Subrosa & Samothrace Tour.

 Subrosa and Samothrace will be hitting the road together for a string of West Coast dates next month. 

11/3    Reno, NV @ Jub Jub’s Thirst Parlor

11/4    Oakland, CA @ Oakland Metro

11/5    Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst Atrium

11/6    San Luis Obispo, CA @ Frankie Tear Drops

11/7    Fullerton, CA @ Slidebar

11/8    Glendale, CA @ The Complex

Samothrace US Tour.

 

2/15    Seattle    WA    The Highline
2/17    Portland    OR    Rotture
2/20    Denver    CO    Aqualung
2/21    Oklahoma City    OK    The Conservatory
2/22    Denton    TX    Rubber Gloves
2/23    Austin    TX    Red 7
2/24    New Orleans    LA     Siberia
2/26    Atlanta    GA    5 2 9
2/27    Raleigh    NC    Slim's Downtown
2/28    Richmond    VA    Strange Matter
3/1    Brooklyn    NY    Saint Vitus
3/2    Philadelphia    PA    Beaumont Warehouse
3/3    Baltimore    MD    Ottobar
3/4    Pittsburgh    PA    Howlers
3/6    Chicago    IL    The Ultra Lounge

Bell Witch Song & Tour.

Seattle’s Bell Witch is a doom metal duo comprised of bassist / vocalist Dylan Desmond (also a member of Samothrace) and drummer / vocalist Adrian Guerra. "Bails (of Flesh)" is the lead off track from the upcoming Longing album duo out on November 13th via Profound Lore. Pre-order HERE.

In the mean time check the band's live show this October.

10/05    Seattle, WA @ The Comet Tavern
10/07    Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
10/11    Fargo, ND @ The New Direction
10/12    Milwaukee, WI @ The Cactus Club
10/14    Indianapolis, IN @ The Melody Inn
10/15    Somerville, MA @ Radio Somerville
10/16    Brooklyn, NY @ The Acheron
10/17    Baltimore, MD @ Golden West
10/18    Philadelphia, PA @ Millcreek Tavern
10/19    Washington, DC @ RAS Restaurant And Lounge
10/20 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter
10/21    Chattanooga, TN @ Sluggo's North Vegetarian Cafe
10/22    Nashville, TN @ The End
10/23    Little Rock, AR @ Downtowm Music Hall    w/ Pallbearer
10/24    Kansas City, MO @ House Show
10/25    Denver, CO @ Blast O Mat
10/26    Salt Lake City, UT @ The Dog Pound
10/27    Boise, ID @ The Shredder

PallBearer & Samothrace Tour Poster.

Samothrace Tour Diary.

The bass player of Samothrace recounts the highs & lows of band's recent West Coast tour for Decibel. Highlights include; Muderfest, Coffins, craps games, beer, whiskey, and vodka.

".....I awoke to find I had no pants, and no one seemed to know anything about their whereabouts. I found them later in the freezer behind some frost-burnt ice cube trays, cold enough to freshly preserve any future offspring I might incur...."

Read the full tour diary HERE.

Coffins US Tour Press Release.

From 20 Buck Spin HQ:

Japan's Coffins is finally making it back to the US after last year's successful East Coast tour. This time they will bring the doom/death to the American West Coast. Going along for the ride are their Oakland label mates Stormcrow. The tour will start in Seattle on April 30th and culminate with both bands appearing at the infamous Los Angeles Murderfest alongside such bands as Samothrace, Eyehategod, Despise You, General Surgery, 16, Abscess, Ghoul and many others.

Coffins released their 3rd LP Buried Death in 2008 to much critical acclaim in the metal world. A split release with Stormcrow will come later in 2009, followed by their 4th LP to be released on 20 Buck Spin in 2010. Stormcrow have a vinyl only split release, Sacred Death, with 20 Buck Spin label mates Laudanum coming out on 20 Buck Spin in April.

