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Fat Spirit Continue to Bring Their Grungey Vibes on Latest Tracks

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A little “post-punk, a lot of psychedelic, a little bit of krautrock and shoegaze.” If that splendid mix of music doesn’t pique your interest then there’s no hope for you. That’s how Fat Spirit guitarist Ian McQuary described their latest sound when we caught up with the band last year. The Richmond four-piece was just about to drop their album, “Nihilist Blues,” via Citrus City Records that April and since then, the guys have been busy putting their own spin on grunge and performing around town.

Oh yeah, they’ve also been in the studio quietly cooking up some good stuff for our souls. For your Monday afternoon listening pleasure, Fat Spirit has just dropped not one, but two new tracks through Citrus City.

The songs, “Cul De Sac” and Ace of Cups,” are just a little teaser of the band’s upcoming material slated to come out sometime in the fall.

On “Ace of Cups,” singer/guitarist John Graham said its all about the choices or in some cases, vices, that end up shaping our life in one way or another.

“There are many things you can give yourself over to: beers, Instagram, friendship, selfishness, love, capitalism, self-righteous anger. Every time you make a choice you pledge allegiance and those things own stock. The choices you make can own you, so choose wisely.”

“Cul De Sac” dives into the toll toxic friendships can have and the struggles that come with having to start over. “In the recent past, I found myself giving a lot of my energy to friends that needed help but left me half broken,” Graham said. “I was struggling to be there for people while experiencing broken trust and abuse. During this time we underwent a restructuring of our band that found us basically starting over. The song is about trusting your intuition in the wake of calamity and overcoming the self-doubt that can accompany starting from scratch.”

These two releases are part of a special run of cassingle tapes. Fat Spirit’s full-length album is slated to drop this October and the band plans to tour the East Coast to promote the record. Give them a listen and keep your eyes peeled for more on their forthcoming release.

 

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

Movement with DJ Cortes and DJ Devolved at Little Saint

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New Wave, Post-Punk and Synthpop from DJ Cortes and DJ DEVOLVED (Vinyl Conflict) 👌👽
No cover, late night drink and snack specials till close or till we run out 👀

Movement is a Richmond-based all-vinyl DJ event focused on getting y’all to groove and move with us to an eclectic mix of tunes from the post-punk spectrum: new wave, goth rock, synthpop, jangle pop, no wave, punk-funk – you get the gist. In addition to spinning post-punk records, Movement works to bring local and out-of-town post-punk acts onto the stage.

RVA’s Lance Bangs drop new single ‘Wash’, catch them at Strange Matter 3/18

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Local alt rock band Lance Bangs has dropped a catchy, quick new single “Wash” via local indie label Citrus City Records.

The three-piece group has developed steadily and significantly over the years, starting with high school sessions to where they are today. Formerly named Colin Thibodeauxxx, the band initially played the guitarist/vocalist Colin Thibodeau’s solo work. As their sound began to develop outside of the solo material, the trio changed their name to better suit themselves as a band and became Lance Bangs.

The group, consisting of Thibodeau, Joel Alicea on bass, and Drew Lanzafama on drums, released their first EP under the name, Lance Mountain, September of last year both with Citrus City Records and Danger Collective Records.

In a very do it yourself fashion, the EP was recorded in their basement. But before you assume a low-quality Richmond-esque basement sound, think again. Using Thibodeau’s dad’s recording equipment, the band put together a crisp and layered yet simple, high-quality sound that you’d think was professionally recorded in a studio.

“I like to call us…we’re clearly not what you’d think of as bedroom pop, but maybe bedroom rock,” Thibodeau said in an interview with RVAMag last year. “We do it all ourselves, and we write all these songs in a basement or a bedroom.”

“Wash” follows the same kind of bedroom-rock style Thibodeau was talking about. It’s short and sweet, but the almost math-like sound makes you think that it couldn’t of risen from a simple jam sesh, which is what makes it so impressive. While you can recognize that Lance Mountain sound, the single is another step in their evolution as a group.

Lance Bangs has been taking that beloved DIY Richmond spirit with them outside the city. The band hit the East coast last year, playing major cities like Miami and New York City. And according to our last chat, they plan to continue getting out there and spreading the love. The group hopes to have more out this summer and we’re eagerly awaiting.

Catch Lance Bangs March 18th at Strange Matter alongside Vundabar, Sports, and Fat Spirit.

Photo by Katelyn Kibler

Former Fire Bison vocalist/guitarist Adrienne Shurte on her new post-punk band Magnus Lush before Gallery5 show tonight 11/6

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Take the powerhouse persona of punk legend Joan Jett, mix in the 90s sounds of Pavement, the grunge of Garbage and a little of The Cranberries with a harder-in-your-face edge and you have [Read more…] about Former Fire Bison vocalist/guitarist Adrienne Shurte on her new post-punk band Magnus Lush before Gallery5 show tonight 11/6