https://www.high-endrolex.com/18

Desertfest New York 2024 Makes First Lineup Announcement Dozer, Acid King, Green Lung, Russian Circles & More to Play

Posted in Whathaveyou on March 21st, 2024 by JJ Koczan

desertfest nyc 2024 banner

The message here is clear: Desertfest is all-in on New York. Begun in 2019 and resurfacing in 2022 at a new venue, The Knockdown Center, somewhere in the nebulous border region between Brooklyn and Queens, and a corresponding pre-show at the Saint Vitus Bar, which one hopes will reopen well in advance of this September, Desertfest New York 2024 is vivid in taking it to the next level.

It’s nothing less than a generational event to bring Dozer from Sweden to NYC (they toured the US circa 2000, I’m pretty sure), and for that alone, Desertfest earns your weekend ticket price today. Never mind that at the same time they’re celebrating legends like Dozer and Acid King, they’re also extending their reach to up and coming bands. Green Lung will play — gotta be the main stage, right? isn’t their sound too big for anything else? maybe outside at night? — coming over from the UK to do so, and West Coast outfits KadabraAbrams, Deathchant (who at this point I count as a secret being a little too well kept) and Hippie Death Cult complement well Acid King near the top of the bill, where you’ll also find instrumentalists Russian Circles, presumably a headliner, and fair enough. Oh yeah, and Truckfighters just in case anyone gets tired and needs a bit of a cardio pick-me-up.

Guhts from New York, Domkraft from Sweden, Belzebong from Poland and an awaited appearance from Boston’s Gozu round out this initial announcement, with more to come. It’s on my calendar. You might think about putting it on yours as well:

Desertfest-NYC-2024-first-poster

Desertfest NYC announces Russian Circles, Acid King, Green Lung, Truckfighters, Dozer & more for its 2024 lineup.

For their return to the Knockdown Center this September, Desertfest NYC has unveiled its first artists set to take the stage for their fourth edition, announcing post-metal giants RUSSIAN CIRCLES as their first headliner. Joining them will be California stoner metal legends ACID KING and London occult metal sensations GREEN LUNG, making their US debut. After they were unable to perform at DF 2022, the festival is thrilled to finally be hosting them stateside.

Swedish rockers and long-time Desertfest friends TRUCKFIGHTERS will return for their first New York performance in four years, along with fellow countrymen and stoner devotees DOZER.

Joining the party will be Poland’s instrumental ‘dudes’ BELZEBONG, Swedish psychedelic hypnotizers DOMKRAFT, and a healthy dose of rock n roll arrives courtesy of Los Angeles quartet, DEATHCHANT and Boston mainstays GOZU.

Elsewhere we’ll be treated to some psychedelic swagger from Pacific Northwesterners KADABRA and HIPPE DEATH CULT, and some heavy gazin’ with Denver’s ABRAMS and NY locals GUHTS.

Desertfest New York 2024 will take place September 12th – 14th. 3-Day Festival Passes (incl. pre-party access) and 2-Day Festival passes are available now via https://www.desertfestnewyork.com & https://link.dice.fm/desertfest2024

https://facebook.com/Desertfestnyc/
https://www.instagram.com/desertfest_nyc/
http://www.desertfestnewyork.com

Dozer, “Big Sky Theory” live in Adelaide, Australia, Nov. 2023

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Hippie Death Cult Announce West Coast Touring

Posted in Whathaveyou on March 19th, 2024 by JJ Koczan

hippie death cult

Surprised that Hippie Death Cult are rolling out this Spring for West Coast dates supporting their 2023 album, Helichrysum (review here), or that they’re heading off anyone who’d do the social media thing where people complain tours aren’t coming to their houses like Amazon deliveries by saying there’s more to come in North America and Europe? Yeah, I’m not really either. Touring is a big part of what they do and remained such as they restructured their lineup around the three-piece of bassist/vocalist Laura Phillips, guitarist Eddie Brnabic and drummer Harry Silvers, and that includes fostering a rawer, more-live-feeling sound on last year’s aforementioned LP.

