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Review & Lyric Video Premiere: Gomer Pyle, Before I Die I…

Posted in Bootleg Theater, Reviews on February 18th, 2020 by JJ Koczan

Gomer Pyle before I die I

[Click play above to see the premiere of Gomer Pyle’s ‘Laeviculus’ from their new album, Before I Die I…, out Feb. 28 on The Lab and Three Chords Records.]

A new full-length from Dutch-native heavy rockers Gomer Pyle isn’t something that simply happens every year or every other year. Or every five. Or 10. To wit, Before I Die I… is the third Gomer Pyle album, arriving as a 2LP through The Lab Records and Three Chords Records, and it follows behind their 1999 debut, Eurohappy, and its 2008 follow-up, Idiots Savants. While it’s true they’ve had a couple EPs out along the way, the latest of them being 2016’s three-song GP — which boasted “Side Kings,” also featured here as the longest track at 11:51 — three records over the course of 21 years, a one-per-seven-years average is still not a rate one would call prolific. One could spend months waxing poetic about the different world that 2020 presents as opposed to 2008, but the occasion bringing the band — with the listed membership of guitarist/vocalist Mark Brouwer, guitarist Mark van Loon, keyboardist Danny Gras (who also recorded), bassist Danny Huijgens and drummer Kees Haverkamp — together for Before I Die I… is more personal, and the clue is in the name. Like Astrosoniq‘s 2018 offering, Big Ideas Dare Imagination (review here), the title Before I Die I… is an extrapolation from Bidi, the first name of former manager Bidi van Drongelen, who passed away in June 2017. So that covers why.

As to how long some of these songs have been kicking around, the easiest guess considering the prior appearance of “Side Kings” is a mix of newer and older ideas, and Gomer Pyle‘s sound works much the same way, be it the progressive grunge of the penultimate “Your Demon,” which taps Alice in Chains-style harmonies and darkened vibes before resolving in a sudden thrust of harder-hitting noisy jaggedness, or the fluidity across 10-minute opener  “Remember the Days,” which gradually makes its way in over the first two-plus minutes and continues to unfold patiently despite an underlying rhythmic tension and a chorus of the type that one ends up hoping will be stuck in the head when it’s over, with just a current of pop-style wistfulness in the vocals that finds its payoff in the finale “Cyclus,” amid an instrumental build that the band gracefully let go into the ether after just four minutes of repeated lyrical structures and harmonizing. Across the 62 minutes and nine songs of Before I Die I…‘s span — and it is a span — the group make a case for themselves as being among the great lost generation of pre-social media underground heavy rock, but as with their countrymen in Astrosoniq, that “heavy rock” in their sound is really just a launch point for broader exploration.

Whether it’s “The Buzzer” bringing its hook after “Remember the Days” or the winding, swinging and brash “Scum Trade” or the insistent push of “Nicky McGee,” which follows — that one-two punch arriving, by the way, on the other end of the gorgeous unfurling of “Side Kings,” which is enough of a highlight that one hopes the 2LP positions it as its own side, simply because it deserves to stand alone — Gomer Pyle triumph through the varied currents of their songwriting, tying together sonic diversity through performance and distinctive tone and melody.

gomer pyle live at roadburn 2016

That’s not new math by any means, and while one wouldn’t accuse them of being revolutionary — for one thing, the word implies an urgency that despite some of their speedier grooves is undercut by the years between their releases — neither are Gomer Pyle anything resembling derivative in style. Rather, they present enough changes and shifts across Before I Die I… that one never quite knows where the next song is going to go, and that lack of predictability only makes finding out all the more thrilling as “Nicky McGee” rough-and-tumbles its way into the languid eight-minute stretch of “We Are One,” where the sweet and psychedelic guitar melody signals the emotional resonance at its core throughout the keyboard-laced linear build to come, meeting with a due payoff.

