Just Gozu on fire, you know how it goes. I was fortunate enough to catch the Boston throttlers last Fall at Desertfest New York (review here), and golly, that was a pleasure. That performance was part of a Fall tour that itself was only a fragment of one of the busiest years Gozu have had as a band. Setting out to support their 2023 album, Remedy (review here), the four-piece hit the road about 13 months ago with The Obsessed and Howling Giant, and it’s from that Spring tour that this footage comes.
There’s more than just this, as I understand it, and watching “Tom Cruise Control,” I can’t help but feel like Gozu are readier to put out a live record than they’ve ever been. Guitarist Doug Sherman has backed guitarist/singer Marc Gaffney on vocals all along, but as “Tom Cruise Control” makes clear, the band are all the more able to bring the layering and character of their studio work to life with Seth Botos on drums. Botos, who resides in the rhythm section alongside the charming groove factory that is Joe Grotto, joined Gozu in 2021, and the hook of “Tom Cruise Control” tells the story. Gaff goes up for the falsetto, and Botos slides in to cover the lower vocal part, and all of a sudden, Gozu are more able to bring the studio version of that song to life. Sherman can focus on shred as his apparent preference would dictate — certainly if he had any real interest in singing more, some chances would’ve come up in the 18-or-so years of the band — and the dynamic gets stronger for their having the additional flexibility. In this way, an already awesome band is made better. Watching the video is cool, and I’m not telling you not to do that, but if you focus on listening, I think you’ll agree: a live record sooner rather than later would be the way to go.
Until I can start the billboard campaign along I-95 between here and Beantown, please feel welcome to check out “Tom Cruise Control” below, as recorded in Vermont a year ago. And heads up, if I see more of these coming out I’ll probably post them too. Gozu are ‘any excuse is enough to write about’ in my mind.
Dig:
Gozu, “Tom Cruise Control” live
GOZU UNLEASHES LIVE VIDEO FROM STONE CHURCH, VT FROM THE OBSESSED / HOWLING GIANT TOUR
Boston riff-masters GOZU have released a searing live video from their performance at The Stone Church in Brattleboro, VT, recorded during their run on The Obsessed / Howling Giant Tour. The video captures the band at full power, delivering their signature mix of bone-crushing grooves, soaring melodies, and psychedelic swagger.
Credits Stone Church VT Videography: Garth Dunkel & Ryan Campbell Edit: Garth Dunkel mixed: Ben Grotto
GOZU has also officially begun writing their next album, set for release through Blacklight Media/Metal Blade Records.
GOZU is: Marc Gaffney – guitar and vocals Joe Grotto – bass Doug Sherman – lead guitar Seth Botos – drums
Posted in Whathaveyou on February 20th, 2025 by JJ Koczan
Right on, second edition of Rhüne Mountain Festival. The Ontario-based festival — a mere six and a half hours by car from my home; yes, I looked — has made its second or third or 14th lineup announcement what are numbers anyway who knows how they work?, and brought with it affirmation of a good and heavy time. Ian Blurton’s Future Now, Gozu, WyndRider and Biblical feature in the new round of adds, but they’re already joined by Dopethrone, Sons of Arrakis, Greece’s Acid Mammoth, Sons of Otis, Ecstatic Vision and others, making the whole so-far lineup for the three-day event something of a monster with more apparently to come. Anytime Sons of Otis do just about anything, anywhere, it’s worth hoping someone gets video. Canadia’s ultrastoner pioneers remain undersung in my mind, and the more humans they flatten in-person the better to rectify that.
That’s not to dicsount Indian Handcrafts, Doomboyz or R.I.P. and The Death Wheelers — labelmates who, if they’re touring together, would make for the most attitude-soaked one-two punch of your show-going year — as there’s certainly more than one angle in terms of appeal. I’ll do my best to keep an eye for the next round of ads, but I’d been seeing the poster around and that’s a logo that’s gonna catch your eye, so when it came down the PR wire, well, you know the rest.
Poster rules, by the way:
Rhüne Mountain Festival Announces Next Wave Of Bands
With only a few short months to go until launch, Rhüne Mountain Festival has today unveiled the next wave of bands confirmed to play the festival. In addition to the already-announced artists, today the festival confirms that R.I.P., DOOMBOYZ, GOZU, IAN BLURTON’S FUTURE NOW, BIBLICAL AND WYNDRIDER will all perform.
