The Fall once recorded a song titled "Leave the Capitol," advice that seems to have struck a chord with the Butthole Surfers, who've apparently decided to sever their relationship with Capitol Records after four years. |

"We're looking elsewhere, which is a pretty bold move for a band that doesn't have the clout of a Mariah Carey -- or a Marcy Playground for that matter," says Butthole drummer/co-founder King Coffey. "It's all about balls, integrity or stupidity ... take your pick."

The band's third Capitol album, After the Astronaut (or The Last Astronaut, depending on which version of the advance tape you've heard) was finished more than a year ago, but label problems led to delays that Coffey says diminished the Buttholes' faith in the label.

"It's not good to put out an album when people who are working there are concerned about their own job security, especially when they're dealing with something called 'Butthole Surfers,'" he says." To have worked in a band like ours for 14 years to only have yourself presented as this month's Seven Mary Three or whatever, is really defeating."

Although Capitol declined to comment on the matter, the label still technically owns the album (the Buttholes' 12th overall long-player), so it may yet be released on the label -- or another one, should someone choose to pony up the dough to buy the tapes.

On a related note, Coffey's independent label, Trance Syndicate, will be closing its doors in October after the release of Lepidoptera, a disc by Bedhead (who, speaking of endings, are breaking up after its release). (David Sprague)