Thirteen years ago, Gibby Paul and Kix Mead, as University of Kansas students in Lawrence, formed the dream pop group Mammoth Life. They eventually relocated to San Francisco where they continued to play and record for several years. Now Gibby Paul has his own gig, expanding his vocal chops while still shredding on the guitar. The four-piece is already playing sets in the Bay area, shaking shit off the walls to warm folks up to their debut album, So Savage, set to drop this spring, with a big grin, on 4/20.
Two singles, with videos, from the LP have already dropped. The fun and raucous “Rock N Roll” was shot on location in the Pill Hill area of Oakland with a good dose of world-class air guitar. “Not the Only One” is a wonderfully trippy take on heartbreak, complete with vintage pop imagery.
Ideally, what would be the role of social media for Gibby Paul?
Social media for GP is to be a glimpse into my rock n’ roll reality. You know, like me getting loaded on speed, or pissing off the porch, or like ripping a Telecaster guitar and making it scream. Bong rips, chef boyar-D, passed out in a pile of Pabst Blue Ribbon cans…Taco Bell, cigarettes, LP records and teenage rebellion.
What elements of instrumentation have been essential to you throughout your career?
I love rock n’ roll. At this point in my career, I let the venues we play dictate the instrumentation that is essential to me with as few people as possible on stage playing. I like guitars, bass and drums. I like tube watts, and sub tones. Fuzz rock and dark rooms. I wanna bring it back to its roots.
Your video for “Rock N Roll” was filmed in the heart of Oakland, California. What do you like about the music culture there?
Oakland is the last of the old wild west. Grime and stickiness and sex and drugs all are prevalent and easily accessible here and are granted free flow. I call West Oakland and Pill Hill our rock n’ roll playground. ‘Cause you can have an awful lot of fun and a gorgeous stage to let the rock n’ roll commence and unfold upon. It is a beautiful and inspiring backdrop to score music to.
When will you be going on the road with your music? Any plans for a return to Lawrence, Kansas?
We will be touring on and off throughout all of 2018. I wanna say we will be back in LFK and KC, MO this summer.
What would you pay $1,000 to see?
If I had a thousand bones floating around, I’d buy another guitar.
Last we touched base with Russian Baths, they were releasing “What’s Your Basement”; now, they are gearing up to drop their debut EP, Penance, on February 23rd. The four track record features “Slenderman”, “What’s Your Basement”, “Poolhouse” and “Black Cross” and is released via Good Eye Records. The Brooklyn-based noise rock band is made up of Luke Koz (guitar, vox) and Jess Rees (guitar, keys, vox) along with Evan Gill Smith (bass) and Jeff Widner (drums). Previous to the release of their upcoming EP, Russian Baths dropped a split single, “Ambulance/Ghost”.
“Slenderman” opens the EP and sets the tone immediately. Filled with intense percussion alongside floating vocals, the track sets the stage for the next song splendidly. “What’s Your Basement” follows “Slenderman”, and is the most noise-rock of the four tracks. With some killer guitar and drums, “What’s Your Basement” takes its place as a solid punk/noise rock track. Check out more about the track here.
“Poolhouse” is next up on the EP, and is closer to the the sound of “Slenderman” rather than “What’s Your Basement”, but still stands alone. Opened with a marvelous minute-and-a-half instrumental interlude, the track provides for a musical tour of an emotional ground zero.Guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Jess Rees says of “Poolhouse”: “This song was inspired by a friend’s tumultuous breakup. The idea can apply to any situation where you wake up and say ‘how the f*** did I get here, I don’t want to be here and I don’t even know who I am’. It’s about an existential crisis.” “Black Cross” closes out the album with some well crafted bass and guitar. The last track finishes strong, leaves you with solid understanding of Russian Baths’ musical style after this tour of their soundscape. Penance is a record that will shake off that dreary winter feeling, and get you motivated to do great things.
Check out Penance by Russian Baths on February 23. Follow Russian Baths: Facebook //Instagram
Starting out in 2014 from Chicago Illinois is the recently signed road warriors and psychedelic rockers Post Animal. No joke while checking out their Facebook page, I was scrolling and scrolling through posts that were all tour stops throughout the U.S. dating back more than a year.