Set to take place on June 26-28th in Dunnville Ontario, Rhüne Mountain Festival is set to become the premiere destination for the doom/stoner rock scene in North America.
The line-up so far is: DOPETHRONE SONS OF ARRAKIS INDIAN HANDCRAFTS ECSTATIC VISION ACID MAMMOTH THE DEATH WHEELERS SONS OF OTIS R.I.P. DOOMBOYZ GOZU IAN BLURTON’S FUTURE NOW BIBLICAL WYNDRIDER.
Posted in Reviews on September 15th, 2024 by JJ Koczan
Before Show
Truckfighters soundchecking outside with “Desert Cruiser.” There’s a concrete rise in back of the Knockdown Center, up to a train platform presumably leftover from when whatever what manufactured here, and last year it was open for people to go up like a balcony and watch the bands on the outside stage. It would be hot up there today with the sun beating down, but it doesn’t matter since it’s closed off. So it goes.
Today is the last day of Desertfest New York 2024, and it brings that third, outside stage, where yesterday alternated between the two in the building itself. There are picnic tables out here, corners you can put yourself in if you want, and I appreciate that kind of thing, especially on a day with a crunch of bands. The most brutal schedule conflict? High Desert Queen playing in the Texas room during Truckfighters. Hard choices will be made. I don’t know that I’ll get to take pictures of both, but I plan to watch at least part of each set since it’s not like you have to go down the block to see one or the other. We’ll see how it goes.
Got back and crashed out last night around 1AM. It’s the last day here, so of course one’s head drifts to thoughts of returning to real life after this relatively brief but certainly welcome sidestep. I started packing that glut of stuff I brought with me. I was thinking of driving home tonight, maybe splitting out during Russian Circles, throwing my bags in the car and letting out for Jersey, but I don’t actually expect to be in any shape to do such a thing by then, and Saturday night traffic in New York is like Thursday afternoon. By the time I got home, any favors I’d have done myself by leaving early would have evaporated. That’s me, talking myself out of a thing.
Doors are in four minutes, reportedly. People were waiting out in the sun when I got here. I don’t have an AAA pass or anything because I’ve never been cool, ever, but I do like getting j and sitting a bit before the show starts, writing and whatever else. Calm before the storm? Maybe. Some quiet for the subsequent volume to contrast once the day actually starts. Light tension in the air. You know how it goes.
Like this:
Kadabra
There’s a lot to look forward to today, front to back, but Kadabra must definitely aren’t to be left out of that consideration. The Spokane, Washington-based trio played Desertfest London earlier this year as well and are a better band than the general underground consensus seems to know, though they drew a decent crowd for being the first band on, so maybe I’m wrong on the hype level. Fine. They’re here supporting their 2023 album, Umbra (discussed here, review here), and I very clearly was not the only one who thought to get to Knockdown Center early. The groove and sinister vibe came quick like the haze from the fog machine, only not so quickly breezed away. “The Serpent” and “The Devil” from the latest album featured, and if you wanted to call either a highlight, I won’t fight you. The sound came through clear enough to do justice to the vocal melodies, and their swing was the start today needed.
Gozu
I don’t know how long it’s been and I don’t feel like looking, but it’s too long, in any case. Soul and hard-hitting groove, fury (of the markedly impatient) and craft underneath it all. And every now and again, Gaff might do a softshoe. Well earned. I was watching them play and trying to write, but couldn’t get out of my head, and in what might be the best decision I make today, I stopped trying to write. I put my phone in my pocket and let Gozu bowl me over with their particularly classy roll. It was the right choice, and after half a decade — I felt guilty and looked; last time I saw Gozu was before the pandemic; too long — they both played songs I’d never heard live before and, as of course they would, nailed new material and old. Never a doubt in my mind. Honestly, I was just happy to see them, let alone see them kill it. Not going to pretend to be the impartial observer. I missed Gozu.
Spaceslug
You know that feeling when you’ve dug a band for a while and you see them live for the first time and you dig it and it’s a relief? Seeing Spaceslug for the first time was like that for me. Because it was that, exactly. It was also good to finally see for myself how the live show and the sound of their albums — a consistently evolving thing, definitely on a path — intertwine in terms of presenting the material. The division of duties on vocals and the arrangements have gotten more complex with time, and while you might put on their 2016 debut, Lemanis (discussed here), and 2024’s Out of Water (review here) in succession and know it’s the same band, their breath changes what they mean, and on stage, they can lean into different sides at different times, dynamic without being hurried about it. I don’t know that I’d ever get to see Spaceslug if this wasn’t happening — though I’d certainly make it happen if I could — so thank you Desertfest, and thanks Spaceslug for making the trip and for the show.
