Seattle post-punks Nazca Lines release their new album ‘Hyperventilation’ out 23rd of August through Stressed Sumo records, download the FREE TRACK ‘This Crippled Devil’ as a taster below, showing all the the urgency At the Drive in and political consciousness of Black Flag. Recorded at the Red Room in Seattle with producer and Minus the Bear founder Matt Bayles, whose recent production work includes Mastodon, ISIS and Russian Circles.
Formed in the summer of 2005 by Brett Wedeking (guitar) and Cory Alfano (guitar), Nazca Lines emerged as Seattle’s answer to the post-punk movement, paved by bands such as Fugazi, At The Drive In, and Drive Like Jehu. The original lineup was rounded out by Brad Curran (bass), Scot Porter (drums) and Brett’s brother Garin Wedeking on lead vocals. The band immediately began to cut its teeth locally and throughout the surrounding Pacific northwest.
In the Spring of 2007, the band entered Seattle’s legendary London Bridge Studios to record their first full-length record with producer Jonathan Plum. This one week effort served as what would be the catalyst for the band’s unique blend of punk and energetic, noisy rock & roll. Cremation/Cruises was self-released in August 2007.
Like many young bands, Nazca Lines suffered some fairly immediate growing pains with the exit of both Curran and vocalist Garin Wedeking. But with a relentless drive to pursue what they’d started, the remaining members quickly introduced bassist Ryan Minch into the fold, and Alfano took over the reins of lead vocalist. The newly fine-tuned four piece returned to the road in support of their debut release, spreading the Nazca gospel with resilient fervor and a healthy dose of punk DIY ethos.
Looking to explore new endeavors in Europe, drummer Scot Porter left the band with yet another hole to fill in 2009. But with the founding core members determined to press on, they soon found a permanent replacement in Andrew King, rounding out the current incarnation of the band. With a renewed sense of drive and stability, this new lineup set their sights on writing a sophomore release.
The band spent the greater portion of 2010 refining the sound they’d been honing for the past 5 years, expanding on the Nazca Lines blueprint and exploring new creative territories. The groundwork was set, and the band found themselves finally creating the music eagerly envisioned from the onset. Partnering up with the UK’s Stressed Sumo Records, the band scheduled a coveted slot with visionary producer Matt Bayles (Mastodon, Isis, Minus The Bear) and entered Red Room Studios in January of 2011.
With a nod to classic punk aesthetic and a fresh, energetic approach, Hyperventilation showcases the band at their most ambitious. Intricate guitar lines, steady, driving melodies, and bombastic bursts of pissed-off punk angst are a welcome revolutionary war cry in a modern music scene saturated in irony and tired clichés. Nazca Lines are determined to inject some real life back into the world’s dry, weary veins.
A 3-song sampler released by Stressed Sumo has already found critics and fans raving both domestically and abroad. With eyes fixed firmly on the future’s horizon, Nazca Lines currently sharpen their skills and solidify tour plans. Hyperventilation will be available in stores and online August 22nd.
Stressed Sumo Records was set up in Derby, UK in 2007 by “Therapy?” drummer Neil Cooper and Phil Rhodes.
Links:
Nazca Lines:
www.myspace.com/nazcalines
