Australian psych-rock band King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard do not do things by half. They have released 16 studio albums between 2012 and 2020, with five of them being released in 2017 alone. They have also released seven live albums and 46 singles in that time. What we are trying to say is that they are somewhat prolific. 

Which makes the setting up of the Bootlegger series on their official site all the more intriguing. They have – so far, anyway – uploaded all the master recordings and related artwork files for nine full albums (as well as live recordings and demos) and then given carte blanche to anyone looking to repackage and release them any way they want, regardless of format. All the band asks is that they are sent copies to sell on their official store. 

“Yo indie labels, bootleggers, fans, weirdos. We’ve got a deal for ya…,” says the site. “If anyone wants to release these albums, you’re free to do so […] Feel free to get creative with it if you like – it’s yours. Only deal is you’ve gotta send us some of them to sell on GIZZVERSE.COM –  whatever you feel is a fair trade is cool with us.”

There is an online form for anyone looking to release the albums to get in touch with the band and give details of how many copies they are looking to manufacture. 

Participants have to have a torrent client already installed to download the music and artwork as they are using a torrent magnet link to handle it all, suggesting the band are keenly aware of their audience and their willingness to share content online. 

It is a phenomenal undertaking by the band to liberate their music in this way and run it all on an honesty system – so it’s like a mash up of The Grateful Dead’s live bootlegging, Bob Dylan’s rolling Bootleg series, the first iteration of Napster and Radiohead’s In Rainbows. It is doubtful if many others will follow their lead here, but the Gizzard gauntlet has been thrown down.