The news is no less welcome for being not-unexpected, however, as Hippie Death Cult set themselves to hitting stops up and down the Pacific Coastline, dipping inland for Las Vegas, Reno, etc. Having already pulled off the sonic pivot of Helichrysum decisively and with rare freshness of perspective for something that’s not actually a debut, maybe this can be something of a victory lap for that. Or, you know, if not, maybe the next tour, because history paints them as honest when they say there’s more to follow.

In the meantime, this took me a couple days to post because I suck at this whole thing, but here’s what they had to say about it, fancy fonts and all:

hippie death cult west coast 2024

Pacific West Coast !! Get ready⚡️We are kicking off our 2024 tour season with a special run up and down the coast this May & June !! Like always, each n’ every show is a 𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐝 h͎i͎g͎h͎ ͎v͎i͎b͎r͎a͎t͎i͎o͎n͎a͎l͎ ͎m͎o͎j͎o͎ ͎s͎h͎i͎f͎t͎e͎r🫨 See y’all SOON!

Tickets on sale today at 10am PST!! Don’t miss out !!

Get your tix, tag your friends, See y’all soon !!

𝐩คc𝕚𝐟Į𝓬 𝕠Ⓓy𝕤S𝐞𝓎 ŦᗝỮя ➁ʘ2➃
5.16 SAN FRANCISCO, CA – @sfeagle
5.17 COSTA MESA, CA – @wayfarercm
5.18 OCEANSIDE, CA – @pourhouseoceanside
5.19 LOS ANGELES, CA – @permanentrecordsla
5.20 LAS VEGAS , NV – @the_dive_lv
5.21 RENO, NV – @lobarsocial
5.22 BRENTWOOD, CA – @thebrentwoodemporium
5.23 REDDING, CA, – @thedipredding
5.24 CRESENT CITY, CA – Enoteca
5.25 PORTLAND, OR – @coffinclubpdx
6.14 EUGENE, OR – @johnhenryseugene
6.15 SEATTLE, WA – @clockoutlounge

Ticket Links:
https://www.bandsintown.com/a/12709196-hippie-death-cult

More North American, UK & European dates TBA …

HIPPIE DEATH CULT is:
Laura Phillips – Bass/Vocals
Eddie Brnabic – Guitar
Harry Silvers – Drums

https://hippiedeathcult.bandcamp.com/
https://instagram.com/hippiedeathcultband/
https://www.facebook.com/hippiedeathcultband/
https://soundcloud.com/hippie-death-cult
https://www.hippiedeathcultband.com/

heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
www.heavypsychsounds.com
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/
https://www.instagram.com/heavypsychsounds_records/

Hippie Death Cult, Helichrysum (2023)

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Album Review: Hippie Death Cult, Helichrysum

Posted in Reviews on October 31st, 2023 by JJ Koczan

Hippie Death Cult Helicrysum

Most bands get one debut. Here’s Hippie Death Cult‘s second. It’s been an interesting few years in the life of the Portland, Oregonian heavy rockers, who with their third full-length, Helichrysum, mark a new path forward. In the two years between 2019’s 111 (review here) and 2021’s Circle of Days (review here), the then-four-piece built remarkable momentum for a time that at least in part included pandemic shutdowns, and as they resumed domestic and international touring — fests, headlining dates, support slots, the whole thing — later in 2021 they bid farewell to vocalist/organist Ben Jackson. A change up front is always significant, and the departure of the keyboard that had up to then been a likewise formidable presence and distinguishing feature in their sound would probably derail some acts, but Hippie Death Cult not only kept going as a trio, they also faced the departure of drummer Ryan Moore this past January.

