O’Death Have Returned to Save Alt-Country From Itself

There was a time that the term “alt country” didn’t make me reach for my olde timey revolver. In the halcyon days before the earth was overrun with Mumford and his infernal sons. We called this time, historical accuracy be damned, in the name of hyperbole and being amusing on the internet, “2011.” The time of the last O’Death record. O’Death weren’t cutesy and they didn’t wear hats. They were boisterous and ramshackle and didn’t try to hide that the modern world and heavy metal existed and that they met at SUNY Purchase and were a city young man’s take on Appalachian despair. They had beards that ran to the earth’s core and were part of that proud linage that ran as far back through the mists of time to 16 Horsepower, ‘80s era Mekons, and before that, I dunno, Lincoln or some shit. They were great. Then they were displaced by those fiddle bearing atrocities who borrowed melodies Fairport Convention wouldn’t touch on their worst day and who made anachronism precious and maudlin; the antithesis of a high lonesome sound. Mumford and Sons hit the charts and O’Death went to Maine.

OK, except the “O’Death being great” part, this is probably not exactly how it all went down. But Americana is largely based on a misunderstanding of American history anyway so see me on the streets or comment section if you want to slap me with your white glove. POINT IS: O’Death have returned. And we are blessed for it.

Off their forthcoming album, Out of Hands We Go, O’Death has given us a fine track to premiere. “Wrong Time” is a funeral waltz that stomps with plaintive energy. The newly chosen lo-fi production value captures their rediscovered focus on live energy and conjures up the old Memphis band The Grifters, as populated by all the ghosts in Ironweed. Whatever…I’m old and know too many pointless references. MAIN POINT IS: the new O’Death song is sick as hell. Check it out.

Pre-order Out of Hands We Go here. Catch O’Death on tour, or else I’ll beat you with a straw hat:

10/08 – The Half Moon – Hudson, NY (w/ Last Good Tooth) – BUY TICKETS

10/09 – The Bug Jar – Rochester, NY (w/ Mr. Boneless) – BUY TICKETS

10/10 – The Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH – BUY TICKETS

10/11 – Empty Bottle – Chicago, IL – BUY TICKETS

10/13 – Triple Rock Social Club – Minneapolis, MN – BUY TICKETS

10/14 – The Mill – Iowa City, IA – BUY TICKETS

10/15 – The Demo – St Louis, MO – BUY TICKETS

10/16 – Auntie Mae’s Parlor – Manhattan, KS –

10/17 – Zoo Bar – Lincoln, NE – BUY TICKETS

10/18 – Moe’s Original – Denver, CO – BUY TICKETS

10/20 – Neurolux – Boise, ID – BUY TICKETS

10/22 – The Tractor – Seattle, WA – BUY TICKETS

10/23 – Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR – BUY TICKETS

10/24 – Sam Bond’s Garage – Eugene, OR

10/25 – The Depot at Humbolt State University – Arcata, CA – BUY TICKETS

10/27 – The Crepe Place – Santa Cruz, CA

10/28 – Brick & Mortar Music Hall – San Francisco, CA – BUY TICKETS

10/29 – Leo’s – Oakland, CA – BUY TICKETS

10/30 – The Echo – Los Angeles, CA (w/ Guy Blakeslee, Lonesome Leash)

10/31 – Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace – Pioneertown, CA (w/ Gram Rabbit) – info

11/01 – The Wayfarer – Costa Mesa, CA (w/ Guy Blakeslee) – BUY TICKETS

11/02 – Soda Bar – San Diego, CA (w/ All Them Witches, Lonesome Leash) – BUY TICKETS

11/03 – Club Congress – Tucson, AZ (w/ Lonesome Leash) – BUY TICKETS

11/04 – Low Spirits – Albuquerque, NM (w/ Lonesome Leash)- BUY TICKETS

11/06 – Fun Fun Fun Nites – Austin, TX

11/07 – Baton Rouge, LA (w/ Lonesome Leash)

11/08 – The BEATnik – New Orleans, LA (w/ Lonesome Leash)- BUY TICKETS

11/10 – Birmingham, AL

11/11 – The Earl – Atlanta, GA – BUY TICKETS

11/12 – The Pinhook – Durham, NC – BUY TICKETS

11/13 – DC 9 – Washington D.C. – BUY TICKETS

11/14 – The Bell House – Brooklyn, NY (w/ Death Vessel) – BUY TICKETS

11/15 – Middle East Upstairs – Cambridge, MA (w/ Death Vessel) – BUY TICKETS
11/16 – The Space Gallery – Portland, ME (w/ Death Vessel) – info

@ZacharyLipez