Ghostland Obseravatory has no problem giving you a TON to be impressed with. These dudes put the capital W on Weird and you’ve just GOTTA love it. Say hello my friends to David Bowie and Freddy Mercury’s illegitimate grandchildren (not literally of course). It’s like somebody knocked over a bucket of soul cool and these electro-dance rockers rolled around in it. Now these guys are no new news to the underground indie scene but given that they are placing their Austin Texas bred feet in my home romping grounds of Washington D.C.’s favorite venue, 9:30 club, I thought it only proper to give them a fitting shout out.
After a stellar showing at Austin City Limits in 2007 (probably the best show of the entire event from what I hear) everyone had these boys pegged as the next big Indie thing, and you definitely wanted them to be. Although they haven’t gotten quite as big yet as everyone anticipated, they are just beginning in their quest to attract the educated indie fan and your kid brother alike. As stated earlier Aaron Behrens bares eerie resemblance to Freddy Mercury with his fearless falsetto and perfectly scripted vocal melodies, while Thomas Ross Turner provides the incredibly even flowing spacey/sci-fi soaked synth and drums. The only problem you’ll find with any one of the 3 Ghostland albums will be stepping away long enough to get anything done. Ghostland Observatory has easily placed themselves on the indie map, creating a sound all their own and loving it.
On their latest album Robotique Majestique check out songs like “Heavy Heart”, “Free Heart Love”, and the title track for heavy doses of dance infused dramatica all the way through. If a darker more rocktronic groove is what you’re looking for, check out their 2nd release Delete. Delete. I Eat Meat, for songs like “Shoot ‘em Down” an aggravated trip ride through a troubled relationship, while Behrens screams “is that your man right there, runnin down the road”, “shoot him down, shoot him down, shoot him down, just shoot him”. On this album as well is my favorite Ghostland song of all, the mesmerizing electro-drum lathered Silver City. Don’t be surprised though if you catch yourself busting out the robot. It’s okay...I did it too. : )
Ghostland Observatory will be taking over 9:30 Club in D.C. on September 11th, and trust me you’re going to want to be front row.
Check them out for yourself at: http://www.ghostlandobservatory.net
Get tickets to the 9:30 club show by visiting 9:30 clubs website at: http://www.930.com/
Care's Chime In:
Ghostland has been one my most favorite bands since I stumbled upon them in 2007 at ACL in Austin, Texas. My friends had been pumping them but I, always the skeptic, wasn't going to let myself get too amped for them. They told me I was gonna dance my face off... um, I spent all day drinking beer and watching bands... no chance this no-name act was gonna get me dancing. HOWEVER, the night sky rolled in, the band hit the stage and absolutely blew my mind! Their light show is second to none even without a tab of acid or hit off that random dudes joint standing next to me. I DANCED, I DANCED HARD! (enter laughter here, I'll allow). After that I was spreading the gospel that was Ghostland to all near and dear to me... even The Chad who FINALLY decided to listen. I had the pleasure of seeing Ghostland open for Flaming Lips last weekend and brought along two newbies who instantly fell in love too. Even if you don't necessarily love their music on their CD go check these guys out live. I DARE your body not to freak out from the overloud of sound, sight and feeling of the place. My highest recommendations for the 930 Club show, I actually thought about flying back for it but then checked my bank account and cursed my spending habits. I'll see them at ACL again this year however and it's the most excited about any band on that line-up... yes, really. "Headin on down to the sad sad city, YAH!" 
Picture from last Monday nights show at The Greek Theater in LA
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