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
Denver’s Hashtronaut make their full-length debut on March 22 with No Return, issued through Blues Funeral Recordings. “Dweller,” premiering below, is the third single from the nine-song/41-minute long-player, and like the preceding “Rip Wizard” and “Cough it Up,” it is not subtle as regards intention. At the floor of the open verse is Daniel Smith‘s bass and the crash of Eric Garcia‘s drums (Michael Honiotes is in the lineup now, apparently), setting a languid march that, unlike “Rip Wizard” with its war-on-drugs-PSA samples and unbridled next-gen stoner idolatry — and I say “next-gen” both because Hashtronaut have a modern style and because when bands were following riffs to the Failed-Piss-Test Land about 20-25 years ago, nobody wanted to call themselves “stoner rock”; stigma is clearly not an issue in the same way anymore — emphasizes largesse in the space it creates rather than the fullness of its roll or, as with “Cough it Up,” which seems to come apart during its own sample-laced course and emerge boogieing at the end in genuine Sabbathian scoot, the four-piece’s readiness to conjure an addled feel.
But especially when taken together as representing a third of the tracklist (and more than a third of the runtime) of No Return, the three singles give a suitable impression of the places Hashtronaut go throughout this first collection while still holding back the lurch of eight-minute third cut “Carcinogen,” which dutifully slogs through its first half, sounding like it’s an effort to carry itself through and very much wanting to sound like that, before Robb Park — credited with ‘stunt guitar’ below, as opposed to Kellen McInerney‘s ‘regular guitar,’ which might want further clarification as I don’t know if regular guitars are so huge — slow-wah’s out a solo, Smith‘s vocals grow rougher in their cavernous echo in preface to the harsh-your-mellow, sludgier vibe brought to the gutturalisms of “Lung Ruiner,” which as the PR wire notes situates Hashtronaut in a sphere of low-key volatility — that is to say, the aggression might come but you don’t necessarily know when until it happens — not unlike their now-labelmates in Poland’s Dopelord, while the lumber and melodic reach of “Dead Cloud” solidifies the procession coming out of “Carcinogen.” Hashtronaut show themselves as comfortable shifting into a medium-paced nod, getting noisy, and answering the hook of “Rip Wizard,” which is fortunate because the 1:51 blowout “Hex” awaits at the start of side B.
Well, it’s the first blowout, anyhow. Waiting at No Return‘s endgame is the 30-second punker gallop of “Blast Off” — if you need a High on Fire comparison to make it fit, it’s applicable, but it had me wondering if it was named in honor of B’last — to which “Hex” serves as a brash if more complete precursor, with time to squeeze a verse and chorus and a bit of thrashy-scorch soloing before the still-thick movement ends cold to let “Lung Ruiner” take hold as the benefactor of its momentum. Some of the spaciousness to follow in “Dweller” shows itself in the song before as well, in the spoken-word-topped early stretch made foreboding in hindsight as the riff floods in and the vocals turn to a low-register growl for the first time. Higher screams are layered in, but Hashtronaut don’t really depart from the atmosphere they’ve already cast — and it’s murky enough that they don’t need to — so the more extreme turn isn’t out of place as they go back to the verse and cycle through again before they ride the elephantine stomp of the main riff to the finish. “Dweller” certainly has its shout as well, but accompanies that with more of a melodic lean and a feel like they’re doubling-down on what “Lung Ruiner” just proffered without really repeating themselves, finding another corner in the sonic landscape from which to strike.
I can’t help but wonder if “Marsquake” isn’t somehow a sequel to the band’s 2021 debut standalone single “Moonquake” (discussed here) — perhaps a series is beginning that someday will bring Saturnquakes and, with an inevitable snicker, a Uranusquake — but the shred-topped penultimate instrumental feels like a victory lap as it reaffirms the tone and grooving intent Hashtronaut have been communicating all the while, speaking to the modern sphere of stonerized heavy that’s able to touch on doom, sludge or psych and be confident that the listener can keep up and, at what’s still a pretty nascent stage for the band, starting to mark out their place in the genre. “Marsquake” crashes out with due noise before the feedback and snare-drum-count-in of “Blast Off” lead into No Return‘s final statement, which is rousing in the heated-up-molecules sense of its pace but also for highlighting the fact that this is Hashtronaut‘s first album and for as aware of their approach as they come across in these songs and in the changes in personality between the two sides, their growth could lead them in any number of directions.
