Desert fuzz rock "Tribute to KYUSS" from FUZZY CIRCUITS of The Swamp Records.

Fuzzy has always had a hankering for desert rock, and now that I actually live in the Mojave Desert, my love for this style of stoner fuzz has only grown stronger. There's something about this heavy rock style that makes it easy to imagine the hot, dusty trails surrounded by cactus and red cliffs. (Not to mention that I don't live too far from Sky Valley.) So I'm excited about the new album from the deserts of Chile called "Weird Tales" by CORMANO which drops on January 1. 

"Weird Tales" is the LP follow-up to the trio's 2018 debut EP "EPXX18" and it keeps the same fuzzy desert rock sound with a dash of sinister spaghetti western overtones. 

The album kicks off in grand style, with an overture with a heavy, epic riff that seems to announce, "This album is going to kick your ass." And indeed, the next track, with its eponymous title, does indeed unleash the next level of fuzz with the addition of vocals. These three dudes bang out a lot of sound for a three-piece, while keeping things tight and energetic in the way that only a trio can do it. 

"Bury Me With My Money" wastes no time going political with its declaration of greed, but the real highlight is the guitar work and thundering drums in the middle of the song. 

"El Caleuche" slows things down a bit, and keeps the spaghetti western flair going with the church bells, but then kicks in with the fuzz before it heads into heavy psych territory with extended guitar licks and layered effects. 

"Urknall" brings back the vocals (this time in Spanish) and really gives the drums a chance to stand out, with extended drum solos and placing them near the top of the mix. 

"Rise From Your Grave" has more of the heavy psych guitar work that we heard on "El Caleuche" with the addition of vocals. 

"Futuere" is a flat-out rocker, and the finale "A Boy And His Dog" wraps up the album with a somewhat melancholy tale that ends with a bang. 

"Weird Tales" is non-stop heavy energy from start to finish, with a variety of sonic styles to keep things fresh, so check it out on January 1 and ring in the new year with some great desert fuzz. 

Fuzzy's Favorite: It's a tough choice, but I think the psychedelic vibes on "El Caleuche" make it stand out. 

From the band: 

"Weird Tales" is the first LP from Chilean Stoner 'N Roll band Cormano. The eight songs talk about ancient monsters, old western landscapes, and dystopian alternatives and other weird stories.

Cormano is from Santiago, Chile with members:

• Aaron Saavedra : Guitar/Vocals
• Claudio Bobadilla: Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals
• Rodrigo Jiménez: Drums/Backing Vocals 

FFO: 3Demons, Inferous, and Electric Cult. 

Follow the band on Bandcamp to find out when "Weird Tales" is released on January 1 at https://cormano.bandcamp.com

Cover by Fundie Biela

Fuzzy goes all the way back with HALFAYA to their 2019 debut, and I'm excited to say the band just released their latest album, "Blunderblues" which brings 8 new songs from Argentina to blast your ears with fuzz. Halfaya's sound is "energetic" if I'm being polite, and "apocalyptic" if I'm being honest. Halfaya brings an original take on desert rock with their non-stop fuzz and a foundation of blues, and together with the Spanish vocals, "Blunderblues" is non-stop energy from start to finish. Listen to Halfaya "Blunderblues" on Bandcamp:

Things start off with a sense of calm in "TxOxLxA" but any idea that Halfaya is your typical desert rock band is quickly destroyed as the song explodes into their signature weedcore sound. "El Viaje" was the lead single, and is surely the song that you would recommend to a new fan as it captures the essence of the band's sound.

The title track "Blunderblues" is a stand-out, so it's no wonder it's the title track. It's a little slower than the rest of the songs, and it brings with it a sense of somberness or dread that really makes it stand out. 

"Fuego" starts off slow like the first track, but you already know it will be blasting your ear holes before long, and it does not disappoint. "Rio Índica" gives us a short instrumental interlude, and then "Quebrada Del Silencio" starts up the weedcore mayhem once again. 

Spanish lyrics throughout, which fit Halfaya's weedcore like a flame goes with a bowl. I can barely understand any of it, so I don't even try, and I enjoy the songs the more for it. The singing is like an additional instrument and it's hard to imagine Halfaya without it. (Actually, "Desde El Averno" has an English chorus.)