The subsequent “Laeviculus” is charged with distilling the sort of fluidity brought by “We Are One” and perhaps marrying it to some of the more straightforward impulses presented throughout Before I Die I…, but it does this across a six-minute run that still wants nothing for reach or memorability, thanks to a standout guitar solo in its second half, a particularly strong vocal, and a sense of nuance that extends to the timing of the snare hits around the five-minute mark. As it surges late and makes its sudden departure, it’s up to “Your Demon” to continue the momentum, which it does with a classic heavy rock swaggering groove, albeit one dressed in grunge melody and a quirky intertwining of guitar lines in the verse, perhaps hinting at some of the more open toying with structure that follows, but if there’s resolution to be had, it comes not only in the finality of the last thuds in “Your Demon” itself, but in the opening piano lines of “Cyclus,” which is, again, gorgeous and rife with class and sincerity without pretense, keeping a current of experimentalism in low-end electronic pulses underneath the emergent build, but finding its footing in the dramatic and sing-along ready vocals, though they’re there for a surprisingly short time.

Aren’t we all.

I did not know Bidi van Drongelen, and seeing the impact his loss had on the community of which he was a part has only made that more regrettable, but grief is universal and touches everyone at one point or another to some measure. The manner in which Gomer Pyle channel that into the scope of Before I Die I… is the type of homage not simply everyone could pay, channeling not just the sadness of losing someone who matters to you, but representing and celebrating the beautiful, complex wholeness of a life worth missing. Even separated from this context, its emotional crux is striking and powerful, and the multifaceted nature of the band’s approach stands up to whatever angle or read one might want to put to it in craft, performance and presentation.

Gomer Pyle on Facebook

Gomer Pyle on Instagram

The Lab Records on Facebook

The Lab Records website

The Lab Records on Instagram

Three Chords Records on Facebook

Three Chords Records on Instagram

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Gomer Pyle Reissuing Idiots Savants Nov. 29; New Album Before I Die I out Next Year

Posted in Whathaveyou on November 1st, 2019 by JJ Koczan

Issued at what might be considered the tail end of the CD era in 2008, Idiots Savants was the second album from Netherlands-based heavy rockers Gomer Pyle. They’ve yet to put out a third. And at 57 minutes, it’s long by today’s standards, but what a record to get lost in. From the motorik launch to the psychedelic immersion that takes hold later, the progressive heavy rock and grunge that arrives late in brooding fashion and the character and grace of their craft on the whole, it’s the kind of long-player that might have someone antsy for a proper follow-up even 11 years later.

Or 12 years later, as it were, since the band’s third full-length will reportedly be released in 2020. It’s been in the works for a while, so here’s hoping that comes together. A Nov. 29 reissue for Idiots Savants is welcome news for the interim though, and The Lab and Threechords Records seem intent on giving it some long overdue due, so right on. Still going to hold out hope for a new-stuff materialization of some sort — to be fair, they did put out an EP in 2016 — next year. Doesn’t even require actual physical effort to figuratively cross the fingers, so there you go.

Reissue info follows, courtesy of the PR wire:

gomer pyle idiots savants

The Lab Records and Threechords Records, proudly present: GOMER PYLE – IDIOTS SAVANTS 2019 reissue

The Lab Records in collaboration with Threechords Records proudly present Gomer Pyle’s “Idiots Savants”, originally released in 2008. This masterpiece will be released on November 29, 2019 in limited edition of 300 copies double orange vinyl with gatefold sleeve.

Release date 29/11/19

Gomer Pyle is a Psychedelic Stoner/ Grunge Rock band from South Netherlands.

Gomer Pyle is an unconventional band with a broad musical range and musical interest.

Each song is a genre on its own. It is all about the unconventional creative process. The autonomous journey where goals or not to please or fulfill (commercial) expectations, but to give way to creativity and the art of music and related arts. Through the years Gomer Pyle has gathered a great accumulation of fellow-thinkers and musical friends.

The band was formed in 1994 when the grunge scene came to a full. One year later they released their first EP “Honeybunny”. In 1999, the Eurohappy CD was released, and some time later the EP “Angelseagirl”. But after some bigger gigs the band went into a long hibernation. In 2006 Gomer Pyle introduced drummer Sander Evers and started a new musical era.

