|
Devilfish “Sugar Sandwich Monster" Devilfish is a quirky, visceral instrumental surf-rock band that got its start somewhere in the chilly depths of 2006. It features guitarists Jeff Spatafora and Pierce Reynolds interweaving their lead freak out expressions and trading off the high end and low ends while drummer Rez certainly makes his own exuberant shambled pounding statements burn with as much distinction as the pick-up-padded, pedal-pushed fuzz-fuck / sunny toned guitar driving madness. Surf rock needed a shock…from a trio with varied palette and a taste for the experimental, with a bewildering sense of humor, who bring a vibrant energy to each of their instruments. If those chugging pipeline guitar rhythms of classics like the Ventures paired with more sideways-spaced-out jazzy-ness of avant-guitarists like Sea & Cake or even more amped-up tempo-pushers like California’s Mermen, (also remembering to occasionally cloak the vibe with darker, more acerbic stances recalling the Melvins or indie-creepo’s Slint) then you’d get an understanding of the often-quite-stimulating, slightly fried, slightly syrupy, ever-spinning-forward, sensibilities of their debut full length, Sugar Sandwich Mountain. Site: myspace.com/devilfishband – key tracks: “Baby Sasquatch Detective Agency,” “Ocean Underneath,” and their anthemic “French Quatre” (French Cat!) -JEFF MILO, REAL DETROIT WEEKLY The trick about Devilfish’s music is that its best listened to while being productive. I’ve accomplished a lot while listening to “Sugar Sandwich Monster” I’ve done laundry, paperwork, filed CD’s in my basement- all with a smile on my face. I’ve even took a few moments to spastically dance to songs that caught my attention. It’s an instrumental album and the similarities are reminiscent of Dick Dale, the Melvins and as my Father says, “It’s like a modern day Duane Eddy.” There is energy in this music and Devilfish has more to offer than typical surf-rock. The song Doom Cloud does something for me, something more than just beaches and rock and roll- I get excited and inspired. Recommended if you like: reverb, surf and fuzz guitar, The Melvins, instrumental metal bands, movie soundtracks, Dick Dale and The Ventures. -THE SUNDAY IDIOM |