Helichrysum, then, represents a kind of going to ground. With Jackson and Moore gone, the band held fast with the core duo of bassist and now-lead vocalist and lyricist Laura Phillips and guitarist/riffmaker Eddie Brnabic (who also produced and mixed here, with assistance from Ben Barnett and Jeremy Romagna engineering) bringing in the classic-styled Harry Silvers (also Robots of the Ancient World) on swing-drums. Tours continued, songwriting and recording obviously happened or we wouldn’t be talking about a new record, and they even managed to get it released in time to keep a two-year interval between albums — whether or not that was a goal, I don’t know, but it’s impressive, considering — while reimagining their sound.

And there’s the crucial point. With Phillips up front and the organ gone, and with Silvers on drums in place of Moore — I’d imagine drummers could opine on their respective styles based solely on the builds of their respective kits on stage; rack cymbals out, soon-to-be-busted crash and big kick in — Hippie Death Cult aren’t trying to deny things are different this time, and that’s about more than just no-keys or the gender of their lead vocalist. They’re diving headfirst into it. In the brooding chug of on-theme opener “Arise,” the rawness of the punch in the bass and the corresponding currents of prog and metal that were in Brnabic‘s guitar to start with are highlighted from the outset, and while the dynamic and the chemistry of Hippie Death Cult has shifted — Phillips letting out the first of the album’s several righteous screams as they transition to the guitar solo at about four minutes into the six-minute piece; a sample about a minute later brings more with the lava-flow finish; not a complaint — both are accounted for in the new incarnation of their sound. It’s a little different, and that can be scary, I know, but the lesson of Helichrysum is that sometimes it’s worth starting over.

From “Arise” on through the smooth-boogie, maybe-written-later-in-the-process “Shadows,” which follows, and into the mellower psych-doom of “Better Days,” Phillips owns the role taken on in the material, and she, Silvers and Brnabic seem to revel in the subsequent centerpiece “Red Giant” and the subsequent hippies-go-metal “Toxic Annihilator,” the two shortest inclusions on the album and, at least as applies to the latter, the most aggressive output they’ve had to-date, in case you were concerned that just because Hippie Death Cult have never thrashed before that might mean they couldn’t do it. They do, and make it their own. Bolstered by the tension of Brnabic‘s speedy chug in “Red Giant” — hard-boogieing through its layered solo with a willful recklessness that, frankly, rules, they set up “Toxic Annihilator” not only with more vocal screams (as opposed to the tubes in their amps, likely also screaming) but a swagger they’ve never really shown before in a brief, stage-minded series of stops as well as the riff parade preceding — the energy at the start of “Toxic Annihilator” is electric, palpable.

Hippie Death Cult

The last time Hippie Death Cult made a three-minute song it was the acoustic interlude “Mrtyu” on 111. In its production, “Toxic Annihilator” isn’t metal, but in its actual construction and purposes, it most definitely is, and it’s easy to imagine that what feels so much like it was written for the stage is duly flattening in a live setting. Atop a torrent of guitar, Phillips shouts her way through the early verse with Silvers‘ crash for complement, then croons through the build up to an almost Slayer-ish growl (thinking Tom Araya at the end of the intro to “Angel of Death,” minus the high note preceding) at the transition point to a headspinning, hypnotic digging in marked by another scream at the start of the next cycle through before the making-sure-the-barn-is-all-the-way-burnt solo finishes.

For anyone missing keys, the penultimate “Nefilibata” is introduced by organ before it nestles quickly into its midtempo groove, and all seems business as usual — amazing how effectively ‘usual’ is redefined here while staying true to a high standard of what that means — until a layered arrangement of melodic vocals marks it out from its surroundings, emblematic perhaps of a reconstructed band trying something new that might or might not further manifest in their sound as they move forward, but it makes “Nefilibata” a late highlight, and with the reorientation of that initial organ line, there’s no interruption to the flow that has carried them really from “Arise” without any more hitches than they’ve seemingly wanted there to be as they turn to “Tomorrow’s Sky” to close, the by-now familiar thud of the drums, a spacious guitar, and yes, a little more keys, coming about as close as Hippie Death Cult might to drift with the guitar floating above, mirroring the lower-frequencies of the drums and bass holding the rhythm while feeling bright and engaging in the doing.