In 2007 the EP “GP” (limited promo pack edition) was released. In 2008 they released their masterpiece “Idiots Savants”. Until today referred to as a ‘stoner icon’ by many. Idiots Savants is a great mix of psychedelic jams and hard-straight stoner rock.

In 2011 the band fell apart due to colliding personalities and individual issues. After all those years it seemed Gomer Pyle was done for.

But after a long period of musical vacuum, the urge to put life back in to the band rose strong. Mark Brouwer and Mark van Loon, historically the main composers of Gomer Pyle, hooked up with Kees Haverkamp (drums) and found a great new bass player in Danny Huijgens. In this setting creativity found its way and set the band back on track like never before.

In 2016 they released an EP, did some great gigs in the Netherlands and Europe and after that started writing songs for a new and upcoming album.

In 2019 the band signed with The Lab Records (GR) and Threechords Records (BG). On late November, the two labels will reissue “Idiots Savants“ in 300 double orange vinyl with gatefold sleeve, and in 2020 – their upcoming new album “Before I Die I”.

Gomer Pyle is:
Mark Brouwer: Guitar, vocals
Mark van Loon: Guitar
Danny Gras: Keys
Danny Huijgens: Bass
Kees Haverkamp: Drums

https://www.facebook.com/gomerpylerocks/
https://www.instagram.com/gomerpyletheband/
https://www.facebook.com/thelabrecordsgreece
https://www.thelabtshirtathens.com/the-lab-records/
https://www.instagram.com/thelabrecords/
https://www.facebook.com/threechords.net/
https://www.instagram.com/threechords_record_store/

Gomer Pyle, Idiots Savants (2010)

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Roadburn 2016 Goes Apeshit and Adds Like 30 More Bands to Complete its Lineup

Posted in Whathaveyou on February 18th, 2016 by JJ Koczan

Every year, without fail, there comes a point at which one is forced to wonder if Roadburn has lost its damn mind. So it is today as the news hits the inbox of Roadburn 2016 “rounding out its lineup” with more bands than most festivals manage to host in a weekend. Unbefuckinglievable.

Over 30 acts have joined the bill for Roadburn 2016, which I’m thrilled and proud to say I’ll be attending and covering while also editing the Weirdo Canyon Dispatch daily ‘zine once again, including Scott Kelly and Sanford Parker‘s Mirrors for Psychic Warfare, Buried at Sea (also featuring Parker), New Keepers of the Water Towers, Usnea, Death Alley, Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell, Beastmaker, Gomer Pyle, Carousel, Zone Six, The Progerians (who have a new video out that’s getting posted in just a bit, Menhir and of course many others.

Oh yeah, and Jucifer are playing the pre-show. Pure madness.

I can’t wait:

Final additions to the Roadburn bill, including full Cul de Sac line up

New additions to the bill include BURIED AT SEA, MIRRORS FOR PSYCHIC WARFARE, INVERLOCH, CULT OF OCCULT, CHVE, and USNEA.
Full line up for Cul de Sac venue announced, including ‘Roadburn Introduces…’
JUCIFER announced for the Hard Rock Hide Out pre-Roadburn part

BURIED AT SEA

From the beginning surge of feedback through the last filth-caked rumble, BURIED AT SEA’s sound is a monument to the notion of tone as weight. Abrasive in the extreme and matched in aural largesse only by the sway of its rhythm, it surrounds completely and oppresses mercilessly. Here at Roadburn Festival HQ, we are beyond excited to announce BURIED AT SEA will bring their one-of-a-kind dirges to Roadburn 2016 on Sunday, April 17 at the 013 venue in Tilburg, The Netherlands.

