Our series What Was First continues today with a trip down North Carolina way to learn about the first release on Merge Records. 

Listener Mark Neese wrote in to suggest this one and it turns out that the first release on Merge is not a 7", 12" or a compact disc. No, it's a cassette! 

Yes, the band Bricks — one of many early bands to feature Mac McCaughan — and their tape "Winterspring" was what was first on Merge. 

Hit play and merge onto the Rockin' the Suburbs podcast superhighway. 

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Theme music: "Ascension," originally by Quartjar, covered by Frank Muffin. Visit quartjar.bandcamp.com and frankmuffin.bandcamp.com