Fluid front-to-back, “Tomorrow’s Sky” wants nothing for angularity as its early melancholy gives over to a verse with a lightly progressive feel and the band oozes toward the somewhat-understated winding finish with a grace that’s both familiar from what they’ve done in the past while also distinct from it in form. New, in other words. It’s not just that Hippie Death Cult went through lineup changes before they made their third LP. They took advantage of the opportunity those changes represented to bring new perspectives to what they do, and so while Helichrysum is more outwardly raw in its sound than they’ve been before, the songs that comprise it benefit from the vitality that becomes so much of the album’s focus. They will, one hopes, continue to grow organically as they settle further into this modus over the next few years, but the efforts they’ve made and the resilience they’ve shown already have their payoff here.

Hippie Death Cult, Helichrysum (2023)

Hippie Death Cult on Bandcamp

Hippie Death Cult on Instagram

Hippie Death Cult on Facebook

Hippie Death Cult on Soundcloud

Hippie Death Cult website

Heavy Psych Sounds on Bandcamp

Heavy Psych Sounds on Instagram

Heavy Psych Sounds on Facebook

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Hippie Death Cult to Release Helichrysum Oct. 20; New Song Posted

Posted in Whathaveyou on July 12th, 2023 by JJ Koczan

Hippie Death Cult

Been waiting for news about the next Hippie Death Cult record? Me too. The Portland, Oregon, trio will issue Helichrysum — which, trust me, you don’t want to forget that second ‘h’ and then have to go back and change not only all the front-end text, but the tags and such that I use for back-end navigation through the disorganized clusterscrew that is this site for a grand total of upwards of four minutes of self-embarrassed inconvenience; the title comes from a kind of plant, and no, I don’t know if it gets you high — on Oct. 20, and if you’ve kept up since the release of their 2021 album, Circle of Days (review here), you’re already aware that it was basically the work of a different band.

Since that outing, Laura Phillips has taken over lead vocals in addition to her prior bass duties, and Harry Silvers (who also plays in Robots of the Ancient World) has landed the drummer role, so as a three-piece with guitarist Eddie Brnabic‘s now-unaccompanied-by-organ riffs leading the way, it’s a rawer Hippie Death Cult in the new collection, but also a more forceful one. Phillips has an undercurrent of classic metal to her delivery that suits the Sab-worship grooves on opener/first single “Arise,” and Silvers proffers swing to spare. Not saying I’ve heard it or anything, but it’s a rager. You’re gonna want to see them live after you listen. How fortunate the band also recently announced a September tour with Spirit Mother. Those dates are below, along with the album announcement for Helichrysum.

The PR wire sent the following:

Hippie Death Cult Helicrysum

HIPPIE DEATH CULT to issue new album “Helichrysum” this fall on Heavy Psych Sounds; stream debut single “Arise”!

Portland’s most hybrid 70s heavy rockers HIPPIE DEATH CULT team up with Metal Injection to present their new single “Arise” today. Their third studio album “Helichrysum” is due for an October 20th release on Heavy Psych Sounds.

“Lyrically, “Arise” serves as a poignant reminder of the prevalence of grifters and self-proclaimed spiritual leaders who exploit vulnerable individuals searching for guidance, often leaving them even more disillusioned and adrift than before. The song narrates a tale of a devoted follower who finally sees through the charismatic manipulation and shatters the illusion. Another reminder to question everything and trust your own inner compass when navigating the path of truth,” says bassist and vocalist Laura Philips.

