SEE SEEING IS BELIEVING
A folk-psych ‘Supergroup’ has emerged from the ashes of various Shindig!-adored bands. PHIL ISTINE gets the lowdown and opens our eyes to THE SEE SEE.
new song ‘It’s True Pt. 12’ shows the influence of various lilting luminaries (Gram Parsons, Buffalo Springfield, Teenage Fanclub), before briefly heading into more lysergic territory with some heady psychedelic guitar lines. Jack White is a big fan of the band,
and has asked them to provide support at recent Raconteurs gigs. Although this comes second in the highlights-so-far category, as Olsen explains: “Kevin ranted outrageously from the stage at a bunch of yuppies at one of our early shows; their jaws dropped down to their brogues and they all bought our records afterwards.” That display of honestly and integrity implies The See See are a band that you can easily learn to love, and men not reduced to conform and flogged on the back of the latest nostalgia trend. Free from the weight of anyone’s
Bands often come together after former disparate musical journeys end, and the impetus to start afresh brings like-minded souls instinctively together. Such as it was with London four-piece The See See in 2007. Richard Olson (The Eighteenth Day Of May), Kevin Peyok (Waxwings), and Ben Swank (Soledad Brothers) are joined by Leeds folkster Pete Greenwood. Together they bring “guts” to the country-folk-psych genre. Swede Olsen expands on the theme: “It’s all too polite. These are dirty forms of
INTOTHEZINEZONE
music originally played by dirty people. We can’t stand to see anymore prim haircuts moaning about their feelings without an ounce of soul. This music should be fun and cathartic at the same time.” Sold-out debut single ‘Up The Hill’
takes the West Coast jangle template and brings that sought-after, ragged, world-take- a-hike angle on events. Another track ‘Keep Your Head’ sounds like ‘Eight Miles High’ on a particularly frazzled night out. Meanwhile the tremeloed guitar and on the beginning of
expectations and the ability to record at their leisure in Olsen’s warehouse studio has brought freedom and confidence to the grouping. “We’re probably the least self- conscious band in London, and it pays dividends. You can listen to the band growing. It’s like watching a kid learn to walk.” And when your children sound as handsome as this, you’re likely to beam with pride. The See See are due to release
their second 7” single in mid-February, and are currently working on their debut album to be released later this year.
www.myspace.com/theseeseeband
PSYCHEDLIC REACTION #2
www.myspace.com/psychedelicreactionary Indie, shoe gaze and new psych in the school of Dead Meadow and Brian Jonestown Massacre. There are a lot of “nu psych” bands, that although admit- tedly do nothing for me, seems to be reg- istering with the kids, and I’m very happy that they feel the urge to spread the word about music they love.
BIG SHOT #5
www.bigshotzine.net A5 German language reggae and soul ’zine aimed at sharp skins and hard mods. Features include pieces on Derrick Morgan, Edwin Starr and Ken Boothe.
LOST IN TIME #4
www.myspace.com/lostintymefanzine The Greeks excel at fanzines. Devoted to the current spate of garage punk bands LIT blends the old with the new, and always with fuzz, jangle and Farfisa taking centre stage. There’s a lengthy interview with moody ’60s schoolboys The Rising Storm, a great piece about our own Lenny Helsing by Marty from The Higher State,
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interesting Q&As with long time purveyors of ’60s fuzztone The Cynics and The Brood and lots on new bands including Dublin’s The Urges. Written in English and with a free CD featuring all of the mentioned bands plus material from Los Peyotes, Os Haxixins, The Royal Hangmen, The Dorktones, The Lears and more. Essential reading for the Beatle boot and mop top brigade. ’Zines like this need your support.
MONGREL ZINE #3
www.bobscottartwork.ca/mongrelzine.html Sleazy, rude, politically incorrect Canadian trash/garage/punk zine. This issue features pieces on Mark Sultan, The Pointed Sticks, Bloodshot Bill, Stolen Minks etc.
PSYCH TRAIL MIX #3
www.myspace.com/psychtrailmix Penned by a young guy who hates moder- nity, writes from his heart and loves mind melting, fuzz ridden psych new and old. Butthole Surfers, The Misunderstood and Helios Creed are all covered with integrity. Shoddy design, lots of words and hand copied. A proper ’zine.
Ugly Child #1
http://franticcity.free.fr A new, monochrome, stapled ‘zine, this A5 French “garage punk freakzine” is mainly concerned with ’80s and ’90s, plus The Urges and Hangee V from the present day. Also features excellent inter- views with ’60s punks Q65 and The Painted Ship. Jon ‘Mojo’ Mills and Lenny Helsing
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