Fine Print: Sweep The Leg Johnny’s Sto Cazzo!

Here’s an edition of “Fine Print” derived from the archives - even if we have a stack of more contemporary installments to break out soon.

This one comes courtesy Sweep the Leg Johnny, one of Chicago’s most stunning bands of all time. And no, we don’t use overused music absolutes like “of all time” lightly. If you’re not already familiar with Sweep, better shut your trap next time you’re tempted to rave about the mind-blowing-ness of Battles or Candiria or even Dillinger Escape Plan, ’cause these ’90s jazz-punk fusionists accomplished more than most bands who were around not just before, but also after, them.

Unfortunately we don’t have any Sweep songs to share with you - they’re well worth throwing down for - but maybe this up-close look at the band’s crafty approach to album art and packaging will win you over.

At first glance, the artwork to what fans consider to be their strongest album, 2000’s Sto Cazzo! (Southern), is nothing more than sheer badassery:

Flipping inside the case and popping out the disc, the back packaging would seem to be much less captivating:

But look along the far ends of each side and you’ll find some microscopically typed messages:

In case you can’t read the fine print, below are the translations. The first is clearly a deciphering of the album title:

“CAZZO”: vulg nm 1. PRICK. 2. FUCK.
“NON CAPISCE UN CAZZO”: HE DOESN’T UNDERSTAND A FUCKING THING.
“NON NE ME IMPOTRA [IMPORTA - ED.] UN CAZZO”: I DON’T GIVE A FUCK.
“STO CAZZO”: I’M A FUCK; HOLY DICK.

The second is a jab likely at critics who would pigeonhole indie rock as too wimpy. It’s quintessential ’90s geek angst:

“YOU JUST GOT YOUR ASSES WHUPPED BY A BUNCH OF GODDAMN NERDS.”

Listen to the experimental, melodramatic cacophony that is Sto Cazzo! and you’ll get the drift.

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Don’t miss our previous installments of “Fine Print”: