Tune In Turn On
As I sit here listening to advance tracks from “The Pendulum Swings,” the 10-track instrumental album by longtime Atlantic City indie rock band Deardarkhead, I find myself preparing for the band’s album release party Thursday, July 16, at Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City’s revitalized Orange Loop. Naturally, I wanted to learn more about this intriguing trio, whose sound blends shoegaze, dream pop, psychedelic rock and post-punk. So, Tune In Turn On reached out to drummer Robert Weiss, whom I’ve known for years.
“‘The Pendulum Swings’ is a collection of both older and newer material that we are very proud of,” Weiss said. “Each song has its own distinct vibe, but together they make up the DDH sound. The final and title track, ‘The Pendulum Swings,’ is one of our newer songs, but emotionally and thematically it perfectly summed up everything the band has been through over the years. It felt like a statement.”
In addition to Weiss on drums, Deardarkhead features guitarist Kevin Harrington and bassist James Malizia, who joined the band after “The Pendulum Swings” was completed, replacing Brandon Howard. The group originally performed as a four-piece with vocalist Michael Amper, who departed in 2009. Since then, Deardarkhead has been an all-instrumental band.
Recorded at Miner Street Recordings in Philadelphia, “The Pendulum Swings” was produced, engineered and mixed by Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey, whose credits include The War on Drugs, Kurt Vile and Sharon Van Etten. Grammy-nominated engineer Joe Lambert, known for his work with Animal Collective, Blonde Redhead, Beach House, M83 and Wild Nothing, mastered the album. It will be released on the band’s own Fertile Crescent Records label.
Wondering where the band’s unusual name came from? It was inspired by Samuel Ferguson’s 1867 Irish poem, Cean Dubh Dilis.
There’s no doubt Deardarkhead is excited to debut the new album before hometown fans.
“We are beyond excited to be back at Anchor Rock Club for our record release show,” Weiss said. “We’ve got a great lineup planned.”
The evening will feature DJ Bob Portella of WLFR 91.7 FM, who has hosted Transmission Radio since 1985, spinning records throughout the night.
Also performing are The Falling Out, featuring members of several longtime Philadelphia and South Jersey bands, including The Improbables, The Justines, The Blessed Muthas, The Tone Bandits, The Flyswatters and The Midnight Beat. The group combines strong vocal harmonies with generous doses of reverb and fuzz.
Philadelphia-based Bitter Bitter Weeks, led by McTear and Morrissey, also will perform. Joined by former Improbables drummer Jeremy Grites, the band blends indie folk, avant-garde noise rock and Americana into an emotionally rich indie-rock sound.
We also asked Weiss about the current state of the independent music scene. Is it promising or prohibitive?
“The indie music scene is stronger than it’s ever been in South Jersey,” Weiss said. “There are far more bands now than when we started in 1988. Anchor Rock Club has been a huge win for Atlantic City-area indie fans, and the crowds just keep getting bigger. Other venues like The Seed Brewery, Obscura Brewing Co. and Little Water Distillery also support original music, and it’s great to see people coming out.”
Making a living as an independent musician, however, remains difficult.
“Streaming has changed the entire music industry,” Weiss said. “Bands don’t make much money selling records anymore. Most income comes from constant touring and selling merchandise. It’s possible to make it, but it’s tough, even if you get lucky. For Deardarkhead, success is about longevity and continuing to release the music we want to make.”
Deardarkhead performs with The Falling Out, Bitter Bitter Weeks, DJ Bob Portella and special guests Thursday, July 16, at Anchor Rock Club, 247 S. New York Ave., Atlantic City. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $16.35.
Tune-Ups
Another standout show at Anchor Rock Club arrives Saturday, July 18, featuring Philadelphia’s Super Bonanza with Cherry Hill’s The Modbeats and The Spots. You’d have to drive more than an hour in almost any direction to catch bands of this caliber, so support the independent venues bringing original music to the area.
Rock accordionist Malcolm Tent, always an entertaining storyteller, delivered a rousing, Velvet Underground-inspired version of “We’re Gonna Have a Real Good Time Together” to close his set at the annual Jersey Gumbo Cook-Off and Louisiana Music Festival, presented by Tony Mart Presents. Backed by Charlie Wigo IV and the Bearly Stoned band, Tent reminded the crowd why he’s long been a favorite on the regional music scene. He has opened for The Ramones and performed at the legendary City Gardens in Trenton.
Reggae-rock fans also have two strong concert options this weekend. Dirty Heads and 311, joined by Ocean Alley and Rome, bring their “So Glad You Made It” Tour to Ocean Casino Resort on Saturday, July 18. On Sunday, July 19, Buju Banton and Stephen Marley bring their “Roots and Rhymes” Tour to Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena.
Until next week…
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com
