Yep Roc 20 is on the horizon! To celebrate twenty years of stellar music from amazing artists, we’re bringing back a chance for you to own a piece of Yep Roc history! In honor of Yep Roc 20, we’ll be auctioning twenty 45s that showcase the great history of Yep Roc artists for the latest installment in our “1 of 4 a Cause” auctions. All the money raised by these auctions will benefit local nonprofits. Test pressings are extremely rare first pressings of a vinyl record that are used to approve the vinyl pressing before the LP is mass-produced. Generally, only four copies are made– one for the artist, one for the producer, one for the label, and one extra (sometimes a few extra are made, but overall the quantity is always very small). Simply put, these are collector’s items, and anyone in ownership of one is part of a very small and exclusive group.

Starting on 6/22, you’ll be able to bid on:

• Aoife O’Donovan – Magic Hour: Record Store Day Black Friday 2015 title that was limited to 500 copies, but this test pressing is one of a kind!

• Autumn Defense/Josh Rouse – Trouble/Sentimental Lady: Record Store Day 2014 release of Lindsey Buckingham and Bob Welch covers.

• Chuck Prophet – Castro Halloween: Autographed by Chuck Prophet!

• Dressy Bessy – Lady Liberty: A RSDBF 2015 title with a quantity of 500,  an appearance by Peter Buck on the A-side, and a George Harrison cover, “What is Life,” featuring Mike Mills on the B-side!

• Eli Paperboy Reed – Cut Ya Down: RSD 2016 release limited to 1,000.

• Fleshtones – The Band Drinks for Free: Not to be confused with their album of the same name, this 45 shows how loud the Fleshtones still are after forty years! Plus it’s autographed by Peter Zaremba!

• Fleshtones – I Surrender!: Horn-fueled cover of the song by Bonnie St. Claire & the Gloria Unit with the flip side featuring a tribute to the lead singer of The Dogs. Out-of-print and autographed by Peter Zaremba, too!

• Fleshtones – Bite of My Soul: Rocker from the Fleshtones in 2011 that is long out-of-print and autographed by Peter Zaremba!

• Fleshtones – End of My Neighborhood: RSD 2016 title limited to 750 copies. Autographed by Peter Zaremba!

• Fleshtones – Ama Como Un Hombre: RSDBF 2016 title limited to 700 copies and autographed by Peter Zaremba.

• Fleshtones – For a Smile: Two Fleshtones songs featuring the vocal stylings of Mary Huff of Southern Culture on the Skids, sold only during during their Mondo Zombie Boogaloo tour. Autographed by Peter Zaremba!

• Fleshtones – I Can’t Hide: Autographed by Peter Zaremba, this single that has been out-of-print for over half a decade!

• Jeremy & the Harlequins – Into the Night: The anthemic single from Jeremy & the Harlequins’ album of the same name!

• Josh Rouse – Julie (Come Out of the Rain): RSD 2013 release limited to 750 copies.

• Jukebox the Ghost – The Great Unknown: Single from the band’s 2014 self-titled album.

• Jukebox the Ghost – I Love U Always 4 Ever: RSD 2012 title featuring a cover of the Donna Lewis song with the b-side cover of “Temptation,” by New Order

• Los Straitjackets – Hark the Herald Angels Sing: RSDBF 2011 release featuring surf rock Christmas covers.

• Nick Lowe – Go ‘Way Hound Dog: RSD 2011 release featuring two live songs from Nick Lowe!

• Paul Weller – Sonik Kicks: The Singles Collection: Five singles in test pressing form PLUS the actual Sonik Kicks black vinyl box set itself!

• Robyn Hitchcock/Emma Swift – Follow Your Money: RSD 2015 title limited to 2,000 featuring a cover of Neil Young’s “Motion Pictures”.

Peter Zaremba of The Fleshtones signing a test pressing!

Here’s some info on the non-profits the proceeds will be going to:

• Girls Rock NC – In thirteen years of programming, Girls Rock NC has held nearly 100 music programs for girls in Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh. Campers have gone on to perform in successful bands and have even take on leadership roles at camp.

• Activate Good – With a goal that all good causes in the Triangle will get the help they need, Activate Good continues to influence the community and work with volunteers who realize and exercise their potential to make a change, facilitating over 360 local causes in 2016 alone.

• WHUP – Broadcasting from Hillsborough, WHUP’s vision is consistent with that of excellent community stations around the country – present a high-quality, eclectic, host-driven mix of music and conversation that collectively reflects the community we serve, with an emphasis on local and regional talent.

• Be Loud! Sophie Foundation – The Be Loud! Sophie Foundation supports adolescent and young adult cancer patients and their families at UNC Hospitals. The foundation funds the only adolescent and young adult program director at a cancer hospital in the United States in honor of Sophie Steiner, a Chapel Hill teenager who died of cancer in 2013.

Visit our eBay store here to check out the auctions! Happy bidding!

Still confused on what a test pressing is? Watch below!