Sweet Times Vol. 5 continues Who Can You Trust? Records‘ admirable penchant for packing as much rock as possible onto a relatively tiny platter. This edition features Ragged Barracudas, Queen Crescent, Plant Tribe and Banquet and furthers the thread of upstart boogie rock that prior editions have established, each act offering a quick sampling of their wares, getting in and getting out in quick succession. The longest of them is Queen Crescent‘s “Zodiacal Woman,” at 3:21, if that gives you some idea.

The garaged-out tone of Ragged Barracudas sets a proto-punk course, and that Queen Crescent track follows with a fuller, classically-styled fuzz, while on side B, Plant Tribe‘s churning, building boogie leads smoothly into the similarly-minded but still distinct vibe Banquet bring to the table. Like all the Sweet Times offerings to-date, there’s little to argue with here in concept or execution, and each band basically has enough time to introduce themselves and rush on their way, but as ever, that proves to be long enough to leave an overarching impression.

Info from the PR wire:

VA “SWEET TIMES – Volume 5” 7-Inch OUT NOW !!!

SWEET TIMES for the 5th time… what could I say?

If you’ve made it here, you’re either just walking by, or… you ran through all the previous volumes and know what you’re in for! The formula hasn’t changed as Who Can You trust? is still the same old label you used to love (or not)! …you decide!

On the fifth volume you have to expect a new jam by the Ragged Barracudas from Germany, as well as exclusive recordings by San Francisco’s Banquet, Queen Crescent and Long Beach’s Plant Tribe!”

TRACKLIST:
A1 – RAGGED BARRACUDAS “Blissful Lack Of Mind”
A2 – QUEEN CRESCENT “Zodiacal Woman”
B1 – PLANT TRIBE “The Sea Bitch”
B2 – BANQUET “Moments”

Artwork by Clint Baechle.
Edition of 500 copies on black vinyl.

http://whocanyoutrustrec.bigcartel.com/product/va-sweet-times-volume-5-7-vinyl
https://whocanyoutrustrec.bandcamp.com/album/sweet-times-volume-5
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Various Artists, Sweet Times Vol. 5 (2016)

San Francisco four-piece Queen Crescent will be featured on the upcoming split, Sweet Times Vol. 5, from Who Can You Trust? Records. Part of an ongoing series that has also featured the likes of Hot Lunch, The Golden Grass, Pastor, Death Alley and Comet Control, it presents an opportunity for the flute-laden Bay Area heavy rockers to demonstrate their driving progressive fuzz in excellent company, and clearly they’re making the most of it. I’m not sure on a solid release date for the 7″ — the stated format for the Sweet Times series — but Queen Crescent have a video now for “Zodiacal Woman,” which will be their contribution.

The band issued their self-titled debut full-length in 2015, basking in the sheer Tullness of it all while keeping another foot in classic Sabbathian blues rock riffing and boogie, songs like “Ancestors” and “I Wish a Muthafucka Would” refusing rhythmic constraint in their groove. It would seem Queen Crescent have swapped out bassists since then, but “Zodiacal Woman” only finds them with an even more professional style and a firmer grasp on their aesthetic than did the LP, the lineup of vocalist/flutist Melissa Vu, vocalist/guitarist Andrea Genevieve, bassist Eden Savage and drummer Amy Martinez offering a sense of space in a quiet intro before unfolding proto-metallic thrust in the track’s verses and intricate guitar and flute solo tradeoffs.

It’s basically a performance clip — nothing against that — but one that’s well lit, and it should be more than enough to give a sense of where Queen Crescent are coming from. Not sure on the release date for Sweet Times Vol. 5, but “Zodiacal Woman” makes me want to keep an eye out for one.

Enjoy:

Queen Crescent, “Zodiacal Woman” official video

OUT NOW! Queen Crescent’s music video debut “Zodiacal Woman”!

We couldn’t possibly be more excited to make this announcement. Thank you all to who were involved, especially Director/DP Ethan Indorf, Director Doug Avery, and Set Designer Aaron Rodriguez.

“Zodiacal Woman” will be out soon on vinyl format on Germany’s Who Can You Trust? Records compilation “Sweet Times” (Vol. 5).

Video by Doug Avery and Ethan Indorf
Set build by Aaron Rodriguez
AC Adam Avilla & Matt Chen
PA Nick Kemp
Lighting rental littlegiantlighting.com

QUEEN CRESCENT IS:
Andrea Genevieve: vocals, guitar
Melissa Vu: vocals, flute
Amy Martinez: drums
Eden Savage: bass

Queen Crescent website

Queen Crescent on Thee Facebooks

Queen Crescent on Bandcamp

Queen Crescent on Twitter

Queen Crescent on Instagram

Who Can You Trust? Records on Bandcamp