Hitting the road and pounding the pavement with their signature brand of music you swore you’ve heard before dominating radio waves in the 80’s, this 5 piece has been gaining attention, entertaining the masses, and will be hitting the road yet again in support of their debut full length album, When I Think Of You In A Castle appropriately available on 4/20 through Polyvinyl Records.
“Ralphie”, the band’s first single from the album, begins with an 80’s commercial pop synth line that becomes layered with a scale familiarly reminiscent of 70’s classic rock guitar riffs. Even with its commercial appeal, the first 21 seconds are a very technical and dynamic attention-grabber.
Originally a 6 piece group, Post Animal released an EP in 2015 and a collection of singles in 2016. Given the success and demands of Stranger Things, drummer Joe Keery, “being a member since the bands’ inception”, his role is stated as being “and inactive touring member”. He does still contribute and you can hear his vocal talents on “Ralphie”.
Post Animal has indie pop rock-ish hooks in their chorus lines, specific and clear-cut bass guitar and drum contributions, meticulously classic rock constructed guitar riffs that utilize delay to ad that psychedelic significance and verb usage that should land Post Animal into the Reverb Hall of Fame.
To sum it up, get out your blender and grab an 8-track of The Byrds’, a summarized memory from Woodstock, a record from Kansas, a cassette from Gary Numan, a VHS copy of an 80’s Revlon commercial and a Police CD. Post Animal have the ingredients that make aqua net girls bop their heads and smack their gum in unison, and make the high school douchebags lift the Firebird’s T-Top, roll down the windows, crank it up and squeal tires pulling out of the parking lot.
It’s not A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but Oberon Rose might just fulfill all your musical dreams. New England-based Oberon Rose is gearing up to release their sophomore album, Tell Me All About It on their own imprint, ThouART Records, and are dropping their single, “No Stranger” off the record. The trio is composed of Mike Keyes’ drums, Chris Listorti on bass/keys and Tommy Oberon providing guitar and vocals, with songwriting by the band’s namesakes, Tommy Oberon and Rebecca Rose. Says Rose of her writing: “As a lyricist, I want the listener to bring their own experiences to the song, so I like to keep it open. Let the listener decide what it means.”
Between the musical ideas of the trio and Rose has evolved what many call psychedelic pop/rock – but no matter what you want to call it, you’ll like it.
“No Stranger” is a bit of a retro track, with a 70s feel to it. Oberon’s vocals are accompanied by the the evident talent of his band. If Oberon Rose has got one thing down, it’s teamwork – you can tell how well all the members play together from the first notes. “No Stranger” is just a bop, period.
Check out the track below, and continue the fun with our exclusive interview below!
In your online bio, it relates Tommy and Rebecca to Elton John and Bernie Taupin as both have similar song writing relationships. Have you ever seen these two idols as role models?
I wouldn’t say role models but we are fans. To be clear, we are in no way comparing ourselves to them, it’s just that our method of collaboration is similar.
In order to give your lyrics and song writing the space to allow for people to relate, do you base the lyrics off of personal past experiences?
We like to base the lyrics around universal experiences. Generally, the experience of being human.
What kind of dynamic exists in the creation of music in Oberon Rose?
The dynamic is always different. Sometimes I’ll bring music to Rebecca, and sometimes she’ll bring lyrics to me.
What are your goals for Oberon Rose? Where do you see the band in the near future?
We’re looking forward to playing out as much as possible. We’re currently playing shows in New England, but we hope to do some touring in the near future.
Have you ever thought about expanding your performance locations to the more central or western areas of the United States?
Absolutely. We’re looking forward to getting out that way soon.
Has there ever been a time where you felt connected with an audience above any other time that you have performed in the past?
Connecting with the audience is what it’s all about. With each show, we try to make that connection stronger.
Is there an experience that brought the band together? Or did it just seem to form effortlessly?
I don’t believe anything in music happens effortlessly. Only after a lot of hard work and determination do things start to fall into place.