The tour dates are as follows:
Thu 4/30 in Seattle, WA @ El Chorazon w/Skarp, Grey
Fri 5/01 in Olympia, WA @ Northern w/Thrones, Sixes
Sat 5/02 in Portland, OR @ Satyricon w/Thrones, Aldebaran
Sun 5/03 in Eugene, OR @ Oak St Speakeasy w/HC Minds
Mon 5/04 in Eureka, CA @ Auntie Moe's
Wed 5/06 in San Jose @ KFJC radio live recording
Thu 5/07 in San Francisco, CA @ Annie's w/Laudanum, Samothrace
Fri 5/08 in Berkeley, CA @ Gilman St w/Aldebaran Sat 5/09 in Los Angeles, CA @ The Knitting Factory (LA Murderfest)

Tiny Mix Tapes Gives A HEAVVVY Review Of Pussygutt.

Pussygutt
She Hid Behind Her Veil
[20 Buck Spin; 2008]
Styles: doom-noise
Others: Hammers of Misfortune, Samothrace, Rakhim
Original review

Even in an era when a huge strain of sub-guitar noiseniks are doing anything they can to sound as dark and ominous as possible, the bands of the 20 Buck Spin label sound, well, just a little extra dark and ominous. It’s at least the case with Rakhim, a positively grimy duo with an excellent doom-noise album to their credit, and now with Pussygutt, who vomit out 45 minutes of impending wrath like vengeful gods with She Hid Behind Her Veil. It makes all the sense in the world that they hale from the methland that is Idaho, as they can’t seem to put together a collage that doesn’t sound dipped in drugs.

A single-track, sitting-on-a-cloud drone excursion that plays like a deathly, wordless after-school special minus the commercials, the cliché images you’d expect march through your mind as Veil unfolds: red, fiery timpanis larger than the earth itself banging out a sparse rhythm; an orchestra of skeletons playing strings atop a floating piece of ice, just drifting to nowhere; decapitated bunnies — you get the idea. It has a dank-dungeon feel and smell, the sound of six-foot nails being driven into the earth, with a downpour of fuzz that doesn’t relent until it’s time to neatly tie it all up with the aforementioned string of strings.

There are more complex thrills out there if you’re looking for obscure product, but Pussygutt is what they is. Don’t begrudge them for that.

1. She Hid Behind Her Veil

by Gumshoe

Samothrace Interviewed In Pitchfork's Show No Mercy Column.

Learn intimate details of Samothrace from their interview posted on Pitchfork last Friday:

The best way to introduce you to Lawrence, Kansas, doom crusts Samothrace is to let you listen to "Awkward Hearts", the second (and shortest) song from their excellent four-song, 47-minute debut, Life's Trade. Think Thou, Sanctum, Asunder, and Zoroaster minus the latter's recent psychedelic noodling. There are a number of delicate passages, more fist pumping/lighter territories than you can count. Much like their sound, the quartet's lyrical content-- the human condition, the powerless becoming powerful-- is bleakly triumphant, no matter how heavy it gets. I caught up with guitarist/vocalist Bryan L. Spinks while the band was on the road-- where they always seem to be.

Pitchfork: How long have you been playing together? Bryan L. Spinks: We have been playing together for three years this fall. We had to form the band via phone and internet due to living situations, mainly one of us in Kansas and two of us in New Mexico.

Pitchfork: How did Samothrace come about? BLS: We conceptualized Samothrace out of the respect we had for one another from our various crust and stoner bands of the past, and the level of musicianship involved. We wanted to play heavy, heavy tunes for the times.

Pitchfork: How does a crusty doom band from Lawrence, Kansas end up with a name referencing an island town in Greece? Looking at the album art for Life's Trade, I'm thinking maybe you're named after the sculpture The Winged Victory Of Samothrace. BLS: We had a few reasons for choosing the name Samothrace, none of which having to do with heritage or lineage. It is said that Homer wrote the story of Poseidon, God of the Sea, from atop the highest peak on the island whilst watching the Trojan war unfold in the sea. We thought that was a good start. As for the statue of Nike; it was discovered at the "Sanctuary of the Great Gods." Thing is, scholars are uncertain as to exactly who/what the "Gods" were. We were thinking that a god(s) fallen to antiquity would be an even better basis. The statue was discovered with no head or arms, defeated. The Goddes of Victory, defeated. Yeah, buddies!