Hippie Death Cult
Hippie Death Cult and Kadabra have been out on a tour since last week and were in Rhode Island last night. Meanwhile, Boston got a dose of High Desert Queen, Gozu and Dozer. It’s a good weekend to be on the Eastern Seaboard. Last time I saw the band was at Psycho in 2022 (review here), and that was before basisst Laura Phillips took over on lead vocals. Last Fall brought the release of their first album with Harry Silvers on drums and Phillips on vocals, and with a foundation in Eddie Brnabic’s fluid riffing, they were a Hippie Death Cult able to bring more of an aggressive roll to bear with intermittent harsher vocals; something of a sludgier potential that may or may not be explored over time as they continue to grow. But they were rad when they had Ben Jackson singing and they’re rad now. Hypnotic enough that I forgot to be anxious about missing the start of Eagle Twin, which was nice for a couple minutes to get out of my own head. Twice today. I’m coming dangerously close to letting myself enjoy a thing.
Eagle Twin
Doom with antlers, but not literally, because that also exists. They’re not a band who comes to the East Coast every day, or year, and though I imagine a specific ideal is seeing Eagle Twin out in the woods someplace, they brought a more than solid main stage crowd. I was thinking it hadn’t been that long since I saw them but it turns out it was six years ago at Høstsabbat (review here), where they made a specifically bluesy impression. Go figure. Their sound feels no less born of bigger, more ancient forests than one finds here, but on a level even just of performance and the aforementioned tone, they brought it. There’s a lot to dig about them, I’m just out of metaphors. I took a peak in the Texas stage at Trace Amount, then found a spot at a table with some friends and planted there until a bit before Dozer went on. Eagle Twin were cool, but until I looked just a bit ago I thought I’d seen them in the last few years, and I don’t get a lot of nice, human conversation with people I like in my day-to-day.
Dozer
Powerhouse set, and Dozer’s first time in the States in at least two decades. The urgency of last year’s Drifting Through the Endless Void (review here) speaks for itself, and I’m not here to sell records anyway. But I’m lucky enough that this is my third Dozer show in the last three years after seeing them on what was then a one-off at Desertfest London 2013 (review here), and as classic as their early work is, they’re vital, moving forward in sound from where they left off after 2008’s Beyond Colossal (featured here), coming back after a stretch of time that in hindsight they made short. Propulsive unto themselves in the sphere of heavy rock, people clapping along to Sebastian Olsson’s drums. Their show with High Desert Queen and Gozu in Boston last night precedes them much as it did Gozu, put there were clearly people in the crowd who’ve never seen Dozer before, one can only hope they come back again. Bonus, the train platform was open, so I got to watch from there for a minute too. Enough to witness a light mosh taking shape for the last song.
Green Lung
I wouldn’t hazard to predict the future, but Green Lung look like they’re in it for the long haul. Stage presence enough that I don’t feel ridiculous imagining them playing festivals like this 20 years from now. They could probably play “Mountain Throne” then too. Their organic cultistry, nature-worship and on-stage harmonies were on point, and though I knew all of that would be the case going into the set, it was exciting to see them play songs from last Fall’s This Heathen Land (review here) and take advantage of the full breadth of their sound and a reach that only seems to be expanding. Part of the appeal is that they’re over the top, and they are, but there’s so much raw talent on stage when they play, and they’re clearly learning how to wield it. This is their first US tour. I have a hard time imagining it will be their last. “Maxine (Witch Queen),” “Old Gods,” “Hunters in the Sky,” “Graveyard Sun.” Fucking “Let the Devil In.” Everything they played sounded like it could’ve been on a greatest hits collection. Hooks and performance. They made it a show. It was a spectacle, classic metal in many ways, some of them theatrical, but brought to life with its own take on both conceptual and stylistic traditions.
