Posted in Whathaveyou on February 24th, 2025 by JJ Koczan
With their weighty name added to festivals like Heavy Psych Sounds, Desertfest Oslo, Desertfest Berlin, Desertfest London, Worship Fest in Iceland and Sideral in France, a tour announcement from Hippie Death Cult covering Spring in Europe isn’t a huge surprise, but they’re a touring band — they tour — so I’m not sure how shocked you’re supposed to be in the first place. Have you seen them as a trio? If not, do. All three on stage, killer, and Laura‘s scream intimidates mountains. It’s fucking rad.
Obviously then the prospect of a live album, Live at Star Theatre, recorded in the band’s hometown of Portland, Oregon, is a postive. It’s not out until May 9 and everything they play on it comes from 2023’s Helichrysum (review here) save for a 16-minute take on the title-track from 2021’s Circle of Days (review here), which should be plenty. I assume side B is that and “Red Giant.” Once again, right on.
The PR wire brought details
US heavy rockers HIPPIE DEATH CULT to release “Live at the Star Theater” album on Heavy Psych Sounds; spring European tour announced!
US heavy rock champions HIPPIE DEATH CULT announce the release of their “Live at the Star Theater” album on May 9th through Heavy Psych Sounds. The electric trio will be touring Europe for an extensive month-long run, including appearances at Desertfest London and Oslo and Heavy Psych Sounds Fest Italy.
The band says: “We’ve been toying around with the idea of doing a live album for a while now, considering our music has a whole different energy and vibrance to it in any given live situation, so it’s cool to have a well-recorded document of a little snapshot in time from this era of the band’s history. It’s also something we plan on doing more regularly in the future as we progress along our path and evolve. We toured a whole hell of a lot in 2024, both across the United States and Europe as well as Canada and this was our final show of the year, which took place in our hometown of Portland, Oregon. We figured it would be a special place to try and capture an audio and video document of a full concert, 1) because Portland has always been our rock, a very supportive hometown with whom we’ve always shared a genuine connection with and 2) it’s a place where we have the resources to have friends help to make it happen on little to no budget. Some things went right that night, some things went wrong. It’s raw. It’s live. It’s us.”
Hippie Death Cult on tour: 01.05 IT Genova – Trinità Live Club 02.05 IT Bologna – Heavy Psych Sounds Fest 03.05 IT Venezia – Heavy Psych Sounds Fest 04.05 SLO Izola – Hangar Bar 05.05 HR Pula – Klub Kotač 06.05 HR Zagreb – AKC Attack 07.05 AT Vienna – Arena 08.05 DE Ravensburg – Slainte Irish Pub 09.05 AT Ebensee – Kino 10.05 NO Oslo – Desertfest Oslo 11.05 DK Copenhagen – Stengade 13.05 DE Göppingen – Gaststätte Zille 14.05 DE Wiesbaden – Kreativfabrik 15.05 NL Oss – Groene Engel 16.05 UK London – Desertfest London 17.05 IS Reykjavík – Worship Fest 18.05 UK Huddersfield – Northern Quarter 20.05 UK Nottingham – Ye Olde Salutation Inn 22.05 FR Paris – Le Klub 24.05 FR Capbreton – Sideral Festival 28.05 IT Torino – Blah Blah 29.05 IT Sezzadio – Cascina Bellaria 31.05 CH Geneve – L’Usine
Posted in Whathaveyou on February 12th, 2025 by JJ Koczan
Three more names for Desertfest Berlin 2025 and by all the ‘more’ that’s featured on each day of the poster below, I’m guessing it’s not the last round of lineup additions to come before the festival takes place this May. Scott Hepple and the Sun Band are a mystery to me, but they’re booked now for London, Oslo and Berlin Desertfests, as well as Freak Valley and more, so good for them being all over the place. Hippie Death Cult just announced another European tour, and they too are making the Desertfest rounds in multiple cities, while The Mystery Lights so far as I know are Berlin-only but coming from New York to play, so good on them making the trip too.
You can see the full lineup below, with The Hellacopters, Dinosaur Jr. and Elder headlining and the likes of Slomosa, Dozer, Khan, My Sleeping Karma, Lowrider and Elephant Tree, Stinking Lizaveta and Darsombra, Temple Fang, Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol previously confirmed. If you haven’t caught wind of this one yet in 2025, the appeal pretty much speaks for itself.
