The Widespread Reign of The Great Northwest
You know when you’re promoting yourself, like, how it can sometimes be pretty shameless? Especially when you don’t know how badly your shit sucks and no one will tell you? Well lately we (we as in, the weapon) have been contacted by a ton of bands/labels/friends about reviewing their music, and because I maintain a pretty lax environment I have to turn most of them down. Rarely do I have to say no because the music is awful. It’s usually because A. I don’t have time to write, like, EVER, and B. I don’t give assignments to Fantastic Weapon contributors. Lucky for you, me, and The Great Northwest, someone sent me something that I dug so much I was moved to make time for it. This one here’s a gem and I’m stoked to introduce you to it:
The Great Northwest is the brain child of Brian Coates and comes to you straight from where its name suggests - Portland, OR. This project owes its life to shameless self-promotion. The “official bio” on the kora records website (written by Brian Coates) states that eleven years ago, the man with the plan burned 5 copies of some stuff he’d been messing with on a 4-track. He distributed those 5 burnt CDs accordingly: one copy went to Herman Jolly of Sunset Valley, a second copy found its way into the hands of Courtney Taylor from the Dandy Warhols, and the others were handed to Spike Keating (formerly of SWOON/Swoon 23, now with BRMC), and Matt Hollywood (ex member of the Brian Jonestown Massacre). Who else would you give them to, right? Haah… Apparently Courtney Taylor actually called him back, andt hus marks the beginning of a 10-year-musical journey for Mr. Coates. It’s how he ended up playing with the Dandies, touring with Dead Meadow, leaving Portland, ditching the band in Long Beach, moving to Fresno and, somehow, finally returning to Portland. (read the whole bio here, it’s pretty good. Better than my over-exerted brain can bring you at the moment.)
The Widespread Reign of… is the fitting title of The Great Northwest’s debut release, scheduled to hit shelves (physically and virtually) on July 29th. And you know what? Even though I already have the whole album in digital format, I’m probably gonna buy it when it comes out anyway. It’s that good. So what’s it sound like? Let me give you a heads up: I promise you will hate it if you didn’t like 13 Tales From Urban Bohemia. While the lyrics aren’t nearly as trite and the subject matter is much less hip, it proves that Brian is either still a Dandy at heart, or that the Dandy’s were just a reflection of what The Great Northwest was to become. However you decide to hear it, there’s no denying the simple fact that The Widespread Reign of The Great Northwest is a fantastic record. The end.
Proof in the pudding:
The Great Northwest - Chief John
Obligatory buy link: the kora records online store.
(honorable mention: Swoon 23 - Atom Smasher)
June 30th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
[...] bookmarks tagged the dandy warhols The Widespread Reign of The Great Northwest saved by 4 others Shukakugaara2089 bookmarked on 07/01/08 | [...]