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Tell Me All About It is out March 30th. Stay connected with Oberon Rose below: Website – Facebook – YouTube
It’s out of this world – Computer Magic has dropped her new single, “Perfect Game”, which will appear on her brand new record, DANZ, out February 23rd. The LP is released via her very own Channel 9 Records. Brooklyn-based Computer Magic (DJ/Producer Danielle “Danz” Johnson) releases “Perfect Game” as the fourth single off DANZ. She has previously released nine EPs and four LPs (three of which were Japan-exclusive); DANZ will be her second official full-length album. She will celebrate the release of her record with a release party at the Knitting Factory in NYC on March 3 “Perfect Game” is a synth-and-guitar filled track highlighted by Danielle’s smooth vocals that will take you to another universe with its extraterrestrial vibes. This song displays not only the talent of Johnson as she works as an entirely solo project, but also her ability to create something both personal and accessible. We can’t wait to hear the rest of DANZ when it drops later this week.
You can pre-order DANZ on vinyl or digital via iTunes and check it out when it drops this Friday, February 23rd! Keep up with Computer Magic here.
Last year, I got the insane pleasure of hanging out with Austin-based rock outfit The Cuckoos at SXSW. This year, they’re taking immense strides into the forefront of the industry, nabbing attention from some of the hottest music outlets in the world. Their brand of rock gives off this soulful, vintage vibe, while their style and attitudes reflect that same laid back comfort that has gone missing from so much of our modern music.
Don’t believe me? Check out their latest track “Heartbreak Paradise” below, then sidle on down to a playlist the quartet curated exclusively for Imperfect Fifth, which includes a look into their inspiration and taste. (Descriptions provided by Kenneth Frost.)
Heartbreak Paradise – TheCuckoos
Just a little shameless self promotion. This is our new song we just released on Valentine’s Day.
The Dude – Quincy Jones
This is just a funky, feel-good track with a little bit of rap, some horns, and Mr. Quincy Jones layin’ it down.
Uptown – Prince
I love the production of this record– Super funky and raw sounding. This song has some of my favorite lyrics as well.
Do I Make You Feel Shy? – Connan Mockasin
I’ve been listening to a lot of Connan Mockasin lately. I love the lyrics and the simplicity of this track. It’s very catchy and he always puts off such a watery, seductive vibe with his music which I really dig. It’s romantic.
Dinosaur Carebears – Ariel Pink
My favorite example of a song that makes you feel like you’re on drugs without actually being on them. It’s pretty much a 3-part psychedelic jam that goes into this weird ‘toy train from hell’ sounding bit before mellowing out into a pretty cosmic sounding groove.
Stay – Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs
It’s a lovey dovey old school tune with great falsetto vocals. It’s only about a minute and a half, so it makes you want to play it on repeat.
Redbone – Childish Gambino
This is probably my favorite track of 2017. Gambino made a dope funky 70s funkadelic Prince-y sounding pop song with some heart and it did really well. So not only do I dig the song, but I also feel like it was pretty ballsy and cool of him to do that style of music and also make it on to pop radio. It reminds me of the next few songs.
Do Me Baby – Prince
Another Prince tune. Super slow, super romantic. Great lyrics and dynamics. It has this bass pop that just gets me every time. Gambino did it in Redbone too. Both of those really influences TheCuckoos‘ song, Heartbreak Paradise.
I’d Rather Be With You – Bootsy Collins
A classic.
I Wanna Roll With You – Connan Mockasin
Another Connan song. The intro is genius and I love the backup vocals on this track.
Orange County Suite – The Doors
A kind of deep cut. Morrison wrote and recorded a version of himself singing and playing this song on piano before he passed. It wasn’t released until the remaining members of the doors recorded the instrumentals to the tracks. I found it on an old bootleg record, but I think they put it out with a deluxe L.A. Woman and on a compilation too. One of their most haunting songs and a personal favorite of mine.
Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
Bass Line. Production. Music Video. Moonwalk.
Ego Tripping Out – Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye getting funky as hell and telling everybody why he’s the best.
Mary Jane – Rick James
Rick James was cool as shit. The clavinet at the end is gnarly.