Or at least the PR wire speaks for it:
DESERTFEST BERLIN adds HIPPIE DEATH CULT, THE MYSTERY LIGHTS and SCOTT HEPPLE & THE SUN BAND, who will join DINOSAUR JR., ELDER, THE HELLACOPTERS & many more outstanding live acts in 2025!
Desertfest Berlin has revealed three new names for its outstanding festival edition in 2025, and confirms Portland’s heavy doom and cosmic riff worship at its finest: HIPPIE DEATH CULT, New York’s raw and fuzzy garage-psych act THE MYSTERY LIGHTS and UK-based psychedelic vintage rockers SCOTT HEPPLE & THE SUN BAND!
This May will see Desertfest Berlin undoubtedly run its perhaps best and most eclectic line-up to date, welcoming iconic DINOSAUR JR., Swedish rock pioneers THE HELLACOPTERS, prog-and psych-rock masters ELDER (playing their groundbreaking “Lore” album in its entirety!), New Orleans sludge legends EYEHATEGOD, MY SLEEPING KARMA returning home, US doom metallers PALLBEARER, Norwegian “tundra rock” frontrunners SLOMOSA, DOZER, TEMPLE FANG, LOWRIDER and so many more incredible live acts the stoner, rock, doom, sludge, psych and metal scene has to offer.
Desertfest Berlin will take place between May 23 – 25, 2025 at Columbiahalle and Columbia Theater. While the Early-Bird tickets sold out in within hours, regular passes are available at:www.desertfest-tickets.de
Posted in Whathaveyou on December 4th, 2024 by JJ Koczan
Now we’re talking. If you weren’t expecting Desertfest London to drop a fresh batch of 20 names for its 2025 lineup, well, happy holidays. There’s a ton to unpack here, from Pallbearer and Conan — who’ll tour together in Australia before — to Kind making the trip to Boston, Elephant Tree signing on for what will surely be a celebration, Earth joining the ranks of the thus-far headliners Zeal & Ardor and Elder, Hippie Death Cult, The Hazytones (who rule, look them up), and a new Isaiah Mitchell collab called Chöd (I guess Brü couldn’t make it?) — it’s a ton of stuff and you can see on the poster below it’s just the tip of the Desertfest iceberg.
As a flagship of the Desertfest brand alongside Berlin, the London lineup should be stunning, and it is. Whether you’re going for Stoned Jesus, Amenra or 10,000 Years and the slew of others making their first appearances, 2025 promises to be a landmark for those lucky enough to be there to see it.
Could be you if you’re up for it. Here’s the latest:
DESERTFEST LONDON ANNOUNCES 20 NEW ARTISTS FOR 2025
The time has come for our next artist announcement! We are over the moon to welcome Seattle veterans of drone n doom EARTH as our third 2025 headliner, joining Zeal & Ardor and Elder. This appearance marks the band’s first UK show in 5 years as well as their first time on the DF London stage.
Arkansas doom quartet Pallbearer will join our stacked Saturday line up at Roundhouse, while homegrown local heroes Conan will make their long awaited return to Desertfest London.
We will also welcome the UK debut of Chöd, an audio-visual collaboration between Isaiah Mitchell (Earthless), artist Arik Roper, and Doc Kelley (Psychedelic Sangha) that is sure to take you on a psychedelic meditative journey for the ages.
Please welcome our latest additions to Desertfest London 2025:
↠ Earth headlining Sunday at Electric Ballroom ↠ Pallbearer ↠ Conan ↠ Elephant Tree ↠ Chöd ↠ Hippie Death Cult ↠ Castle Rat ↠ Avon ↠ Green Milk from the Planet Orange ↠ Servo ↠ Mr Bison ↠ Kind ↠ El Moono ↠ The Hazytones ↠ King Botfly ↠ Lust Ritual ↠ Slump ↠ Witchorious ↠ The Summit Fever ↠ Dresden Wolves
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.
Is it me or is Nirvana everywhere now? I’m not quite talking Star Wars-level pop cIultural infiltration, but it’s not far off. Their ascent to classic rock reminds me distinctly of what happened around Led Zeppelin in the 1990s, but the two could hardly be more different bands and still both be rock and roll, at least in terms of how anti-mainstream Nirvana‘s music seemed when it was coming out. They sell the shirts at Target now. My mom had a hoodie on the other day. I’m pretty sure she took it from my nephew.