Truckfighters
This was my moment to both have and eat cake. Truckfighters went on five whole minutes before High Desert Queen. The Ruins (outside) stage is about a minute’s walk from the Texas room, so I watched the start of Truckfighters and then went back and forth for the duration. Acid King was getting started soon enough as well, so it’s probably the most ‘go’ moment of the fest, at least for me, but those are three different parties you want to be at. Truckfighters aren’t the only band this weekend whose reputation precedes them, and they had the biggest crowd of the night outside — also at some point it became night; when may or may not be clear in the photos — and another mosh. Surprising amount of mish this year. It’s like New York is extra antsy since the Saint Vitus Bar closed, which is reasonable, frankly. I got to see Truckfighters do “The Chairman,” and that was justification enough for the back and forth, a mellower vibe in the buildup to the payoff, as opposed to some of their stuff, which is more pure shove and roll. A reputation well and continually earned. Weren’t they recording an album? Or is that just me hoping for a thing?
High Desert Queen
Just a blast of a band. For a good time, call. Up from Austin, they’re on the already noted tour with Dozer and Gozu, playing in support of this Spring’s Palm Reader (review here), their second album and first for Magnetic Eye. Those songs rightly featured heavily in the set, which started 30 seconds after I walked into the Texas room like it was on cue. Tight, heavy groove, nothing too fancy stylistically — I always hear some C.O.C. in their sound, one way or the other, and that was true tonight, but not the end of the story as regards their sound either. You can hear the influence of pre- and turn of the century heavy — if I held up Dozer and Acid King as examples, I’m not discounting the relevance of either’s present work in doing that; I’m just thinking of when they got going — and you can tell watching them that they’re into it. Not everybody on stage is dancing around like vocalist Ryan Garney might be to a given riff from guitarist Rusty Miller, but he, bassist Morgan Miller and drummer Phil Hook were right there too in the moment on stage. It was great to see, and even against Truckfighters on the bill, the room filled up.
Acid King
Fair to say Acid King remain at a crucial moment about a year and a half out from Beyond Vision (review here), which was my pick for album of the year last December — not just me, they topped the year-end poll as well. I’m not worried they’re about to immediately do another record right away — you never know, but Beyond Vision was eight years after 2015’s Middle of Nowhere Center of Everywhere (discussed here, review here), and that was down from 10. But the reason I’m saying see Acid King now isn’t just that Lori S. is a hero and bassist/synthesist Bryce Shelton and drummer Jason Willer are so dead on in the nod, but it’s the songs they’re playing from Beyond Vision. The material itself. “Mind’s Eye” and “Destination Psych.” Closing with that insane build from “Color Trails?” Come on. Any chance you’re afforded, see this band.
Russian Circles
Chicago instrumentalist forerunners Russian Circles came out with a burst, hitting hard in the spirit of 2022’s Gnosis (review here) and building outward from there in multiple directions. Post-hardcore is part of it, but so is psychedelic rock and the occasional time-to-crush bit of riffery, and they’ve found a way to keep structured songs from falling into a verse/chorus trap. They genuinely sound like a band who listen to more kinds of music than the kind they make, amd benefit from it in being able not just to pay loud or quiet, but evoke a different feel from song to song. A lot of anything would have been a comedown after Acid King, but Russian Circles in the headlining spot had a level of volume that was their own as much as their sound, and as it had been a while, I was glad to watch them, or at least listen in a spot where the strobe wasn’t quite so fast. Even as Desertfest draws down, it delivers. There were even more bubbles.
—
It was good to see old friends, new friends, and Desertfest friends, since as the years have gone on I’ve found there are people I see here and that’s it. I take that as a good sign — though I suspect I’d see more people if I went out more — since it means people are coming back, which is the ideal. Desertfest delivered a show to New York a show and a lineup worthy of the Desertfest brand, and I hope it continues to bring European acts over each year as it did in 2024 with Dozer, Spaceslug, Green Lung, Domkraft, Truckfighters, Belzebong, even Amenra. They’ve been working to build a sense of community since the inception, and between killer shows and returning patrons, I’d say they’re on their way.
A note about the Texas stage today before I leave off. I only got (some) photos of High Desert Queen, but I did get to pop in for some of Beinn and Trace Amount as well. I’d never seen either, so at least a few songs. Beinn were a pleasant surprise, kind of a heavy-ended post-hardcore thing, I heard some noise rock and some Cave In, and they went for it on stage, as did Brooklyn industrialist Trace Amount, whose studio work I’ve dug in a kind of machine-misanthropic vibe. On stage, it’s just Brandon Gallagher, and he was all-in, pacing back and forth and throwing himself around, screaming and in the crowd headbanging. It was by no means packed, but I respect the one-man show for sure. Not easy to keep up energy when you’re by yourself. Ask a standup comedian. Tower headlined the room and they continue to make a party out of trad metal in a way that is only endearing.
