Song for Anna K.

Anna Karlin, STD's first drummer and guitarist, was dating Henk from South Africa when this song was written by guitarist Russ Haines. The original recording was made on a mono Wilcox-Gay "Recordio Disc" in 1981 and transferred to mp3. It was intended as a scratch recording for the band to learn the song.

Somehow, as all too often happens, the recording got passed around. They Might Be Giants, plagiarists as they are, covered the song changing only the occasional lyric. It was not a big deal until 1998 when They Might Be Giants toured and released an album titled, "Severe Tire Damage". It seems jealousy of Severe Tire Damage is still running rampant years after the Rolling Stones tried to be the "First Band On The Internet" three years after STD did it.

Anna K.

For those who question the validity of STD's claim to authorship of "Anna K.", ask yourself:
Anna K. was a member of STD: who is "Ana Ng" and what's her relationship to TMBG?
Which recording was first?
Whose lyrics make more sense?

The Marks (STD's bassist Mark Manasse and drummer Mark Weiser) have counseled against suing The Johns. But STD has heard TMBG is about to cover The Banana Slug Song...

Severe Tire Damage (band@std.org)