| The Warlocks | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Los Angeles, California |
| Genres | art rock, psychedelic rock, neo-psychedelia, alternative rock |
| Years active | 1999–present |
The Warlocks are an American rock band based out of Los Angeles. Their music has been defined as neo-psychedelia, but much of it spans multiple genres.
Contents |
After forming in America during 1999, the ever-changing personnel of The Warlocks meant that the band had already toured nineteen different members before it was slimmed to the seven-piece outfit that established their reputation. Consisting of Bobby Hecksher (Vocals/Guitar), J.C. Rees (guitar, feedback), Corey Lee Granet (guitar, tapes), Bobby Martinez(Bass), Laura Grigsby (Tambourine/Keys), Bob Mustachio (Drums) and Jason "Plucky" Anchondo (Drums).
The Warlocks consists of some core musicians, as well as a number of collaborators at any one time.
Current line-up:
Also:
Former:
Leader Bobby Hecksher grew up in Tampa Bay, Florida where his grandfather owned a radio station where his mother also worked as a secretary.
At sixteen his family left the swamps and moved to Los Angeles where Bobby frequented the 'Mad Hatter' club. After meeting Beck he played bass on the former's 1994 album Stereopathetic Soulmanure. Upon visiting Anton Newcombe, of whose work he was a fan, he moonlighted in The Brian Jonestown Massacre, for whom he played guitar and bass;[1] also contributing 'fuzz guitar' on their 2001 album Bravery, Repetition and Noise. He also attended parties with Timothy Leary as a result of his time in Hollywood-based performance art/rock ensemble The Don Knotts Overdrive (DKO), which would later become the alternative rock band Headset. Throughout the 1990s, he formed bands such as Charles Brown Superstar (with Bennett Rogers), Magic Pacer (with Bob Mustachio), and played keyboards with The Don Knotts Overdrive.
The band's debut album "Rise & Fall" was released on Bomp records in 2000. A worldwide deal with Mute (in conjunction with City Rockers in the UK and with Birdman in America) led to the release of "Phoenix" in 2003. The single's extra tracks featured two songs from the album recorded on their British tour, "Inside Outside" and "Hurricane Heart Attack". The latter includes a guest appearance from ex-Spaceman 3 front man Sonic Boom.
First Bob Mustachio, then Jenny Fraser joined, 'Surgery' was released by Mute in 2005.
In Oct 2007 a new album "Heavy Deavy Skull Lover" was released on Tee Pee Records and the band toured as a six-piece. The record is considered to be 'darker' and more influenced by Shoegaze music than the rest of the group's work.[2]
"The Mirror Explodes" followed in 2009, also released on Tee Pee.[3]
| Release date | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| November 11, 2000 | The Warlocks (EP) | Bomp! Records |
| October 16, 2001 | Rise and Fall | Bomp! Records |
| 2002 | Phoenix (EP) | Birdman Records |
| November 5, 2002 | Phoenix (album) | Birdman Records Mute Records |
| August 23, 2005 | Surgery | Mute Records |
| October 23, 2007 | Heavy Deavy Skull Lover | Tee Pee Records |
| May 19, 2009 | The Mirror Explodes | Tee Pee Records |