by Dan Goldin (@paintingwithdan)
They say a band has all the time in the world to release their debut album, so why not take the time to earn your reputation as an impeccable live band? This is exactly what Los Angeles’ Guck did, honing their manic craft with years of performances, developing their explosive noise punk in the process. Three years since their formation, the quintet are set to release Gucked Up, the band’s debut album, due out August 29th via Three One G (Stress Positions, Fuck Money, All Leather). The record is sordid, deranged, and sonically violent in the best of ways, rooted in an unpredictable atonal terror that feels right for the times. Gucked Up is also undeniably fun, the spirit of reckless energy coursing through its sinewy veins. The band have boiled down no wave, art punk, and noise rock to create something piercing and unhinged, a collaborative discordance.
Following the release of their debut single, “IDGAG,” the band are sharing the hypnotic “GUBAR,” a song that oozes and pulses, the repetition of the chord progression pounding away like a sledgehammer to pavement. While the riff is locked into a psych tinged dread, it gives room for both the drums and vocals to explore, each embracing the opportunity as they come unglued with their own ruthless charm. Kyle Bray’s rhythm feels ferocious, shifting tempos at will, digging in one moment and erupting the next. April Gerloff’s vocal performance is equally animated, taking the point of an old timer chewing out the youth, tales from “back in my day”. Transfixed and finger wagging at onset, there’s an eventual turn for the furious and corrosive.
Speaking about the track, Guck’s Kyle Bray (drums) shared, “this came out of a 25+ minute improv session and we thought it would be funny to play only one chord the entire time with slight variations on the rhythm. It became a WWE walkout song with lyrics about how nobody wants to work anymore. Andrew (Morrill)’s bass lines are doing a lot of heavy lifting in this one.” Chappy Hull (guitar) added, “the first time April sang the titular “HEY GUYS” was bone-chilling in the most perfect way. I don't think any of us were expecting it, just trying to get our caveman rhythms in line.”