New Byrds Influenced Bands

[jgidd]

Well I wanted to turn the group onto various Byrds sounding bands if you are not already. I was involved in a real neat scene out in Los Angeles a few years back. I feel that Byrds fans will dig the bands I mention.

First of all I recommend a real Byrdsy, Flying Burrito sounding band called the Beachwood Sparks. It seems that all their reviews always mentiong the Byrds or Gram Parsons. But I've seen them live numerous times and will concur. They're the best. They have a least 3 albums out and the first called Beachwood Sparks is the best, I think.

The second band I recommend is called the Tyde. This band has mutual members of the Beachwood Sparks. The Tyde is more Bob Dylan or Lou Reed sounding but they too are very good. I've seen them live, too. They have 3 albums out. I like "Once" the best.

The third band that I recommend is the Quarter After. This band is Byrds influenced with chimey Rickenbackers and groovy lyrics. It is lead by brothers, Rob Campanella and Dom Campanella. Incidentally, Rob records and produces many of the bands I mention here. I was fortunate to sit in on a Quarter After session a few years back. The Quarter After has only one album out but I hear they are currently working on their second.

And last but not least is the band called the Brian Jonestown Massacre. These guys are pretty outstanding and have had a documentary about them already called "Dig!" This band is the one that really should take credit for this revival in Byrds or psychedelic sound. They have at least a dozen albums out. They are very prolific.

I hope you will check these bands out. They really cook.

You'll find links to them at www.myspace.com/guittard

Look at my top friends to find them.

Jim Guittard

[bill_psyches]

Quarter After are excellent and very Byrdsy in places.
Brian Jonestown are great also.

Also check out Asteroid #4, Alfa9, Lovetones

[karl_teten]

Beachwood Sparks was a very cool band. Too bad they broke up several years ago. I understand the brain behind that group now lives in Santa Cruz and is finishing college.

[jgidd]

Chris Gunst, the brain behind the Beachwood Sparks has been teaching special ed types in Santa Cruz and maybe pursuing psychology degree. Not sure if he currently does but his latest project is Mystic Chords of Memory,
http://www.myspace.com/mysticchordsofmemory

Jim