Pure energy, over-the-top fuzz, killer vocals -- "Blunderblues" is not an album to relax with. But if you are looking to light one up and bang your head, this is the album for you. 

Fuzzy's Favorite: the title track "Cruzando El Desierto" with its extended fuzzed-out guitar solos. Overall, this album rips from start to finish.

From the band: 

In this new album we tried to create a union between stoner and the most primitive blues, with a powerful and good quality audio. We really worked a lot on vocal production and creating good atmospheres, with powerful riffs and some instrumental tracks that manage to give the album another color.

It's no surprise to learn that Halfaya hails from Argentina. The members include: 

• Pancho: vocals & electronics
• Gonza: bass & vocals
• Pela Diego: guitar & keys
• CJ: drums & percussion

Follow Halfaya band on Bandcamp at https://halfaya.bandcamp.com/album/blunderblues

Check out Halfaya on Fuzzy's "Green Fuzz Ritual" at https://theswamprecords.bandcamp.com/album/green-fuzz-ritual

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With so much amazing music in the Underground, it can be a challenge for a new band to break into the scene with a sound that is fresh and unique, while still appealing to the heavy riff lovers. The debut EP from Sweden's GLöD ("glow") certainly fits the bill for a unique (and killer) sound. Take your favorite hard rock riff from the 70s, add a dash of your most beloved 80s heavy metal, run it through a 90s grunge playlist, and fine-tune the whole thing with the modern stoner and heavy psych scene. The result is one badass album. Listen to GLöD on Bandcamp: 

"Cyanide Nights" rips it open but things only get heavier with "Reign of Fear." GLöD pulls no punches, piling equal parts fuzz and wah wah pedal to support the gritty vocals. (It's important to point out that each member of the band is a vet from previous bands, which helps to explain how GLöD is able to burst out with such a brutal debut.)

Fuzzy's Favorite: "Vintern 1867" in part because I always prefer longer tracks which give each instrument some solo time to shine, but mostly because it's riff ends with a mind-hammer that is superb in its relentlessness. And also it's got a title ("Winter 1867") which seems to be based on the severe famine in Northern Sweden in 1867: https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missväxtåren_1867–1869

The Swamp's heavy psych music compilation curator SARGENT SIGNALS says, 

What we have RIGHT HERE is the finest example of Heavy Psych/Desert Rock done up Hellhammer/Celtic Frost/St Vitus style that I have heard in a LOOONG TIME...

So YOU KNOW what to DO... Put DOWN The BONG And PICK THIS UP!!!

GLöD hails from Sweden with members: 

• ANDERS LUNDIN: Guit, Vox (ex Makabert Fynd)
• MATHIAS ÖJERMARK: Bass, Keys (ex Obrero, Natthimlen)
• JOSHUA ATLAS: Drums (ex Parakeets) 

From the band: 

Glöd is a three-piece stoner/psych/doom/metal band from Stockholm, Sweden. Josh (drums) had moved to Stockholm from his native NYC. He met Anders who had been involved with the underground hardcore punk scene for a long time. The two of them started to jam out some fuzzy stoner riff and went searching for a bass player. Mathias was found and the lineup was complete. Not long after its formation the group entered D-beat studios in Uppsala, Sweden to record with sound wizard Janne Jutila. The resault is what you can now listen to at Glöd’s Bandcamp site. Hours of new material is just waiting to be recorded. Expect some pretty extreme sonic adventures...!

Right on!

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Houston psych rock trio CACTUS FLOWERS has their new EP "Solace" dropping on March 12, with the lead single "Do You Want Me" now spinning on Bandcamp and Spotify. This band gets a little heavier with each release, while staying true to their unique blend of Southern groove and desert psych sounds. Check out the lead single on Bandcamp from "Solace" EP:

Fuzzy got a preview of the full release, which includes 3 more tracks just as full of psych rock grooviness as the lead single, and maybe even a little fuzzier. "Razor Blade" stands out with its bass-heavy riff, "Swimming Through a Sea of Mercury" shows off the band's Southern roots, and "Dirty Double Vision" piles on the fuzzy psych riffs. All throughout we hear Murillo's vocals which are such a great match for the music. 

Cactus Flowers is definitely a must-hear for psych rock fans. The Southern flair is like icing on the cake. 

