 Retrofit
with Psychedelic Bliss
As far as I can tell using the internet, GA has been doing shows in the Seattle area since early 1999. At the insistance of a friend, I caught them live at the tail-end of 2000. Twice, as a matter of fact. Now I'm hooked. Guardian Alien is one of those eclectic bands that is nearly impossible to pin down to a single genre or musical style. Imagine psychedelically performed ragtime with a banjo and accordian thrown in to the mix. Add some ethereal vocal harmonies and piano notes that do sommersaults in the air... There aren't many bands I can pull out of a hat for a quick comparison. The only act that GA effectively wrestles with in my ear memory is the late '70s Cab Calloway inspired theatrical troupe Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo just before they shortened their name and embraced new wave. But that is still no real hint of what you are in store for if and when you go check these cats out (which you have now officially been recommended to do). Songwriter Guy Davis has been kicking around Seattle for years in various bands most notably Sage. Here he sings and plays a mean banjo that effortlessly swirls and interacts with Rob Mitchell's playful piano and Harry Pierce's Clarinet. The sensual Christina Honeycutt gets caught up in this funky trance and rolls her red velvet carpet voice out to all with ears beckoning them to join the sway. Drummer Doug Sowers and bassist Erik Kubista keep the sounds rooted in terra-firma lest we all whirl away into space. Live on KCMU was recorded in March of 2000 on that Seattle radio station's Sonarchy program. This is an excellent quality live recording that Guardian Alien has self-produced (and packaged in DIY spirit as a CD-R) and makes available for sale at their shows. It includes the haunting tracks "I Know You" and "Wage Toy War"; the seductive "One and Only"; the invigorating "Tools"; live favorite "Rope Swings" and five more songs. GA is a band meant to be appreciated live with a crowd of other impressed music patrons. Nonetheless, Live on KCMU is a great postcard to send to all your friends who weren't there with you.
For more information on this release:
www.guardianalien.com To listen to KCMU 90.3 FM, Seattle... turn on your
radio when in town, or
2001 © Raptorial Media |
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