Pitchfork: While we're on the topic, can you discuss the concept behind the cover art? Is it something you collaborated on with the artist? How does it relate to the concepts contained within the record? BLS: After our first bit of artwork from artist Tom Denney, we decided to stick with the imagery of the Winged Goddes of Victory. Tom drew our first shirt design depicting the statue as alive and struggling to break out of this desolate marsh, if you will. We ended up really liking the art/concept, so when we were moving forward on the art for Life's Trade, we thought we'd suggest a continuance of this imagery. All that was said to Life's Trade artist David V. D'Andrea was, "Maybe you'd like to do your own variation on the statue of Nike, the Winged Goddess of Victory, found at Samothrace island?" He did all the rest, and we are extremely stoked with it. We've had lots of positive comments on the artwork. Folks dig. As for relating to the album concepts, not sure how tied in it may actually be. May be a question better suited for Mr. D'Andrea, but I can say that even defeated, broken, and restrained, anything can have a bit of awe left. A bit of life. Perhaps even in death.

Pitchfork: On the topic of lyrics... In "Awkward Hearts" the lyrics refer back to the album title. BLS: "Awkward Hearts" is about the plight of the oppressor and the oppressed, and the dichotomy between them. The basic statement of "Awkward Hearts" is that we are merely a vessel in existence, to be traded freely as those who seek to do so see fit. Basically, we are nothing to those in power, to be traded freely as human commodity. Forcing a meaningless and/or thoughtless existence. The lyric explains to the oppressor that they're pigs in shit for what they've done. To the oppressed, that they're chosen destiny is forced upon them and that all they are is a trade in life's game. The song then goes on to explain, albeit poetically, that life's trade are souls sold, the crushing of ideals and culture, and the merging and destroying of gods and religion. Man, we've heard so many staright forward, cookie cutter lyrics over the years. I wasn't setting out to confuse or beat around the bush, I just wanted to leave it up to the listener. Stretch the brain.

Pitchfork: When I think of Lawrence, I think of Burroughs. Has he had any influence on you guys/your worldview? How about Lawrence, Kansas in general... the landscape or the people or whatever. BLS: Burroughs, nah. Lawrence, maybe? Lawrence is just where we ended up. It's an awesome little town. Good scene for all types of music, good folks, etc... Couple of great bars, too. The metal community there is strong and growing. It's a great stop on those long-ass tours where the midwest is failing you. We call Lawrence "the Dirty South of the Midwest."

Pitchfork: Your take on doom is pretty complex. There's a lot going on... it's ideal headphone music in a lot of ways-- a bunch of layers. There are moments of drone, but a ton of intricate passages with dual guitar interplay, extending soloing, big builds and crashes, extremely delicate passages. Who were some early influences? How did you develop your current sound? Did Sanford add anything in the studio? BLS: As for influences, we are all so varied. It'd take days to explain. We have all been involved in the underground and DIY metal/punk/hardcore community for years. We all started booking shows, playing gigs, and touring when we were teenagers. We were very much involved in these communities in Oklahoma and Kansas. That totally shaped our way of life. As for current sound, we just set out to play detuned doom with our own spin. At least that's what we hope we've done. We knew we wanted a prominent dual guitar sound with intricate bass lines and varied drumming. We started playing together and over the course of a year or so we developed our formula/approach to writing and playing Samothrace's music. Kinda fell into a groove, so to speak. We love traditional doom/stoner metal, but we knew we had to play it differently for ourselves and for y'all.

Pitchfork: Dave (from 20 Buck Spin) "discovered" you guys at a live show, right? BLS: Here is how it went down... Dave was at SXSW in Austin in 2007. He was at a party at our brother Theron's house. Theron had the non-mastered copy of our demo CD I had given him a week or two before in Lawrence. The demo was playing on the stereo and Dave heard it and inquired as to who it was. Immediately upon his return to California he wrote us and asked if we'd be interested in putting out a record on 20 Buck Spin. Needless to say he really dug it and we were equally stoked since the demo hadn't even officially been completed. After some time, here we are.

Pitchfork: Speaking of touring, when I wrote Dave for your info, he mentioned you were stranded in NOLA. What happened? BLSs: Our faithful 1987 Chevy 20, Van Waylon aka Vantoine Lavoisier, finally had to be put to rest, or at least at bay. So, we had to search for another van. We finally got one, but had to cancel two shows due to timing issues. Sorry Pensacola and Tampa! Alas, we are back on the road with a sweet ass new van. Haven't fully decided the name, but we really like Vangela Vansbury or Vantonio Vanderas. We'll figure it out.

