Our series What Was First continues today with a trip down North Carolina way to learn about the first release on Merge Records.  Listener Mark Neese wrote in to suggest this one and it turns out that the first release on Merge is not a 7", 12" or a compact disc. No, it's a cassette!  Yes, the band Bricks — one of many early bands to feature Mac McCaughan — and their tape "Winterspring" was what was first on Merge.  Hit play and merge onto the Rockin' the Suburbs podcast superhighway.  Subscribe to Rockin' the Suburbs on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or other podcast platforms, including audioBoom, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon, iHeart, Stitcher and TuneIn. Or listen at SuburbsPod.com. Please rate/review the show on Apple Podcasts and share it with your friends. Visit our website at SuburbsPod.com Email Jim & Patrick at rock@suburbspod.com Follow us on the Twitter, Facebook or Instagram @suburbspod If you're glad or sad or high, call the Suburban Party Line — 612-440-1984. Theme music: "Ascension," originally by Quartjar, covered by Frank Muffin. Visit quartjar.bandcamp.com and frankmuffin.bandcamp.com