Strange Culprits - Smiths Creek & Namesake
STRANGE CULPRITS DROP ‘SMITHS CREEK’ & ‘NAMESAKE’
San Francisco’s alt-rock outfit Strange Culprits recently released two new tracks – “Smiths Creek” and “Namesake” – from their forthcoming album, Second Chances.
Strange Culprits
Strange Culprits’ genesis occurred in 2013 when Jason Buckingham decided to stop putting off his dream of making music. Putting together a band of local musicians, he formed Strange Culprits. But nothing comes easy, especially in music. His bass player left. So he purchased a bass guitar and amp for his wife, Sami, who already played the flute, piccolo, sax, and oboe. Sami picked up bass with alacrity, and soon the band, including drummer Tony Loftin, was performing at San Francisco’s hottest venues, followed by releasing their self-titled debut album.
Now, as they’re preparing to release their sophomore album, Second Chances, the band delivers two appetizers to listeners. Both songs probe into the emotions engendered by the reminiscence of both people and places.
There’s an edgy urgency to Jason’s tones, injecting the lyrics with transcendent aromas.
According to Jason, the band’s sound, what he calls the 'Strange Culprits sound,' "comes from being in the midst of this beautiful, crazy thing we call California. It recently occurred to me that we are 100% a California band, with a California sound - even though Sami is the only native Californian. Since the ‘California’ sound covers everything from the Beach Boys and The Byrds to Waylon Jennings, Snoop Dogg, Dead Kennedys, Ariel Pink, Beck, and the Australian originated band The Church, we have quite a bit of latitude within the ambit of that ineffable California sound. If you listen to our songs, it will become self-evident that we take full advantage of that latitude.”
“Smiths Creek” opens on jangly guitars supported by a thick bassline and delicate, finessed drums, imbuing the rhythm with a gentle warm cadence. The melody gleams with light, tantalizing hues, as Jason’s rich, dulcet voice infuses the lyrics with nuances of compelling memories.
“Namesake” travels on heavier alt-rock energy, vaguely akin to Rush, but without the prog-rock sensibility. Glistening guitars ride on forceful percussion and a cavernous bassline. There’s an edgy urgency to Jason’s tones, injecting the lyrics with transcendent aromas.
Both tracks are excellent, demonstrating the deft soundscapes generated by Strange Culprits, deliciously layered and full of alluring coloration.
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