Pitchfork: Finally, what's with the photo of the muscle woman at your MySpace? BLS: The muscle woman is [guitarist] Renata's proflie picture. She used to get lots of muscle heads hitting her up. Good shit! Life's Trade is out via 20 Buck Spin. Keep up with tourdates and muscle women at their MySpace.

Samothrace Review On Teeth Of The Divine Today.

Samothrace
Life's Trade
(20 Buck Spin)
Original Review

Hailing from Lawrence, Kansas, Samothrace (not sure if named after the Greek Island or a race of Emperor guitarists) have come out of nowhere with a stunning debut album that mixes the girth and throb of psychedelic sludge/Post Rock (think Minsk and Rwake) with the utterly rending, layered harmonies and beautiful yet wilting melody of Anathema, Morgion or even the Finnish doom/death scene.

Life’s Tradeis 4 songs and just over 45 minutes of draining, soul crushing music that will leave your heart shattered and spent but with a glimmer of hope gleaming through the shroud of despondency. Seriously, the mix of typically fuzzed out Sanford Parker produced sludge/doom, gruff roars, sprawling ambience and truly evocative, layered guitar work might move you to tears-it almost did me.

Opener “La Llorona’s” (”The Crying lady”-named after a child drowning ghost of Mexican folklore) is a moping, heaving monster of lethargy and a slight Southern drawl mingled with the haunting throes of the subject matter. Then, standout track “Awkward Hearts” renders arguably one of the most moving pieces of music I’ve heard in 2008. While my full time job has rendered my an emotionless prick, music still has the ability to physically affect my emotions and the opening delicate strums and cascading peak of “Awkward Hearts” is that rare piece of music that feels like God reaching into my chest, grabbing my heart, wringing it out, and leaving it a withered husk. Think Anathema’s “Lovelorn Rhapsody” and Morgion’s “Canticle” mixed with the crushing ebbs of Isis or Neurosis. Simply fucking amazing.

“Cacophony”, has a tall order to follow, but manages to keep me enthralled initially a heftier, sludgier repast before gently transitioning into a shimmering, psychedelic mid song trip and tumbling, stoner doom ending climax. Closer “Cruel Awake” gives a fittingly despondent , 13 minute endnote with a crumbling, epic lope littered with layered melodic acoustics and again, a slightly hazy, swampy feel and the closing 3 minutes coming close to recreating the sheer mournfull bliss of “Awkward Hearts”.

Like Deadbird, Samothrace isn’t the biggest name in the genre, but by god have they delivered one of the year’s better albums and like Deadbird’s Twilight Ritual, look for Life’s Trade to flirt with my year end list.

Written by Erik Thomas
October 3rd, 2008

Upcoming live dates:
10/04 New Haven, CT @ Rudy's
10/06 New York, NY @ Lit Lounge
10/07 Rochester, NY @ The Pussy Barrel
10/08 Columbus, OH @ Legion of Doom
10/09 Cincinnati, OH @ The Bluerock Tavern
10/10 Toledo, OH @ Ramalama Records
10/11 Chicago, IL @ Metal Shaker
10/12 Milwaukee, WI @ 319 Garfield
10/16 Fayetteville, AR @ The Grill
10/17 Tulsa, OK @ House show
10/18 Oklahoma City, OK @ Conservatory
10/19 Oklahoma City, OK @ Spinks @ Neil Diamond
10/20 Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room
10/22 Lawrence, KS @ The Replay
10/23 Denver, CO @ Blast-o-Mat
10/27 Los Angeles, CA @ House show
10/28 Oakland, CA @ Hazmat
10/29 San Francisco, CA @ Thee Parkside
10/30 Chico, CA @ Monstros Pizza
10/31 Portland, OR @ Halloween house show
11/01 Seattle, WA @ Squid and Ink
11/02 Bellingham, WA @ Green Frog Acoustic Room
11/08 Denver, CO @ Curtis St. Bar
11/10 Vermillion, SD @ Arts Center Undergroung