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Thursday, November 13, 2008

Race Baker reviews "Lift"

The Taboo Dream continues: Lift - "Kind of amazing". If you're a human being (or not) pick up the new Ghost Of Monkshood album Lift. If you do, you should take a moonlight drive through the country, preferably when it's a tad bit foggy. I know there are a few back roads around Norman. Put the cd in and let the country side roll and open up for you. You might notice that the sounds overwhelm you and leak from your cd player into the floor board, but it's to be expected. After you're done, gather up the goo and gather it back into the cardboard/duc(t)k tape cd case it came in. It's how I took my first listen to Lift. And the drive was the best way to do it.
If Brian Wilson's Smile was to over dose on itself, it might come close to what Lift sounds like. It may even come close to what Bri was originally trying to do back in 1966. I get the same vibe of enchantment, innocence and realization from Lift that I do from those old Brian Wilson recordings. I may be completely uneducated in the realm of contemporary basement psychedelia to even make that assessment. Smile was the first to come to mind. I figured name dropping Olivia Tremor Control and Elephant 6 was outdated and lame. But the only artists and recordings I can relate the album to are older. Slips of sound and music permeate Lift and almost remind me of the sound collage of Zappa's "Lumpy Gravy" in it's free flowing sonic format, or a gentler hi-fi version of the Red Crayola's "Parable of Arable Land". Lift's sounds ring out and collide, instruments come in and drop out leaving a comets tail of wonderment, while inside is a wistful and beautiful pop song. Barbershop harmonies ache and plead, choir-boy vocals rise and fall religiously. Chase Spivey. Chris McDaniel. Religiously.
It's a much more honest and intimate departure for the Ghosts than was 2005's Spider Through The Fog. The exclusion of indieite Dorian Smalls has seemingly freed their songwriting up and enabled them to venture into more experimental and uncharted territories. The addition of Tanya Felter ..board, vocals and cosmic violin has made the Ghost Sound even more epic than it already was. Originale Gangstar B. Adair lays down his low-range modulater tracks like the gibraltar he always has been.
Lift begins with the track "How Now". Maybe I've just seen these guys live too many times, but the recorded version doesn't completely capture the "move your booty" thing that happens in person. I defy you to not move when this song is played. It's a great dance song, and a very good move songwriting-wise. In my fantasy world, I imagine The Ghost Of Monkshood bringing in all the Campus Corneroids to the Deli and making them dance and twirl endlessly. A guy can dream can't he? "Moon Signs" is a stand out track that starts out like a typical Ghost of Monkshood song and then breaks into an early David Bowie daydream. After "Moon Signs" you will find yourself lost in a sea of sounds and ethereal harmonies that will give you the feeling of floating to the bottom of a paisley-clad sea.You might reemerge with the climactic and rapturous "Bicycling In the Pitch Dark" (an homage to Dorian Smalls?), which is a completely leveling experience performed live. The acoustic ballad "On Your Bedroom Floor" gushes in prog-rock type harmonies and makes one wonder what really happened on that bed room floor.
The last and arguably best and most beautiful track of the album, "Silverleaf" comes almost as an after thought. A separate entity all to itself. A tangible thought you can take with you and put in your pocket. The icing on the cake. Gently fading to whispers singing "a brother asleep".
Despite some popular belief, I would never consider these guys a "jam band''. They are not Galapagos's twin, or Mama Sweet's groovy sister. I honestly think that the Ghosts are onto something that is unique, new and their own. Something that is Norman. Though, hopefully they will decide not to be content with just being a local band. The rest of the world needs some Ghost of Monkshood.

10:53 PM

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Friday, April 18, 2008

Nonzine interview about new album

Ghost of Monkshood CD Release May 9th!
Mini-Band Interview By: Tim Baker

After three years of patience, GOM fans will be relieved to get their fix of alien sonic landscapes and lucid dream inducing harmonies. The band has been busier than a herd of coked-out beavers lately, but I was able to briefly discuss the new album with band co-founder Chase Spivey:

"Why did you choose the album name "Lift"?

It was on a packet of tissue.

What are the biggest influences on "Lift"?

"The Lorax" by Dr. Suess, and of course the inevitable diaspora of humankind from the Earth.

What are some of the lyrical themes of "Lift"?

Facing what you cannot avoid, rediscovering your sense of wonder, looking back on now from the future, redefining love, stuff like that.

