Introducing The Sound of the Possessed and exciting announcement for next week...

Just a very quick post: Once again we wanted to note a very welcome development here at Garagerocktopia. Apparently just enough word about us has slipped out and artists are have been submitting music for review. We really appreciate them taking the time to contact us.

It helps that the music has been pretty good, too. We very much appreciate that Jenn Vix have taken the time to do so. Vix was kind enough to send us the first song from her garage/psychedelic project, The Sound of the Possessed, entitled “Intense.”

While The Sound of the Possessed is a new project, Vix herself is very far from a newbie. She has a recording career that stretches back decades. She is a talented singer and mutli-instrumentalist.

Her self-titled first album, released back in 1995, received a most positive review in Rolling Stone. She has also recorded with the likes of David Bowie guitarist Reeves Gabrels.

Much of this East Coast artist’s music has a darker, dreamier mood than much of what we normally profile here. “Intense” would probably be more accurately described as psychedelia than garage, but of course, the line separating the two is a very thin one indeed. If you don't believe that just take a quick listen to the Seeds.

Like many artists, though, her music may have a certain sound to it, she herself has wide-ranging tastes. Some of those tastes would include the kinds of music we feature here.

“When I was a child, I was really into 60s psychedelia; acid rock, and anything that sounded far out,” said Vix, talking to Garagerocktopia by email. “I grew up listening to Electric Prunes, 13th Floor Elevators, The Nazz, The Troggs, Stooges, and anything with loud guitars; lots of fuzz, and screaming. I used to dance around in my pink poncho, dreaming of being in a band that sounds like these bands. It's me fulfilling a dream I've had since 1970, when I was 3 years old.”

Vix’ flowing, soaring vocals, over the plaintive wails of background vocals certainly have a surreal effect and could easily recall an acid-rock show from the Fillmore West in 1969. Thus far, we have only heard one song from this project, but it’s definitely enough to whet our appetite for more. Vix says the approach to The Sound of the Possessed will be a slow one.

 "'Intense' is the first single, and we are going to keep it at singles and EPs, due to streaming services,” Vix explained. “At some point in the future, we might go up to Maine, to record in an analogue studio, and then have that recording mastered and pressed to vinyl. We love records!”

For now, says Vix, The Sound of the Possessed will not tour. If you enjoy the song, though, you may have your chance to hear it live.

“I may include some Sound tracks in with my regular set,” said Vix, “or do two sets a night; one of my own, and one of TSOTP. TSOTP is my drummer, my regular live bassist and of course myself; I also play bass guitar.”

And we’ll certainly look forward to hearing more of this project. 

One other bit of news here at Garagerocktopia. We’re very excited to announce our next feature will be an interview with the Hoodoo Gurus, now available here. For those of you who are so unfortunate not to be familiar with this band, they are one of Australia’s all-time great bands. It’s not just us that think so – the Hoodoo Gurus were inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame in 2007.

From the mid-‘80s to the late ‘90s they were a force on alternative radio, especially here in the United States. The band has few equals at creating fun riffs and energetic songs, and with a strong influence of freakbeat and garage rock bands. They have been personal favorites of ours here at Garagerocktopia for a long time. We feel very honored to have been able to chat with them.

I had a very nice interview with guitarist Brad Shepherd last night. He was seriously cool, which didn’t surprise me at all, but he said some things that actually surprised me, and I’m happy to say they were quite positive. Right now, we’re in the process of setting up an interview with another band member. Look for the story next week, right here at Garagerocktopia, where Rock and Roll LIVES.