Guantanamo Baywatch. Soak in that name for a second. Now imagine a sandy beach, with one of those colorful umbrellas, clean waves, and maybe a handful of psychedelic lizards drunk on sex and mescalin chilling beneath the blazing sun. That’s about as close as you’ll get to the vibe of this Portland-based three-piece band. And though Jason Powell, Chevelle Wiseman and Chris Scott look like a bunch of punks, these lizards are pure surf rock, with a little bit of raw sludge power. Take a listen.
In a time when musical genres are about as relevant as a pile of pogs, it’s refreshing when a surf band actually sounds like a surf band. With clear and classic Dick Dale influences, a bit of the Mummies, and some subtle Buddy Holly vocal interpretations, Guantanamo Baywatch stand apart from the run-of-the-mill approach all the other kids are taking. Check out these guys on tour, and don’t forget: lizards drunk on sex and mescalin. –Maya Eslami
Guantanamo Baywatch Tour Dates:
THU MAR 3 – San Francisco CA, Bottom of the Hill w/ Meat Market, Gooch Palms
FRI MAR 4 – Los Angeles CA, The Smell w/ Gooch Palms
SAT MAR 5 – Long Beach CA, Made in Long Beach w/ Gooch Palms, Bud Overdose
SUN MAR 6 – Tucson AZ, Think Tank w/ Gooch Palms
MON MAR 7 – Santa Ana CA, The Observatory w/ Gooch Palms
THU MAR 10 – Atlanta GA, Star Bar w/ Gooch Palms
FRI MAR 11 – Jacksonville FL, Burro Bar w/ Gooch Palms
SAT MAR 12 – New Orleans LA, Siberia w/ Gooch Palms
SUN MAR 13 – Houston TX, Walters Downtown w/ Shannon & the Clams, Gazebos, Gooch Palms
WED MAR 16 – Austin TX, SXSW @ Hotel Vegas for Good Vibes
THU MAR 17 – Austin TX, SXSW @ She Shreds Warehouse for She Shreds Fest
THU MAR 17 – Austin TX, SXSW @ Austin Beer Garden for Untapped Fest
FRI MAR 18 – Dallas TX, The Spillover @ Club Dada
SAT MAR 19 – Austin TX, SXSW @ Hotel Vegas for Burgermania
SUN MAR 20 – San Antonio TX, Paper Tiger w/ Gooch Palms
MON MAR 21 – El Paso TX, Exit 19 Music Fest w/ Gooch Palms
TUE MAR 22 – Phoenix AZ, Rhythm Room w/ Gooch Palms
THU MAR 24 – Los Angeles CA, Non Plus Ultra w/ The Memories, Gooch Palms
SAT APR 2 – Las Vegas NV, Bunkhouse w/ Gooch Palms