Some fans have said that they expect the new album to sound more like your live sound. What do you have to say to them?

Listen.

Since you released "Spider Through the Fog" you've gone through a few lineup changes, would you care to comment about that? How it's affected you and the music?

Dorian Small, who contributed the song "Goddess Hand" to our last album, left the band to start his own project. I think his music is incredible, and it made perfect sense to me that he needed to have his own band.
He works tirelessly night and day writing and recording and erasing and re-recording music. I respect him alot and I can't wait to see him play again. He's assembled a hell of a band to back him up. If you don't know how much of jive-ass gangsta mister Ryan Jones is, then I suggest you find out.
Thom Proctor moved to North Carolina to pursue his degree in music composition, and we definitly miss having him around to cheer us up. We've been very blessed with the quality of people that we've had in the band, and the current lineup which includes Tanya Felter on viola, keys, voice and Todd Plunkett on drums is no exception. Chris and I have written and recorded 95% of the five Ghost of Monkshood albums, so none of these changes have greatly affected the studio sound. We have learned alot from our local music scene family, and I hope they enjoy the results of our musical mingling.

Some people label Ghost of Monkshood as "hippie music", how do you feel about that?

I don't know what "hippie music" is. Most of the people I know who describe themselves as hippies listen to the Grateful Dead alot. I listen to Grizzly Bear & Steve Reich alot. If "hippie music" means "jam bands", then I guess I would have to disagree with their label. I find jam bands boring, but then again, I have a short attention span and no immediate access to extreme hallucinogens."

Ghost of Monkshood will be playing at the NonZine Fest on April 19th, opening the Norman Music Festival on April 26th and throwing their CD release party at The Red Room on May 9th.

11:46 PM

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Thursday, February 21, 2008

Independant Clauses interviews Ghost
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes

..> ..>

Not Walking Dollar Signs Ghost of Monkshood develops a following by sticking to its ideal
In a world where the blogosphere is whipped into a frenzy over a new band every week and bands are plucked out of their hometowns for multi-record deals after few or absolutely zero local shows, it's refreshing to see a band that's doing music the old fashioned way: creating a fan base by playing relentlessly. Norman-based Ghost of Monkshood strives to inspire that fearless creative community. "It's important to share ideas and stay in touch with the community," said Chase Spivey, founding member and guitarist for the Monkshood. Spivey told a story about a certain local band which latched on to the Monkshood as they got more and more popular, then moved on from the Monkshood quickly when they scored a record deal. "They were businessmen," Spivey said. "It really wasn't about the music, just making money." Chris McDaniel, bassist for the Monkshood, echoed the frustration with the current state of music. "A lot of bands will do anything for an opening spot," said Chris McDaniel, of the Monkshood. That's not to say that Spivey and McDaniel don't believe in being aggressive in support of their own music. Much to the contrary, they believe that the right type of aggressiveness, even the right type of ego, is necessary for all bands to succeed. "You've got to stay unique, stay passionate," said McDaniel. Spivey agrees. "You have to believe in [your music] for people to take it seriously," said Spivey. The band does believe in its music, and as a result doesn't pander to anyone. Instead of pandering to people to find fans, The Ghost of Monkshood finds a way to relate to people through their music. Their unique passion for their music, as well as their genuine love for their fans are both major factors in attracting people to get involved and help create a music scene that is excited about the music. The Ghost of Monkshood brings their values into how they reach and interact with their audience, something many bands rarely consider. Sure, if people think a band is entertaining they will go to see them again but the Monkshood understands that keeping things fresh is important. "We like playing house parties and [giving] them something new," said McDaniel. Spivey was even more succinct. "I don't like to repeat myself," said Spivey. They certainly don't have any trouble keeping it fresh. Like Oklahoma's weather, one can never know what to expect from these musicians at any given time. The band has had training in 10-15 different instruments - who knows what kinds of sounds they are capable of? In addition to vast technical prowess, Monkshood has a unique approach when it comes to instruments. "Everything we see can be an instrument," said Spivey. So what does this hardworking, passionate band with tons of musical ability that connects with its fans sound like? In true form, Spivey related it back to the fans. Spivey suggested that when thinking of the Monkshood's psychedelic, experimental pop sound one should think of it as "shower music." "You're just you, no ego. [Your] real self," Spivey said. "I don't believe in genres." The things that make the Monkshood admirable as musicians are their ideals and how they truly have mutual respect for their fans. They are humble people with abstract ideas; those characteristics alone are hardly found in artists today. The Monkshood's next album is coming out soon, but it won't be for sale. No, instead of paying these musicians for all their hard work and creativity the Monkshood is simply giving the album away for free. "[We] just want to get it out there," said Spivey. They haven't decided on a name yet, but are releasing their album on the band's website ghostofmonkshood.net The members of Ghost of Monkshood are real artists, not wolves in sheep's clothing. They have defined themselves as a band that sees their fans as people and not walking dollar signs. They give to the community through their dedication to their art and the community gives back through its loyal support. Not many bands have that kind of following, and few can hope to attain it. It all begins and ends with the fans for Spivey: "We're trying to inspire people," he said. Marilyse Diaz Independant Clauses Feb. 2008

