RINGO DEATHSTARR

Ambient / Indie / Psychedelic

Austin, TX

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About

Austin, Texas' Ringo Deathstarr have a few things working against them. First, there's that almost too kitschy name. Then there's the fact that they meant to start a Jesus and Mary Chain fanclub, but started a band instead. But the winking self-awareness and punk throttle showcased on "Some Kind of Sad" bring toughness to their geeked-out moniker and put their Reid brothers fandom to good use. Their pulsing layers of feedback and those droll, deadpan vocals are ripped straight from Psychocandy, but the galloping, amphetamine rhythms are harder charging than even the most amped up track on that album. After all, "Some Kind of Sad" flies by in barely two minutes, and the only reason the song is that long is because it features a 20-second outro of humming reverb. Other bands that drink from the same inspirational well mimic the guitar squall or the Ronettes worship, often forgetting just how dangerous or aggressive those early Jesus and Mary Chain songs were. But Ringo Deathstarr builds "Some Kind Of Sad" on a snarling foundation that recalls their influences in attitude as well as execution. This band isn't just the sum of their pedal effects and their record collection, though. With a name like theirs, they were bound to also have a wry sense of humor. So, as if to blunt the criticism that they are too imitative of their heroes, there is actually a moment where they quote them directly, singing, "You taste like honeydew/ Just like honey, too." At least I think that's what they are saying; with vocals buried under a wall of echo, it's hard to know for sure.
- Pitchforkmedia.com on "Some Kind of Sad"

"Do you like Jesus and Mary Chain? Because these kids sure do. Good stuff." - gloriousnoise.com

"Its Fucking Brilliant!" - House of Cuss

"Ringo Deathstarr emit a lovely face-melting reverb.." - Austin Chronicle

"Forget shoegaze, this is Starr-Gaze." - Austin Chronicle

"there’s no denying that the song is just a fantastic way to clean out the post weekend blues." - I Really Love Music

"It's such a joy to listen to. It will annoy the hell out of some people, divide friends, cause frictions between couples. And quite possibly split ageing indie kids down the middle in the 'OK who's side are you on? 'cos you're now working for a living, stopped being veggie, and have a CD player in your car, you bloody sellout!' kinda way. That's what music should do. " - 17 Seconds

"Every once in a while we advise you to drop everything and check something out. This is one of those times. Check out one of the latest signings to Spoilt Victorian Child Records, Ringo Deathstarr. Do it. Do it." - Clicky Clicky Music Blog

"download the taster track from the forthcoming album, pretend it's 1984/85, scribble the word candy down as often as you like and then press play." - Indie MP3

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Comments(5)

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The Walla Recovery, Sep 24, 2007:

blessings...

-zack

Sparlin, Jessels, Apr 26, 2007:

This is wonderful

kim hell, Apr 18, 2007:

i dunno. hopefully soon. i really love your band. it's weird. i hated you the first time i saw you at the art studio ages ago haha. but , i think you've mastered your sound and technique. now, i'm thrilled to see you play. i need to take a trip to austin this summer.

kim hell, Apr 17, 2007:

sup, biaaaatches?