Thank you to Reece, Sarika, and the Desertfest crew. Thank you to Tim Bugbee, Dante Torrieri, the Great Tomoko, and Sean in the photo pit, and I’m sorry for taking up space. Thanks to everybody who said hi or something nice about the site — or both — and I can’t tell you how warm and welcoming it felt to be in a place where I felt like what I do matters to someone, even just a little bit. Thank you. Thank you for reading. And thanks, as always and most of all, to The Patient Mrs., though whom all things are possible.
More pics after the jump. And I’m mostly taking tomorrow (Monday) off to catch up on writing. Back Tuesday. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go take a 90-minute shower.
Posted in Whathaveyou on August 6th, 2024 by JJ Koczan
The lineup for the fourth edition of Somergloom, held in Somerville, Massachusetts, on Boston’s neighborhoody fringes, brings together locals and out of towners for a varied three-days later this month. You’ll note Royal Thunder and Big Brave in the top spots, as well as Stephen Brodsky and Adam McGrath from Cave In and others across a range of styles and moods from the exploratory to the crushing. I’m particularly curious to know what Marc Gaffney from Boston heavy rock forerunners Gozu has in store for a solo set. Acoustic interpretations? Laptop-backed classic soul vocal revue? Spoken word laced with dry sarcasm? Dude could go any number of directions and not miss. I hope somebody gets video.
And as a note to self, Strawberry Coffin seem like a band I should check out. If you’re going to this one, heads up on Oldest Sea as well. They’ve spent a decent portion of the summer on tour at this point and I don’t imagine that’s hurt their on-stage resonance any. Should be a killer time.
Somergloom Festival enters its fourth year, gloomier than ever, on two stages at The Center for the Arts at the Armory in Somerville, MA and Event Them in Medford, MA, August 22-24, 2024. Showcasing the richness and diversity of the heavy music scene, the festival centers around music that is introspective, creatively ambitious, and evoking a melancholic quality that we like to call “gloom.” From beautifully haunting dark folk to harrowing doom metal, Somergloom offers festival goers a sampling of sounds from the underground.
Since its inception in 2021 as part of the ONCE Summer Concert Series, Somergloom has grown from a one day show to a multi-day event, bringing in international touring acts to play alongside established and emerging local talent. This year, the festival will feature artists on two stages at Center for the Arts at the Armory.
“It’s important to us to keep Somergloom in Somerville because we have a strong connection to this place,” says festival founder and Somerville-based musician Stephen LoVerme. “Having it at The Center for Arts at the Armory allows us to keep the festival here while working with an organization with a similar goal of nurturing art and culture in the city. It’s a beautiful, historic building that’s full of character, and having multiple venues – the performance hall and the Rooted cafe – allows us to feature more artists.”
“Somergloom has always been about including artists. Local craft, vintage, and other vendors will have the balcony in the main room, as well as the entryway, to show their wares. It’s an opportunity for artists, audio and visual, to show their skills, and we are thrilled to be able to offer it” -JJ Gonson, ONCE owner and Somergloom Executive Producer.
“Somergloom is impressive, joyful, and inspiring. Such gatherings are priceless for developing the soul and identity of regional arts, and in turn, the culture and ideas of the community.” – Indy Shome, Queen Elephantine
VIP, two-day, and single-day passes are now available. VIP pass holders this year will enjoy access to a special pre-party at EventThem in Medford and premium viewing space at Arts at the Armory.
VIP Pre-party Thursday, August 22, Event Them, will feature appearances from Marc Gaffney from Gozu, Oahk and Kira McSpice.
Friday August 23 Center for the Arts at the Armory Montreal’s Big Brave headline, playing their new album A Chaos of Flowers in full. Spiritual Poison, featuring Ethan McCarthy of Primitive Man, brings a heavy dose of atmospheric drone to the evening, while Boston deathrockers Final Gasp bring the energy and grim charisma of harcore, goth, and post punk. Also featured: Lesser Glow, Circus Trees and Luci Dead Limb.
