Scream - Fumble

Fumble is the fifth and final full-length album from Washington, D.C.’s SCREAM, featuring nine tracks recorded in December 1989 by Eli Janney at Inner Ear Studios. Formed in 1981 in Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia, by brothers Peter and Franz Stahl, bassist Skeeter Thompson, and drummer Kent Stax, SCREAM released four albums on Dischord Records before drummer Dave Grohl—then a local punk musician from nearby Springfield, VA—joined in 1986. Fumble was the band’s second record to feature Grohl, following No More Censorship, and includes his only lead vocal for the band on “Gods Look Down.”

Although recorded in 1989, the album remained shelved for several years after SCREAM split while on tour. It was finally mixed and released in 1993, by which time Pete and Franz had formed WOOL and Grohl had joined Nirvana. This long-out-of-print reissue has been remastered by TJ Lipple, pressed on clear vinyl, and omits the instrumental “Crackman” for improved sound quality, though it is included in the digital download. Fumble stands as a powerful final statement from one of D.C.’s most influential hardcore bands.