But, you know, retrospect makes the music pretty inarguable. “Aneurysm,” here covered by Portland, Oregon, trio Hippie Death Cult — wait, didn’t I just put up a post about their Fall tour plans? yes; sometimes the timing on these announcements plays out like that — is a pop tune in everything but attitude. It’s catchy, listenable, uptempo and fun, despite the outward disaffection, and Hippie Death Cult do justice to both the bounce and the punker intensity that birthed it while retaining their own style as well. You can see in the video in the instrument swapping and jumping around from bassist/vocalist Laura Phillips, guitarist Eddie Brnabic (who looks like he genuinely enjoys drumming) and drummer Harry Silvers, at no point are they treating the source material with anything other than the irreverence it deserves. Nirvana just happened to make really fun songs about being miserable. Pop was a vehicle for their expression. I wonder if they were bending to it or bending it to them.
Not sure I have the time or inclination to go back, put those records on and answer that question for myself, but I am sure that at this point I’ve now overthought what for Hippie Death Cult was a fun cover they played at shows that they put to tape at the end of a tour, with Armand Lance from tourmates Spirit Mother — whose new record is a burner; keep an eye out — throwing down a guest vocal spot for an added bonus and then made a video to (just about) coincide with a different tour. It’s apparently not the only cover they recorded. You’ll recall they also did a clip for their live take on Black Sabbath‘s “Rat Salad.” One would hardly hold having a thing for lesser-known hits from legendary bands against them.
Just for completion’s sake, I’ve included the tour dates again under the video below and accompanying info/credits. As always, I hope you enjoy:
Eddie quotes: “Laura and I grew up listening to Nirvana a ton back in the 90’s and had recently enjoyed revisiting their catalog, which sparked a renewed appreciation for them and their ethics as a band. When tinkering with cover song ideas for our live set last year, the idea of doing “Aneurysm” came up. It felt fun to play, so we didn’t overthink it and started adding it to our live set over the past year. We had a blast playing it live, often inviting friends up to sing with us and it always went over well with the audience. Once we got home from touring at the beginning of the 2024, we headed right in to the studio to track a version of it just for the hell of it while it was still kinda fresh in our minds. Right after that I had gone into the studio to produce the new Spirit Mother album, so we had Armand (vocalist of Spirit Mother) track some backing vocals for it as he had frequently jumped on stage with us to perform it live when we were on the road together in 2023. It was real fun to do, hopefully that comes across. We tracked a couple of other covers that we’d been playing recently along with it that will also likely come out at some point.”
“We shot this video after a long day of photo and video shoots in the wee hours of the night in our rehearsal room. We had shot two other music videos that day and did a photo shoot in a local cemetery. We just just had fun with it. Credit to Laura for making us do silly takes on each others instruments at 3am. It was real fun to do and off the cuff, I hope that comes across”
Credits: Written by Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic. Originally recorded by Nirvana. Performed by Hippie Death Cult.
Laura Phillips ~ Vocals / Bass Eddie Brnabic ~ Guitars Harry Silvers ~ Drums Armand Lance ~ Guest Backing Vox
Audio: Produced by : Eddie Brnabic Assistant Producer : Ben Barnett Engineered by : Jeremy Romagna, Eddie Brnabic. Mixed by : Eddie Brnabic, Jeremy Romagna. Recorded & Mixed at 8-4 Studios – Portland, Oregon Mastered by : Eddie Brnabic Graphics : Eddie Brnabic Recorded in January 2024.