It’s not the most likely thing in the universe that a band who spends so much time on their debut exploring the monolithic would suddenly go full-on speed rock, but stranger things have happened. In any case, that last half-minute is crucial to No Return in staking a claim for the band on something they may or may not want to explore further and a bookend for “Hex.” Consistent in production, it nonetheless broadens their scope in a a way even “Hex” wouldn’t, and builds on the vibrancy in even the most grueling reaches of “Carcinogen” (which is more addled than confused, but still) for a surprising, brisk culmination that you might not even catch if you’ve been so lulled by the flow of “Marsquake” or had your brain flattened by the heft paraded throughout. Fodder for repeat visits, then, and a listening experience made richer with efficiency that’s hard to ignore. I’ll tell you outright that No Return is already in my notes under the the ‘best debuts of 2024’ section for year-end list time, but that’s secondary to what Hashtronaut are laying out as their own potential course of voluminous communion and what they might continue to bring to it moving forward.
It’s a hell of a thing.
Enjoy “Dweller” premiering below. Under the player is PR wire info, preorder links, the “Rip Wizard” video and the album player from Bandcamp. By all means, dig in:
Red-eyed at the crossroads of thunderous stoner sludge and towering doom, HASHTRONAUT is more than ready to daze and inebriate the riff-obsessed masses on this planet and beyond. their debut album “No Return” is a resiny slab in the grand tradition of weed-fiend odysseys from Sleep, Weedeater and Bongzilla, an intoxicating and pummeling trip with a lungful of potent hook-doom and strikingly anthemic vocals that will enthrall fans of Monolord, Windhand and Dopelord.
Their debut album “No Return” will be released in limited Astral High Splatter vinyl edition, limited Heavy Resin vinyl edition, CD digipack and digital on March 22nd, with preorders available on Blues Funeral Recordings. “No Return” was recorded by Felipe Patino at Green Door Recordings in Denver and Seanan Hexenbrenner at Helvete Sound in Portland. Mixed and Mastered by Matt Qualls at Easley McCain Recording, Memphis TN. Cover art by Francisco Abril and Nuria Velasco (Welder Wings), album layout by Peder Bergstrand.
TRACKLIST: 1. Rip Wizard 2. Cough It Up 3. Carcinogen 4. Dead Cloud 5. Hex 6. Lung Ruiner 7. Dweller 8. Marsquake 9. Blast Off
Hashtronaut upcoming US shows: 3/11 – Replay Lounge, Lawrence KS 3/12 – Opolis, Norman OK 3/14 – SXSW Stoner Jam, Far Out Lounge, Austin TX 3/15 – The Lost Well, Austin TX 3/16 – Black Magic Social Club, Houston TX 3/17 – The Living Room, El Paso TX
HASHTRONAUT current lineup: Michael Honiotes – Drums* Kellen McInerney – Regular Guitar Robb Park – Stunt Guitar Daniel Smith – Bass/Vocals *all tracks on the album recorded by Eric Garcia
Posted in Whathaveyou on February 12th, 2024 by JJ Koczan
Ahead of releasing their debut album, No Return, on March 22 through Blues Funeral Recordings, Denver, Colorado’s Hashtronaut will head down from their Mile High hometown to play a string of six shows, mostly in Texas (one TBA in Austin; I don’t know if they need help or not but it’s almost never wrong to ask) but starting out in Kansas and Oklahoma as well. Three states in my head makes a definite-tour (that counts weekenders), so there you go. I’m sure you have your own imaginary qualifications for what counts as “shows” and what is a “tour” and “dates” and so on. That’s a perfectly normal thing that perfectly normal people concern themselves with, right? Right?
I haven’t actually purposefully gotten stoned and written about an album in a long time. Like, a long time. And Hashtronaut aren’t the dankest outfit walking the earth — recall it’s 2024 and there’s an entire genre now called ‘bong metal’ — nor are they trying to be, but I feel in listening to new single “Cough it Up” that their grooves are right in a sweet-spot where applying the ‘stone’ part of ‘stoner’ might be an interesting experiment. I don’t know that that’ll happen or not, but a little sensory hyperfocus on these riffs and tones doesn’t sound like the worst kind of deep-dive to make. Could even be… fun? High critique.
I won’t get to these shows, and I realize you probably won’t either. They’re here in hopes of more and in view of the band’s potential more broadly speaking, as well as to let anyone in their path know they’re coming. If there’s more, and hopefully there is, I’ll do my best to keep up.
From the PR wire:
HASHTRONAUT release ferocious new single off debut album “No Return” on Blues Funeral Recordings; US shows announced!
Denver, Colorado’s stoner doom newcomers HASHTRONAUT unleash their intoxicating new single “Cough It Up” on all streaming platforms, and announce a string of US dates in support of the March release of their debut album “No Return” on Blues Funeral Recordings.
