The longest analog tape recording known was created by music act Book Oven, a Madison, Wisconsin band with otherwise little fame, known predominantly for their locally successful song, "Snarling, Wet Dogs".
The song "Chew and Hiccup" is 240 minutes long and was recorded in one sitting in drummer Tibs's basement apartment. The song was originally about 263 minutes in length, but had to be curtailed due to technical requirements. The feat was accomplished by using two separate 120 minute tapes spliced together and looped on a modified 1/4" reel to reel.
The song consists of random noise stretched over sometimes melodic beats that turn from havoc to organized trite music. The musicians declared that their intention was to "draw out the spasms of the minutiae of the work place and to think less and drink more upside down and fuck you for asking." We're kidding right?
An art show opening at the Catacombs Cafe in Madison exhibited the recording along with art from band members Tibs and Jeff, as well as the socially active and somewhat mysterious "Kool Klub" (see review in Slingshot #45 and in Rick's Cafe August 2003).
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