The Golding Institute - Sounds of The Golding Institute

November 28, 2025

The Golding Institute - Sounds of The Golding Institute

The Rope Worm label has constantly been outdoing themselves. Where is it going to end? A very high bar has been set once again with this newest edition to the label. A gorgeously thought out and put together re-release of Sounds of The Golding Institute.

A quick summary... In 1994 Stomach Ache Records released a seven inch by the The Golding Institute titled Sounds Of The American Fast Food Restaurants Vol 1. This is a documentary styled recording with narration by non other than Ryan Kerr. After a brief explanation of the where and added keen insight, the recording takes listeners inside America's fast food industry, on the customer side, where we would be if ordering fast food. The record was a success, to the point of being re-released, same seven inch version but on french fried golden vinyl and by Planet Pimp Records. This happened two years after the original release in 1996. At this point listeners were a little feverish for more astute observations on industries where customers can gather. The Golding Institute complied with an extreme lateral entry into the Sounds Of The San Francisco Adult Bookstore. The year was 1997 and Planet Pimp Records released a virgin white vinyl seven inch with included tissue. Ryan Kerr again examining and sharing the sounds of many of the rooms and back rooms of cutting edge San Francisco's numerous adult hangouts. Pandemonium! What next was the question from listeners? The Golding Institute answered inquisitive minds by going world wide and releasing Sounds Of The International Airport Restrooms. This was another seven inch on fitting black vinyl with included sanitary toilet seat cover. Like revered Marlin Perkins, Ryan introduces listeners to two new hosts taking ears on an informative and rather private time in travelers lives.

What happened? The Golding Institute was on a huge wave. Plans for more in the series were already in place with:

Sounds Of Californian Car Rental Agencies
Sounds Of Hawaiian Car Rental Agencies
Sounds Of The American Convenience Stores
Sounds Of The American Copy Shops
Sounds Of The American Gas Stations
Sounds Of The American Multi-Plex Theater Chains
Sounds Of The Fast Food Restaurant, Vol. 2

Maybe the funding ended or new opportunities took hold. Fortunately with three releases to listen to, The Golding Institute has shared a good amount of real world recordings.

Rope Worm looked at this as an opportunity. Three releases will definitely fit on one compact disc. The The Golding Institute recordings have never been combined into one volume and individually they are very collectable and pricey. Rope Worm started by creating a box to hold all of the material issued with the original releases and more; ziplock bag, sticker, 32mm pin, toothpick, salt, pepper, tissue, toilet seat cover and disinfecting pad. Also reprints of the original seven inch covers and an 8 page booklet.

I think this is the tenth release for the label. Limited to three hundred copies and currently available. Rope Worm has an in depth description of this release and it's creator Gregg Turkington on their bandcamp page.