The working title of the album was Swamp Pussy, which later ended up becoming the opening song on the album. The album title was later changed to Spanking Machine, after the "spanking machine" from an episode of Leave It to Beaver titled "The Price of Fame."Leave It to Beaver: The Price of Fame Summary, Cast and Crew http://www.starpulse.com/Movies/Leave_It_to_Beaver%3A_The_Price_of_Fame-V339371/ Retrieved on June 11, 2010.">starpulse.com, Leave It to Beaver: The Price of Fame Summary, Cast and Crew http://www.starpulse.com/Movies/Leave_It_to_Beaver%3A_The_Price_of_Fame-V339371/ Retrieved on June 11, 2010. The album was recorded and produced by Seattle musician/producer Jack EndinoJack Endino Production Discography http://endino.com/discography.html Retrieved from endino.com on June 11, 2010.">Endino, Jack. Jack Endino Production Discography http://endino.com/discography.html Retrieved from endino.com on June 11, 2010. at Reciprocal Recording in Seattle - where other bands such as Nirvana and Mudhoney recorded - and was released in April 1990 by Twin/Tone Records. "Dust Cake Boy" was the first and only single from the album, released by Treehouse Records in 1989. It was recorded in 1988, before the band's sessions with Jack Endino, at Technisound Studio and produced by Brian Paulson. The single was backed with "Spit to See the Shine". A promotional video for the song "He's My Thing" was also recorded, though the song was never released as a single. Recorded during a live show at Minneapolis' First Avenue, the video was recorded on a 16mm camera by Mike Etoll.
Critical reception
Spanking Machine received generally positive reviews from critics, with Mark Deming of AllMusic stating:
sounds like the blueprint for the music Love would make during Hole's first incarnation that Spanking Machine is a more compelling and emotionally powerful work Kat Bjelland's songs pull no punches.
Other bands interested in the undergroundmusic scene - most notably Sonic Youth - were fans of the album, so much so that Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore invited the band to perform on Sonic Youth's 1990 European toursonic youth concert chronology - 1990 http://www.sonicyouth.com/mustang/cc/1990.html Retrieved on June 11, 2010.">Lawrence, Chris. sonic youth concert chronology - 1990 http://www.sonicyouth.com/mustang/cc/1990.html Retrieved on June 11, 2010. to promote their latest album, Goo. The band also performed alongside Sonic Youth at 1991's Reading Festival,Reading Festival 1991 http://www.fatreg.com/Reading1991/Rdg1991.html Retrieved on June 11, 2010.">fatreg.com, Reading Festival 1991 http://www.fatreg.com/Reading1991/Rdg1991.html Retrieved on June 11, 2010.The Reading Festival http://www.phespirit.info/music/notes/reading_festival.htm Retrieved on June 11, 2010.">phespirit, The Reading Festival Retrieved on June 11, 2010. which was documented by Dave Markey's music documentary, . Rolling Stone ranked Spanking Machine at #27 in their list of the 50 Greatest Grunge Albums in 2019, writing that Spanking Machine "was a perfect marriage of crunchy Midwestern punk and wry Northwestern malaise."50 Greatest Grunge Albums https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-greatest-grunge-albums-798851/babes-in-toyland-spanking-machine-1990-798844// Retrieved on July 29, 2020.">rollingstone.com, 50 Greatest Grunge Albums https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-greatest-grunge-albums-798851/babes-in-toyland-spanking-machine-1990-798844// Retrieved on July 29, 2020.
Track listing
All songs written by Kat Bjelland, except where noted.
