My favorite author is Hunter Thompson. I may never be able to give a favorite director, movie, musical artist, song or album, but I can easily name my favorite author. Hunter Thompson was insane, cared nothing for what people thought, but managed to write some of the most insane and truthful journalism while under the influence of copious illegal substances.Thus, when I found a band named after one of Hunter's great obsessions, the Vincent Black Shadow motorcycle, I was ecstatic. It was serendipity, fate that I would find this band, who sounded so much like what one of Thompson's acid trips must have been like. It was perfect. Until I realized there were two bands named Vincent Black Shadow.
The one I'm not talking about is The Vincent Black Shadow, due to the fact that they're:
A. More well known
B. Goth/Punk/Cabaret
Really, if you're going to pick a weird genre, do something that wasn't played out by a single band, The Dresden Dolls, over only two albums. In truth, I've never listened to this Vincent Black Shadow, but when a band has promotional photos like this:
I tend to be wary. Anyway, they aren't the point of this article, so let's move along.
Now this:
This is a band worthy of a Hunter Thompson reference. The other Vincent Black Shadow doesn't need a "The" attached to their name. If there was a "The", one of their songs probably disintegrated it. These guys are loud and brutal listening, but in the good way. Though hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, VBS sound like they belong to the same desolation in the desert that spawned Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, and Nick Oliveri (See nude bass playing).They've released one self-titled album with only 8 tracks, but every single one sounds energized and deranged. VBS cite Iggy Pop as their sole musical influence, and it shows. They sound alternatively like vintage Stooges and aforementioned stoner rockers Kyuss. The singer sounds like he gargles battery acid every morning, and the music is disorienting and bottom heavy. Dumb, unpracticed, and a lot of fun.
Though definitely not for everyone, Vincent Black Shadow are a wonderful treat for those of us with calloused ears. They're currently on Heartbreakbeat Records, who are so small they don't have much more than a website and a cool name. VBS plan on releasing a new album within the year, and they're current one is still available online, with a limited pressing of only 1000 cds. Get them while they're still available:
Heartbreakbeat's Mail Order Page: http://www.heartbreakbeatrecords.com/mailorder.htm
Vincent Black Shadow's MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/vbskicksoutthejams
2 comments:
I would have to agree. Hunter S. was probably one of the most interesting and insightful writers out there and wildly entertaining as well!
Hunter S. Thompson wrote Fear and Loathing right? I saw the movie and it was hard to follow, but I think it was kinda like a real acid trip. Who knows. I like QOTSA, I missed out on seeing them this summer, I like how they incorporated Billy Gibbons when in need of a slide guitar studio musician.
"How much did they pay you to f#@k that polar bear?"
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