4:53 PM

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Monday, February 04, 2008

Race Baker reviews Evangelicals & Ghost live at OU
Category: Music

"It took me forever to find Meachum Auditorium. I was walking up and down every staircase in the University of Oklahoma Student Union. Strange spires reached into academic nothingness. The Evangelicals/Ghost of Monkshood show was happening and I wasn't there! I could hear sounds seeping through the marble and granite, but I couldn't tell where they were originating. The deep lilting moans of a rock show somehow found my ears through the infrastructure and hurried my step past restaurants and people laying deep into couches with laptops open like sharks jaws.

I used to be familiar with the place, though I never ever attended the university. I remember seeing the Chainsaw Kittens on the west side of the union in an outside patio-type section in 1997. Crowds formed in the north side parking garage and they watched from there. People hung from the sides just to get a look. Comet Hale-Bopp hung in the sky towards the northwest. Things have changed since then.

The "Norman Sound" has evolved and had different hybrids over the years. But the two hottest bands of the new Nompton sound made an appearance on Thursday, January 24th in the Memorial Union at OU. It was the cd release show for the Evangelicals with Ghost of Monkshood opening, with their own new album in the making. The Evangelicals are fronting their spooky and beautiful new album The Evening Descends.
When I finally found the auditorium through corridors filled with paintings of people I will never know, I found a very docile yet attentive audience. Strange silhouettes were fluttering in front of the stage, so I knew something must be happening and made me wish I gotten there sooner. 30 seconds sooner at least. I felt I had missed something.

The cavernous sound of Meachum Auditorium added to the haunting lysergic reverberations of the Ghost of Monkshood. A film of Deadman was projected behind the band and got in sync with the music like a live video from time to time. I waxed hippie-like as people in front of the stage danced with mouse ears. The Ghost-hood's inescapably 60's-psychedelic band sound made me think about what bands in the Avalon and Fillmore must've sounded like in 1966 San Fransisco in such dance-hall style. From my seat in the back of the auditorium, behind the sound guy, the music was like a tinny wave of warm, salty hope and beginnings. The harmonies were tight, and musicianship immaculate. After their show, the smokers stood on the Student Union steps talking about how great they were, continuing the Ghost Buzz. The only question left was, "Why aren't these guys signed?"

The Evangelicals had an anti-clamactic intro with Thus Spake Zarathustra- 2001 style, with the stage ending up being completely empty after the music had swelled and gathered suspense. Everyone was ready... fists pumping.. and then.. nothing.. Sighs were heard. "Ah, man.." Finally a short silhouette shuffled to the mic from the left side of the stage. "Can we just have 5 more minutes?", Evangelicals lead singer, Josh Jones came out and asked. The audience freaked out and pounded air like apes. When the band finally did come out, they were adorned in facepaint and mascara and the lead singer looked like a confused vampire who just rolled the wicked witch of the west. Josh Jones-type pagan things hung from his neck. It made me wish I had one of those orange wax witch whistles I could blown on. With their amp cabs painted white and with black lights and strobes devouring the stage, the show was a cool blue, moon surface-like happening with a unique sound mixing weirdo 80's new wave synth pop with early 90's Flaming Lips noise. It's the new noise. The new sound. Ultra pop to the max with anthemic guitar riffs and lyrics about monsters and weird sex. The fast start and stop dynamics rendered the auditorium completely silent in the moments where Josh Jones's breathing was the only audible thing. You could hear a pin drop. The old pregnant pause. The stage charisma was unbelievable. Granted most of the audience seemed to be unexperienced show-goers, it's hard to say how this will communicate in huge city venues across America. But at this moment, they were the future history of rock music. Their sound was tighter than ever, and they seemed poised to take over the world. Real rockstars of the contemporary "indie" Freak Out Pop genre in the making. A 7-week tour over the states await them, along with a European tour after that. Let's wish them luck with spreading the holy word." - Race Baker

