Halloween night finds me…handing out candy? Smashing pumpkins? No, better than all that but still very appropriate to Halloween. I’ve just been introduced to Damon and the Heathens - what a rad new band! This is definitely a group to keep your eyes and ears on. These guys do a picturesque job of blending funk/big-band blues with punk rock and a hint of mo-town - seriously, you can almost hear the avant-garde movie they must have been scoring when you listen to their tracks.

For starters, check out the fully produced tunes they’ve churned out recently. All three studio samples on their myspace are quite impressive and I don’t say this lightly. I’ve worked with local bay area artists from pretty much every walk of life and stylistic combination. In my experience, tunes such as the ones Damon and the Heathens have created don’t happen by mere accident. I hear a great deal of thoughtful creativity (as well as spontaneous inspired energy) in these songs - from the songwriting and arranging straight through to the round, old-school analog feel of the production technique. “Telephone Wire” is my favorite but “Istanbul” and “Trite Life” are right up there - I love the way “Trite Life” incorporates a live club atmosphere. Nicely done, Heathens.

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