Mole Dance 82 is an archival double album by The Residents, released November 29th 2021 by Psychofon Records in a limited edition of 200 vinyl copies.[2]
It features a live-in-the-studio rehearsal of the group's first touring performance The Mole Show, parts of which were previously featured as bonus material on disc one and two of the pREServed CD box set Mole Box under the title Res Dance '82.
The two LPs are housed in a tri-fold gatefold sleeve which also includes paper cut-out replications of the original Mole Show backdrops and stage props, allowing fans to construct their own miniature "paper Mole Show theater".
History[]

The "Mole Show" miniature paper theater
Mole Dance 82 contains a live-in-the-studio rehearsal recording made by The Residents in March and April 1982, in preparation for their debut live tour, The Mole Show.
The album contains the full set-list of the show across two vinyl LPs, including the entirety of the 1981 album Mark of the Mole, interspersed with selections from the 1982 album The Tunes of Two Cities, as well as the group's infamous version of The Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction".
A number of these recordings had been previously released on the 2019 pREServed six-disc box set Mole Box, where they were included under the alternate title "Res Dance '82". The set was announced by Psychofon Records on October 1st 2021, and became available to pre-order on October 20th.
In keeping with Psychofon's usual elaborate package and vinyl designs, the two LPs are housed in a tri-fold gatefold sleeve, which includes paper cut-out recreations of the original stage backdrops and props from the Mole Show tour, constituting a miniature "paper Mole Show theater". Due to delays in production of the intricate "paper theater" packaging, the album did not ship until November 29th.
On December 10th 2021, Psychofon Records announced a contest for owners of Mole Dance 82, encouraging them to cut out and assemble their paper Mole Show theaters for the chance to win one of three prizes; a piece of an original Mole Show backdrop, a test pressing of Randy Rose's solo single "Bigfoot Beware", and a chance to see a "film and video exhibition package" at the Kunstmuseum in Bremerhaven, Germany.[3]
After receiving a number of requests, Psychofon also offered a limited number of additional cut-out sheets exclusively to owners of the album, to be able to construct the paper theaters without damaging the album art.[3][4]
Track listing[]
Disc One (25:47)[]
Side A (14:01)
- Voices Of The Air (3:13)
- The Secret Seed (2:50)
- The Ultimate Disaster (4:50)
- God Of Darkness (3:07)
Side B (11:46)
- Migration (7:43)
- Smack Your Lips (4:03)
Disc Two (31:22)[]
Side C (14:56)
- Another Land / The New Machine (11:24)
- Song Of The Wild (3:32)
Side D (16:26)
- Final Confrontation (8:19)
- Satisfaction (3:17)
- Happy Home (3:35)
- The New Machine (Short Version) (1:15)
Paper theater assembly tips from Psychofon Records[]

Instructional photo by Andreas Mathews
The below is a set of tips for assembling the "paper Mole Show theater" included with the Mole Dance 82 set, as posted by Andreas Mathews of Psychofon Records to The Residents unofficial Facebook group on December 10th 2021:

Instructional photo by Andreas Mathews
The figures: Try to cut out the figures as precisely as possible[...] But you can also cut off a little bit of the color... of course only minimally... that looks better in the end than when white parts can be seen everywhere and tarnish the overall impression. We wish you sharp scissors, patience and some skill in cutting[...]

Instructional photo by Andreas Mathews
The backdrops left and right: Of course, you can lean them against the inside of the stage wings, but they can then easily fall over[...] It is best to use cardboard that is not too thin and completely black and cut a few 1 cm wide strips and 2 cm long pieces, see pictures. Bend this in the middle and glue it to the back of the backdrops. Then you can hang them on the stage, so to speak... it fits perfectly and is designed that way.
The stand of the figures: When you have cut out the figures, use a ruler and preferably a ballpoint pen that no longer writes. Think all have one somewhere in the house... Place the ruler directly under the figures and draw along the ruler once with the ballpoint pen. Not too tight, otherwise the cardboard will push through and the figures will lose their stance.[3]
See also[]
External links and references[]
- ↑ Between the releases of The Tunes of Two Cities and Mole Show at The House.
- ↑ Facebook post by Psychofon Records, October 1st 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Post by Andreas Mathews in The Residents unofficial Facebook group, December 10th 2021
- ↑ Comment by Andreas Mathews in The Residents unofficial Facebook group, December 11th 2021
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The Mole Show (1982-1983) Set list |