by Ed Solt
Dirty Hippie Radio began with the purpose “to expand people’s minds.” Founded by former Easy Reader music columnist Jeff Vincent, the online radio station plays to the underground. It includes bands from different genres: surf, psychedelia, blues, and experimental, the latter best expressed as the “wtf?” genre (exemplified by DHR’s love of San Pedro neanderthals “FartBarf”).
When DHR launched in the late aughts, the chirps of Sublime-ish reggae and commercial punk rock, with a few exceptions, made up the South Bay music scene. Vincent was active in the South Bay music scene, promoting acts featured on DHR. He facilitated the local booking of one of DHR’s first featured bands, LA’s Allah-Las, who would subsequently go on to nationwide indie rock fame. At the time, the jangly, surf-inspired sunshine-drenched 60s pop band had yet to break through, but still commanded a following. In the crowd for that show were mostly people from LA, and friends of the band; the South Bay’s musical taste was not ready.
Appreciation for DHR’s attempt at expanding local musical minds has skipped a generation. Vincent’s curation of sound has struck a chord with a younger generation who are more hip to Wes Montgomery than Fletcher Dragge.
One of the DHR inspired bands is Redondo Beach’s Apache Wilds, headed by lead singer and guitar player Michael Landon. His group is continually inspired by the eclectic nature of DHR.
“Our inspirations are all over the place with a common theme of improvisation,” said the 25-year-old Landon. “Flamenco, 80s post-punk, jazz, bossa nova.”
Landon’s vocal delivery possesses hints David Byrne’s offbeat pronunciations, especially during Byrne’s heyday as lead singer of the Talking Heads. He sometimes diverts into protopunk rocker Richard Hell-esqe squeals (Richard Hell and the Androids, Television). Landon’s raunchy yet elegant guitar playing backs all his vocal antics.
Landon trades off songwriting and vocal duties with a female force, Iris, whose voice teeters along similar variations as New Wave diva Debbie Harry of Blondie. Sometimes she sounds like the pop-sensible Harry; at other times, her improvisational of scat singing evokes Harry’s toughness when she first emerged from the gritty club circuit, circa 1977. When they sing together, Iris’ vocals calm Landon’s jive.
“The composition of hard rock and melancholy is something I like in music,” said Landon. “It’s a well-rounded sound.”
https://youtu.be/ejvJBQGl0Vg
Only formed last March, each performance seems like stepping stones to a more polished sound. Or maybe not, Landon says.
“I don’t want to label us as experimental. The term is tired,” he said. “Each instrument has its own sound…The underlying theme is all based on improvisation. No band member is in the background. Each time we play should be a surprise.”
The bombing basslines provided by reformed metal guy Daniel Goodman take on the task of holding the whole attack together. As a relatively new drummer, Ben Reed’s drumsticks pound out an an almost panicky feel, as it seems like he’s always trying to stay on beat. As a result, his drumming sounds un-mechanized and adds to the band’s spontaneous feel.
“Ben plays his drums for the song, changing his beat to play with us,” said Landon. “They emphasize certain aspects of what we are doing as opposed to a straight beat.”
Soaring and occasionally scouring keys are ever present and are provided by young keyboard sensation Anthony Amorelli. When not playing Apache Wilds, Amorelli channels his inner Ray Manzarek for a Doors cover and blues band.
“Anthony is truly a 60-year-old stuck in an 18-year-old’s body,” said Landon.
Landon takes pride in the fact he’s a part of this new South Bay music scene prophesied by DHR.
“We’ve got a distinct underground local creative culture,” he said. “It’s time for the South Bay general population to tap into it. It’s our vision and we need to do it.
While Apache Wilds doesn’t discriminate where they will play, they prefer venues that support all ages shows. He feels such shows encompass the entire music scene.
“How many great bands start as high school bands, you know?” said Landon. “At 21-and-over venues, especially in Hermosa Beach bars, people get caught up in the drinking/social scene rather than the bands.”
On Thursday, September 15th, Apache Wilds plays with two other local bands, Aeonic Impulse and M OO N at Suzy’s, an all ages show until 10 pm.
“M OO N is a high school band I met at the coffee cartel in Redondo Beach who are an awesome plane crash of Big Black and Sonic Youth,” said Landon said. “Aeonic Impulse are more on the progressive rock metal side — a testament to our scene’s openness and diversity.”
Apache Wilds plays with M OO N, the Walkers, and Aeonic Impulse at Suzy’s 1141 Aviation Blvd. Hermosa Beach. The free show starts at 8 p.m. For more information on Apache Wilds, check out facebook.com/apachewilds/. ER