Red-eyed at the crossroads of thunderous stoner sludge and towering doom, HASHTRONAUT is more than ready to daze and inebriate the riff-obsessed masses on this planet and beyond. their debut album “No Return” is a resiny slab in the grand tradition of weed-fiend odysseys from Sleep, Weedeater and Bongzilla, an intoxicating and pummeling trip with a lungful of potent hook-doom and strikingly anthemic vocals that will enthrall fans of Monolord, Windhand and Dopelord.
Listen to Hashtronaut’s new single “Cough It Up”
Their debut album “No Return” will be released in limited Astral High Splatter vinyl edition, limited Heavy Resin vinyl edition, CD digipack and digital on March 22nd, with preorders available on Blues Funeral Recordings. Don’t miss their riff-tastic debut video for “Rip Wizard”!
Hashtronaut upcoming US shows: 3/11 – Replay Lounge, Lawrence KS 3/12 – Opolis, Norman OK 3/14 – SXSW Stoner Jam, Far Out Lounge, Austin TX 3/15 – The Lost Well, Austin TX 3/16 – Black Magic Social Club, Houston TX 3/17 – The Living Room, El Paso TX
HASHTRONAUT launched into orbit from their Denver-based Mission Control in the summer of 2020. Coalescing through a string of hazy jam sessions during the darkest days of the pandemic, the four-piece began playing live the minute they could, and it took only a few gigs to solidify their electrifying reputation in the Colorado heavy scene.
With a distinct sonic identity that channels classic elements from Black Sabbath and Thin Lizzy to mainstays of the modern canon like Windhand and Monolord — along with their collective love of vintage gear, walls of speakers and the sweetest leaf of all — HASHTRONAUT’s galactic tones, colossal riffs and driving rhythms have begun spreading to the farthest corners of the universe.
Keeping momentum high on the heels of a self-released EP and opening slots for icons like Pallbearer, Bongzilla and High on Fire, HASHTRONAUT head into 2024 preparing for the release of their debut LP “No Return” — a resiny slab in the grand tradition of weed-fiend odysseys from Sleep — on March 22nd through New Mexico-based independent label Blues Funeral Recordings.
“No Return” was recorded by Felipe Patino at Green Door Recordings in Denver and Seanan Hexenbrenner at Helvete Sound in Portland. Mixed and Mastered by Matt Qualls at Easley McCain Recording, Memphis TN. Cover art by Francisco Abril and Nuria Velasco (Welder Wings), album layout by Peder Bergstrand.
HASHTRONAUT current lineup: Michael Honiotes – Drums* Kellen McInerney – Regular Guitar Robb Park – Stunt Guitar Daniel Smith – Bass/Vocals *all tracks on the album recorded by Eric Garcia
Posted in Whathaveyou on January 22nd, 2024 by JJ Koczan
If I called the new Hashtronaut single a burner, would it be enough to earn a pun-punch? Here’s hoping. The Denver four-piece have unveiled the first single from their forthcoming debut album, No Return (it’s okay, they probably will), in the form of the riff-clarion “Rip Wizard,” a call to stoner heads, riff worshipers and others skinking their way along the resin-coated chambers of the underground. Blues Funeral Recordings — among the finer endorsements a band can have in America or out — will have the record out on March 22, which puts the newcomer Colorado act as labelmates to Acid King and Dopelord, so, you know, as regards “starting out,” that’s pretty decent.
And should you be curious as to how such a thing came to be, the answer’s in the music. You’ll find the “Rip Wizard” video at the bottom of this post. I got the record the other day but didn’t get the chance to dig in before my laptop met its unceremonious end (see bottom of this post, or this on FB), but I plan to as soon as tech and time allow. Until then, it’s “Rip Wizard” on my phone for a bit. Not the worst of fates by any means.
Enjoy:
HASHTRONAUT to release debut album “No Return” on Blues Funeral Recordings; watch “Rip Wizard” video now!
Denver, Colorado stoner doom metallers HASHTRONAUT have signed to Blues Funeral Recordings for the release of their debut album “No Return” this March 22nd, with preorders and a highly addictive first single available now!
Red-eyed at the crossroads of thunderous stoner sludge and towering doom, HASHTRONAUT are ready to daze and inebriate the riff-obsessed masses on this planet and beyond! “No Return” is a resiny slab in the grand tradition of weed-fiend odysseys from Sleep, Weedeater and Bongzilla, an intoxicating and pummeling journey through time and space infused with a lungful of potent hook-doom.
