In keeping with the music theme, I decided to do a feature on my favorite band of all-time, Stabbing Westward. This one won’t be a review (though their music is amazing), but will focus on all the SW related stuff I’ve collected over the years. I’ve been wanting to do this for forever and it’s been really fun putting everything together!

I thought it would be appropriate to start with the music…

Iwo Jesus EP Rerelease on vinyl
This is actually one of the newer releases, but since it’s a reissue of the original EP (which came out before any of the albums) I decided to list it first chronologically. I was super excited about having this since I’d always wanted to own Iwo Jesus but could never find a copy.

Ungod (1994)
The album that started it all for me. I’d never heard anything quite like it and it’s been an inspiration creatively for me since I first discovered it.

Wither Blister Burn + Peel (Advance CD, 1996)
I was super lucky to find this one. This was one instance when it paid to be a good customer at a local small record store and spend lots of time chatting with the owner.

Wither Blister Burn + Peel (1996)
I don’t know if I’d ever been more excited for a record release after dicovering the band with Ungod. And it didn’t disappoint!

Darkest Days (Advance CD)
Another perk of being friends with awesome people at my favorite local record shop back in the day!

Darkest Days (1998) – Signed
I was lucky enough to get this one signed at a SW show.

Self Titled Album (2001)
Little did we know that this would be the last release for some time!

Dead and Gone (2020) – Digital
The one glaring flaw in my collection is that I missed out on both the first and second printing of this release! I got too caught up with work and other stuff and wasn’t paying close attention enough to social media. I hope to eventually purchase one. I do have the digital release, however, which is so great! It was so exciting to have new music from SW!

Hallowed Hymns (2020) – CD with signed Burn card
After missing out on the physical release of Dead and Gone there was no way I was going to miss this one. The signed card was such a nice inclusion and very thoughtful of the guys! This was a suprise release that came at such a great time during an awful year and really lifted my spirits.

Up next are some posters and art…

Ungod album flat
I always called these ‘album flats’ but I have no idea if that’s official. They are square posters on nice, thick and glossy card stock. I forgot to measure them when I pulled them out today, but I’m guessing they’re around 14″ or so square. (I’ll try to remember to get a measurement.)

Wither Blister Burn + Peel album flat
Like the previous item, this is a square, double-sided poster for hanging in record stores.

Large poster from Wither Blister Burn + Peel era
This hung on my wall for a long time and is patiently awaiting the day I have room for a devoted area to display it once again. Thankfully I’ve managed to keep it in decent shape.

On to concert stuff!

Set list, signed, from my first SW show – Pittsburgh, 1998
After an amazing show (still one of my favorites to this day), I was able to get a set list used on stage and was also able to get it signed. That was the first time I got to meet a band member and each one I’ve had the opportunity to meet has been down to earth and incredibly kind. This was on the tour supporting Wither Blister Burn + Peel.

Club poster, signed, also from my first SW show – Pittsburgh. 1998
Also managed to get this and have it signed at the same show as the above set list. The perfect end to an amazing experience. There’s a little bit of damage from the tape which was used to tape it to the wall of the club, but that gives it character. 😉

Ticket from that same SW show – April 1996
If I remember right, it was actually the band Rust who opened. I remember grabbing their album on my next trip to the record store.

Ticket from the New Rock Revolt, signed – Pittsburgh, April 1996
Got to talk with 3 band members after their set, again, all were super nice and so appreciative of us fans. …As for this legendary concert itself, SW was as great as usual, but the show was absolutely insane, with a ton of bands and a crazy story to go with it! I really need to do a blog entry on this show!

Ticket from Pittsburgh show, September 1998
Another fantastic show, this one supporting Darkest Days.

Ticket from next Pittsburgh show, February, 1999
Super cold night and went by myself, but it was so worth it!!

I also have a couple tickets from other shows which I couldn’t find for this entry. Hopefully I’ll find them later and be able to add them here.

Lastly are my few items of SW clothing…

Shirt from the anniversary of Darkest Days
I haven’t worn it yet so I can keep it in perfect shape, but I probably would for a special occasion.

SW logo shirt
Like the above shirt, this one is unworn and in perfect shape.

SW logo patch
Part of me wants to keep this one as it is, in good condition. But I recently got a vest for all my band patches, where I will wear it proudly. 🙂

Update – added 12/30/20

Postcard from the band.
Can’t believe I forgot this one! Got this in the mail after sending a letter to the band… Yes, I was that nerd who wrote to bands, lol. This was such a great surprise and the first news I’d heard about the release of Darkest Days!

Update – 2 items added 9/30/21

Lies, CD Single (1994)
I’m normally not into collecting singles if I have the entire album, but for this one I had to make an exception, as it was the first SW song I heard.

Promotional Magazine Ad for Ungod
I couldn’t pass this one up either. I like how it’s a black and white version of the cover art with a red font and border. Also, the UK show listings are cool!

That’s everything for now, but I hope to continue to add to it, especially with the new album coming in 2021! I can’t wait to hear it!

-Clint