China Girl – Iggy Pop
I love ‘The Idiot’. To me this track is just melancholy gothic post punky perfection. Iggy’s screams are godlike.
Something About That Woman – Lakeside
One of my favorite songs. The guitars, the bass, the synths, the vocals. Everything is so tight.
The Wedding List – Kate Bush
The first song from Kate Bush I heard. She’s one of my biggest influences and I love her music dearly.
True Blue – Dirty Beaches
Sounds like Dirty Beaches doing The Ronettes. I feel like I’ve really been influenced by Dirty Beaches’ vocal style.
A Little Bit Funky – TheCuckoos
Us again 😉 I feel like this was the first song of ours we got people to dance to and that makes me proud.
This Night Has Opened My Eyes – The Smiths
What’s there to say? The Smiths are cooler than cool. I like the moody stuff.
Little Dark Age – MGMT
Their new track and album are dope. I dig where they’re going with this new record and I’ve been listening to this a lot lately.
Keep On Lying – Tame Impala
Probably my favorite Tame Impala song. The guitars and keys just put you in a trance. They’re one of the reasons why I started making music.
Into The Groove – Madonna
Keyboard lick (ugh). How could you not dance? Just an all around banger from the moment you put it on.
Los Angeles based band The GreatSadness – consisting of members Stephen McNeely (drums) and Cathy Cooper (guitar/vocals) – say they are “upset all the time and they put it in their music.”
When looking into The GreatSadness I started by getting acquainted with the video for “Underground” from their album Weep that was released in April of 2017. Maybe I just have a sick sense of humor, but I found nothing sad about this song while watching as the pair rode bicycles through a cemetery, stopped at the ice cream truck, the laundry mat, and hit up the massage chairs. As I was mid-laugh at the comical occasional middle finger, things got creepy and in their skull masks it felt as if death was out for a walk.
With lyrics boasting, “In this place, underground, there is no God,” one could embrace the sadness behind that realization. The further I descend into this album, the tonal quality and the words themselves do capture all that is wrong in the world. It is a sad place that we have created and The GreatSadness doesn’t sugar coat a bit of it. Cathy has an un-dusted gritty rasp to her voice reminiscent of Janis Joplin, Stevie Knicks, and early Melissa Etheridge. The music has a murky humidity that generates a grass rooted southern swamp rock feel as well as that D-tuned sludge grunge feel (don’t think Nirvana’s Nevermind album, think Nirvana’s Bleach album).
Being a D.I.Y. band and paying for your recording, production, pressing, touring can leave you financially depleted. The GreatSadness truly has a love for creating music no matter the cost and their hard work has paid off as they reached out to all of you to help release Weep on vinyl. Given the style of music, you want this on vinyl.
The shining moment for me was the song “Tonight.” A droning sometimes psychadelic darkness seems so fitting as she sings loudly, borderline a scream while maintaining great vocal control, “this dance through hell has done us in, hold me love, my breath is thin.” The GreatSadness is best described by this scenerio, if only Linda Blair (the original Exorsist movie, the possessed girl) had a band.
Brand new British quartet GRDNS – comprised ofJacob Lyons, Cameron Harrison on bass, Sam Gledhill on guitar, and John Fitzpatrick on drums – just released their debut single “Night Dance”.With a sound that is self-described as “Northern England Psych”, the band oozes obvious psych pop influence. While “Night Dance” is light, the guitar sets a mood perfect for ethereal, crashing cymbals to vibe out to.
Moving forward from a difficult situation is sometimes hard, but Nashville-based, New Jersey born artist Jess Nolan makes the situation easier in her song.In her new song “Mistakes”, Nolan uses her soulful voice to keep her head up and move forward, embracing life as it comes and continuing on.
“Mistakes” is full of a soulful guitar tune and brass tones. The song encourages the listener to continue to walk through life despite what has been thrown their way. Jess Nolan’s song is exactly what the title says it is: “learning to embrace your mistakes.” The song encourages the listener to use his or her trials and tribulations as a platform to move forward. “Mistakes” is the right song to encourage the listenerto grow and learn from what they have been through in life.