Video: Shot by : Eddy Vazquez Edited by : Eddie Brnabic
Hippie Death Cult w/ Kadabra: 9/2 Boise, ID – @neurolux 9/3 Salt Lake City, UT – @urbanloungeslc 9/4 Denver, CO – @hqdenver 9/5 Omaha, NE – @theslowdown 9/6 Milwaukee, WI – @clubgaribaldi 9/7 Chicago, IL – @cobralounge 9/8 Grand Rapids, MI – @pyramidschemegr 9/9 Newport, KY – @sghrevival 9/10 Youngstown, OH – @westsidebowl 9/11 Philadelphia, PA – @milkboyphilly 9/12 Providence, RI – @alchemy_providence 9/14 Queens, NY – @desertfest_nyc @knockdowncenter Center 9/16 Québec QC – @lasourcedelamartiniere 9/17 Ottawa, ON – @dominiontavern 9/19 Toronto, ON – @bovinesexclub 9/20 Detroit, MI – @sanctuarydetroit 9/21 Louisville, KY – @portal_louisville 9/22 Atlanta, GA – @masquerade_atl 9/23 Pensacola, FL – @thehandlebar850 9/24 Lafayette, LA – @freetown_boomboomroom Boom 9/25 Dallas, TX – @ruinsdeepellum 9/26 Houston, TX – @blackmagicsocialclub 9/27 Austin, TX – @thelostwell 9/28 Las Cruces, NM – @amadorbar 9/29 Albuquerque, NM – @sisterbar 9/30 Scottsdale, AZ – @pubrocklive 10/2 San Diego, CA – @brickbybricksd 10/3 Long Beach, CA – @alexsbarlbc 10/4 Los Angeles, CA – @permanentrecordsroadhouse 10/5 Oakland, CA – @elismilehighclub 10/6 Reno, NV – @lobarsocial 11/1 Vancouver, BC – @greenautomusic 11/2 Kelowna, BC – @jackknifebrewing 11/3 Calgary, AB – @palominosmokehouse 11/6 Spokane, WA – @thebigdipperspokane 11/7 Yakima, WA – @beardedmonkeymusic 11/8 Bend, OR – @volcanictheatrepub
Posted in Whathaveyou on June 7th, 2024 by JJ Koczan
My first thought when I saw the poster below for Hippie Death Cult‘s upcoming tour alongside fellow Pacific Northwestern heavy rockers Kadabra? “Oh man, Europe gets all the cool shit.”
Of course, the good news is I was wrong about that. It’s a US tour. You could argue the occasion that brings the two bands to the Eastern Seaboard is their slated appearances at Desertfest New York — a festival brand that got its start in Europe and still mostly happens there, but not in this case — but the run itself covers much more ground than would a straight-shot to Brooklyn, turn around and go home.
The two bands both operate under the banner of Heavy Psych Sounds, which issued Hippie Death Cult‘s Helichrysum (review here) and Kadabra‘s Umbra (review here, also discussed here) last October, and it’s worth noting that both will have completed 2024 European tours before this September US stint takes place. Kadabra were there April into May, and Hippie Death Cult head abroad later this month (dates here). Lest anyone think they’re not hitting all the stops.
And as regards stops, maybe one of these is yours:
📣 We are 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 excited to announce our upcoming tour across North America with @kadabra_band !!!
🎫 Tickets go on sale today at 10am PST! 🔗 in bio.
ɴᴏʀᴛʜ ᴀᴍᴇʀɪᴄᴀɴ ᴛʀᴀɴꜱᴄᴇɴᴅᴇɴᴛᴀʟ ᴛʀɪᴘ 2024👁️
9/2 Boise, ID – @neurolux 9/3 Salt Lake City, UT – @urbanloungeslc 9/4 Denver, CO – @hqdenver 9/5 Omaha, NE – @theslowdown 9/6 Milwaukee, WI – @clubgaribaldi 9/7 Chicago, IL – @cobralounge 9/8 Grand Rapids, MI – @pyramidschemegr 9/9 Newport, KY – @sghrevival 9/10 Youngstown, OH – @westsidebowl 9/11 Philadelphia, PA – @milkboyphilly 9/12 Providence, RI – @alchemy_providence 9/14 Queens, NY – @desertfest_nyc @knockdowncenter Center 9/16 Québec QC – @lasourcedelamartiniere 9/17 Ottawa, ON – @dominiontavern 9/19 Toronto, ON – @bovinesexclub 9/20 Detroit, MI – @sanctuarydetroit 9/21 Louisville, KY – @portal_louisville 9/22 Atlanta, GA – @masquerade_atl 9/23 Pensacola, FL – @thehandlebar850 9/24 Lafayette, LA – @freetown_boomboomroom Boom 9/25 Dallas, TX – @ruinsdeepellum 9/26 Houston, TX – @blackmagicsocialclub 9/27 Austin, TX – @thelostwell 9/28 Las Cruces, NM – @amadorbar 9/29 Albuquerque, NM – @sisterbar 9/30 Scottsdale, AZ – @pubrocklive 10/2 San Diego, CA – @brickbybricksd 10/3 Long Beach, CA – @alexsbarlbc 10/4 Los Angeles, CA – @permanentrecordsroadhouse 10/5 Oakland, CA – @elismilehighclub 10/6 Reno, NV – @lobarsocial 11/1 Vancouver, BC – @greenautomusic 11/2 Kelowna, BC – @jackknifebrewing 11/3 Calgary, AB – @palominosmokehouse 11/6 Spokane, WA – @thebigdipperspokane 11/7 Yakima, WA – @beardedmonkeymusic 11/8 Bend, OR – @volcanictheatrepub
More dates TBA.
