Seiche recorded live, with minimal overdubbing. Everything was recorded during two sessions in April, which were held late at night, when the studio’s rates were cheaper. Mixing was done in a single day.

The plan was to send the LP to radio and clubs, with the hope that it would result in Seiche getting airplay and gigs, while also demonstrating Klinger’s behind-the-board talents. Just 150 copies of album were pressed; 100 came in plain white sleeves, the remaining 50 with cover art by Klinger’s sister. It was titled simply, Demo Press. The group is named after a type of wave, one that appears unexpectantly and in dramatic fashion.
 

 
Seiche’s lone album is certainly something special. A blend of dreamy, early Pink Floyd, classic Sabbath riffery, and the pure prog of King Crimson, Demo Press is a dynamic, energetic LP that’s way more alive than your standard prog rock record. It sounds like it came from another era entirely, long before new wave and MTV—which arrived the same year as Demo Press.

On August 3rd, 1981, Seiche played their only show at a Chicago club. The venue served alcohol, so the band members—all still under 21—couldn’t go beyond the rim of the stage. A second gig was booked, but when Levinson found out he couldn’t make it, a disagreement about who would fill in on drums led to the break-up of the band. After less than two years together, Seiche was finished.

Original copies of Demo Press turn up on auction sites from time to time, selling for, at a minimum, several hundred dollars. In 2013, a minty copy with the artwork sold for $1,884.
 

 
Thankfully, Jackpot Records has re-released Demo Press on vinyl, making it readily available—and affordable—for the first time. This authorized reissue of the album is sourced from the original tapes, and the vinyl sounds fantastic. The package includes new liner notes with reminiscences from the band members and their manager, along with photos and other archival material. The LP comes with a free download, which contains an exclusive, previously unreleased King Crimson cover.
 

 
For Dangerous Minds, Jackpot has uploaded one of the best tracks from the album, the awesome “Evidently Me”:
 

 
Pick up Seiche’s Demo Press via Jackpot’s site, or get it on Amazon.
 

 
Here’s Jackpot’s trailer for the reissue: