Tag: The Sheiks

New Local Wax

Post author By Chris Shaw
Post date August 22, 2015

Eldorado and the Ruckus

The seven inch is still one of the best formats to release new music. Just ask local bands Eldorado and the Ruckus, Nots, or the Sheiks. While the Eldorado single might have been out for a while, the new material from Nots and the Sheiks is still hot off the vinyl press. It’s been an exciting year for local releases, but we are still a few months away from recapping all the awesome records of 2015, so here’s some more information on three new(ish) 45’s from the Memphis music scene.

Eldorado and the Ruckus — “Cadillac Green Vikings” b/w “Chet” (Miku Records)

Eldorado and the Ruckus have been kicking up dust in Memphis for a while now, and the “Cadillac Green Vikings” single was released in 2013 but given to me by Eldorado himself a few weeks ago. Apparently, the two songs on this Miku Records single were part of a soundtrack to the unreleased movie Cadillac Green Vikings, the A-side presumably being the film’s theme song.

According to the band, Cadillac Green Vikings (the film) is “a story filled with maraudering space Vikings, a kidnapped princess, a stolen death ray, and a young hero from Mississippi who must save the entire universe.” Sounds pretty heavy. The song itself is a thundering blast of ’70s rock, sitting somewhere between Cheap Trick and Thin Lizzy. The B-side is an alternate take of their song “Chet,” a mellow instrumental that clocks in around the three-minute mark.

The record is housed in a full-color sleeve that features stills from the movie, and a download code for the entire soundtrack to Cadillac Green Vikings comes with the record as well. Sadly, the hard drive containing the film that Eldorado Del Rey (writer) and guitarist John Pickle (director) were working on crashed, and the movie has been lost. Perhaps if the single sells well, the movie will be re-created? I’d watch it.

The Sheiks — “I’m Broke” b/w “I’m Gonna Make It in My Mind” (Burgundy Records)

The Sheiks continue to have a productive year, releasing their live album with Jack Oblivian in the spring and now this two-song single on their own label, Burgundy Records. “I’m Broke” is one of the most aggressive songs that the Sheiks have released and is a major departure from the Witches + Mystics days of this band. If “I’m Broke” is any indication of the direction the Sheiks are heading, fans of the Oblivians should definitely take note. While the A-side showcases the Sheiks’ ability to write a lean and mean garage punk anthem, the B-side is deeply rooted in classic Memphis garage rock and proves that the band is capable of tackling whatever genre they want. With Keith Cooper’s studio at their fingertips, the Sheiks have honed their sound and cranked out a memorable garage rock single in a city known for leading in that genre. The record comes housed in a screen-printed cover, with art by Frank McLallen and Emil Orth. Limited to 300 copies, the new single will be available when the Sheiks play the Buccaneer this Friday with John Wesley Coleman.

Nots — “Virgin Mary” b/w “Shelf Life” (Goner Records)

With as much touring as Nots have been doing, it’s pretty impressive that they found time to record a new single at all. Released on Goner Records, this Keith Cooper/Natalie Hoffmann production picks up where the band’s debut, We Are Nots, left off, with swirling synth hovering over guitar stabs and howled vocals. Synth player Alexandra Eastburn created the artwork for “Virgin Mary,” and this new cover has a lot more going on than the stark NOTS logo that’s all over their other records, but the vinyl still comes housed in the standard Goner Records paper sleeve.

The B-side, “Shelf Life,” was first heard on a web series called Pressure Drop earlier this summer, and the song also stays in the lane of the band’s debut. A limited version of the single was available on clear vinyl, but those are probably long gone by now. If you enjoyed We Are Nots, chances are you’ve already got this one in your collection, but if not, copies are available at the Goner storefront. Nots have tour dates spanning the rest of the year, and Goner Fest 12 may be the only chance to see them in Memphis anytime soon.

Tags Eldorado and the Ruckus, Memphis Music, Memphis Singles, NOTS, The Sheiks

Music Music Features

Three Nights of Rock at Bar DKDC

Post author By Chris Shaw
Post date June 18, 2015

CREDIT: Nina Westervelt

The tiny bar on Cooper Avenue packs a big punch with great local concerts scheduled almost every night of the week this summer. This week is no different, with James and the Ultrasounds (pictured), Jack Oblivian and the Sheiks, and DJ Dropout Boogie bringing three straight days of Memphis rock-and-roll to Karen Carrier’s latest creation. Jack Oblivian and the Sheiks will start things off on Thursday, June 18th, fresh off a weekend run to Austin, Dallas and New Orleans. This will be the only local appearance by Jack and the Sheiks before they go on an extensive tour across the eastern United States. The band released the excellent Live! album earlier this year (which I reviewed awhile back), and the record is still available from the band and local record shops around town.

Nina Westervelt

James and the Ultrasounds take the “stage” at Bar DKDC on Friday, June 19th, bringing another night of ramped-up garage rock to the small venue. James Godwin released the acclaimed Bad To Be Here album last year and recently told us that he has already begun working on new music. Godwin used to back up Jack Oblivian and did time in the Grifters offshoot the New Mary Jane, making him a driving force behind some of the most appreciated local garage rock bands of the past five years.

Rounding out the three-night extravaganza is DJ Dropout Boogie (Eric Hermeyer), who is replacing long-time running local band Impala. Instead of the instrumental stylings of the swamp boogie veterans known as “The Kings of the Track,” DJ Dropout Boogie will be spinning danceable 45’s all night long, which, after two nights of noisy garage rock, doesn’t seem like that bad of an alternative.

Tags Bar DKDC, Dj Dropout Boogie, Jack Oblivian, James and the Ultrasounds, Local Music, Memphis Garage Rock, The Sheiks

Music Music Features

Sound of the Streets

Post author By Chris Shaw
Post date May 28, 2015

CREDIT: Keith Cooper

The latest crop of local garage rock bands to grace the stages of places like Murphy’s and the Buccaneer is turning to a house behind the Kroger on Union Avenue to preserve their songs. Since moving in last August, Keith Cooper has offered his services to up-and-coming Memphis bands like Nots, Time, and Chickasaw Mound. Working under the moniker “Burgundy Sound,” Cooper offers a live-recording environment in his living room, where songs get cut in one take and smudges on the recording tape are considered psychedelic blessings. We caught up with the man behind the last three Goner Records releases to find out more about his home studio, his history of home recording, and what the people he shares a driveway with think of their new neighbor.

Memphis Flyer: When did you first start recording bands at home?
Keith Cooper: Every time I would try to record in a studio there just wasn’t a sound that captured what I wanted, so I started looking into tape machines and analog recording. I bought a reel and didn’t know how to use it for a long time, but then I got a mixer and when the Sheiks started getting rolling I got more serious about recording the bands I was in. I started talking to [local recording engineer] Andew McCalla because I knew he recorded bands, and he helped me out a lot in the beginning. This was all when I lived at my parents’ house. Mostly we were just testing out different recording ideas, turning knobs and figuring out sounds. We recorded the first Sheiks single at my parents’ house, and we’d be messing around until 4 a.m. before eventually my dad would come up and tell us to chill out.

When I moved into the “Burgundy Ballroom” I figured out how to make more weird psychedelic noises, and Chris Owen from Time asked if I would record his first album. That was my first hired job. There were some accidents during that recording session, but it had a human quality to it and Chris was really happy with the way it turned out.

When did you move into this new spot and how many different recording sessions have you worked on since moving in?
Since I’ve been recording at this new place, I’ve mostly been working with Jack Oblivian on his new album. I’ve also worked with Time, Aquarian Blood, Nots, Chickasaw Mound, Blackberries, plus all of my projects.

