By Lisa Morgan
Right about the time that we look for some relief from the hell-like fury the summer sun traditionally rains down upon us here in our desert home, Self Destructo Records will be unleashing a compilation that will scorch your expectations and blister your sonic senses. On October 13th, the debut album by You Know Who will be released on five hundred pieces of all white vinyl, packaged in hand-numbered silk screened covers, illustrated by graphic designer, Casey Howard. This eleven track accumulation of eloquent, thunder, driven by rapid fire, technical perfection, is proof and testimony that this unholy trinity of crushing crossover, hard core metal punk, are masters of their craft. The tight runs, the on the spot, heartbeat stops and rhythm changes, whether countering each other or performed in complete oneness, are OCD clean, and catapult the skull splitting raw, honest vocals and lyrics into your very being. The fact that the album features guest vox, from Nick Oliveri (Queens of the Stone Age, Mondo Generator, The Dwarves, Bl’ast, Uncontrollable), and John Garcia (Kyuss, Unida, Vista Chino) and Sean Wheeler (Throw Rag, Sun Trash) is merely an insanely delicious bonus.
These craftsmen have not only raised the bar; they are the bar.
For those who have followed You Know Who over the years, having recognized their incredible skill set, the songs will be familiar. But through this album, you will finally hear in detail, just what these unsung warriors of the heavy deliver nuance by bad ass nuance. “We feel this is a throwback to the days of yore when skate punks would head out from West LA to a Discharge/Anthrax gig at the Reseda Country Club and slam-dance themselves to sleep,” announced Self Destructo Records in a recent press release. “Songs like ‘Save Me Jebus’ are chock full of fast paced riffage and drop of the dime time changes, while ‘Marshall Stacks in Alcohol’ is a circle pit inducer in itself, from start to finish. ‘Chinese Shoes’ is a breakneck verbal/sonic assault against multinational corporations that incorporates Jello-Biafra-worthy lyrical content and humor with D.R.I. speed.”
Each one of these musicians has an incredible resume wherein they have been the go-to-guys for major international headliners (Nick Oliveri’s Uncontrollable, Excel, The Dwarves, Brant Bjork and The Operators, to name a few). Steeped in the music legends that are attributed with making “Desert Rock” internationally recognized, You Know Who has somehow managed to hone their own and by no means portray a band that is trying to ride someone else’s wave.
Hot off the heels of their European tour with John Garcia, returning to their beautiful, supportive families and day jobs here in the desert (for Dylan Brown, an out of town recreational skateboarding event with two time world champion, Eddie Elguera), each of the members of this power trio took time to share about the new album, the process of creating it, and what their hopes and aspirations are upon its release:
Mike Pygmie, Vocals/Guitar
“We recorded the record at Dead End Studios in Palm Desert, produced by Brad Garrow. Brad has helped us with both of the demos we’d done before, so it was a no-brainier to do the record there, when we got the opportunity. The vibe there is killer, Brad is super talented, and one of the coolest guys ever. It was the most fun I ever had making a record.”
“I’ve been listening to these songs over and over again, more than anything else, for the better part of a year. I’m honestly surprised I can even listen to it anymore, but I still love it. The plan was always to make a record that WE wanted to hear, and I think we did it. I know that Dylan feels really strongly about his message in ‘Chinese Shoes’. He’s more outspoken and political, and it makes for a killer rebellious, yet conscious, punk rock jam. I’m much more shy and very personal, so I speak mostly in code. I don’t necessarily want just anybody to know what’s going on in my head, but I think that there are a lot of people with similar thoughts and emotions, who will understand it very well.”
“I don’t like to have ‘expectations’ for the band, but I also definitely don’t like limitations. What we have been able to accomplish in our free time between paying bills and such, I think is great, and I’m very proud of it. Still, we have been limited. My hope is that we can get to the point where we can focus more on the music than anything else, so that the second record really freaks people out.”
Greg Saenz, Drums
“Mike is the main songwriter; he composes demos, playing all the instruments. Once a tune is created and agreed upon, we play it over and over until our individual styles and flares combine in perfect syncopation and harmony. When we say, ‘Hell yes,’ we move on to the next! Dylan and I are very locked on a rhythmic level – it comes from learning Dwarves tunes when we toured together, and from our love for R.K.L. (Rich Kids on LSD). I will sometimes follow Mike’s guitar for a rhythm with You Know Who. With Garcia, as a bass/drum rhythm section, it is all the more enjoyable as we really get to get heavy and kind of funky at times.”
Dylan Brown, Bass, Vox:
“The recording process was pretty straight forward, other than adding guitar tracks and vocals. Mike wrote mostly all the music and lyrics. I did, however, write the lyrics and music for ‘Chinese Shoes’, the song I sing on the album. I also wrote most of the music for ‘Marshall Stacks’. I feel exceptionally strong about the lyrics to ‘Chinese Shoes’, particularly, ‘Hanes, Dickies, Nike’s, Converse, Levi’s, Fruit of the Loom. They’re all made overseas for Americans to consume. We’ve got to do something about it, get back on the right track before our souls become outsourced and we cannot buy them back.'”
“I hope for the album to have longevity – to remain relative, and for the band to continue playing the music we enjoy for years to come. Hopefully, we can tour heavy to support the record and see where we go from there. Greg and I play together extremely well. It is awesome playing with him and Mike. They are both amazing musicians and we definitely push each other all the time.”
What others say about You Know Who and their debut record:
“Mike Pygmie is a ‘Whizard’ on the guitar. He writes melodic songs that are very complex, original and inspiring – Rush meets Black Flag, Minutemen and Descendants. ‘You Know Who’ – Mike Pygmie, that’s who!” – Nick Oliveri (Queens of the Stone Age, The Dwarves, B’last, Mondo Generator, Uncontrollable)
“Tight as shit and super powered with a FLAG prog edge” – Chuck Dukowski (Black Flag, FLAG, Chuck Dukowski Sextet)
Album notes:
Guitars, vocals and piano – Mike Pygmie
Bass and vocals on “Chinese Shoes” – Dylan Brown
Drums- Greg Saenz
Guest vocals:
John Garcia on “Save me Jebus”
Nick Oliveri on “Wastoid” and “Knuckle Buster”
Sean Wheeler on “Recycler”
Track Listing:
(1) Napoleon Blown Apart
(2) Save Me Jebus
(3) Marshall Stacks in Alcohol
(4) Waistoid
(5) Cobra Twist
(6) Babaduhbah
(7) Whoa Dude
(8) Chinese Shoes
(9) You Know What
(10) Knuckle Buster
(11) Recycler
Links:
Please check out facebook.com/youknowwhomusic for upcoming dates. They have several west coast dates coming up in the near future, and are working on a very special album release party.
Marshall Stacks and Alcohol video
Contact Info:
Youknowwhomusic@gmail.com (Band)
selfdestructorecords@gmail.com (Label)
mattrecordoutlet@gmail.com (Press)
