Traveling band, The Gang Violets, play eclectic music as they gypsy their way between Long Beach, CA and Brooklyn, NY. First conceived in 2005 and led by husband and wife duo, Jim Schwartz (of Innaway) and Darla Scarpella, the band is an organic collaboration of many friends residing on both coasts including: Miguel Mendez, Ethan Schmid, Wes Buckley, Matt "Sandwich" Miller, Luloo Flynn, Evan Mann, Phil Greyshock and Andy Leishman.
With such a versatile roster, their blend of psychedelic americana effortlessly shifts from sunshine-pop to space-rock, while making more than a few country, folk, and blues detours along the way. Though diverse, their sound is kept grounded by the brilliance of their songs and by the group's earnestness, which produces a music that is as catchy as it is moving...
Side A kicks off with "Black Clouds", a tune that rises up like a campfire despite moody lyrics, and is impossible to forget with its hook laden cadences, elated group vocals, whispery calls, gospel swagger, and swooning closure.
On side B is "A Touch from the Wild Child", a steady groover with flamenco claps, harmonium swells, ghostly Moriconne-esque backing vocals, and spacey guitar leads. Schwartz's harmonic voice, deadpan at times, soaring at others, give cavalier lyrics like, "just write 'times were good' on my grave," an elusive weight. Indeed, the Gang Violets are hard to pin down. They favor an eclectic pop aesthetic that recalls early Beck as well as the highs from The Brian Jonestown Massacre. But this is just a mere hint as to what this band is capable of!
AHE is happy to announce that we will be releasing their first single on October 25, 2011, and a full length LP in 2012. -All Hands Electric
allhandselectric.com/thegangviolets
released October 25, 2011