The Gluemen

The Gluemen were a Dutch lo-fi indie rock band active between 1993 and 1999. As one of the earliest acts signed to the Amsterdam-based label Transformed Dreams, the band quickly carved out a place for themselves in the Dutch underground scene. During their active years, The Gluemen attracted a loyal following through a string of EPs and their debut album Shanghaied (1998), gaining attention from alternative media such as Opscene, Intro!, Studio Brussel and VPRO (a.o.) and even earning a nod from the legendary John Peel. In 1996 the band performed in both CBGBs and The Knitting Factory in New York in one week. Their songs drew comparisons to the likes of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Pavement, and Ween — a testament to their raw energy and inventive sound.

Subroutine Records has long been a fan of the band and has hosted several reunion shows over the years, maintaining close ties with its core members. It felt natural to release this special cassette compilation: a collection of both well-known and rare The Gluemen tracks, including live recordings. Initially intended to launch Subroutine’s new sublabel The Glove Compartment, the tape faced some delays — but as always, The Gluemen’s music proves to be timeless.