Straytones are an psychedelic rock/garage rock band from Kiyv, Ukraine and they have just released their third offering, a three track, ten minute long EP rather grandly called Beware, Dark Lord! Here Comes The Bell-Man. The three-piece band are Artem on guitars and vocals, Marina on drums and vocals, and bassist Vova. Should you wish to check them out online, be aware that there is an “acoustic dance band’ called The Straytones operating out of LA and specialise in weddings! That is definitely not the case here as the opener, ‘Dark Lord’ fires up in a fuzzy garage rock style, a bit like Blue Cheer in its make up. The track isn’t bad and soon gets you interested and although the vocals aren’t that decipherable, the riff and solo is enough to carry it. The closing feedback and sytnth lead straight into ‘Abyss’, 81 seconds of noise linking the two longer tracks.
The closing track, ‘Bell-Man’ is faster and has a great riff. This time the vocals are performed by Marina in a captivating way while the wig-out backing continues over her serenity. The central section has a brilliant bass line while synth and fuzzed, echoed chords carry on to a climax of feedback and fuzz.
A short but actually sweet EP of psychedelia with a few unique touches. Lots of fun if you like the garagey fuzzed up approach. It will remain on my iPod and will entertain when it turns up.
