B-17 play Friday (December 7) at Rainbow Palace. See listing. Rating: NNN
Two of Optical Sounds’ original bands – the Hoa Hoa’s and Action Makes – are now on indefinite hiatus, but those heroes of the local psychedelic micro-label aren’t ready to step aside for the next generation of wah-wah addicts just yet. Members of both bands, plus one from Easy Targets, have combined to form B-17.
The quartet’s debut record is only five songs long but hardly sounds like a young band tinkering with its sound. Instead, their identity comes fully formed, a result of both the players’ experience and their pooled record collection: some Spacemen 3, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Velvet Underground, Stooges and even a bit of Doors for good measure.
The songs vary from rock scorchers to spacey jams, and they all find a groove and ride it, with dreamy vocals, effects-heavy guitars and the kind of relaxed charisma that comes from countless hours gigging at smoky, off-venue psych parties.
Top track: Bad Situation