Saturday August 24, Center for the Arts at the Armory Atlanta’s Royal Thunder headline back in Boston after a seven-year absence. GIRIH and The Infinity Ring bring brooding post metal and gothic folk respectively. Playing in the Rooted Cafe are Stephen Brodsky and Adam McGrath of local legends Cave In and psychedelic doom rockers Strawberry Coffin.
Thursday, August 22, EventThem, Medford, MA Marc Gaffney of Gozu Kira McSpice Oahk
Friday, August 23, Center for the Arts at the Armory, Somerville, MA Big Brave Final Gasp Spiritual Poison Lesser Glow Circus Trees Luci Dead Limb
Saturday, August 24, Center for the Arts at the Armory, Somerville, MA Royal Thunder Stephen Brodsky and Adam McGrath of Cave In Girih Oldest Sea The Infinity Ring Strawberry Coffin
Posted in Whathaveyou on July 4th, 2024 by JJ Koczan
I’m not at all at a place in my life where I could even if I was ever to be invited — which, in a conservative estimate I’ll say is struck-by-lightning-and-live-level unlikely — but man, I’d love to go on this tour. Imagine following Dozer, Gozu and High Desert Queen as they traipse across the US colluding on the delivery of ultra-fine heavy rock and roll for nine days, including stops at Desertfest New York and Ripplefest Texas both. Damn that’d be fun. Also tiring. And my wife would have my ass, if my entering-first-grade daughter didn’t get to kicking it first. Nonetheless, even the daydream of hurry-up-and-wait tour existence is fun in this case.
I think the last time Dozer were in the US was 2000? Something like that. I seem to recall they played the Brighton Bar in my beloved Garden State, but I could be wrong about that. They return Stateside in 2024 riding the utter triumph of their 2023 return LP, Drifting in the Endless Void (review here), which indeed is a cause worth heralding. I was lucky enough to catch Dozer last summer supporting the album (review here) and even luckier that it wasn’t my first time seeing the band, but to have them hit the US (and a lil bit of Canada!) alongside Gozu — their 2023 album, Remedy (review here), remains a standout — and High Desert Queen, who issued their widely anticipated second album, Palm Reader (review here) in May, is even better.
Mark it a win, kids. Poster and such from the ol’ social media:
USA! Endless void tour is coming for you this September…are you ready? 🤘 Support by @highdesertqueen and @gozu_band_boston
DOZER – Endless Void US Tour 2024 feat. Gozu & High Desert Queen 09.13 Braintree MA Widowmaker Brewing 09.14 Queens NY Desertfest NYC 09.15 Montreal QC Piranha Bar 09.16 Toronto ON The Garrison 09.17 Grand Rapids MI Pyramid Scheme 09.18 Chicago IL Reggies Rock Club 09.19 Omaha NE Reverb Lounge 09.20 Oklahoma City OK Resonant Head 09.21 Austin TX Ripplefest Texas
DOZER is: Tommi Holappa – Guitar Fredrik Nordin – Guitar/Vox Johan Rockner – Bass Sebastian Olsson – Drums
Posted in Whathaveyou on May 29th, 2024 by JJ Koczan
I guess I posted these dates already, except for the last two this Fall in Louisville, Kentucky, and Sacramento, California. To those I’ll also add spots at Desertfest New York 2024 the weekend of Sept. 12-14 and Ripplefest Texas Sept. 19-22, so it’s safe to assume that even after they wrap up the stint they’ll begin this week supporting Baroness, then head to Europe barely a week after they probably get back home from the last show in Des Moines, Boston’s Gozu still won’t be done putting in road time in support of their 2023 album, Remedy (review here). Recall they were out earlier this Spring with The Obsessed and Howling Giant as well.
Why hit it so hard? Well, for one thing they can, and ain’t none of us getting any younger — except perhaps that Joe Grotto on bass — but on the most basic level, they very obviously believe in what they’re doing or tours like this wouldn’t happen. I doubt they’re making bank, even if they’re breaking even, but 10 days on this part of this continent, another 10 over there for that part of that one, it adds up, and if you’re gonna do the thing, do it. If the last three (four? five?) Gozu LPs have taught us anything, isn’t it that Gozu aren’t screwing around? Well, here they are, more than 15 years after their debut, going for it.