Poster by : @fandydarisman Presented by : @atomicmusicgroup & @heavypsychsounds_records
HIPPIE DEATH CULT is: Laura Phillips – Bass/Vocals Eddie Brnabic – Guitar Harry Silvers – Drums
Posted in Whathaveyou on April 26th, 2024 by JJ Koczan
Alongside their previously announced West Coast tour set to kickoff May 16 in San Francisco, Hippie Death Cult will this summer head to Europe and the UK for a solid month of road time as they continue to support their 2023 long-player, Helichrysum (review here), which marked the beginning of their trio-era in terms of studio releases and was badass besides.
There are still a decent amount of open slots at least as of when I’m posting this, but you can see Blackdoor Fest, Stoomfest, the venerable Stoned From the Underground, Woodrock Festival, Blue Moon, and so on spread throughout, so no one can accuse them of not making the most of their time. And of course, if you’re in a position to help with a TBA, I encourage you to do that both as a matter of general principle and so you can see Hippie Death Cult live, which you’re not likely to regret if you’re still reading this paragraph.
I’ve included the West Coast dates here too, and if you’re on the US Eastern Seaboard like myself, heads up they’ll be at Desertfest New York this September and it’s not a huge cognitive leap to think they’ll be touring around that as well, given their obvious knack for it.
Off you go:
Hey all, we are stoked to announce that our heavy fuzz riffers HIPPIE DEATH CULT will tour Europe this Summer !!!
!! STILL FEW OPEN SLOTS !!
BOOK YOUR SHOW WRITE TO info@heavypsychsounds.com
*** HIPPIE DEATH CULT European Tour 2024 *** FR 28/06/2024 IT BOLOGNA – Freakout SA 29/06/2024 DE PASSAU – Blackdoor Fest SU 30/06/2024 ***OPEN SLOT*** MO 01/07/2024 UK *** OPEN SLOT *** TU 02/07/2024 UK NOTTINGHAM – Ye Olde Salutation Inn WE 03/07/2024 UK PRESTON – The Ferret TH 04/07/2024 UK SHEFFIELD – Yellow Arch Studio FR 05/07/2024 UK HUDDERSFIELD – Northern Quarter SA 06/07/2024 UK LONDON – Stoom Fest SU 07/07/2024 UK SWANSEA – Elysium Gallery & Venue MO 08/07/2024 *** OPEN SLOT *** TU 09/07/2024 FR LILLE – Le Bulle WE 10/07/2024 *** OPEN SLOT *** TH 11/07/2024 DE MANNHEIM – FR 12/07/2024 DE ERFURT – Stoned From The Underground SA 13/07/2024 *** OPEN SLOT *** SU 14/07/2024 DE MUNCHEN – Unter Deck MO 15/07/2024 DE MAINZ – Kulturcafe TU 16/07/2024 NL NIJMEGEN – De Onderbroek WE 17/07/2024 DE KOLN – Stereo Wonderland TH 18/07/2024 DE DRESDEN – Chemiefabrik FR 19/07/2024 DE KARLSRUHE – Das Fest SA 20/07/2024 PT FIGUEIRA DA FOZ – Woodrock Festival MO 22/07/2024 *** OPEN SLOT *** TU 23/07/2024 SK BRATISLAVA – Garaže WE 24/07/2024 *** OPEN SLOT *** TH 25/07/2024 *** OPEN SLOT *** FR 26/07/2024 DE COTTBUS – Blue Moon Festival SA 27/07/2024 *** OPEN SLOT *** SU 28/07/2024 SI LJUBLJANA – Channel Zero
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 for West Coast: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/12709196-hippie-death-cult
HIPPIE DEATH CULT is: Laura Phillips – Bass/Vocals Eddie Brnabic – Guitar Harry Silvers – Drums
Posted in Whathaveyou on March 21st, 2024 by JJ Koczan
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 Kadabra, Abrams, 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 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.
