Boozewa Deliver Narcotic Doom from Steel Country
I'd like to introduce you to one of my new finds. Hailing from Pennsylvania, this BOOZEWA. "Born in the basement during the great year that was 2020," this sludgy trio features Rylan Caspar on guitar, Jessica Baker slinging bass, and Mike Cummings commanding the drumset. All three of them are credited for "hollering" as they put it, which is quite remarkable in that verses are sung in unison, giving a blended vocal sound that seems to really work for the band.
Their new two-track EP, 'Deb' (2021), casts off with a heavy, if hungover, stride. A three-note motif is established, and we join the grim dirge through the muddy waters of the opening track. The band projects a grungy, hypnotic sound as it trudges on. No wonder they've been described as âthe Valium version of the Pixies and Sonic Youthâ by listeners and "deeprest" music by the band itself. This is not to say the tone is entirely dour, just that it gives off a sort of jaded air. It's also the first taste we get of the band's collaborative approach to singing, and it entirely works.
By contrast, "Now.Stop." taps Mike Cummings (if my ears serve me faithfully -- he, along with Jessica Baker, are members of Backwoods Payback) to lead the charge with those gnarly vox of his. After hearing this one, I longed for at least one more song from the band, so hopefully this is a foretaste of a more expansive recording to come.
All in all, Boozewa's Deb is a fascinating window into the creative urges that emerged from the frustration, uncertainty, and social distancing of the Great Lockdown. Good sonic medicine for the weary soul and worthy of joining the company of the choice bands in your pandemic playlists.
Captured at the band's Coatesville compound, Deb was placed into the most capable hands of the legendary Tad Doyle for mastering. Look for the new record to drop on Friday, August 6th, which also is being issued as a 7" vinyl record, limited to just 200 copies (pre-order here).
âDebâ is a two song 7-inch single that will see release on Vinyl and digital formats on Friday August 6th. Recorded and mixed on a Tascam 4 Track Cassette machine in early 2021, it was mastered by Tad Doyle of the legendary band TAD at Witch Ape Studio in Seattle, Washington.
Their upcoming single follows the debut demo âFirst Contactâ which released in February of 2021 and sold out on tape in a month, spawning two more limited pressings of it. Bringing a distinctive sound, Boozewa draws passionately from the heaviest of the heavy through to the mellowest of the mellow. Emphasised by their unusual recording method, the vintage touch produces a unique tone with a dynamic, atmospheric quality. Dark, gloomy sounds are encountered in the opening track âDebâ with heavily distorted guitars creating an aptly ambient level of noise. Combined with a slow tempo and soaring vocal harmonies itâs a startling contradiction. The B-side âNow Stopâ delves brings rhythmic, traditional heavy metal inspired instrumentation and edgier vocals.
For a project formed in the summer of 2020 by three musicians stuck locked down, in a house, with nothing else to do, Boozewa is an agent of creativity and innovation from composition to production. Versatile and progressive, âDebâ is an experience for the senses that is not to be missed.