About the album, the band adds: “Helichrysum delves deep into the human experience, exploring the wounds we carry and the transformative power that lies within us. It serves as a culmination of the countless creative and personal choices we have made, leading us to a place of greater harmony within ourselves, with each other, and with our collective intentions. Musically speaking, the new album is a testament to our commitment to delivering a sonic experience that is unapologetically raw, adventurous, heavy, groovy and psychedelic. The choice to name the album after the Helichrysum plant holds significance as it symbolizes endurance, healing, immortality, and the power to overcome adversity, which mirror many of the themes throughout the record.”

“Helichrysum” was recorded and mixed by Eddie Brnabic, Ben Barnett and Jeremy Romagna at 8-4 Studios in Portland, Oregon. It was mastered by Maor Appelbaum at Maor Appelbaum Mastering in Los Angeles, California. Artwork illustrated by Greg Traw.

New album “Helichrysum”
Out October 20th on Heavy Psych Sounds – Preorder: https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/shop.htm#HPS285

Tracklisting:
1. Arise
2. Shadows
3. Better Days
4. Red Giant
5. Toxic Annihilator
6. Nefelibata
7. Tomorrows Sky

To support the release of “Helichrysum,” Hippie Death Cult has planned full-blown North American and European tours. Fans can expect an immersive and powerful live experience as the band brings their high-energy performances to stages across the globe. With their unwavering dedication to their craft and their ability to push boundaries, Hippie Death Cult is poised to leave an indelible mark on the music scene for years to come.

HIPPIE DEATH CULT & SPIRIT MOTHER tour:
9/8 Portland, OR- Lose Yr Mind Fest
9/9 Seattle, WA – El Corazón
9/10 Vancouver, BC – The Wise
9/12 Calgary, AB – Palomino Smokehouse
9/15 Winnipeg, MB – Pyramid Cabaret
9/16 St Paul, MN – Turf Club
9/17 Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon Madison
9/18 Chicago, IL – Reggies
9/19 Memphis, TN – Growlers
9/20 Lafayette, LA – Freetown Boom Boom Room
9/21 Arlington, TX – Division Brewing
9/22 Austin, TX – Ripplefest
9/23 Houston, TX – Black Magic Social Club
9/24 El Paso, TX – TBA
9/26 Albuquerque, NM – Sister *
9/97 Tempe, AZ – Yucca Taproom *
9/28 Las Vegas, NV – The Usual Place *
9/29 Los Angeles, CA – Permanent Records
9/30 Albany, CA – Ivy Room
10/01 San Francisco, CA – Kilowatt Bar
*w/ @brant_bjork

HIPPIE DEATH CULT is:
Laura Phillips – Bass/Vocals
Eddie Brnabic – Guitar
Harry Silvers – Drums

Hippie Death Cult, Helichrysum (2023)

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Hippie Death Cult Announce September Touring with Spirit Mother

Posted in Whathaveyou on June 26th, 2023 by JJ Koczan

While also making a mid-tour stop through Ripplefest Texas in Austin, Hippie Death Cult and Spirit Mother will head out on a West Coast tour together starting Sept. 8 in the former’s native Portland, Oregon, playing alongside the likes of Blackwater HolylightWeeedRobots of the Ancient World and R.I.P., among others in a variety of styles. They’ll hit Canada for three dates, and roll through known spots on the circuit like El Corazón in Seattle, Reggies in Chicago, Permanent Records in L.A. and Freetown Boom Boom Room in Louisiana. A couple shows with Brant Bjork. It’s a tour, in other words.

One anxiously awaits word of new material from both outfits, but I guess one (me, in this case) will keep waiting. This tour will be after Spirit Mother return from Europe after appearing at SonicBlast Fest in Portugal and Supersonic in France. Their debut full-length, Cadets (review here), came out in 2020 and was followed by the live album, Live in the Mojave Desert Vol. 3 (review here). For Hippie Death Cult, their next LP will be their first since paring down to a trio, putting Laura Phillips on lead vocals in addition to bass, and bringing in Harry Silvers on drums, basically restructuring the band. If you didn’t see their live clip covering Black Sabbath‘s “Rat Salad” (posted here), consider it recommended viewing.

