New era of psychedelic music on the horizon
Listen Up!
Brian Washburn
Issue date: 4/13/09 Section: Lifestyles
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While this era might have ended long ago, a new genre of psychedelic music might be on the horizon, and it is unlike anything the '60s hippies would have ever heard: loud, dark, alternative and with a bit of Southern swagger, courtesy of Georgia-based quintet Dead Confederate.
In 2006, Dead Confederate - made up of vocalist/guitarist Hardy Morris, bassist Brantley Senn, keyboardist John Watkins, drummer Jason Scarboro and guitarist Walker Howie - emerged on the music scene in Augusta, Ga. Although the band initially made the move to Georgia's big city of Atlanta, they quickly realized the saturated scene was filled with bands that "people don't really kind of need," Morris said.
It was when they moved to the college town of Athens that they found their sound and their fan base.
"In Athens, a lot of people migrate to you, so when something new comes to town they check it out," Morris said. "We're not downplaying the Atlanta scene, but it's been great to make Athens home."
Even though Athens might be their home, Dead Confederate is spending more and more time on the road, including an appearance at South by Southwest, after inking a deal with Razor and Tie Records and releasing their first full-length album, Wrecking Ball, in September. The album even had its first single, "The Rat," which hit No. 39 on the Billboard Modern Rock charts.
"It's good to get acknowledged," Morris said. "We made a record for people to hear it, not hide away. It's been awesome to have people enjoy it and play it."
Wrecking Ball mixes several of the band members' personal influences that Morris said emerge in the song-writing process. He said it wasn't a deliberate choice to have one song sound one way and another sound different.
However unintentional their genre-mixing talents might be, Dead Confederate has definitely garnered a following, including the ears and eyes of legendary indie noise rock band Dinosaur Jr., who will be taking the band out on a national tour beginning this month. The tour will even stop in Fayetteville for what should be a night to remember at George's Majestic Lounge on April 17 (for the show, Morris recommends earplugs and water).
"I've been a fan of them since I was a youngster and first (started to) play music," Morris said. "I am pumped to be playing with them. We had just kind of randomly played with them last year and it went well so we submitted for a tour and they accepted. We are humbled and excited."
Although touring with a band you idolized growing up might be on the top goals for many up-and-coming acts throughout the nation, Dead Confederate has several more goals they hope to accomplish in 2009 and throughout their music career.
The band has been demoing earlier this year and look to record a new album in the fall and winter. With many songs already written, Morris said they just need to finish working on a couple of demos and start talking to producers. Even though the record release might seem short noticed considering the band just released their debut LP late last year, the six-piece band does not plan on vastly changing their style or structure from what they are bringing on stage now as long as people keep listening.
"We want to keep making records and have people buy them and enjoy listening to them," Morris said. "Of course, at the end of the day, make some sort of living off your art. We're not looking to be rich rock stars, but be able to pay for roof over our heads by playing music would be goal No. 1."
Brian Washburn is the News editor of The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every Monday.
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Night Tripper
posted 4/14/09 @ 2:50 PM CST
The psychedelic era is already here. I'd have to say it's led by rock-gods TOOL and pumps underground vibes with bands such as Sound Tribe Sector 9, Lotus, The New Deal, and OTT. (Continued…)
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