'A bit traditional for some.' Bluesman AC Myles gets rockin' on new album, 'Transitory'
Plus, another Fresno band gets label support and your weekly events list.
AC Myles is probably best known as a blues guy.
His resume certainly reads that way, with performances at blues festivals across the world (the Grolsh Blues Festival in Germany and the Moulin Blues Festival, Netherlands, among others).
On his latest release, “Transitory,” the guitarist moves firmly into the southern rock realm. The 10-track album (widely available now) is obviously guitar heavy and showcases Myles’ fretwork and love for a good solo.
But it’s not without range.
“Upstairs, that was Here,” drips with Lynyrd Skynyrd vibes (Myles’ vocal twang and free bird reference certainly help). “3 Ways,” has a Dire Straits poppiness to it, especially in the intro.
The comparisons here are used for just that purpose and should not suggest any kind of derivativeness.
The album was recorded in Myles’ home studio with his playing band (bassist Phil Santellan and drummer Brian Bischel) and Myles doing the engineering and production work.
It was a natural and organic process, Myles says, explaining the album.
“It’s not just like hiring session players. This group here, we play gigs, we’re genuine buds,” he says. “They intuitively interpreted these songs and played the parts I presented incredible well.”
Myles had his album release show on Friday at Full Circle in the brewery district.
New music from Beastmaker; Haunt goes unplugged
Because Trevor Church doesn’t sleep apparently, there’s a new track from the guitarist/songwriter’s OG metal band, Beastmaker. The song, “Night Of The Devil,” is the title track of a short film of the same name. Church also did the film’s score.
The song is out on Bandcamp now.
In Haunt news, the band released the first volume of “unplugged” recordings. For those who wondered what an acoustic Haunt would sound like, the translation works rather well.
You can see Haunt tonight at Visalia’s Cellar Door with Westing (the band once known as Slow Season). The show starts at 7 p.m.
Congrats on another Fresno band landing label support
It’s a heartening thing to see Fresno/Central Valley bands get picked up for label support.
For those following this newsletter: Blake Jones has a release on Big Stir Records, and is bringing one of its artists, Dolph Chaney, all the way from Chicago (that show is next Sunday at Fulton 55, if you care).
Mantis Watch has its latest out on Outloud Records out of Lodi. It puts the term “record label” in quotes on its Facebook page, but still.
The surf/garage rock punks Monjacks are on Pacific Records (alongside Sprung Monkey and O-Town!?).
And just this week, the Fresno grindcore band Elder Devil announced they’re now part of Prosthetic Records. The LA-based metal label has a huge rosters of bands and released a slew of albums including the first two albums by Lamb of God. It should do well to extend the band’s reach.
Side note: Elder Devil just released a live album (recorded at the Chinatown Youth Center) on Friday.
Events list Nov. 7-13
Charley Crockett, Joshua Ray Walker, 8 p.m. Nov. 8, Strummer’s. $30, all ages.
The Meteors, with John Clifton Blues Band and Bloodless Bullies. 8 p.m. Nov. 9, Fulton 55. $12-$15.
Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers, Lefkoff, Silk Animus, 8 p.m. Nov. 10, Strummer’s. This show is sold out. Neg. test or full vaccination required.
Randall King, Jake Jacobson Band, 8 p.m. Nov. 11, Strummer’s. $17, all ages.
Heavy Weather, 8 p.m. Nov. 12, Fulton 55. $15-$20.
Terrapin Flyer, 8 p.m. Nov. 12, Full Circle Brewery District. $12-$15.
Tiny Moving Parts, Belmont, Capstan, Unlikely, 7 p.m. Nov. 13, Strummer’s. $20, all ages.
Party Nails, Friends Don’t Die and J.D., 7 p.m. Nov. 13, Tioga Sequoia beer garden. Free, all ages.
Omnom, 9 p.m. Nov. 13, Fulton 55. $10-$20.
Astrid’s 80’s Remix, 7 p.m. Nov. 13, Full Circle Brewery District. Free.
That’s it for this week. Remember you can now hear me on the Homegrown Show Sundays at 8 p.m. on New Rock 104.1 FM. If you have anything you think I need to be looking at or listening to, feel free to let me know: jtehee@gmail.com