Hippie Death Cult posted the following on socials. I added lineups and links, as I will:

Hippie Death Cult tour

Hey y’all ✌(#127996#) We are VERY excited to announce that we will be rolling through some select cities across America and Canada this September with our good buddies in @spiritmotherband !! Come join us for a one of a kind psychedelic soul heavy Rock N’ Roll experience !! This is not to be missed !! Tickets go live TODAY at 10am PST. Get ‘em NOW !!! Link in our bio (#127915#)

Leave us a comment if we’re gonna see YOU this fall.

9/8 Portland, OR- Lose Yr Mind Fest
9/9 Seattle, WA – El Corazón
9/10 Vancouver, BC – The Wise
9/12 Calgary, AB – Palomino Smokehouse
9/15 Winnipeg, MB – Pyramid Cabaret
9/16 St Paul, MN – Turf Club
9/17 Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon Madison
9/18 Chicago, IL – Reggies
9/19 Memphis, TN – Growlers
9/20 Lafayette, LA – Freetown Boom Boom Room
9/21 Arlington, TX – Division Brewing
9/22 Austin, TX – Ripplefest
9/23 Houston, TX – Black Magic Social Club
9/24 El Paso, TX – TBA
9/26 Albuquerque, NM – Sister *
9/97 Tempe, AZ – Yucca Taproom *
9/28 Las Vegas, NV – The Usual Place *
9/29 Los Angeles, CA – Permanent Records
9/30 Albany, CA – Ivy Room
10/01 San Francisco, CA – Kilowatt Bar
*w/ @brant_bjork

HIPPIE DEATH CULT is:
Harry Silvers – Drums
Eddie Brnabic – Guitar
Laura Phillips – Vocals/Bass

SPIRIT MOTHER is:
Vocals, Bass / Armand Lance
Violin, Vocals / SJ
Violin, Vocals / Camille Getz
Guitar / Sean McCormick
Drums / Landon Cisneros

https://hippiedeathcult.bandcamp.com/
https://instagram.com/hippiedeathcultband/
https://www.facebook.com/hippiedeathcultband/
https://soundcloud.com/hippie-death-cult
https://www.hippiedeathcultband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SpiritMotherBand/
https://www.instagram.com/spiritmotherband/
https://spiritmother.bandcamp.com/
https://www.spiritmotherofficial.com/

heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
www.heavypsychsounds.com
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/
https://www.instagram.com/heavypsychsounds_records/

Hippie Death Cult, “Nice to Know You”

Spirit Mother, “Black Sheep” official video

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Ripplefest Texas 2023: Complete Lineup Announced

Posted in Whathaveyou on May 18th, 2023 by JJ Koczan

I don’t feel the need to even really say anything here. The lineup speaks for itself. And those who go to this year’s RippleFest Texas will also speak of it, for years, probably in a similar way people now talk about having been at this or that Emissions From the Monolith when that was going on in Ohio. The stuff of legend, in other words. Yeah, you can put on a fest and try to make it cool and fun, or you can do something like this and make it the highlight of everybody who attends’ year.

Kudos to Lick of My Spoon Productions and Ripple Music on a job well done. This will be something special. Bands have been leaked out one at a time at intermittent daily intervals, but the final lineup is out as of today, and it’s stunning. A blend of generations, a reach from on end of the country to the other, and a swath of the heavy underground all rallied in one place for a few days, pre- and after-parties included. Fucking a. If you’re attending, count yourself lucky.

As seen on socials:

Ripplefest Texas 2023

Here it is! The full lineup for RippleFest Texas #3! This will be one for the ages with a stacked lineup and lots of special treats in between. Get your tickets now!

