Band of the Month: Ghostland Observatory
ЯR April’s Official Band: Ghostland Observatory ЯR
Ghostland Observatory is the band The White Stripes could be…if they didn’t buy their own hype and if they were able to laugh at themselves. Oh, yeah–they’d have to get a helluva lot funkier, too. Yes, GO are the indie-rockers that let their audience in on the joke. Should you be surprised that they hail from Austin, TX? Probably not. Equal parts early ’80s new wave, electro-funk and late ’60s garage punk, Ghostland are proud to be weird and “weird” is something they do better than almost anybody else.
The two-man funk/rock orchestra formed in 2004 through a meeting of the minds between sometime-guitarist and frontman Aaron Behrens and keyboardist/sequencer/drummer Thomas Ross Turner, who made a blood pact to create the wildest, freakiest, funniest, bootie-shaking-est electronic indie-punk ever conceived by mortal intellects. This culminated in a historic musical compromise between organic soul and elctronic sparkle, which the band describes as the sound of “a robot making love to a tree”(!) While making their musical mark on the central Texas music scene, they released their well-received first full-length album, delete.delete.i.eat.meat. This would be followed a year later by Paparazzi Lightning, which yeilded their breakout hit single “Sad, Sad City”. Their set rotates between bashing proto-punk scorchers and throbbing electronic disco-soul compositons, with the two musos switching instruments more than a dozen times a night.
To say that Ghostland Observatory let their freak flag fly might necessitate a new definition for the term “freak flag”. Setting aside the eclectic nature of their music, they have a–erm, unique image. Turner’s synth rig looks like it was plundered from Berlin’s rehearsal space in 1980–all patches, knobs and slides are manipulated real-time by his own hands, which is quite a feat when you see it. Combine this with the fact that he often wears a flowing blue cape that appears to have been purchased at an Ozzy Osbourne yard sale, circa 1977. He also maintains the expression of a mad scientist about to pull the sheet off of his abominable creation. (Whether this is intentional or not is unknown.)
…and then there’s Behrens: a force of nature that has synergized the undeniable sex appeal of The Cult’s Ian Astbury, the innate funkiness of Prince and the showmanship of one Freddie Mercury. What does this proprietary mixture of the 3 sacred rock ‘n’ roll elements yield? Well, braided ponytails, for one. Oh, a lot of fancy dancing on stage, as you can witness on their DVD Live from Austin, TX. This is the performance that converted many to the Ghostland way of being, this writer included.
Ghostland’s latest release,Robotique Mystique (Trashy Moped Recordings), hit stores in February to favorable response from fans and critics. With a name like that, it’s little surprise that the recording takes a healthy amount of influence from the electro-disco of Frenchies like Laurent Garnier and Daft Punk. At press time, they are packing venues on a US tour. Go see them, buy their CD and then thank me.
Previous Band of the Month Posts:
Where’s Moo - Six String Sonics - Chubby Chasers - Bear Force 1
The Great Kat - The BossHoss - Dead 50s – Sullivan – Craptain Jack & the Shmees
Didn’t know about the band. Finally this site is going to be useful. (wink).
E.
Entomo
April 8, 2008 at 8:37 am
Sounds like Devo in tight underwear.
micky2
April 8, 2008 at 8:57 am
Is the singer a boy or a girl?
capricorn1966
April 8, 2008 at 9:31 am
cause I don’t see boobs.
capricorn1966
April 8, 2008 at 9:32 am
A boy.
He reminds me of Ian Astbury, but in the same way Michael Hutchence reminded me of Jim Morrison. You know, forced like.
The Bagel of Everything
April 8, 2008 at 9:38 am
Forced. Oh yeah, like when you stick you finger down your throat to throw up.
Kind of reminds me of a bad trip I had once and not to Disney World.
capricorn1966
April 8, 2008 at 9:45 am
Exactly like that.
I want to lick his jeans.
The Bagel of Everything
April 8, 2008 at 9:50 am
I loves me the spastic blue jeans.
The 'Goose
April 8, 2008 at 10:00 am
Finally, Entomo and I agree on something. I guess I’ll inflict a few more bands of the month on you guys.
Come on, Keywork. These weirdoes are the hottest band in your former hometown. Rep-ra-zent!
Soylent Ape
April 8, 2008 at 10:02 am
It’s bad enough that he reminds me of Greg Brady with that blue shirt and those white pants but you can see the crease in his hair from wearing it Cindy Brady style.
capricorn1966
April 8, 2008 at 10:02 am
Being one of the stranger things to come out of Austin, I can say that I appreciate the G.O. Let’s just say it never really got weird enough for me. Just overcrowded. Nice find, Soy, you always rep the Mopac Millions.
keywork.
April 8, 2008 at 10:13 am
Bagel. He doesnt sound like Ian. Any shmuck can have hair like Cher and by some cheap shades. He dances like a fudge packer.
Soy.
The guy on keybord did impress me a couple times.
Theres a blog called ” The seminal’ I wont give the link cuz it’ll probably ping back here. And I have a major issue with the editor whom I will not communicate anymore.