So yeah, I posted the dates before. The run with Baroness starts Friday. I may yet put the dates up again before then, just to emphasize the point.
For now:
GOZU To Support Baroness On Select US Shows; Tickets On Sale Now
Boston rock outfit GOZU will support Baroness on select dates of the band’s upcoming US run. GOZU will appear on the tour from May 31st in Portland, Maine through June 10th in Des Moines, Iowa. The journey follows GOZU’s recent US Spring tour with The Obsessed and Howling Giant. Additionally, the band will appear on this year’s edition of Louder Than Life in September and Aftershock in October.
Comments vocalist/guitarist Marc Gaffney, “Just came off an amazing tour with Howling Giant and The Obsessed. Now, hitting the road with Baroness. GOZU would like to make a public announcement: Caress before you dress.”
Tickets are on sale now. See all confirmed dates below.
GOZU w/ Baroness 5/31/2024 The State Theatre – Portland, ME 6/01/2024 District Music Hall – Norwalk, CT 6/02/2024 Essex – Rochester, NY 6/04/2024 The Pyramid Scheme – Grand Rapids, MI 6/05/2024 The Vogue – Indianapolis, IN 6/07/2024 Majestic Theatre – Madison, WI 6/08/2024 Durty Nellie’s – Palatine, IL 6/09/2024 House Of Blues – Chicago, IL 6/10/2024 Wooly’s – Des Moines, IA End Tour
GOZU Euro Tour 2024 TU. 18.06.24 IT BOLOGNA FREAKOUT WE. 19.06.24 IT VERONA FINE DI MONDO TH. 20.06.24 AT KUFSTEIN KULTURFABRIK FR. 21.06.24 DE MÜNSTER RARE GUITAR SA. 22.06.24 ***OPEN SLOT*** SU. 23.06.24 ***OPEN SLOT*** MO. 24.06.24 ***OPEN SLOT*** TU. 25.06.24 FR CHAMBERY BRIN DE ZINC WE. 26.06.24 FR ***OPEN SLOT*** TH. 27.06.24 FR ***OPEN SLOT*** FR. 28.06.24 FR CLISSON HELLFEST
GOZU Fall Dates: 9/29/2024 Louder Than Life @ Highland Festival Grounds – Louisville, KY 10/13/2024 Aftershock @ Discovery Park – Sacramento, CA
GOZU is: Marc Gaffney – guitar and vocals Joe Grotto – bass Doug Sherman – lead guitar Seth Botos – drums
Posted in Whathaveyou on April 24th, 2024 by JJ Koczan
Fresh off their month-long stint in March and April supporting The Obsessed, Boston heavy soul pushers Gozu last week unveiled the thus-far confirmed European dates leading up to their appearance at Hellfest in France this June, and wouldn’t you know, before I even managed to get that posted here, they followed up this week by announcing they’ll join Baroness and Poison Ruin for the East Coast and Midwestern portion of their own summer tour before they go abroad. Hot damn, is the bottom line.
Gozu are no strangers to time on the road — they were last in Europe in 2022 by my count, but don’t quote me on that — but they do seem to have hit it with marked purpose since releasing their stunner of a fifth long-player, Remedy (review here) last Spring, and with no shortage of cause to do so in the intensity of that collection. So much the better for them to head over again, and of course, if you’re in a position to help them with the open slots listed below, I encourage you do do so both as part of a general ethic of supporting underground bands on the tour, and because it’s the kind of gig you’ll be proud to have been a part of afterward.
And as a word to the wise, they’re very likely not done. They’ve already been confirmed for Desertfest New York (Sept. 12-14) and Ripplefest Texas (Sept. 19-22), Louder Than Life in Kentucky (Sept. 26-29) and Aftershock in Sacramento, CA (Oct. 10-13). Don’t be surprised if and when a tour comes to cover at least part of the travel in that stretch. Did I already mention “hot damn?”
I may not get to a ton of shows these days, and I had pangs missing the NYC date that capped the tour they just ended, but it warms my heart to see these guys getting out and putting their music in people’s faces where it belongs.
The below is cobbled together from Heavy Psych Sounds (their Euro booker) on the PR wire, Gozu‘s social media, and Baroness‘ website:
Hey all, we are stoked to announce that our US heavy rockers GOZU will tour Europe this Summer !!!
