Posted on: August 13, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

We finally have a full length release from New Orleans organist Quintron,  Spellcaster II (Death In Space).  The word “Spellcaster” in the title is both a reference to the Spellcaster Lodge – a New Orleans social club  / recording studio which he and Miss P inhabit– and also a reference to the title of the very first Quintron organ LP, The Amazing Spellcaster (Live at Pussycat Caverns).  That LP came out in 1997 on the now defunct Ann Arbor noise label BULB RECORDS.  BULB was notable for releasing vehemently difficult music and truly not giving a fuck in an era that saw punk rock get polished up and comfortable in the mainstream.   The list of artists whose earliest outings are associated with BULB should be interesting to any fan of primitive noisy music–  ANDREW W.K., MAGAS, KEIJI HAINO, NATE YOUNG (WOLF EYES), ARON DILLOWAY (WOLF EYES), MATH, THE KING BROTHERS, QUINTRON, THE DEMOLITION DOLL RODS, COUCH, VELOCITY HOPKINS, BUNNIES, PREHENSILE MONKEY-TAILED SKINK,  THE TWEEZERS, ETC, ETC.

Although “Spellcaster II: Death In Space” sounds nothing like Spellcaster I, it is in a way a return to form, as the LP abandons the party style shout jams that Quintron and Miss Pussycat have become known for in favor of murky instrumental themes constructed from mostly unidentifiable sounds.  Although there are a few proper songs (Do the Raid / Steve) they are still infected by the overall strangeness this album’s soundtrack style instrumentation.  Lap steel guitar, a recent left hand addition to the one-man Quintron arsenal, features prominently in many of the songs.  There is also plenty of Organ, Drum Buddy, vibraphone, breaking glass, and a new instrument / invention called WEATHER WARLOCK which uses sunlight, rainfall, wind speed, and temperature to affect a constant chordal drone (more on that later).

A handful of these songs will be featured in the soundtrack of a short science fiction film called Mirza The Miraculous directed by New Orleans filmmaker Brent Joseph.  The film is scheduled for release in late 2014.

Oh…and did we mention that there are GUESTS?  Mobile scum punk legend Gary Wrong (aka Chad Booth of Wizard Sleeve / Jeth Row records) plays second guitar on Death in Space.  Peaches and Vice Cooler (both longtime members of the Spellcaster Lodge)  provide some very cult-like monotone backing vocals on the song Steve,  a song that  just so happens to be about fellow BULB records alum Steve Kenny –  known for his droning synth work in the Gary Wrong Group and Demons.  Full circle.

The covers for this release feature a background image by Bulgarian painter IVA GUEORGUIEVA. The front and back of the LP jackets were hand set and printed on turn of the century letterpress machines by Fitzgerald Letterpress in New Orleans.  The fronts were also spray painted by Quintron at the Spellcaster Lodge – 700 neon yellow, 100 neon yellow / glow in the dark, 100 metallic gold, and 100 metallic red.  This printing / painting process is the same as the one used for “Amazing Spellcaster”Live at Pussycat Caverns” (BLB-042).

Pre-Order “Spellcaster II: Death In Space” Here

Track Listing

1. Wonder MT
2. Death In Space
3. Carnival
4. Do The Raid
5. Home Invastion
6. Mirza’s Marsh
7. Somethings Wrong With Jim
8. Steve
9. Fatal Harmonic
10. Death In Space (reprise)
11. Mirza’s Marsh (extended)

Tour Dates:

Sep 4 – Knoxville, TN- Pilot Light
Sep 6 – Lafayette, GA- Cherokee Farm
Nov 2 – New Orleans, LA- Voodoo Festival at City Park
Nov 7 – Memphis, TN- Hi Tone ! *
Nov 8 – St. Louis, MI – Firebird *
Nov 9 – Lawrence, KS- Replay Lounge *
Nov 10 – Iowa City, IA- The Mill *
Nov 11 – St. Paul, MN- Turf Club *
Nov 12 – Milwaukee, WI- Cactus Club *
Nov 14 – Chicago, IL- Hideout *
Nov 15 – Ann Arbor, MI- Blind Pig
Nov 16 – Cleveland, OH- Beachland Tavern
Nov 18 – Buffalo, NY- Buffalo Iron Works
Nov 19 – Toronto, ON- Horseshoe Tavern
Nov 20 – Ottawa, ON- House of Targ
Nov 21 – Montreal, qc – Il Motore
Nov 22 – Winooski, VT – Monkey House
Nov 23 – Portland, ME-The Space Gallery
Nov 25 – Allston, MA- Great Scott
Nov 29 – Brooklyn, NY- Baby’s All Right
Oct 31 – New Orleans, LA – One Eyed Jacks
Dec 1 – Asheville, NC- Double Crown
Dec 2 – Durham, NC- The Pinhook
Dec 3- Savannah, GA- Dollhouse Studios & Productions
Dec 4 – Tallahassee, FL- Club Downunder (FSU)
Dec 8 – Orlando, FL- Will’s Pub #
Dec 9 – Jacksonville, FL- Underbelly #

* w/ BABES
! w/ Manatees
# w/ White Mystery

 

Listen To ‘Death In Space’ On NOISEY

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