New music: Dying Suns' quarantine-induced experimental "Starcade," EP.
Plus, an MC Wick's mini documentary and an events list for the week.
Dying Suns is one of two bands that formed after The Boozer Boys split in 2018.
Guitarist/vocalist Gabriel Ureno went on to start the surf-punk trio the Moonjacks.
Harrison Silva-Costa and Bryce Lowenthal started Dying Suns, a “retro-rock” band that could draw comparisons to Greta Van Fleet or early Led Zeppelin, if you wanted to go there. Some of this is the youthful good looks, sure, but there is also Lowenthal’s drumming prowess, Silva-Costa’s vocal approach and the band’s overall love of guitar work.
Dying Suns kicked off 2022 by releasing “Starcade” — it’s first official EP and first new music since the singles “Queen Cobra” and “Desert Sea” came out in 2020.
There is an extra layer of psychedelic, summer love vibes on these four songs, especially in the construction of the vocals on “Technicolor Mind,” and “Smile.”
Still, “Starcade” feels current and relevant and doesn’t come off a overly derivative.
“This EP was developed during the pandemic. Quarantine really allowed us to be more experimental and more open to more modern sounds,” Silva-Costa says.
On repeat: “What Life Could Be.” Pop-laced rock goodness.
“Starcade” is streaming across digital platforms now.
MC Wicks - Hunger Bars: Mini Doc (Part 1)
If you have quick 11 minutes and enjoy music documentaries, the latest from 86 Inka is worth watching. It’s essentially the origin story of MC Wicks in his own words, from his early days battle rapping in Selma, to sneaking into venues to see hip-hop shows and his a chance meeting with KSR One (there’s odd connection with Queen Latifah, too).
On that note, The Cypher Effect released a Central Valley showcase on Friday. It includes bars from Wicks, along with Wormavin, Guillotine DSC, BKR, Knodaledge, Kubiq, Dengee.
Events list Jan. 9-15
Get Dead, Ceschi Ramos, Narly Head, 1335, The Sneaky Merlins, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, Full Circle Brewery District. $14-$18, all ages.
Nortec: Bostich + Fussible, 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, Fulton 55. $20-$35.
Lifejacket, 1335, Beyond California, 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, Strummer’s. Free. 21 +
Ben and Abby, 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, Full Circle Brewery District. Free. All ages.
We Are Young: 2010s Night with DJ Blade, 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, Strummer’s. $5. All ages.
Cumbia Bass, 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, Full Circle Brewery District. $10-$15.
Totally 80s Rewind with Duckie D'Albino & DJ Numbskull, 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, Strummer’s. $5, 21 +
Yachtley Crew, 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, Tower Theatre. $39-$49.
Astrid’s 80’s Remix, 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, Full Circle Brewery District. Free, all ages.
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