Their debut album “No Return” will be released in limited Astral High Splatter vinyl edition, limited Heavy Resin vinyl edition, limited CD digipack and digital on March 22nd, with preorders available now on Blues Funeral Recordings.
TRACKLIST: 1. Rip Wizard 2. Cough It Up 3. Carcinogen 4. Dead Cloud 5. Hex 6. Lung Ruiner 7. Dweller 8. Marsquake 9. Blast Off
HASHTRONAUT current lineup: Michael Honiotes – Drums* Kellen McInerney – Regular Guitar Robb Park – Stunt Guitar Daniel Smith – Bass/Vocals *all tracks on the album recorded by Eric Garcia
Posted in Whathaveyou on December 11th, 2023 by JJ Koczan
The debut album from Denver heavy riffers Hashtronaut will be released through Blues Funeral Recordings in early 2024. The record — which begins with a channel-changing media-barrage of dated samples, including the memorable/daily-quotable ‘I learned it watching you!’ of a child speaking to their parent in a War on Drugs PSA from the ’90s — follows the initial 2021 single “Moonquake” (discussed here) and 2022’s potential-wielding Tidal Waves of Ashen Sky four-song EP. Founded by members of Near Dusk and Heavy Eyes, the band roll out big melodies and grooves that will no doubt grab ears caught this year by the likes of Howling Giant and Restless Spirit, while offering something distinct from both.
And not that I’ve heard it or anything as I tell you a spoiler-free bit about what it sounds like, but you’re going to want to keep an ear out for “Dweller” as well.
This announcement came through socials at the end of last week, and I think probably next month, Blues Funeral and the band will start rolling out details like art, title, a first single, release date, preorders and so on. All that ‘putting out a record’ stuff. Word of the signing though is always a good place to start, and that’s right here:
We are BEYOND excited to announce that Hashtronaut will be releasing our debut LP via @bluesfuneralrecordings!!! Thank you so much for this opportunity 🤘🏼🤘🏼
Keep your eyes peeled for pre-sale info coming early 2024!!
From Blues Funeral:
“In the grand tradition of weed-fiend odysseys from bands like Sleep, Weedeater and Bongzilla, and the hook-doom majesty of Monolord, Windhand and Dopelord, Blues Funeral is stoked as hell to announce the massive, resiny debut of Denver’s Hashtronaut will be our first release in 2024 💪🎸🌿
Fans of riff-heaviness in all its glorious forms, prepare to get blazed to infinity with a hungry young band who stands red-eyed at the crossroads of pummeling stoner sludge and towering doom 🤘👀😍 More to come on this early in the new year!”
Hashtronaut is: Dan Smith: bass/vocals, (Alamo Black) Kellen McInerney: guitar (Near Dusk) Eric Garcia: drums (The Heavy Eyes)
Posted in Whathaveyou on June 8th, 2021 by JJ Koczan
There are a few entities out there in the wilds of social media calling themselves Hashtronaut, so don’t get the wrong one. This Hashtronaut are a three-piece from Denver, the rock scene of which only seems to be getting mile higher and higher as time goes on. Boasting members of Near Dusk, The Heavy Eyes and Alamo Black, the trio bring out “Moonquake” as an initial public offering that’s just three and a half minutes long but holds promise for further exploration of weight and space to come.
Moreover, for all the tone collecting from the vastness of the void noted in their brief bio, the lyrics of “Moonquake” take a decidedly more personal view of space, turning the metaphor inward rather than indulging an all-out science fiction narrative. As to how representative the song is of the work they’ll do going forward, who the hell knows? But it’s a cool track with a blend of straight up riffage and broader atmosphere and if you gotta start somewhere, that’s a fine spot to do it.
Stream and appropriate social links follow:
Hashtronaut – Moonquake
Hashtronaut, a doomed three-piece based out of Denver, CO, are set to release their first single, Moonquake, on 6/17 streaming on all platforms and bandcamphttps://wearehashtronauts.bandcamp.com/.
The trio is made up of Dan Smith of Alamo Black on bass / vox, Kellen McInerney of Near Dusk on guitar, and Eric Garcia of Heavy Eyes on drums. Song was mixed and mastered by Matt Qualls (of Heavy Eyes) and are set to release a second single in the near future with the follow up of a full LP.
Originating in Denver, Colorado, Hashtronaut has spent the majority of the past year exploring the outer reaches of time and space. While Earth has struggled with disease, violence, and political upheaval, we have been collecting tones from the vastness of the void in hopes that they will expand your minds and unify us heading into the new frontier. We are Hashtronauts.