A lot of the equipment at your recording studio was either donated or loaned to you. Where did it all come from?
Andrew [McCalla] and I spent two days setting up the room, and Jack [Oblivian] brought over his tape machine and his drum set from when he was in the Compulsive Gamblers, and that’s when it became a real studio. I also got a lot of equipment from Kelley Anderson from Those Darlins. She had so much cool stuff, but when she moved to Memphis she couldn’t use any of it in her apartment, so she just unloaded all of this cool gear on me. She gave me a lot of tube pre-amps and a compressor, which is helping me keep this place strictly analog. Kelley’s also been coming over and showing me how to transfer things digitally, because that’s always been the chink in the chain for me. She’s been helping me get stuff completely ready to be mastered.

Because a lot of the recording equipment was donated, it seems like a co-op space to a certain extent. Does it have that kind of vibe?
I want it to be a relaxed, creative environment. At the same time, it is my house and I’d like to eventually soundproof this place. My neighbors don’t seem to mind, they like seeing the freaks roll in and play music. I guess it does have a loose co-op vibe.

With all the new bands cropping up around town right now, how busy are you with recording? Is there a limit or rules to the types of bands you work with?
Mostly I’ve been recording garage and punk bands because those types of bands seem to be the most comfortable with doing live, in-the-moment stuff. I try to make that option available to them, but I would definitely be interested in working with other types of bands. I’ve always told people that if they have something good to cut, bring it on. It’s really fun to preserve all this stuff going on right now, ya know? It’s going to be on tape forever.

Would you like to see your studio eventually move into a building other than your home?
That thought has crossed my mind, and that would be cool if this becomes something that big. The thing about living at home is that there are time constraints, so I definitely wouldn’t be against moving into a real space. On the other hand, I really like having all this stuff at my disposal when it comes to practicing and jamming. There are a lot of times when you’re in the zone and then later you’re like, “Wait, what the hell was I playing,” but that moment is gone forever. Being able to hit record whenever I want helps preserve ideas and late-night jams.

What are you working on right now?
We’ve been finishing up the latest Jack Oblivian album I’m pretty sure he’s done with it now and it’s been sent over to Hi-Low. Every song on his new album, besides a couple, were recorded at my house. Blackberries are coming back over, and Naan Violence might come over and get some stuff done.

Tags Aquarian Blood, Blackberries, Chickasaw Mound, Home Recording, Jack Oblivian, Memphis Music, NOTS, The Burgundy Sound, The Sheiks, Time

Music Music Features

MISOMI Reaches it’s Second Year

Post author By Chris Shaw
Post date April 9, 2015

CREDIT: Don Perry

Some of the best local bands in Memphis will get together this weekend to raise funds for the mentally ill. Since starting in 2013, the Memphians in Support of The Mentally Ill (MISOMI) benefit has given all of the proceeds to the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Memphis (NAMI Memphis), an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with mental illness and their families. MISOMI founder and organizer Graham Winchester said that given his musical background, a concert was the most logical way to raise funds.

“I wanted to start something that could directly help the community with fund-raising, and I knew I wanted to use my passion of music to do it,” Winchester said. “Several years ago, I remember watching a documentary about multiple cases of horrific abuse to mental health patients at hospitals all over the world. You could probably even replace the word patients with prisoners. I was filled with anger mixed with a sense of duty to try to do something about it. On a personal level, I’ve known many people with mental illnesses and have always had a huge sensitivity to their well-being.”

Started in 1985, NAMI Memphis is a grassroots organization that advocates for people with mental illness and their families by providing support, education, and resources. According to a 2013 study by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, more than 130,000 adults in Memphis and Shelby County suffer from a mental illness. Winchester said he first found out about NAMI Memphis as a child when he and his family would frequently donate to the organization.

Don Perry

Friday at the Hi-Tone.

Each year the MISOMI benefit has gotten bigger (the first benefit featured six bands while this year’s features 11), and Winchester said that he received lots of requests from bands interested in joining the cause. Even if some bands had to be turned away, Saturday night’s lineup features some of the best live bands in the Memphis rock-and-roll scene, with appearances by Jack Oblivian and the Sheiks, Dead Soldiers, Devil Train, Zigadoo Moneyclips, and more. Winchester said he was amazed at all the support he got from local musicians interested in playing the benefit.