• Jessica Murillo - vocals
• Mark Carcamo - drummer 
• Chris Dunaway - bassist

Listen to THE FUZZY UNDERGROUND with interviews with bands, artists, and presenters about music and news from the heavy music scene. Listen at https://fuzzycracklins.podbean.com/ or on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/show/18cV8dnYIzx9OhMjsiIcRZ or on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9wF-X5Xw5GxXX2cb0DC9NA 

How (and why) to use Bandcamp codes for EFFECTIVE (and free!) promotion of your music. Fuzzy explains it all right here --

How to use Bandcamp codes for Music Promotion

 
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If you like your stoner music to land more on the desert side of things, and instrumental, with a bit of psychedelic flair, then BLACK SKY GIANT has just the album for you. "Planet Terror" is a collection of 7 songs with slow, fuzzy riffs with clean guitar solos that sound like they were recorded at the bottom of Death Valley. Add in some choice samples, with a dash of synths, and you have an album which will keep you mesmerized all the way through. Listen to "Planet Terror" on Bandcamp: 

It's probably no surprise that Black Sky Giant is from Argentina. This is definitely an album to recommend highly. 

Fuzzy's Favorite: "Perpetual waves to come" but don't miss "The phantom gun" and "Ulameth (endbringer)" with their killer use of samples. 

Follow Black Sky Giant (and also check out their first album) on Bandcamp at https://blackskygiant.bandcamp.com

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With a band like THE LANCASTERS in The Swamp, it ain't no secret that Fuzzy digs psych rock. So when JAMES BUTTON BAND sent me their new psych rock album, "Desert Revelations" you know I was down to dig it. As in, Fuzzy TOTALLY digs it! Every song has a catchy riff, layered vocals, and that magic blend of psychedelic and rock that only a band with a love for late 60s "Cosmic American Music" (as the band says) or music from the later Beatles albums (Fuzzy's take on James Button Band). Dig "Desert Revelations" by JAMES BUTTON BAND for yourself on Bandcamp:

Fuzzy's Favorite: OK this is a tough choice, since all 7 tracks are solid psych rock. I would say the organ and guitar work in "Good day, time" are absolute psych rock magic, and for a flat-out riffy rocker, Fuzzy's choice is "Powderhorn Blues." No wait -- "Hot Burrito #4" has that slow, bluesy sound which can sometimes be captured so well by psych rock. Or what about the boogie woogie of "Quarantine Days" ? OK, I can't really pick one favorite ... but I'm glad to play this album from start to finish, and then over again. 

"Desert Revelations" by JAMES BUTTON BAND is easily one of the best psych rock albums of the year. 

James Button Band is from Szczecinek, Poland with members: 

• Jakub Legan - guitar, lead vocals
• KArolina Baworowska - bass, hammond organ, piano
• Kamil Kondała - drums, backing vocals

From the band: 

Rock'n'Roll band from Szczecinek (Poland), founded in 2012.  Their music combines Rock, Blues, Psychedelic Rock and Progressive Rock. Inspirations are late 60's/70's and a present day's vibrations. 

Since 2018, they direct their music to listeners outside their country. This year, due to the lockdown, the band locked themselves in the studio and used the concert adrenaline in their studio work. The resulting album combines the inspiration of Cosmic America Music, created by artist Gram Parsons, with their own raw Rock'n'Roll.

The band has a CD available. Contact the band at jamesbuttonband@gmail.com

Follow JAMES BUTTON BAND on Bandcamp at https://jamesbuttonband.bandcamp.com

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If you dig Leonard Cohen, stop reading now and immediately get over to Bandcamp to buy "At The Bottom Of The Sea" by ACHACHAK. Deep vocals, slow riffs, and lyrics that speak from the heart of an anguished soul will leave you impressed how the stoner genre can be used as the foundation for such serious and devastating music. Check out "At The Bottom Of The Sea" by ACHACHAK on Bandcamp: 

The album starts off quietly enough, but "Ride All Alone" is really more of an overture than a song in the same style as the rest of the album. Because in "Truth," the tone and intent kick into high gear, and it's a menacing kick. Slow, burning, vocals with screams in the background. At this point you realize the album is going to take (drag?) you along with it, as the singer (narrator?) tells you about his burdens. 