STILL FEW OPEN SLOTS
BOOK YOUR SHOW – WRITE TO: info@heavypsychsounds.com
GOZU Euro Tour 2024 TU. 18.06.24 IT BOLOGNA FREAKOUT WE. 19.06.24 IT VERONA FINE DI MONDO TH. 20.06.24 AT KUFSTEIN KULTURFABRIK FR. 21.06.24 DE MÜNSTER RARE GUITAR SA. 22.06.24 ***OPEN SLOT*** SU. 23.06.24 ***OPEN SLOT*** MO. 24.06.24 ***OPEN SLOT*** TU. 25.06.24 FR CHAMBERY BRIN DE ZINC WE. 26.06.24 FR ***OPEN SLOT*** TH. 27.06.24 FR ***OPEN SLOT*** FR. 28.06.24 FR CLISSON HELLFEST
Something wicked this way comes!!
GOZU w/ BARONESS & POISON RUIN: May 31 | Portland, ME | State Theatre Jun 01 | Norwalk, CT | District Music Hall Jun 02 | Rochester, NY | Essex Jun 04 | Grand Rapids, MI | Pyramid Scheme Jun 05 | Indianapolis, IN | The Vogue Jun 07 | Madison, WI | Majestic Theatre Jun 08 | Palatine, IL | Durty Nellie’s Jun 09 | Chicago, IL | House of Blues Jun 10 | Des Moines, IA | Wooly’s
GOZU is: Marc Gaffney – guitar and vocals Joe Grotto – bass Doug Sherman – lead guitar Seth Botos – drums
Posted in Whathaveyou on April 8th, 2024 by JJ Koczan
This is one of the best lineups I’ve seen for a US-based heavy fest in the 15-plus years I’ve been running this site. I don’t know what else to say about it, honestly. For the fact that Ripplefest Texas is bringing Dozer over alone, let alone any of the other Euro acts involved who have, say, been to North America in the last 20-plus years, it’s astonishing. And not just bigger bands like Dozer and Truckfighters or Mars Red Sky and Belzebong, but Domkraft and Kal-El, bands you know if you’re into this thing but that haven’t been around as long and aren’t as ‘huge’ in the whatever sense that applies in underground music.
And it’s not like they’re skimping on within-US geography either. Of course the desert is well represented, and Texas has a significant presence as it invariably would, but with Gozu and Leather Lung headed out from Boston, Borracho traveling from D.C., Temple of the Fuzz Witch from Michigan, Robots of the Ancient World from Portland, Oregon, and so on, they’ve got all the corners and between pretty well covered. La Chinga coming from Canada. Demons My Friends giving Mexico a nod. It is extensive.
And quality. I don’t know that I’ll be there to see it, but I’d imagine that for most who get to be, it’ll be the stuff of legend. Congrats to Ryan Garney and Lick of My Spoon for bringing it into the world, and safe travels to all involved:
Here it is! The lineup for RippleFest Texas and the amazing art by Simon Berndt @1horsetown 🤘🔥❤️
We still have a few surprises left but this roster is stacked! Don’t miss your chance to see the world’s best heavy music at the largest family reunion of the year. Plus this is the ONLY premier festival that has absolutely ZERO OVERLAPPING so you can see every second of every band! Get your tickets now and we will see you in September!
Tier 2 tickets are almost sold out and the price increases on Monday so get your tickets now:
DOZER TRUCKFIGHTERS BONGZILLA MARS RED SKY BELZEBONG DOMKRAFT LEGIONS OF DOOM FATSO JETSON GOZU HOWLING GIANT THE HEAVY EYES HIGH DESERT QUEEN KAL-EL 20 WATT TOMBSTONE THE OTOLITH TEMPLE OF THE FUZZ WITCH LEATHER LUNG THUNDER HORSE HASHTRONAUT BONE CHURCH BORRACHO SUN CROW CRYSTAL SPIDERS TIA CARRERA ROBOTS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD MR. PLOW LA CHINGA FOSTERMOTHER BLUE HERON TEMPTRESS FORMULA 400 DEMONS MY FRIENDS VERMILION WHISKEY VIOLET RISING HUDU AKIL BUZZ ELECTRO SHADOW OF JUPITER
GRAND FINALE w/ MARIO LALLI & THE RUBBER SNAKE CHARMERS “Desert Jam Session”
Plus the best light show in the business by @themadalchemistliquidliteshow