8:47 PM

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Monday, July 23, 2007

Harry stabs himself in the throat with the dull end of a pencil on page 1159
Current mood:

accomplished

Friday we're performing at Dfest in Tulsa.
We'll have some discs with us containing new music.
Two songs from the upcoming album sandwiched around one that will only be on this disc.
The order is:
1. Sad or Happy
2. The Longest Night of My Childhood
3. Silverleaf

We'll be performing some songs from the upcoming album at Dfest.

We're happy as clams on crack to be involved with this festival, and to finally have some new music to share. We're still recording the album, and we haven't settled on a name for it yet. It's coming. Soon. You'll just love it...I know you will.
Cheers

Currently listening:
Ambient 1: Music for Airports
By Brian Eno
Release date: 05 October, 2004

3:49 AM

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Wednesday, January 10, 2007

What and why are we doing?
Current mood:

thankful

Greeintgs! we're going to be taking a few months off to finish important works of global preservation. I will be recording, drinking LSD, playing with babies and building pinecone people. Chris will be recording and constructing dreamy noise machines with cranks, bells, chains, legos, styrofoam, rubber bands, mardi gras beads & dried mackerel. Dorian will be focusing on his solo project and performing the first concert from the center of the earth in a neoprene bubble. Brian & Tanya will be wrestling grizzlies in the great northwest, and sometimes in the great north-central, with occasional breaks to wrestle other, smaller varities of bears in the somewhat less great eastsouth.

The Binoculars of the Future show that the album will be done in May of 2007, and will be heralded by an album release party that Cecil DeMille would be proud of. If all goes according to plan, we'll have a DVD ready this summer too with music videos, a short bizzaro film & a complete live concert filmed in HD with jellacious 5.1 surround sound.

Thanks for your love, friendship, smokes, beers, salsa, couches, conversations, slaps on the ass, patience, money, time & germs. We'll see you very soon.
chase

Currently watching:
Weeds - Season One
Release date: 11 July, 2006

7:38 PM

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Friday, January 06, 2006

Norman Transcript Review of show at the Deli
Current mood:

working
Category: Parties and Nightlife

Ghost of Monkshood's Chase Spivey (guitar/vocals), Chris McDaniel (guitar/vocals/banjo/trumpet) and Dorian Small (rhythm/vocals) talked about music before their show Dec. 17 at The Deli. The Hex's Todd Jackson (guitar/vocals), who would open the concert, joined them.

These two bands epitomize the current exciting spirit in the metro music scene. It was no coincidence later during the performance how many in the audience were local musicians. They were present in anticipation of artistic revelations that are the hallmark of GoM shows.

"Putting out our new album 'Spider Through the Fog' has been the year's highlight. It got a Pitchfork (pitchforkmedia .com) review. Also we just played our first out-of-state show in Dallas at the Cavern," McDaniel said. "It went a lot better than we expected. The band that invited us was having their Christmas party," Spivey said.

They suggested improvements for the local music scene. "More all-ages venues," McDaniel said. "More people coming out to shows," said Small. Spivey: "More people that are open-minded about art. There's no lack of creativity here."

The men represented America's vast musical diversity with early exposure ranging from Small's mom playing gospel piano to McDaniel's neighbor blasting Dr. Demento. Spivey's parents, "... liked grunge and listened to a lot of Nirvana ..." when he was a child. Life-changing albums from the group included titles by the Beatles, Steve Reich, U2, Miles Davis, The Flaming Lips and Modest Mouse.

Free advice to other bands on gig etiquette: "Don't make fun of other people in your band," Spivey said. Jackson: "Don't show up and not play just because there's not enough people." "Headliners should not demand all the money," McDaniel groused. "You should check out the show of the other bands on the bill," Small said.

Comfort music: Belle -- Sebastian (Spivey), Billie Holiday (Small), Elliott Smith (Jackson) and the Kinks (McDaniel). Most annoying musical instruments included soprano sax and various guitars. Consensus was any could be in the wrong hands.

