The Warlocks

Event information

THE WARLOCKS:

Indeed, it's been a long, strange trip for The Warlocks leader Bobby Hecksher since his band played their first gig on July 4th, 1998.

Hecksher, who moved to California from Florida in the late '80s, formed his first group shortly after arriving. Charles Brown Superstar issued two singles and two full-length albums before calling it a day. Hecksher was later invited to play on Beck's 'Stereo Pathetic Soul Manure (Flipside)', then -- along with James Ambrose -- formed Magic Pacer, who waxed two albums for Win Records before Hecksher splintered off to do his own thing.

Over the course of several years and many personnel changes, Hecksher eventually formed his eight-piece band, calling them The Warlocks, a moniker that had been previously used by early incarnations of both the Velvet Underground and The Grateful Dead. While no one will mistake them for a Deadhead band, the Warlocks' earliest recordings do often sound like they're channeling a fever-soaked Velvet Underground (circa Whi!te Light, White Heat), while drawing further influence from space rock, prog, and Krautrock bands (including Neu! and Hawkwind).

The Warlocks subsequently emerged as leading lights on the Los Angeles music scene in 1999-2000, and in October 2000 Hecksher signed a two-album production deal with America's oldest indie label, the Burbank-based Bomp!, who issued their self-titled debut EP in early 2001. Hecksher has also produced a 16mm short for "Cocaine Blues," which features cameo appearances by Hecksher and friends (including Rivers Cuomo of Weezer).

THE KOOLAID ELECTRIC COMPANY:

The Koolaid Electric Company are main support. The Bedfordshire psychedelic rock collective are a wall of sound but one that can be enjoyed not endured, every part complementing the other.These songs are beautifully simple yet full of hooks, haunting vocals and soaring guitars, the entire soundscape conducted by a guitar-wielding 6ft 3" frontman. They may be reminiscent of Ride, Hawkwind and The Jesus And Mary Chain, but they're breaking new ground here.

thelightshines:

thelightshines is one man. lo-fi drones, tambourines, backwards triangles, sitars, guitars, and the sound of old records. Has released vinyl and given stuff away. Lives in London. Plays in Manchester.

"It's spaced-out stuff, kind of how I imagine (and yes, it is something I think about daily) BRMC would sound if they went round to Anton Newcombe's, called up Brian Wilson to make up the numbers, ate a few specially-ordered mushrooms, then held a séance so that Sid Barrett could join in the ensuing jamming session. I'm sure you'll agree, such a tantalizing and frankly barmy analogy could only be conjured up for something special, and thelightshines are it." - High Voltage

"Dreamy lo-fi guitar psychedelia." - Manchester Music

FUR:

Fur 'Exploring the darker side of human nature through noise, lust and reverb.

Peace,

One Man Melt