THUMLOCK
- Sojourns Lucid Magic / Modulator
Sojourns
Lucid Magic is the latest full-length release from Australia's Thumlock.
Their fourht release, albeit their second full lengther, this occupies
a genre best described as heavy psychedelia. Not quite stoner, more
in the pre "Dopes To Infinity" Monster Magnet mould. And mighty
fine it is too. As befits a band that the undergorund media positively
salivates over, for once rightly so.
Hell,
they even get into the Australian independent charts, which for a band
so groovetastically riffmungous is quite remarkable. There's lots of
fuzz guitars, Sabbathy riffs, sci fi lyrics and extreme attitude. Throw
in chugging riffs, the odd Eastern vibe ("Mantis Preying")
and the standout psychedelic freakfest that is "Mt Andronica",
and you've got a stone blind classic.
They've
even gone and released an accompanying EP which takes the excellent
"Modulator" off the elpee, and appends twonotontheceedee tracks,
"Taipan", and, oh yes, a Hawkwind cover version in the shape
of a brief instrumental thrash along of "You Shouldn't Do That".
Essential.
http://www.thumlock.com/
thumlock@gravity.com.au
JONES AVE - Folk Art
San
Francisco Blue, formed by Jefferson Airplane founder Bob Harvey, released
a stunning CD back in 2000 called Idiots Vision. Now co-founder Brian
Fowler returns with a new venture, Jones Ave. As this release is available
solely through Zeitgeist, I thought it best to sit back and let Brian
Fowler tell you all about it via commentary and an interview.. All I
will say is, if you like to take chances, enjoy music that takes you
out ther, and brings you back home via bluegrass, Beefheart, country
and psych, then you ought to be grabbing a copy of this. You can buy
it here; and there's an MP3
available
Brian:
I played Lead Gtr,Mandolin,Bass,Congas,Rhodes Organ, on it and sang
some as well. Laszlo Stan a concert Violinist from Translyvania plays
with the Macon Symphony Orchestra and added a lot to the music. We recorded
a song John Joiner wrote called "Jones Ave. Jones Ave was a big
white house that John grew up in. Super high ceilings, and Wonderful
acoustics. We had some amazing jams in that house and memories. It caught
fire and was sold, But our scene revolved around the old house. And
we named the Band Jones Ave. in 1997 when I met John. He played every
SFB gig w/ us and every Jones Ave. gig. His soundtrack to Jones Ave
is amazing on piano, It is the first thing he played to me. John has
been vital to Jones And SFb's music.
Interview:
Conducted by William J. Hill
First of all Thanks for doing the interview and I hope it is as interesting
as your album.
Brian:
Well lets see..
WJH:The
album cover is brillant, who is Merrie Lockwood?
Brian:
She is my mother, She is the visual for my Music. She did the Cover
for Idiots Vision as well. I liked the picture of inner and outer turmoil.
Heaven vs Hell, Thats what we are lead to believe.
WJH:
What is Atropine?
Brian:
In the Gulf War I was w/ NMCB-24 w/ Bob Harvey we went to Saudi and
were issued these. They are a spring loaded needle device you slam into
your leg in case of Nerve gas. I mention that in World War #3. I used
some piped in reports and mixed in and out and gives a nice effect.
The war within and Outside is something we all fight, But as long as
your fighting them.Kick it in...
WJH:
What about Bob Harvey? You all did a album then the whole thing soured
what really happened.
Brian:
A myriad of positives and negatives. I hold no hard feelings towards
Bob.I hope one day we can play music again. I am trying to be beyond
Social Games and keep my eye on my art.
WJH:I
really liked your guitar work on treadmill, and the violin. Tell me
about LASZLO STAN.
Brian:
I met him thru a friend and we played together and I was knocked out
and asked him to join Jones Ave. I had him come to my home studio and
play on the tracks. He plays in the Macon Georgia symphony Orchestra
as well. Laszlo is from Trannslyvania and is a breath of fresh air in
band.
WJH:
Why in the world would anyone write a song about Timothy Mcveigh?
Brian:
Good sweep it under a rug. Socially and culturally how that was bred
is tragic and complex. Fry the Man! Next....
WJH:
Dr. Wisdo he is a doctor of what? Music.
Brian:
Philosophy, He is a professor and a strange one. He has a Pearls before
Swine kinda feel to writing, I like what he does, He is a good bassist
as well.Disturb the Saviors is a well written song.IMHO..
WJH:How
can one obtain the cd?
Brian:
ZEITGEIST!!!!
WJH:
Circus Clown was memorable, What is that about?
Brian:
Things are not what they seem sometime. One fragile egg mind can snap
w/ the wrong word or gesture. The scattering of the snap button. You
just had to have been there!!
WJH:There
are alot of instrumental tracks and the songs are very long, What kinda
music is it.
Brian:
Jones Ave, I just put on headphones, burn the midnight oil, and record.
Thats what Folk Art is, This is totally independent release w/ I mixed
and Larry Rose mastered. Its Real.
WJH:
Brian who influenced you what kinda music do you listen to.
Brian: I just got the Faust Box set, I love that, Any Hawkwind,NiK Turner,Bill
Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Fairport Convention. I like music that is good.
I go to Nashville and play w/ Gary Gibson and do hard country. I love
the vibe of music in general.
WJH:
Anything you would like to share Brian?
Brian:
Yes first and formost thanks to anyone who has ever supported my music.
I hope you will enjoy this album. Alot was happening during that time
period and the mood is kinda spooky. .
WJH:
Thanks and good luck w/ album.
Brian:
Well thank You!
Another take on: GADSBY & SKOL
This
recording actually emanates from the late 60s and early 70s and is getting
its long overdue release at last.
All and all it's a nice set neatly packaged beginning with the Zeppelin
like 'Guitar Dog' and containing some nice 'protest'/ environmental
songs 'You Could Have' and 'Fools Like You'.
There's also a neat variation on 'I'm A Man' in 'I Don't Know'.
Any band that writes a song about Patrick McGoohan's cult 60s sci-fi
series 'The Prisoner' is O.K. by me. The song is called 'Number 6'-
of course! (I visited 'The Village' of Portmeirion where much of the
series was shot on a blazing hot day last summer- bliss!)
Anyway I digress- I was introduced to Gadsby and Skol by Alchemical
Radio and I'm glad I was. Apparently the closest comparison for their
music is to the SF late sixties heavy metal trio Blue Cheer who had
a top 20 hit in the U.S. with Eddie Cochrane's 'Summertime Blues' and
a 1968 album that nearly made the top 10 over there. I hear a little
bit of Trower and Hendrix influence in the guitar playing as well.
(Phil
Jackson) musician
and reviewer) http://www.gadsbyandskol.com/
Buy online
here;
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