Releases
NEW RELEASE! The Rat Brigade
It Ain't What It Ain't b/w I Hope You Don't (2025)
Cat. No: VGR028
Two sided digital single featuring new tunes including It Ain't What It Ain't and I Hope You Don't. The single drops on Thanksgiving Day... Gobble Gobble! The Rats will always give ya something to be thankful for! Download this ear candy on bandcamp.com ... It's cheap & tasty!
The Grey Spikes
Sex & Hate (1988)
Cat. No: VGR001 (Cassette)
The very first Vital Gesture release, on cassette no less, and notable for the high quality of the music and for the awful album title and artwork. Sex & Hate? What were we thinking? And there’s a chair on the cover. A chair? Re-issued by Barn Homes Records a few years later with vastly improved artwork.
The Grey Spikes
Songs For Nobody (1992)
Cat. No: VGR002 (7" Vinyl)
The Grey Spikes' first 7” vinyl record. It sold surprisingly well considering Grunge was the flavor of the day... and this sure ain’t Grunge!
The Grey Spikes
Redwing Motel (1992)
Cat. No: VGR003 (7" Vinyl)
The second Spikes 7”, letting everybody know that this band was not going to be painted into a corner.
The Bellrays
In The Light Of The Sun (1993)
Cat. No: VGR004 (Cassette)
The BellRays second album. Re-issued on CD many years later.
The Grey Spikes
Detroit, California (1994)
Cat. No: VGR005 (7" Vinyl)
The Spikes third 7” lived up to the title. Came with a special Detroit, California round vinyl sticker.
The Bellrays
Wall Of Soul (1995)
Cat. No: VGR006 (7" Vinyl)
Aptly-named first 7” by the BellRays. Perhaps the most important part of Punk, Rock & Soul...
Various Artists
A Vital Gesture Xmas (2001)
Cat. No: VGR008 (CD)
We got the BellRays, the Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs, The Alter Egos, The Black Widows, Doorslammer, The Snakes and the Mellows. Some Xmas & Anti-Xmas songs... a great success!
The Black Widows
Death By Guitar (1998)
Cat. No: VGR009 (Cassette)
The first release by the Widows, on cassette and in glorious MONO. The cassettes sold out quickly so we later made these new things called CDs.
The Bellrays
Let It Blast (1998)
Cat. No: VGR010 (Cassette & CD)
Originally on cassette, then on CD. This is the album that got the train rolling and the world listening. Re-issued on LP a few years later.
The Black Widows
Death By Guitar (1998)
Cat. No: VGR011 (CD)
Originally on cassette, we had to release a CD version of this seminal recording to appease the masses! With bonus tracks! People love bonus tracks.
The Bellrays / Adam West
Nights In Venice (1999)
Cat. No: VGR012 (7" Vinyl)
Burning wild hard rock split vinyl featuring classic tunes by both bands. Hold on to your hats kiddies!
The Condors
Tales Of Drunkeness & Cruelty (1999)
Cat. No: VGR013 (CD)
First full length album by The Condors. Equal parts Power Pop, California Folk Rock and genius.
The Beefs
What's It Gonna Take? (2000)
Cat. No: VGR014 (CD)
Three multi-talented brothers and maybe a cousin from Riverside, CA created this album displaying excellent songwriting and playing. Plus it sounds great! We don’t know whatever became of the Beefs, but someday somebody will discover this lost gem.
Tony Fate
Half Virgin (2010)
Cat. No: VGR015TF (CD)
The first solo album by Mr. Tony Fate. Around here, we just call him The King! One man, one instrument, no overdubs. How ya like them apples?
The Black Widows
Arocknaphobia (2001)
Cat. No: VGR015BW (CD)
The second album by the world's only ninja-clad rock & roll magicians. All Instrumental. All Original. All Evil.
The Bellrays
The Red, White & Black (2003)
Cat. No: VGR016BR (CD)
The Bellrays' follow-up to Let It Blast that was also issued by Alternative Tentacles Records and features the barnstormer of a hit “Revolution Get Down”.
The Mighty Grasshoppers
The Mighty Grasshoppers (2010)
Cat. No: VGR016MG (CD)
Chris Leroy and Tim Loughlin from the Dangers, Tony Fate from the BellRays & drummer extraordinare Art Schindele got together to make some unpretentious rock and roll. And they sure as hell did.
The Bellrays
Lion's Den / Behind The Gun (2003)
Cat. No: VGR017BR (7" Vinyl)
This was a tour-only 7” single limited to 500 copies. If you got one, count yourself lucky!
The Black Widows
Live On KXLU 88.9 FM (2011)
Cat. No: VGR017BW (CD)
The wicked Widows prove they can walk it like they talk it. One take, all live on the radio. Taking it to the people!
The Condors
3 Item Combo (2012)
Cat. No: VGR018
The second album by the Condors continues their award-winning mix of jangly rock and hidden surprises. Three cheers for Pooch!
The Black Widows
Revenge Of The Black Widows (2012)
Cat. No: VGR019 (CD)
The Widows fourth album turned skeptics into believers and inspired bookers to put the band on bills with Punk and Metal groups. Blew them off the stage to tell ya the truth.
The Black Widows
Evilution (2016)
Cat. No: VGR020 (CD)
The heaviest Black Widows album yet and another critical success garnering raves across the board.
Tony Fate
Fate Machine (2021)
Cat. No: VGR021 (CD)
Tony Fate’s second solo album utilizes some programmed computer rhythms, jungle drums, cheap-ass percussion and of course his trusty electric guitar.
King Tony & The Witch Hunters
Truck Stomp (2021)
Cat. No: VGR022 (CD)
Tony Fate returns with an album of original instrumentals sonically and musically inspired by 1960’s Bakersfield country music.
Harry J.
Goodbye Topsy Wildwood (2021)
Cat. No: VGR023 (CD)
Harry J., a main energy center of The Black Widows and the Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs, gives us his 1st solo album. This collection of DIY ditties has enough hits to satisfy two or three careers.
Harry J.
Chasing Suki Blackstar (2022)
Cat. No: VGR024 (CD)
Harry’s 2nd solo album. Upping the mystery and providing even more hits that should make today’s radio hate itself for what it has become.
The Rat Brigade
The Rat Brigade (2023)
Cat. No: VGR025 (CD)
Jeffrey Porterfield, Tony Fate & Harry J. decided to make an album and co-write some tunes. Variety, surprises, rock & roll and general weirdness give this album all the personality that most bands lack.
Harry J.
Modern Sounds In City Music (2024)
Cat. No: VGR026 (CD)
Harry’s 3rd solo album takes a bit of a left turn and presents some cooler, distant tunes that are meant to stimulate your senses and open your mind.
The Rat Brigade
Drain The Nation (2024)
Cat. No: VGR027A
Side A of the first fully digital single release from Vital Gesture. The times they are a changing. This tune seems prescient for the times we live in, don'tcha think?
The Rat Brigade
Hallelujah Nothing (2024)
Cat. No: VGR027B
Side B of the Drain The Nation single available as a digital download. This tune hammers home the Rat's attitude, call it Rattitude, about our current situation.