But they do have a good post on ” 10 reasons why I hate Indie” If you put that in their search bar the post should pop up. You’ll find some interesting comments on Indie music. Also the editor J-RO is a producer and musicianIf you debate them on anything be careful they dont go in and edit or alter your comments.
See here> http://micky2.wordpress.com/2007/10/02/two-headed-koin/#comments
micky2
April 8, 2008 at 10:15 am
ew.
I’m guessing they don’t clearly state that they’ve edited a comment?
I edit comments quietly to fix mistakes when I’m sure the commentor would want me to…otherwise I always make a note in bold that I did change something.
Fucking with people’s words isn’t right.
The Bagel of Everything
April 8, 2008 at 11:00 am
They changed my whole statement, changing my position. When you get time read my story.
But thats not really the isue here. At the seminal we discussed what it is about Indie that sucks and how hard its trying to find some niche of originallity.
To me its basically a clusterfuck of styles that I havnt seen anyone blend well yet.
It reminds of a lot of other shit, whiney grunge etc. And they were just looking foir another genre label instead of “alternative” so they picked indie.
micky2
April 8, 2008 at 11:05 am
We have a IFC channel. When we first got this cable I thought it stood for International Fagot Channel. Every time I turned it on there were guys making out.
capricorn1966
April 8, 2008 at 11:11 am
I crapped blood last night.
Does it mean I’m going to die soon?
The Bagel of Everything
April 8, 2008 at 11:43 am
The band is great! A friend told me about them recently also. Hadn’t see some of those vids though.
…anyone that thinks IFC stands for International Fagot Channel needs to spend more time watching the other IFC: Ignorant Fuckhead Channel – it has lots of make out footage you’ll love with George Bush, Jerry Falwell, Ann Coulter, Hitler, and host of other ignorant douchebags.
Freddy
April 8, 2008 at 11:52 am
Uh-oh. This isn’t going to end well.
keywork.
April 8, 2008 at 11:54 am
Yeah! That’s what the Logo channel is for!
I’d totally subscribe to Ignorant Fuckhead Channel.
The Bagel of Everything
April 8, 2008 at 11:57 am
I feel like I may already be a subscriber.
keywork.
April 8, 2008 at 11:58 am
I’d lick Ann Coulter’s pants.
The Bagel of Everything
April 8, 2008 at 11:58 am
I think I would too. Not at the same time though.
keywork.
April 8, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Bagel popped a roid. Or shes been eating like a goat.
micky2
April 8, 2008 at 12:01 pm
But would you lick them while she was wearing them ?
micky2
April 8, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Yes. Otherwise you’re just doing her laundry.
keywork.
April 8, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Well, then they would have to be really tight jeans.
micky2
April 8, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Camel toes
micky2
April 8, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Well, yeah, micky, that’s the point. Close to the genitals.
keywork.
April 8, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I know, I’m just bored.
But really, fuck the jeans and just put her ankles behind her ears already.
micky2
April 8, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Have you seen Ann? I don’t think she can do that. She doesn’t look very bendy.
The Bagel of Everything
April 8, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Pretty much. Do I get bonus points if I’m armed? I think I should.
keywork.
April 8, 2008 at 12:22 pm
She probably isn’t the bendiest.
keywork.
April 8, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Yes, but you lose points for being legged.
The Bagel of Everything
April 8, 2008 at 12:22 pm
So it’s just an arms race then.
keywork.
April 8, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I dont know guys. shes pretty leggy.
Be a lot harder to get a penguins ankles up behind its ears.
Bagel, is your asshole still bleeding ?
micky2
April 8, 2008 at 12:33 pm
why is it, that people have to get all bent out of shape when something is said that has anything to do with gay people? but it’s ok to talk about ignorant people. hm…
If you were getting bent out of shape.
capricorn1966
April 8, 2008 at 1:06 pm
one of my very good friends is lesbian.
she wants me.
capricorn1966
April 8, 2008 at 1:09 pm
These guys put on a great live show. high energy.
johnsonrod
April 8, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Cap, I think the death of Spartacus has something to do with the lashings.
keywork.
April 8, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Also, let’s clear something up: Ignorance can be remedied rather easily. Stupidity, on the other hand, is much harder to combat. I don’t get mad at ignorant people. They just haven’t been exposed to certain bits of every day knowlege. Stupid people have been exposed they just choose not to use said knowlege. Which is lazy and unforgiveable. So, to call a starving child in Africa ’stupid’ for not knowing the names of all the continents would be mildly insensitive. But to say the child is ‘ignorant’ would be rather factual. That being said, I don’t like fuckheads of any sort. I cannot, however, with a clear conscious, discriminate against any one fuckhead for being ‘ignorant’. Now, if he’s a stupid fuckhead, then I hate him for sure. I don’t care for stupidity, and I don’t like fuckheads, and there we are. Was Hitler ignorant, or was he stupid? Probably neither, the man was well learned. Was he a fuckhead? Well, yes. But an ignorant fuckhead? Probably not. Maybe a stupid fuckhead. He could be stupid for holding his beliefs, yes, but now we’re getting into opinions.
keywork.
