Hot off the SXSW showcase train and that insanely incredible cult festival, Burgerama, Guantanamo Baywatch will soon be ready to unleash their bawdy mishmash of classic surf instrumentation and brash garage rock upon Australia for the first time ever with the local supports to boot!
They continue their tradition of filtering AM radio rock n’ roll, surf, and rockabilly through a layer of punk sleaze, into a ribald and frenzied ruckus as their live shows burst with the good times and a raw renegade energy that’s so much more important than an authentic augmented 7th.
This wild Portland trio have drawn comparisons to garage revival pioneers The Gories, The Sonics and The Mummies. Guitarist and vocalist Jason Powell gives a nod toward the 60s, with Dick Dale inspired guitar licks and a primitive blown out strut, Chevelle Wiseman shreds on bass and Chris Scott‘s super tight drums chop, barrel and roll, evoking the finest breaks in the Pacific North West. Guantanamo Baywatch play legit surf rock, with a healthy amount of “I don’t give a shit” ‘tude.
This trio is weird. But hell, it’s a good weird.
Their tight backbone that still hangs loose, paired with reverb-drenched guitar pickings stolen from flamenco and surf rock, and a distinct growling vocal which resembles ex-label mate, Shannon Shaw (of Shannon & The Clams) is just too good to resist.
There’s a bucket load of influences worn on Guantanamo Baywatch’s shirts, from Detroit garage, 50s rockabilly, the Cramps, The Sonics and so on. But who gives a shit about reference points anyways? Every artist has ‘em. And that’s what’s so good about them; the trio fuck with various subgenres, from dusty Western twangs, to the straight-outta-Sun Studios rockers.
It’s Guantanamo Baywatch’s loose swagger and debauchery which has gained great attention across The USA and soon to be Australia. Trust us.. you don’t wanna mis this trio.
And while you’re waiting for the day they arrive, scope out their latest single ‘Too Late‘ off the upcoming album “Darling… It’s Too Late” which’ll be out May 15th via Suicide Squeeze internationally and Create Control | SF Music in Aus.
Guantanamo Baywatch hits Australia’s East Coast and the tickets will be so goddamn cheap!
GUANTANAMO BAYWATCH AUSTRALIAN SHOWS
Presented by Bone Soup & Future Popes
Wednesday 8th April | Barwon Club, Geelong VIC
$10 on the door
Thursday 9th April | The Tote Hotel, Collingwood VIC
with Richie 1250 & The Brides of Christ + Pow Pow Kids
$15 +bf
Friday 10th April | The Eastern Hotel, Ballarat VIC
with Lime Lagoons + Wet Meal
$12 on the door
Thursday 16th April | The Phoenix, Canberra ACT
with Bo Loserr and the Night Shakes + The Shabbab (Melb)
$5 on the door
Friday 17th April | Waywards, Sydney NSW
[Update: This is now the only Sydney show]
with Wet Patch + The Shabbab (Melb)
FREE
Saturday 18th April | Rad, Wollongong NSW
with Los Tones
$12 +BF
tickets via the venues and on the door