THE DEAD SHIPS @ Echo

8:30pm / $12adv; $14dos / 18+

KING KHAN & THE GRIS GRIS || Listen || Watch
Who is this manic Master of Ceremonies who openly confesses to the two grand black bohemians said to be lunatic Sun Ra and George Clinton, and whose stagings certainly remind us of a young Herman Sonny Blount and his Solar Arkestra? In 1995 Khan leaves the frosty soil of the city of Montreal playing the bass for the International-Underground-Legends THE SPACESHITS. The band is produced by Mike Mariconda with a special guest appearance from the Fabulous Andy G (Devil Dogs). Khan founds the secret lodge of the KUKAMONGAS. During the oncoming years Khan tours across the States. Detroit, New Orleans, New York City, LA, San Francisco, Dallas, Tijuana etc. Khan doesn’t return from the first Spaceshits-Europe-Tour in summer of 1999. In Germany the young 22-year old Canadian founds a Psychedlic-Soul-Big-Band THE SENSATIONAL SHRINES. The first line-up includes Ron Streeter (live-percussionist of Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau and other Soul-Legends), as well as a horn section of rowdy teenagers, and a rhythm section which can only be called a german/french version of the Freak Brothers. Khan meets Fredovitch (Bordeaux’s wildest organ player) wearing a silverstudded gogo dress, matching cowboy hat and sporting a full beard. He dubs him into shrinehood only one week before recording their first album in Toe Rag Studio in London. THREE HAIRS & YOU’RE MINE is produced by Liam Watson. THE SHRINES grow into an all-star international movement. Their first concert in London is suspended by the police. The band escapes through the back-door. Numerous gigs will follow all across Europe, among others with the Demolition Dollrods, Mr.Quintron and Ms. Pussycat, an after-party for 50 cent, even a legendary stint at the Roskilde festival. In 2003 Khan encounters the Hazelwood-producers-team Gordon “Two Horses” Friedrich and Wolfgang “Amadeus” Gottlieb, who stage the second longplayer MR. SUPERNATURAL in the beginning of 2004.

The Gris Gris || Listen || Watch
The time is 2005…January…the beginning of phase two. Young Greg Ashley, psychedelic wonder boy and leader of GRIS GRIS opts to venture out of Oakland and return to his roots of Texas, USA. Texas: Roky Erickson, Red Crayola, Sir Douglass…the purple haze against the greatest conservative political threat this country has ever known. The town of Kosse, Texas will become the birthplace of the newest Gris Gris musical venture. In a cabin, in the middle of nowhere, complete with many wooded acres, two horses (one white, seeming magical), a lake with a raft and a row boat (see FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH, part whichever), and enough — well, GRIS GRIS — to last for three months while the music is created and laid down.

In Kosse, The GRIS GRIS are: Greg Ashley (writer, guitarist, beer bottle percussion and whatever else have you), Oscar Michel on bass and clarinet (original member), Lars Kullberg (keyboard/multi-instrumentalist who had slipped in since the last), and Bob on drums (old Ashley comrade playing the role of temporary studio/cabin musician). Modey Lemon Paul Quatrone (drummer) blesses the beginnings without hitting the skin once.

Greg has brought some sketches of songs to the cabin, along with recording equipment and a host of instruments. But the plan is to concentrate…create…live together as a band. Play day-in-day-out as a band.

The Cosmonauts || Listen
“Their raucous set was like if the Velvet Underground had turned to the MC5 at their Boston Tea Party concert in 1968 and, instead of insulting them, had turned and made love to them—and that was how Lou Reed wound up wearing that dog collar. I couldn’t make out a single lyric, but did they really close the set with “Little Honda?”
-Dan Collins, Editor, LA RECORD

The Dead Ships || Listen || Watch
Sometimes all it takes is one great pop hook to reel in some attention, and Echo Park-based the Dead Ships have certainly perked our ears up. Their self-titled EP offers no-nonsense garage rock featuring pop choruses that soar and stick long after listening. For a fairly new duo, Devlin McCluskey and Christopher Spindelilus have refreshingly accomplished a sound that has the accessibility of Best Coast and minimalistic flair of the Black Keys. However, McCluskey’s’ Eddie Vedder-esque vocals go nowhere near abuse with his usage of “Ooohs,” and his cheeky guitar lines are perfectly propelled by Spindelilus’ clean drumming, giving the pop just enough grit for a balanced lo-fi rock song.Buzz Bands