What they said about songwriting was enlightening. "Songs are great for turning your life into mythology. They're audible photographs," Small said. McDaniel, who hugs people along with the handshake, admitted he uses songwriting as anger release. Spivey seconded the emotion. Jackson writes no ballads. "My songs are about emotional reaction to everyday life, abstract states of mind and finding your way."

Best concerts attended in 2005: Tarantula A.D., Clinical Mops, Josh Jones solo, Byron Berline and Mars Volta/Tall Cotton.

Jackson dug deep for someone he'd return from the Great Beyond for one more performance. John Lennon and Janis Joplin are common responses. "I want to hear ancient Greek music, because no one living has ever heard it before," he said.

Bands that should have made it big but didn't: "Conjunto Clave, Frequency Bliss, Knife in the Water and the Chainsaw Kittens."

The Hex

Jackson played with Chris Sanborn (guitar), Levi Watson (drums), Carisa Bitting (vocals) and Brian Cheek (bass). Passive passages alternated with heavy ones. The blend of male and female vocals worked well although Bitting was often tiny in the paws of King Kong-huge guitars.

The Hex played cryptic hymns such as "Empty Rhinoceros" and "Dog in the Manger" from their self-titled album. It's a good freshman disc with jazz elements and unexpected flourishes. Quavering vocals and quirky arrangements are part of the witchcraft.

The show concluded with a hypnotic cacophony of droning distortion and crashing cymbals.

Ghost of Monkshood

Ghost is an abnormal combo. How many rock guitar bands cleverly include banjo, congas, baritone sax and trumpet?

They rotated between instruments like a quintet of Stevie Wonders. Chris McDaniel's vocals are a natural resource that should be shamelessly exploited. Pump those pipes for cash, like Oklahoma oil, son. Harmonizing with Spivey and Small was seamless. No shoe gazing here, they jumped around stage like frog legs in hot grease.

Ghost of Monkshood are a lovely mix of intellect and power pop with the occasional curve ball. One funk-flavored groove was Bourbon Street intersecting "Strawberry Fields Forever." They conjured the spirit. Their large audience danced until the end.

6:34 PM

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Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Momentum: Art Doesn't Stand Still
Current mood:

amused
Category: Friends

Hosted By: Momentum
When: Saturday Jan 14, 2006
at 8:00 PM
Where: 111 N. Harrison
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
US
Description:
Momentum

Click Here To View Event

RAGA-CHAKA-CHUM-CHUM! We be having light in the eyes of our mitigating prize in the delirium night of exxxquisite delights. Be there now.

7:02 PM

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Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Ben Erlandson sees ghosts...
Current mood:

awake

OK...so I've got a new band that I've "discovered." They're called the Ghost of Monkshood, and they're out of Oklahoma, I think. Here's the kicker. I read about them on Pitchfork, and then I went to the band's website. I listened to a couple tracks at some point, and I was instantly hooked. "Spider Through the Fog" is actually their fourth release, but I guess it's the first "major" release they've made.

Here's where things get interesting (James, if you're reading this, I'm officially about two MONTHS cooler than you now). After I realized I must buy this album as soon as humanly possible, I ran down to Hoodlums and asked them to order it for me. Guess what? They'd never heard of the band or the album! A big mark on the wall for the Benster! I've still got it! Yeah!

So, I ordered the CD from cdbaby.com instead (great online CD store out of Portland). It finally showed up in my mailbox on Saturday, and I spent a humongous chunk of time that evening listening to the album in the dark whilst lying on my bed, candles alight. I was moved in a very spiritual way, needless to say.

Here's the other kicker: After I ordered the CD from cdbaby, I received an email from Chase Spivey, one of the members of Ghost of Monkshood. He was thanking me for the purchase of his band's album. I was highly impressed by such a personal gesture. So, I wrote him back, telling him of my great anticipation of the arrival of his band's album (this was before Saturday, obviously).

I also asked him if the band would be touring anytime soon, and if they'd be making a stop anywhere near Phoenix/Tempe. The dude wrote me back! And get this: He himself lived in the Phoenix area for a short time himself. They're planning on touring once they become enormously famous (shouldn't take to long, as far as I'm concerned). Damn I can't wait until they come to town!

6:49 PM

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