MIRRORS FOR PSYCHIC WARFARE

We always knew they were unusually talented musicians, but in the last few years Scott Kelly and Sanford Parker have also become remarkably prolific, showing a wonderfully multi-faceted aspect to their artistic expression throughout a multitude of projects. They now appear as the sole members of this latest endeavour, MIRRORS FOR PSYCHIC WARFARE. A sort of reverse side of the coin to the unfettered, confrontational aggression of Corrections House, the five songs on their self-titled debut, are more insidious. MIRRORS FOR PSYCHIC WARFARE perform on Sunday, April 17 in the Green Room.

For more information about the above bands click here.

FURTHER ADDITIONS TO THE BILL

In addition to the above, the following bands have also been added to the Roadburn 2016 line up.

CHVE – click here for more info

SIR ADMIRAL CLOUDSESLEY SHOVEL (part of Lee Dorrian’s curated event)
BEASTMAKER (part of Lee Dorrian’s curated event)
CAROUSEL
click here for more info on these bands

CULT OF OCCULT
DANIEL PAYNE
HELL
INVERLOCH
USNEA
click here for more info on these bands

CUL DE SAC LINE UP

Once again, Roadburn Festival is very happy to be hosting our fifth at the Cul de Sac in collaboration with Never Mind The Hype, an independent Dutch music platform (think: rock meets alternative, or stoner rock meets psych). At Cul de Sac, we will focus on showcasing promising Dutch and Belgian bands, plus some acts from further afield. Positioned just around the corner from the 013 venue, the intimate surroundings of the Cul de Sac mean you can get up close and personal with some of the best up and coming bands we could get our hands on.

Once again we have picked one band to showcase under the Roadburn Introduces… banner, and in association with Nevermind The Hype, we’re pleased to announce that the showcase band for 2016 is DOOL. Hailing from Rotterdam, DOOL will lure us into their spiraling netherworld, and connect with the international Roadburn community during an intimate show at the Cul de Sac on Saturday April 16 in Tilburg,The Netherlands. DOOL starts at 2 pm. Click here to read more about DOOL.

Thursday April 14
MOLOKEN
NEW KEEPERS OF THE WATER TOWERS
ZONE SIX
DEAD NEANDERTHALS
GOMER PYLE
MANTRA MACHINE
Click here for more info

Friday April 15
HERDER
ALKERDEEL FEATURING GNAW THEIR TONGUES
COCAINE PISS
NOCTUM
OBESE
CONCATENATUS
Click here for more info

Just as we did last year, Roadburn will focus on Belgium, and in collaboration with one of the country’s foremost bookings agencies, RuffStuff Music, we welcome some fantastic bands hailing from just next door in Belgium – bands that embodied the spirit of Roadburn. Together we will host some exciting, cutting edge bands, alongside Roadburn’s established acts, for the second year in a row.

Saturday April 16
HEMELBESTORMER (click here for more info)
GRIMMSONS
PARTISAN
THE PROGERIANS
WE’REWOLVES
VVOVNDS
Click here for more info

Sunday April 17
SYNDROME
CHAOS ECHOES
MENHIR
WITCH TRAIL
And finish your Roadburn experience with DEATH ALLEY
Click here for more info

HARD ROCK HIDE OUT

In keeping with what has become Roadburn tradition, we’ll be welcoming keen Roadburners to Tilburg on Wednesday, April 13 with a party at Cul de Sac. Whilst newcomers get their bearings, return visitors will slip straight back into old habits. Welcoming Roadburners to Tilburg this year will be none other than our our favourite pair of highly-amplified nomads – JUCIFER. They will park up at the Cul de Sac for the evening and rip through their harsh, thrashy, sludgy, doomy, downright massive tunes.

TICKETS

Day tickets for Thursday and Friday remain on sale, but all other ticketing options are now SOLD OUT. For a full rundown of the line up and to view the line up posters, please click HERE.