“Since the first one, it has been shocking how many bands have asked to play, and most of the time they say that they have a friend or family member that makes the cause near and dear to them,” Winchester said. “I always say yes to as many bands as possible that ask to play because everyone should be able to get in on MISOMI. It’s a community-builder, and what makes something like MISOMI work is everyone’s involvement.”

Winchester said that he would like to see the MISOMI benefit turn into a two-night festival with multiple venues and sponsors, but that changing the way society views mental illness is higher on his agenda.

“I would love for the MISOMI concerts to be that one ridiculously fun and successful show every band and musician in town wants to play,” Winchester said. “But on a broader level, I want the festival to be a representation of a wider change in how we as a society view mental illness. Memphis is already a hub for physical illness hospitals that are world-renowned and well-run. What if we were also the central hub for mental health care? No single city is. It would generate money, jobs, respect, and most importantly, health and help for people afflicted all over the world.”

As for the bands, Winchester said he’s excited about catching the debut of Doctor Brown and getting the Dead Soldiers on board for MISOMI:

“A band like the Dead Soldiers could play the Hi-Tone every night of the year and make a fortune off door cover, but their joining the bill shows tremendous support for what the night is all about: the greater cause.”

Additional donations for NAMI Memphis will be accepted during
the show.

Tags Benefit Show, Dead Soldiers, Devil Train, Doctor Brown, Graham Winchester, Highway HIFI, Jack Oblivian, Maitre D's, MISOMI, NAMI Memphis, The Merry Mobile, The Sheiks, Zigadoo Moneyclips

Music Music Features

Lost & Found

Post author By Chris Shaw
Post date March 12, 2015

With so many local bands constantly releasing new music, it’s easy to lose track of everything that’s going on. We dug up six records (one pretty new, four old, and one super old) that you should seek out. Ranging from female gangster rap to transcendental sitar recordings, there’s something for most everyone on this list.

Jack O and the Sheiks — Live! From the Burgundy Ballroom (Secret Identity Records, Red Lounge Records)
Think of it as the Memphis version of the Kiss album Alive!. Even though it’s not an actual live recording (the band added plenty of overdubs later), Live! represents a time in Memphis where a house on Harbert Avenue was one of the best places in town to see local music. Known to everyone but the landlord as the Burgundy Ballroom, the makeshift venue was the headquarters of the Sheiks, serving as a recording studio, sanctuary, and speakeasy. Sometimes they slept there too. Recorded and mixed by Toby Vest and Pete Matthews, Live! bounces around through Jack Oblivian’s solo career, blazing through 13 tracks that fans new and old will recognize.

While it’s technically an import (released on German labels Red Lounge Records and Secret Identity Records), this record is all Memphis, and the first testament of the power of Jack O with the Sheiks backing him.

Best Track: “Black Boots.”

Aquarian Blood — Aquarian Blood Demo (Zap Records)
While local music fans were sad when Moving Finger called it quits after just one single on Goner Records, they didn’t have to wait long to hear more creepy garage punk from JB Horrell and his wife Laurel. Months after Moving Finger stopped playing shows, the Aquarian Blood Demo surfaced. The new band began appearing around town at places like Amurica and Black Lodge Video, blazing through live versions of songs Horrell had been recording at home mostly by himself. Heavily influenced by Father Yod and the Source Family, Aquarian Blood sound like a punk project of the Ya Ho Wa 13 tribe but with less Sky Saxon and more Charles Manson. If that sounds weird, it’s because it is. Aquarian Blood’s demo tape is nearly sold out, but a debut single is rumored to be released soon.

Best Track: “Down my Spine.”