"My Inner Peace" includes a wailing guitar solo that seems to build forever until the song suddenly ends. Watch the video for "My Inner Peace" on YouTube:

"Metaphorically Speaking" starts with the sound of rain, as if the singer is sitting on his porch and decides to hit the tape player to record his music along with his anguish. And it turns into a raw, bluesy rocker. 

The antagonist's self-examination continues with "Kill The Toxic Ego," but he seems to have moved on from self-loathing towards action, as the title suggest. This one might be my favorite song on the album, which is saying a lot. 

The next two songs continue with the blues-infused desert rock, and the album ends with a sort of outro with the acoustic "Last Man Standing" which wraps up the narrator's story and ties together the themes set out in the album. 

This is not an album which lets itself drift into the background. It grabs your attention, and holds onto it for 40 minutes. "At The Bottom Of The Sea" by ACHACHAK is a serious album and will surely impress you with its sophisticated approach, stripped-down sound, and heartfelt vocals. Really excellent music, theme, and production.

The band calls their style "Slavic Stoner Rock" or rather, "loud spiritual stoner music" which I agree with!

From the band: 

Eight tracks from these young founders of a new genre called "SSR"(Slavic Stoner Rock) came from dusty and smoked studios, surrounded by three mountains, fresh and cold air, a large lake and homemade spirits. 

Achachak (Achachak meaning “Spirit“, of Native American origin) is a Croatian stoner rock - metal band from Vučipolje, Croatia. Achachak was originally formed in 1999 by „Milo” (vocals & guitar) & his brother „Miro” (drums). However, the band considers 2020. as its official year of formation when the kids are releasing their debut record „At the bottom of the sea.”

ACHACHAK band is from Vučipolje, Croatia with members: 

• Lemi – Guitars & Vocals
• Jopa – Bass guitar & Vocals
• Tonko - Drums
• Slavic Stoner Rock

Follow ACHACHAK band on Bandcamp at https://achachak.bandcamp.com.

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After a trio of pre-release singles, ORBITAL JUNCTION is ready to release their debut album "Egos & Instincts" on September 18. This 4-piece from London delivers 40 minutes of non-stop riffs, pounding fuzz, and killer vocals in what has to be one of the best stoner rock releases of the year. 

Here's the track list: 

• 01 Earthmover
• 02 Mary Kelly
• 03 Green Man
• 04 Queen Of Mean
• 05 Gamblin' Man
• 06 6ft2
• 07 Addict
• 08 Creep

The album starts with a huge explosion. The first two tracks, "Earthmover" and "Mary Kelly" are as good as anything that would have hit the Top 10 back in the 90s. The band page on Bandcamp says these guys are from the UK but they sure sound to me like they are from Sky Valley. Desert rock riffs, stoner melodies, and fuzz all over everything. 

The vocals stand out as a key element of Orbital Junction's total sound. In particular, there's a variety between the songs which keeps things fresh. "Mary Kelly" in particular puts the singing front and center. 

Orbital Junction is from London with members:

• Vox: Owen Armstrong
• Guitar: Ric Fordyce
• Bass: Billy Dale
• Drums: Jack Revans

From the band: 

The album will be available on all major digital platforms on September 18, with an exclusive limited edition vinyl release later in the year. In the absence of live shows, Orbital Junction encourage you all to crank up the volume and have your own mini-shows wherever you are, Egos & Instincts is best served.... LOUD!

Follow Orbital Junction on Bandcamp to get notified when "Egos & Instincts" drops on September 18. 

Pre-Save the album on Spotify at https://show.co/Wd31FYa

SWAMP KREWE PROMOTION PACKAGE!!  Fuzzy has over 150 super fans in The Swamp Krewe subscription on Bandcamp. Send album codes to fuzzycracklins@gmail.com and if your music is KILLER then I'll share them with The Swamp Krewe. They have a lot of their own followers, so your album will get into the collections & feeds of many Bandcampers very quickly. It's FREE! Contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com

CD OF THE MONTH MAILERS!! Fuzzy mails out 100 CDs to super fans in the USA and around the world every month. They love to hear about new bands and new music, so send Fuzzy your stickers, printed album codes, promo CDs, whatever you want. Any number is good. Fuzzy is already paying the postage, and The Swamp Krewe loves swag and frequently posts to Instagram, so contact fuzzycracklins@gmail.com to make it happen! Bands, labels, podcasters, radio show DJs, bloggers, reviewers, get at me! It's FREE! 

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