Currently comprised of Ryan Perras (vocals, guitar), Peter Niven (vocals, guitar). John Murgueitio (drums), Brendan Frye (saxophone), Fred Brott (organ) and Kevin Mohn (bass), the Oakland, CA-based sextet The Atom Age originally formed in 2009, and over the years they’ve developed a reputation for a sound that draws from 60s proto-punk and garage rock, R&B — and have been compared to the likes of Link Wray, The Murder City Devils, Hot Snakes and Rocket From The Crypt. They’ve also developed a reputation both across the country for a high energy live show, and interestingly, like most punk-orientated bands they built up their reputation through relentless touring and word-of-mouth.
After making quite of noise in the Bay Area, Asian Man Records signed the band and release their sophomore effort in 2012. After taking a break from touring last year, the members of The Atom Age spent time honing their sound, recruiting a six member, who would play transistor combo organ and then writing the material that would wind up comprising their forthcoming third full-length effort, Hot Shame, slated for an August 28 release.
The album’s second and latest single “Wasteoid” consists of propulsive and persistent drumming, explosive horn lines, surfer rock-like guitar chords, twisting and turning organ chords and howled vocals throughout, and it gives the song a raw, sleazy feel; in fact, it sounds as though Iggy and the Stooges decided to cover “The Twist” in a dingy, sweaty club — and it’s fucking awesome.
The official video was shot throughout Northern California and features an Elvis impersonator driving around in a gorgeous pink Cadillac, strutting and dancing about town and being a total badass in exact tune to the actual song.
Discover more from The Joy of Violent Movement
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.