“Electric Citizen have barely been together a year and this gnarly cut [‘Burning In Hell’] melds 60s organ-stoked psychedelia with a fuzzed up 70s stomp. Meanwhile singer Laura Dolan’s witchily layered vocals set Electric Citizen apart from other retro-revivalists.”
VICE Noisey
“They take cultish cues from European acts like The Devil’s Blood and Mansion, but strip away the religious iconography to leave behind an earthy psychedelic swirl. The retro-style production, especially one so ably done, is a rarity among American acts, who usually bring such influences to bear with a modern feel, but Electric Citizen sound like old pros on their first outing.”
The Obelisk
Following on from the premiere of ‘Burning In Hell’ on VICE’s Noisey earlier this year and limited edition releases on The Crossing and Breathe Plastic Records, the winners of this year’s Best Rock Band honour at the 2014 Cincinnati Entertainment Awards release their hotly tipped debut this July.
Formed just over a year ago by guitarist Ross Dolan, vocalist Laura Dolan, Nick Vogelpohl (bass) and Nate Wagner (drums) Electric Citizen have had a busy year turning heads and ears onto their dark and esoteric style of haunting and unhallowed ’60s West Coast rock, and decidedly British-influenced heavy psychedelia.
Like records by similarly late 60s/early ’70s-possessed anti-modernists Blood Ceremony, Wolf People and Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, over nine tracks Sateen provides a blueprint for long term appreciation. Recorded and produced by fellow Ohioan and local stalwart Brian Olive (The Greenhornes, Soledad Brothers) the album draws on sounds synonymous with the roots of early ’70s proto-metal from groups such as Sir Lord Baltimore, Pentagram, Cream and the daemonic spirit of Amon Düül. Not to mention the comparisons it draws with the rock ‘n’ roll ceremony of forgotten acts like Frumpy and Shocking Blue when held up against the spellbinding light of high priestess Laura Dolan’s enigmatic voice and live presence.
From the cloudy and mystical swirl of ‘Hawk Nightingale’ to the shades of folk metal on ‘Shallow Water’, Electric Citizen pitch scholarly interpretations of the old guard in new and electrifying ways and not always from the vaults of forgotten masters. Take new single ‘Light Years Beyond’ with it’s swirling and ferocious concoction of guitars and drums or ‘Magnetic Man’ with its unabashed nod to Heart and classic Black Sabbath. Just a handful of many songs here that showcases just how good the band is at dropping sonic needles into the grooves of records that all serious rock ’n’ roll lovers hold dear.
After performing recent shows with Dead Meadow, Spirit Caravan and The Sword the band are currently on the road as official support to stoner rock Gods Fu Manchu on their North American tour. ‘Light Years Beyond’ is released on 20 May 2014 and paves the way for Sateen which will be officially released via RidingEasy Records on 1 July 2014. The artwork for the album has been created by acclaimed artist Neil Krug who has previously worked with The Horrors, Lana Del Ray and Boards Of Canada).
Already tipped by some as one of the year’s most exciting debuts it marks the start of a promising journey for a band you need to hear.
Electric Citizen:
Ross Dolan – Guitar
Laura Dolan – Vocal
Nick Vogelpohl – Bas
Nate Wagner – Drums
Web – electriccitizenband.com
Bandcamp – electriccitizenband.bandcamp.com
Store – www.easyriderrecords.com/shop/
Twitter – @electriccitizN
Facebook – www.facebook.com/ElectricCitizen
Instagram – @electriccitizenband
Live Dates:
14 May – GROG SHOP, Cleveland, OH (w. Fu Manchu)
16 May – LEE’S PALACE, Toronto, ON (w. Fu Manchu)
17 May – CABARET MILE END, Montreal, QC (w. Fu Manchu)
19 May – MERCURY LOUNGE, New York, NY (w. Fu Manchu)
20 May – THE SINCLAIR, Boston, MA (w. Fu Manchu)
21 May – BARBARY, Philadelphia, PA (w. Fu Manchu)
23 May – ROCK & ROLL HOTEL, Washington, DC (w. Fu Manchu)
24 May – KINGS, Raleigh, NC (w. Fu Manchu)
25 May – EARL, Atlanta, GA (w. Fu Manchu)
27 May – RED 7, Austin, TX (w. Fu Manchu)
28 May – GAS MONKEY, Dallas, TX (w. Fu Manchu)
31 May – PUB ROCK LIVE, Mesa, AZ (w. Fu Manchu)
1 June – TBA, Albuquerque, NM
2 June – BLACK SHEEP, Colorado Springs, CO
3 June – RIOT ROOM, Kansas City, MO
RidingEasy Records:
Formed in 2013 out of the sleepy beach town of Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles, RidingEasy Records (formerly EasyRider Records) is dedicated to unearthing the finest in heavy psych, doom, stoner and heavy rock. Products include limited edition runs of vinyl and cassettes with creative packaging and the label has eleven bands currently signed to its roster; Electric Citizen, The Well, Salem’s Pot, Slow Season, Albino Python, Sons of Huns, Black Prism, Old Man’s Will (US only), Monolord, Shooting Guns and Spiral Shades. RidingEasy Records has also secured the exclusive rights to cassette releases by Sleep, Witchcraft, Kadavar, Graveyard, Valfader, FUZZ and Orchid with more titles to come.
Official Site – easyriderrecords.com
Facebook – facebook.com/easyriderrecords
Twitter – @easyriderrecord
Instagram – @easyriderrecord
YouTube – youtube.com/user/easyriderrecords
SoundCloud – www.soundcloud.com/easyriderrecords
Track Listing:
1. Beggar’s Need
2. Magnetic Man
3. Queen Of Persuasion
4. Savage
5. Hawk Nightingale
6. Shallow Water
7. The Trap
8. Light Years Beyond
9. Burning In Hell
New single 7″ ‘Light Years Beyond’ released on 20th May 2014:
Track Listing:
1. Light Years Beyond
2. Ghost Of Me
For pictures, promo, interview requests and guest list please contact Richard S Jones atrichard@shelteredlifepr.com / 07854610592.
PLEASE NOTE: The tracks shared here are for review purposes only, please do not use or broadcast without written permission from RidingEasy Records. For more information please contactinfo@easyriderrecords.com
Sheltered Life PR /// 