Amazing art by @1horsetown

* playing the Pre-Party
+ playing the Afterparty

King Buffalo, Acid King, Brant Bjork Trio, Sasquatch, Wo-Fat, Fatso Jetson, Mondo Generator, Unida, The Well+, The Atomic Bitchwax, Telekinetic Yeti*, Duel, Forming the Void, Hippie Death Cult, High Desert Queen*, Avon, War Cloud, Rubber Snake Charmers, Spirit Mother+, Kind, Nick Oliveri, Thunder Horse, Royal Sons+, Restless Spirit*, (Big) Pig, Fostermother, Dead Feathers+, Rainbows Are Free, Warlung*, Sun Voyager, Red Mesa, Dunes, Tia Carrera+, Mr. Plow, The Heroine*, Michael Rudolph Cummings, The Absurd+, GoodEye*, Red Beard Wall, God Damn Good Time Band+

Plus a “Legends of the Desert and Friends” jam session to close out Saturday night!

And as always, the visuals by The Mad Alchemist Liquid Light Show

All-Access passes are SOLD OUT! All we have left are 2 Day Passes and Pre/Afterparty tickets available. Many more bands to be announced! Get your tickets now before the full lineup is revealed and the ticket price goes up!

FESTIVAL TIX: https://bit.ly/faroutxripplefest
PREPARTY TIX: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ripplefest-texas-pre-party-tickets-548171905927
AFTERPARTY TIX: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ripplefest-texas-afterparty-tickets-548185095377
FB EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/1351567998746933/

https://www.facebook.com/theripplemusic/
https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/
http://www.ripple-music.com/

https://www.facebook.com/LOMSProductions
https://www.instagram.com/LOMSProductions/
http://www.lickofmyspoon.com/
https://linktr.ee/Lickofmyspoon

King Buffalo, “Regenerator” live at Sonic Whip 2023

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Hippie Death Cult Post “Rat Salad” Live Video

Posted in Bootleg Theater on March 29th, 2023 by JJ Koczan

hippie death cult

Well, hot shit. Looks like Hippie Death Cult‘s new drummer is the real deal. Stand back from your screen as you watch Harry Silvers‘ sticks fly during the cover of Black Sabbath‘s instrumental swingfest “Rat Salad” from Paranoid, lest one of those sticks breaks the fourth wall to poke you in the eye. It was only mid-January when the Portland, Oregon-based outfit welcomed Silvers to the fold, their lineup having been revamped around bassist Laura Phillips and guitarist Eddie Brnabic since the release of 2021’s Circle of Days (review here), paring down from four to three players, shifting Phillips to a dual role as lead vocalist (and bassist, duh) and seeing Silvers take over on drums.

Those aren’t minor changes, but they seem not to have slowed the band’s momentum in the slightest. Already since this clip was recorded earlier this month, the trio hit California to play Heavy Psych Sounds Fest in San Francisco and Joshua Tree, and they’ll be at RippleFest Texas later this year with more dates sure to coincide. When Silvers came on board, the band posted a quick clip of his playing, but as a proof-of-concept demonstration of instrumental chemistry, “Rat Salad” is a piece well chosen with its bluesy bounce, burner guitar solo, essential fountain of bass, and, in the original, Bill Ward‘s madcap hit-hard-jazz tumult. To this, Silvers does justice, and frankly that’s one of the nicest things I can think of to say about any drummer, anywhere, at any time. I think if you watch the video, you’ll find it’s not a compliment lightly given. Ain’t nobody half-assing, but the kid absolutely shreds the drum solo to the point that, when it’s done — and at under three minutes, it’s deceptively efficient — it feels a little like an injustice that they don’t segue immediately into “Fairies Wear Boots.”

And I’m not sure what the occasion is here beyond the video turned out awesome, but that’s certainly enough excuse when it comes to Hippie Death Cult as far as I’m concerned. Whether you’re gonna see them this year or not — I’m hoping I am at some point, though I’m not sure when — this is worth the couple minutes to see why maybe you should.

Enjoy:

Hippie Death Cult, “Rat Salad” live in Portland, OR, March 17, 2023

Clips of Hippie Death Cult performing Black Sabbath’s “Rat Salad” live at Dante’s in Portland, Oregon on 3/17/2023.

