Tragedy in U.S. History

Formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in the mid-1980s, the Beggar Weeds were a trio who chased the offbeat — driving miles out of their way on tour to visit strange museums and roadside oddities. Their music reflected that same fascination with the eccentric: a jangly mix of R.E.M., the almost-falling-apart-ness of the Replacements, and the rumbling melodicism of Hüsker Dü, filtered through Southern folk and punk grit. Their lone 1988 EP, Sure Pants Alot, captured their raw, fast, and fiercely melodic sound: equal parts humour, heartbreak, and rural storytelling.

Michael Stipe of R.E.M. became an early fan, co-producing unreleased sessions that now appear on their career retrospective Tragedy in U.S. History, out February 20, 2026 via Strolling Bones Records. Their inclusion marks the first time these songs have been officially compiled, making the release a crucial document of Southern indie rock. Today, Tragedy in U.S. History stands as a unique fusion of sounds and personalities — the missing link between the 1980s underground and the alt-country movement of the 1990s. Though they split in 1992, the Beggar Weeds’ blend of punk energy, country heart, and oddball vision remains a hidden cornerstone of Southern indie rock.

Released: February 2026
Cat: LPSTB45C
Label: Strolling Bones Records

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Tracklist