The "smoke ’n’ honey" era of 90s indie-punk is back in the spotlight. Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine (USM) have officially reissued their definitive singles compilation, Straw Donkey… The Complete Singles, via Chrysalis Records. Available now on remastered double vinyl and a CD/DVD set, this release marks a celebratory return for one of the most uncompromising acts of the British alternative scene.
Formed in 1987 by Jim ‘Jim Bob’ Morrison and Les ‘Fruitbat’ Carter, the duo emerged from the jangle-pop ashes of Jamie Wednesday to create something entirely unique. By fusing pop-punk hooks with the burgeoning samples and drum machine rhythms of the acid house scene, Carter USM became the standard-bearers for "grebo." Alongside peers like Pop Will Eat Itself, they defined an era where genre boundaries were gleefully dismantled.
Their success was staggering for an act so unconventional: 12 Top 40 singles, four Top 10 albums (including a UK Number 1), and a legendary Glastonbury headline set. As broadcaster Steve Lamacq notes, their records were "scathing, witty, [and] poignant," capturing a side of British life rarely seen in the charts.
First released in 1995, Straw Donkey serves as the ultimate primer for the band. It features essential Top 20 hits like The Only Living Boy In New Cross and After The Watershed, alongside fan favorites like Sheriff Fatman.
This 2026 edition goes further, collecting promotional singles—including Stuff The Jubilee! and And God Created Brixton—for the first time. Remastered at AIR Mastering, the vinyl edition features new track-by-track notes from Jim Bob and Fruitbat, while the DVD includes a restored video collection with brand-new audio commentary.
The timing couldn't be better. Beyond this reissue, Jim Bob is currently embarking on a solo UK tour this March and will support The Undertones on their 50th Anniversary tour later this year. Whether you’re a lifelong member of the "frightened and the few" or a newcomer to their witty, sample-heavy punk, there has never been a better time to press play on Carter USM.
