Raleigh-based label Schoolkids Records has announced the new ‘Thoughts and Prayers’ 7” single from David J, which will be made available for Record Store Day. It will be issued on limited edition vinyl in a run of only 500 copies. This is the first great protest song of the year, being released exclusively for RSD 2019.

David J Haskins, an accomplished solo artist in his own right, is also co-founder of both Bauhaus and Love and Rockets, and is the man responsible for the lyrics of the Bauhaus classic ‘Bela Lugosi’s Dead’.

“‘Thoughts and Prayers’ is a scathing rebuke of the United States for its inability to stop the senseless mass school shootings that are killing our nation’s children,” says David J, who bemoans the futility of “sending thoughts and prayers” to solve this tragic issue and also the inherent hypocrisy of the present government.

This 7” single comes packaged in a sleeve with a striking picture of a rifle with a bloody red circle around it and a line drawn through it. The complete lyrics of ‘Thoughts and Prayers’ are printed on the back so the nation does not miss a word of this powerful call to action.

The B-Side is a haunting cover of Emily Jane White’s ‘Hole in the Middle’. While originally written in response to the Bush administration, this powerful political song is just as relevant in today’s political environment.

David J explains, “I first discovered music on vinyl, so whenever I’m flipping through albums in an indie store it harks back to the magic and excitement of discovery of those early days. To my ears, vinyl still sounds better than any other format and Record Store Day has done a great job of reviving enthusiasm for it. The magic continues.”

“Big thanks to Rick Johnson and everyone at Record Store Day, Schoolkids Records, Darwin Meiners, Chris Lawrence, Mike Berg, Damon Robertson, Paul Wallfisch, Heather Paauwe, Emily Jane White, Tony Green, Sean Eden, Scott Saw, and Cassette Studio.”

David J has been touring the US, Europe, South America, and Australia before that for the massively successful Ruby World Tour with Peter Murphy, celebrating 40 years of the music of Bauhaus. While David will release a new double album in the autumn of 2019, Record Store Day 2019 is the perfect time for him to raise his voice against America’s shameful legacy of gun violence by issuing this 7” single.

On Saturday, April 13, ‘Thoughts and Prayers’ can be found at RSD-participating record stores, but it is expected to sell out quickly, so if you are eager to obtain this, put in a request early with your local independent record store.

That same day, David J will make an appearance at Rough Trade NYC to sign copies, along with Wayne Coyne and T Bone Burnett, in addition to live performances by Steve Gunn, Cochemea, TEEN, and Elijah Wolf.

Rough Trade is also hosting ‘Rediscovering Ecstasy: Recording with Lou Reed’, a panel moderated by Richard Barone, and The Flaming Lips present ‘The King’s Mouth: An Immersive Installation’. More information can be found at Rough Trade’s Website

Listen to this heartfelt special message from David J himself:

Do enjoy this selection of David J works:

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