Footage:
Eddy Vazquez
Triangles Around Us
Shady Hallow Media

Edits & Audio Mix:
Spirit Eye Photography

HDC is:
Laura Phillips : Vocals/Bass
Eddie Brnabic : Guitar
Harry Silvers : Drums

Hippie Death Cult on Bandcamp

Hippie Death Cult on Instagram

Hippie Death Cult on Facebook

Hippie Death Cult on Soundcloud

Hippie Death Cult website

Heavy Psych Sounds on Bandcamp

Heavy Psych Sounds on Instagram

Heavy Psych Sounds on Facebook

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Heavy Psych Sounds Fest California 2023 Announces Full Lineups

Posted in Whathaveyou on January 23rd, 2023 by JJ Koczan

Park myself in Joshua Tree for a weekend just as the winter is turning to spring, catch a ton of awesome bands from and beyond the desert? Yeah, that sounds pretty magical, to be honest. Nothing against San Francisco. I’ve seen videos from outside at Thee Parkside and it looks like an incredible place to see a gig, but if I’m making the trip from the other side of the country — and unless there’s a sudden fiscal windfall in my favor, I’m not, sadly — it’s the desert calling, all the more with All Souls and BigPig and Third Ear Experience on that bill. That’s a memorable weekend in the making.

The 2023 lineups for Heavy Psych Sounds Fest in California are finished, and with the two posters next to each other you can see some of the differences from one to the other, but they’re mostly the same as artists will play in one city one night, the other the other, and as someone who remembers seeing Yawning Man and Fatso Jetson together a decade ago at Desertfest London 2013 (review here), I’d offer up a kidney to do so again if I thought I could be healed in time to actually enjoy the show in March.

Anybody want to buy some… shit I have nothing of value. Alright then.

Here’s the bill:

heavy-psych-sounds-fest-california-2023-final-lineups

Heavy Psych Sounds Records & Booking is proud to announce *** HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST CALIFORNIA 2023 JOSHUA TREE & SAN FRANCISCO ***

full lineup announcement

Heavy Psych Sounds together with Plastic Cactus Productions and Subliminal SF presents the full lineup of the Heavy Psych Sounds Fest California 2023 !!!

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS FEST ***CALIFORNIA 2023***
MARCH 25 & 26

SAN FRANCISCO @ OPEN AIR AT THEE PARKSIDE

JOSHUA TREE @ HI DESERT CULTURAL CENTER

JOSHUA TREE
HI DESERT CULTURAL CENTER
MARCH 25th and 26th

WINDHAND
WEEDEATER
BRANT BJORK
NEBULA
THE ATOMIC BITCHWAX
YAWNING MAN
FATSO JETSON
DUEL
HIPPIE DEATH CULT
GEEZER
KADABRA
WARLUNG
LOVE GANG
WITCHPIT
COSMIC REAPER
ALL SOULS
BIG PIG
THIRD EAR EXPERIENCE
DEATHCHANT
WHISKEY AND KNIVES
HIGH TONE SON OF A BITCH

SAN FRANCISCO
OPEN AIR AT THEE PARKSIDE
MARCH 25th and 26th

WINDHAND
WEEDEATER
MONDO GENERATOR
NEBULA
THE ATOMIC BITCHWAX
DUEL
HIPPIE DEATH CULT
GEEZER
KADABRA
WARLUNG
LOVE GANG
COSMIC REAPER
WITCHPIT
DEATHCHANT
HIGH TONE SON OF A BITCH
DISASTROID

TICKETS PRESALE SAN FRANCISCO:
https://www.venuepilot.co/events/65782/orders/new

TICKETS PRESALE JOSHUA TREE:
https://heavypsychsounds.ticketleap.com/heavy-psych-sounds-fest-joshua-tree-2023/

heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
www.heavypsychsounds.com
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/

Windhand, Live in Hollywood, CA, June 26, 2022

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