SXSW has commenced and it’s less than a week away until I head down to check out some tunes. For the next couple weeks, I’ll get you up on some of the acts worth paying attention to– whether you’re attending or not.
From deep in the cosmos of Iowa comes the first of my notable bands, Mondo Drag, orbiting the planet’s garage, psych, space, sludge and stoner rock. With a wall of sound all their own, an arsenal of guitars, and a head full of clouds, the psych rock quintet channels sounds from the past. One listen to their myspace and you can pick up the influences of Sabbath, Vanilla Fudge, Blue Cheer and countless other successful acts from the late 60s/early 70s. Sometimes the past sounds refreshingly new.
Their last album New Rituals off Alive Records has become one of my favorite new listens. The album is characterized by spacey song intros, powerful grooves and soaring vocals from lead singer Nolan Girard. Girard is backed up by Jake Sheley (guitar), Johnnie Cluney (drums and vocals), John Gamino (keyboards and sax), and Dennis Hockaday (bass).
Schedule & Other Links:
Mar 19 2010
8:00P
SXSW
GET IN TOUCH, Texas
Mar 20 2010
5:45P
Electra Beauty Lounge SXSW
Austin, Texas
Mar 20 2010
8:30P
Fast Folks Day Party Unofficial SXSW @ The Gas Pipe