Tori WhoDat — Krewe Dentials Mixtape (self-released)
When I said these are reviews of records we might have missed, I meant it. The Krewe Dentials Mixtape was released a year ago last week, yet this is the first time we’ve written anything about it. Krewe Dentials has almost as many different producers as it does tracks, making for a pretty diverse mixtape even though it stays within the confines of modern Southern rap. Memphis rapper Lil Wyte makes appearances on the Krewe Dentials tracks “Smoke Sum” and “Bad Bitches,” and it’s no surprise that those are the mixtape’s two strongest songs. Local MC Lucha Luciano also makes an appearance on the murder-obsessed track “Hitchcock,” but “We Do This” proves Tori WhoDat can definitely handle a beat without relying on established guest artists. At 17 tracks, Krewe Dentials is a great introduction to WhoDat, DJ Crumbs, and the rest of this local hip-hop sect.

Best Track: “We Do This.”

Reserving Dirtnaps — Reserving Dirtnaps EP (Self Released)
When you name your band Reserving Dirtnaps, chances are you aren’t interested in showering the world with a positive message. Reserving Dirtnaps features members of Clenched Fist and Dead City, two groups who proudly waved the banner of Memphis-style hardcore. While Clenched Fist hold the throne of the heaviest hardcore band in Memphis, Reserving Dirtnaps are becoming one of the premier hardcore bands in town, routinely getting the opening slot when similar touring bands come through. The Reserving Dirtnaps EP features five tracks of heavy modern hardcore, and while vocals and riffs are what normally stand out on hardcore albums, the drumming on Reserving Dirtnaps is also pretty incredible. Physical copies of Reserving Dirtnaps are sold out, but the EP is still available for download online.

Best Track: “No Consent.”

Manateees — Sit and Spin (Pelican Pow Wow)
Even if the local music press missed out on this release, media outlets like Pitchfork and Terminal Boredom had no problem calling Sit and Spin one of the most gruesome and grisly punk albums released last year. While their earlier singles might have dipped into the dark side of garage rock (and black metal), Sit and Spin is for the most part a melodic punk album, with front man Abe White singing instead of howling and screaming over harsh stabs of noise. Sit and Spin wound up on plenty of year-end lists in 2014, and Manateees toured all the way to the West Coast last summer on their signature brand of “1-2-F-U” punk rock. After a handful of well-received singles, Sit and Spin is the victory lap for Manateees and proof that White has plenty more up his sleeve.

Best Track: “Cold and Rhythmic.”

Naan Violence — Naan Violence (Zap Records)
File under most likely to be played in Ebbo’s Spiritual Supply House. Naan Violence is the project of Arjun Kuhlharya, a sitar player from Atlanta who spends his time in Memphis when he’s not on tour. Kuhlharya calls Naan Violence “Transcendental Free-Sitar,” and that’s a pretty accurate description, with the three songs on the album going well over the 10-minute mark. Recorded by Andrew McCalla, Naan Violence features tablas, synthesizer, flute, and a whole lot of spaced-out sitar. Kuhlharya’s willingness to take his show on the road and play in places that you wouldn’t normally hear the sitar (dive bars) has sent him all over the country, and he’s currently gearing up for another summer tour. It’s limited to 400 copies, so act fast.

Best Track: “High Noon Tea at the Connected Gates.”

Tags Abe White, Aquarian Blood, Jack O, Live in Memphis, Manateees, Memphis Music, Naan Violence, record reviews, Reserving Dirtnaps, The Sheiks, Tori WhoDat

Music Music Blog

Weekend Round Up Part Six

Post author By Chris Shaw
Post date February 19, 2015

CREDIT: Josh Miler

Josh Miler

The Sheiks

The Ice Apocalypse of 2015 is over and you survived, even if your pantry and liquor cabinet took a serious hit. Celebrate your victory over the elements by checking out these concerts this weekend.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 20TH

The Passport, Mason Jar Fireflies, Mary Owens, Press, 6:00 p.m. at the New Daisy, $8.00.

Sidekicks with The Star Killers, 9:00 p.m. at the Hi-Tone Small Room, $10.00.