Buried at Sea, Ghost (2007)

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Lake on Fire 2016: Causa Sui, Gomer Pyle and Savanah Added to Lineup

Posted in Whathaveyou on February 10th, 2016 by JJ Koczan

Austria’s Lake on Fire festival marks its fifth anniversary with Lake on Fire 2016 this Aug. 5-6. Held at a gorgeous lakeside campground in Waldhausen, it looks to be a pretty amazing setting for some dead-on heavy. With the proceeds from each year donated to charity, this year began its lineup announcements with Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats and The Flying Eyes and continues this week with Causa Sui, a Gomer Pyle reunion and Savanah. Last year’s bill had 14 acts, so it seems fair to expect Lake on Fire 2016 isn’t quite halfway there in terms of its final roster of bands, but as you can see, they’re doing just fine as it is.

There’s a video of clips from last year’s fest, and if you look at some of the photos from their website as well, it seems like a stunning way to enjoy some rock and roll:

lake on fire 2016 burning

Lake on Fire Festival returns for its 5th anniversary on 05-06.08 2016

LINE UP:
Uncle Acid and the deadbeats (UK)
Causa Sui (DK)
Gomer Pyle (NL)
The Flying Eyes (US)
Savanah (AT)

As promised we start the week with the latest killer additions to the LOF line up!

Get psyched for CAUSA SUI / GOMER PYLE / SAVANAH!

Causa Sui – band page (DK/Heavy Psych)
During the last years this band only played a very few shows, therefore we are beyond stoked that we can offer you this rare occasion at LOF2016. In our opinion this band shares the European throne with the almighty Colour Haze when it comes to Psychedelic Rock! A new record will be released as well!

Gomer Pyle (NL/Stoner Psychedelic)
A very special one for us, as Gomer Pyle was one of the first bands which introduced us to the mesmerizing world of Stoner & Psych Rock back in the days. Unfortunately, they disbanded five years ago, however, the guys will start their engine again for a high anticipated reunion show at LOF2016.

Savanah(AUT/Stoner Rock)
One of the most promising Austrian acts of the last years. Their recent EP “Deep Shades” gained very good reviews all over Europe and the band’s aggressive style of Stoner/Psych and Doom will be perfect enough to shake the floating stage to the ground.

https://www.facebook.com/LOF.festival/
https://www.facebook.com/events/528023717362620/
http://www.lakeonfirefestival.com/

Lake on Fire 2015, Impressions from the Festival

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Frydee Gomer Pyle

Posted in Bootleg Theater on June 24th, 2011 by JJ Koczan

This song is pretty grunged-out, but still good stuff. Like if Alice in Chains were a krautrock-obsessed Dutch stoner band, which I think would do them a couple favors at this point. In any case, I stumbled on Gomer Pyle‘s “Math Again,” and it’s heavy and riffy and that’s alright by me.

The Patient Mrs. is in Connecticut for the weekend and I am not. Tonight I finished a month-long process of logging CDs and taking albums off my two racks and putting them into storage containers and then “away.” It was kind of a sad thing. I had to take out some good stuff, but stuff I don’t really listen to at this point. A bummer, but at least it’s done. That and beer and the ballgame have pretty much been the course of the evening, so no complaints.

Among the sundry goals I have for the next couple days is picking a theme, making and posting a new podcast. Hopefully I’ll get that sorted out tomorrow and up and running by Sunday, but if not, this coming week definitely. Also on Monday, I’m headed out to see Blackwolfgoat at Lit Lounge. I’ve never seen Darryl play in-person before, so it should be a good time. I hope to come out of it with a better understanding of what the project is about and a couple decent pictures. If I wind up with either, I’ll post about it.

Other stuff too this week, like a review of the new Monkey3 album and if I’m lucky a premiere of a new song by a certain Southern stoner-death supergroup who shall not yet be named. We’ll also continue with the Top Five of the First Half of 2011 countdown, and, because time goes ridiculously fast in these 30-day months, the June numbers and a wrap of the month. It’s also about time I went on an interview binge to get a couple in the can, so if there’s anyone you want to see a Q&A with (other than YOB, which is obvious), let me know.

In the meantime though, have a great and safe weekend. See you on the forum and back here on Monday. If you’re in NYC and free Monday night, you should come see Blackwolfgoat too. Here’s the flier for the show:

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