One thing
about the Indie music industry is that the artists are hard working and
constantly evolving and adapting in order to move ahead. PHANTASM is a perfect
example of this. PHANTASM consists of Aaron White (vocals, live looping, and
bass), Steven Rosplock (synth, guitar, and keyboard), and Jay Yachetta (drums).
I was honestly blown away when I looked over their bio: this three man rock
explosion is self produced, managed, and has been booking their own shows. If
that’s not impressive enough, they have shared stage with artist like Andrew WK
and Mos Def. I was originally going to review their upcoming album
Impossible Machines, but in the end, decided to review Graph the Pulse as
well. These two
albums were for constructed two different groups of listeners: Graph the Pulse
is clearly more avant garde and experimental, where Impossible Machines is more
of a traditional rock-out with a sometimes non traditional use of instruments
and looping.
Graph the
Pulse, released in 2010, was recorded completely in a basement in Brooklyn. The
songs are hard, fast, raw and chaotic: you have to turn up your speakers to max
to really enjoy this music to its fullest potential. Although the band calls
the album is “minimalistic”, I find it to be quite rich, and if you are a
experimental rock enthusiast you will not be disappointed.
On May 7th,
PHANTASM is releasing a new album called Impossible Machines. Steven Rosplock
eloquently describes this album:
“These
songs are for everyone. Not just me. I want these songs to be mirrors you can
see yourself in. Or panties, depending on how the night is going.
We’ve
already done a concept album. Now we're doing a album to drive fast, have sex,
and do drugs to. Sounds good right?”
And it sure
does. PHANTASM has created an album that reaches out to a broader audience with
a clean cut and refined sound. They manage to hold onto their edgy roots while
rocking your socks off. The first song on Graph the Pulse is What makes you
Tick. This track is addictive and has a sexy medley of heavy bass and
electrifying guitar riffs. In Sho Nuff Aaron White screams “Am I the baddest
mother f***er in town?”, well PHANTASM is definitely up there. PHANTASM are
resilient, hard working, make great tunes, and have been rumored to put on some
of the highest energy shows in the indie scene (which could have contributed to
their having shared a stage with Andrew WK). I urge you to check out their
album on May 7th, and see them live.
Tour dates:
May 7 – The
Bowery Electric – New York, NY
May 10 –
H.M.A.C – Harrisburg, PA
May 11 –
The Crooked I – Erie, PA
May 12 –
Mojo’s – Jamestown, NY
May 26 –
Milkboy – Philadelphia, PA
More Tour Dates and Info:
- Lana Nimmons -
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