$10.00
This new release from Nightpass is divided amongst three bands from arid climes, all of them incubated in the South West USA. Theyve been thrown together here despite their differing sounds to form a CD representative of some of the best off-kilter musical happenings in the hottest corner of America. Comes packaged in a handmade slipcase.
First is Andrew Jackson Jihad, a guitar and bass duo, which is often augmented to a four or five piece band. Led by Sean Bonnette and Ben Gallaty, they hail from the thriving downtown Phoenix art and music scene. Both men are clearly attracted to some of the less pleasant aspects of life when it comes to song; child abuse, murder, etc. Nonetheless they manage to paint some of the most unfortunate goings on with a wry sense of brutal humor. Theyve purveyed their brand of laughter, joy and pain at a variety of Phoenix venues as well as on three West Coast Tours. The Jihad has played shows with the like of Xiu Xiu, Kimya Dawson and Flogging Molly and they are constantly being drawn upon as local support for independent touring bands in Phoenix. Through their constant touring theyve developed a loyal following, especially in their hometown where kids will literally sing every sardonic word to each and every song.
Las Vegas based Flaspar has been the long term project of Cody Brant. Here the band is expanded to four piece psychedelic off-world dance party crew. Though they traffic in catchy pop tunes, their approaches to programming and sound orchestration are capable of producing a substantial contact high due to the woozy delay drenched keyboards that dominate the mix. They have been a fixture in Vegas burgeoning club scene for some time, landing shows with Acid Mothers Temple, Yellow Swans, Afrirampo and Animal Collective. Flaspar have long been the go to dudes for setting up crazy house shows in Las Vegas. They can also be found lugging massive drum kits and projection set ups from Portland to LA.
Golden Boots are some of Tucsons finest popsmiths; strong words in a city known for breeding brittle pop masters. The songs on this split release launch the Boots in a whole new direction toward the orchestral pop of Brian Wilson or the Beatles. Free-association lyrics, weird breakdowns and the complimentary vocal exchanges of Winter Eights and Sutherland Crow make the Boots special, (and make the kids in Phoenix beg to get added to a Boots bill). Through their live shows and self-produced CDRs they have won themselves a dedicated following in both of Arizonas major cities, as well as in far off France strangely enough. Theyve creeped out and brought joy to the denizens of clubs like Congress and Plush while playing with folks like Vic Chestnut, Devotchka and Howe Gelb.