the great pumpkin

Gary War is a name that has been floating around my internetting since the begining of 2009, but I didn’t have the pleasure to hear him(them?) until WFMU’s Talk’s Cheap with Jason Sigal had them play live on his show a couple weeks ago (well I think it was pre-recorded, but it was still awesome…listen to it here).

I picked the full legnth this past week end: New Raytheonport (out on Shdwply Records and limited to 500 copies).

On first listen my initial comparison was a low-fi version of Ween  But don’t take this the wrong way, I know Ween can sound like anything, but some of their slightly groovey psychadelic stuff.  But now after listening to it much more closely I realize that this is a passing comparison…I guess it still sticks at times, on a song or two, but there is much more to Gary War.

Gary War is creating psycadelic sound scapes in his own vein of synth-psych.  The album is not over abrasive as some of the more noise pysch acts are these days, but more of a relaxed but at times still has that fuzzy vibe (see track three “Obscure Preferences”).  Influence is coming from all over on these guys from your classic psych, garage, shoegaze, ambient, and even some dub (specifically on “Please Don’t Die”).  The album is really unique and beautifully put together (both the art and the music).  If you can find get it.

I have been rocking this during the day last weekend, and on the train this week, and haven’t even had a chance to listen to it under the influence… for that reason I’m really looking forward to Saturday!  This record has quickly worked it’s way into regular rotation on my ipod and record player.  I hope you enjoy these tracks as much as I do.

Gary War mp3s:

Gary War- “Please Don’t Die”

Gary War- “Good Clues”

both tracks are off of the New Raytheonport LP.

I really don’t where to tell you to buy this record (I wish I did). There is a paypal link on the Gary War Blogspot, but the SHDWPLY Records website tells you not to use paypal, and to order the record by emailing (gregarywar@gmail.com). If anyone knows the best way to get it please let me know. Please note that the album was available for download off of the blogspot, but the link no longer works. My copy was purchased at Academy in Brooklyn.

Gary War also has a 7″ out on Sacred Bones, and has some upcoming dates where they will be playing as a six piece band (like they did on WFMU)…again mostly in NYC and at SXSW.  The first of which is a WNYU Party this Saturday:

Saturday, March 7th 2009

Blank Dogs, Naked On The Vague, The Pink Noise, Gary War, Led Er Est, and Silk Flowers (Yes, Silk Flowers are playing too!)

At The Shank 98 Bayard St. @ Leonard St. Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Other Live dates are:
3/10/09 @ Glasslands- Brooklyn, NY
3/19/09 @ Beerland- Austin, TX (SXSW)
3/20/09 @ End of an Ear Records- Austin, TX (SXSW)
3/20/09 @ Spiro’s- Austin, TX (SXSW)
3/21/09 @ Music Gym- Austin, TX(SXSW)
3/22/09 @ ???(TBA)- Oxford, MS

**Dates via Gary War’s myspace

This band is going to be very busy in 2009…keep an eye out for these upcoming releases: Available soon:

‘Opens-Live at WFMU’ cassette (on Captured Tracks), ‘Anhedonic Man’ 7″ (on Hell Yes! If someone has the website for this record label please post it in the comments), ‘Galactic Citizens’ LP (on Sacred Bones), ‘Windows’ 12″ (on Woodsist)

UPDATE: You can now buy Gary War’s New Raytheonport LP from Insound

Tags: Captured Tracks, Gary War, Glasslands, Jason Sigal, Sacred Bones Records, SHDWPLY Records, Silk Flowers, Talk's Cheap, The Shank, WFMU, Woodsist Records