When it comes to following the beat of their own drum, New York’s Psychic Ills have exemplified the phrase since their beginnings in 2003.
Initially spawned from electronic-centered home recording experiments, they progressed into all-night full-band exploration in a neighborhood where noise wasn’t a problem.
They soon after evolved into a live band seemingly at home within the extended jam, exploring a variety of musical terrain. The early years saw several releases for Social Registry, tons of time on the road, and collaborations with artists as diverse as Gibby Haynes (Butthole Surfers) and Sonic Boom (Spacemen Three/ Spectrum).
Psychic Ills | I’ll Follow You Through The Floor
httpv://https://youtube.com/watch?v=s3rGjLaJmC4
In 2011, their first effort for Sacred Bones, Hazed Dream traded in the synthesizer space-outs and raga rumbles, and delivered a record of sunburned psych pop, awash in warm tones and blues damaged songwriting.
In 2012 they did two full US tours including a stop at Austin Psych Fest, and had their first trip to China. In August of 2012 they released the song “Take Me With You” as a split 7″ with Moon Duo.
Psychic Ills | Mantis
httpv://https://youtube.com/watch?v=biqIzFkIo08
They recorded One Track Mind, their fourth full length, this fall. The album features collaborations with and some production by Neil Michael Hagerty of Royal Trux/The Howling Hex and features artwork by former 13th Floor Elevators songwriter and artist Powell St. John.
There will also be a limited value-add covers 7″ available on initial orders, containing the Ills’ takes on The Godz’ “Radar Eyes” and private press psych pop obscurity Cosmic Michaels’ “Cosmic Michael Theme”. One Track Mind is perhaps the most straight-forward rock record the Ills have ever made. The drum keeps beating and they keep following it…
Psychic Ills | Mind Daze
httpv://https://youtube.com/watch?v=ugue9uLoHbU
Berlin-based Multi-instrumentalists Alex Samuels, Max Gassman, Cristoph Adrian and Dave Youssef aka Brass/Choir are committed to switching instruments and writing each other’s lyrics in order to allow each instrument to speak with multiple voices and each voice to speak from the depths of multiple psyches.
Or is it one? Thematically, the band’s focus has long been mental illness, unveiled through a combination of rapturous improvisation and sublime songwriting and reminiscent of such diverse acts as Bongwater, The Replacements, Faust, The Stranglers, Wipers, Roky Erickson and Aoxomoxoa-era Grateful Dead—sometimes in sound, occasionally in spirit. The sound is a shifting and shadowy amalgam of treated hollow body guitars, Farfisa organ, synthesizer and percussion, and drums.
Brace/Choir | Rebel Roar Cheyenne
httpv://https://youtube.com/watch?v=_-pRuodtUDY
The band has played Berlin’s most important under- and overground venues, including the Berghain, Kater Holzig and Wilde Renate. They’ve also opened for such diverse acts as Kurt Vile in Leipzig and doom supergroup Shrinebuilder.
Festival appearances include 2011’s Friction Fest and multiple Fusion Festivals. Their debut LP, Mirror Turning on Your Double will be out in early 2014, label TBA.
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Psychic Ills & Brace/Choir LIVE
Friday, 11 October 2013 | 22:00 CET
Urban Spree | Revaler Str. 99 | 10245 Berlin/Friedrichshain
psychicills.com | bracechoir.com | urbanspree.com
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