April 8, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Stupidity is a learned behavior.
Ignorance is unfortunatly spawned of intellectual sloth.
micky2
April 8, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Freddy;
“it has lots of make out footage you’ll love with George Bush, Jerry Falwell, Ann Coulter, Hitler, and host of other ignorant douchebags.”
Hmm…
You couldnt find any ignorant fucks on the left Freddy ?
And then you had to frost the line up with a mention of Hitler ?
I dont believe these people are ignorant. As a matter of fact they are all higly educated but use the knowledge that supports their issues and beliefs and positions to their advantage, like almost anyone with an opinion.
Hitler has qualifications that I dont believe should be comprable to any one else you mentioned.
micky2
April 8, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Sometimes I call starving children stupid. They’re all “Give us some food this” and “My belly’s distended” that. I mean, Come on. That’s just fat and we all know it.
The 'Goose
April 8, 2008 at 3:54 pm
It’s true. What, no treadmills? Go for a fucking jog.
keywork.
April 8, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Yea, they make Nikes or some fucking sneaker, dont they ?
micky2
April 8, 2008 at 4:19 pm
That’s why I buy Nikes. About one pair every month. I’m doing my part to fight obesity in Vietnam. Well, to be honest, because I’m bitter about our loss in that war. So I support sweatshops. Who’s the asshole now, huh?
keywork.
April 8, 2008 at 4:22 pm
@ Freddy, JohnsonRod: Thanks. I’m glad you enjoy these guys, too.
@ Keywork: I guess they aren’t weird enough for you. It’s cool that you got to see them in their early stages in front of a hometown audience, though.
I watch IFC, LINK_TV, LOGO and Fox News almost exclusively. The only problem with IFC is that it can be repetitive by showing the same film 3 times a day.
Is there some gratification to be had in Charlie working 14 hours a day in a sweatshop? Yeah, I think so. In this sense, we did win the Vietnam war–it just took us a few decades. Communism isn’t communism, anymore. It’s just rice capitalism. A few cats are getting rich as all get-out. The rest are making 10 cents per hour making Toshibas, Panasonics and Nikes for us fat, lazy Americans. But, hey, that’s what they wanted.
Hairy, Soylent Ape
April 8, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Soy, exactly. I’m just making damn sure I do my part to honor our dead.
keywork.
April 8, 2008 at 5:11 pm
And VH-1, Soy. You forgot that one.
The Bagel of Everything
April 8, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I thought VH1 came from the Phillippines. Well, I’ve been wrong before I guess.
keywork.
April 8, 2008 at 5:18 pm
VH1 came from some valley girls asshole
micky2
April 8, 2008 at 5:37 pm
For sure, for sure.
The 'Goose
April 8, 2008 at 6:25 pm
I used to watch VH-1 Classic a lot, but I pretty much saw every program they’ll ever air after 4 months
Hairy, Soylent Ape
April 8, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Ha !
Do any of you young whippersnappers remember when MTV first came out ?
They had like 5 videos they played all day and we were happier than pigs in shit just to have that.
Look at us now, bitching about the fucking zillion options we have
micky2
April 8, 2008 at 7:09 pm
yes I do mick, I discovered it.
capricorn1966
April 8, 2008 at 7:29 pm
they were like, M-tv who?
capricorn1966
April 8, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I discoverd the difference between meat and chicken , so what ?
It was always there.
micky2
April 8, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Chicken isn’t meat?
The Bagel of Everything
April 8, 2008 at 7:50 pm
bagel did you get my email? it fucked up.
capricorn1966
April 8, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I know it was always there. but I started to watch it first and then everyone else followed.
capricorn1966
April 8, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I just checked… it was there but the attachment wasn’t.
Can’t attach with the contact form.
Gimme!
The Bagel of Everything
April 8, 2008 at 7:57 pm
how do you want it?
capricorn1966
April 8, 2008 at 8:06 pm
so how where do I put my links?
capricorn1966
April 8, 2008 at 8:11 pm
The difference is that if you beat your chicken it will die
micky2
April 8, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I replied to your email, cappy, so you’ll have my address.
If you send it to me directly, rather than RR’s contact form, you can put them in however you’d like.
The Bagel of Everything
April 8, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Ha-ha-ha. Good one, Micky!
Soylent Ape
April 9, 2008 at 9:16 am
did you get it little bagel woman?
capricorn1966
April 9, 2008 at 9:58 am
Yes I did, cheater cheatyson.
The Bagel of Everything
April 9, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I get it, too. (fart noise)
Nick Olds
April 9, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I didn’t see you jump at the chance. A tit for a tat. right?
capricorn1966
April 9, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Hey, I showed my tits months ago.
The Bagel of Everything
April 9, 2008 at 12:48 pm
nice. now I really want to lick your pants.
capricorn1966
April 9, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Ghostland have been confirmed to play the Bonnaroo Festival near Nashville this June, which makes an already great line-up even better, in my opinion. So, if it comes down to seeing Ghostland or, say, Gogol Bordello, I dunno which set I’d watch.
Soylent Ape
April 14, 2008 at 6:02 am