Ace Norton during the making of the video of Evil Son.
Genius, Ace Norton, Genius!!!!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
ACE NORTON EVIL SON FISH
Ace Norton during the making of the video of Evil Son.
Genius, Ace Norton, Genius!!!!
Monday, February 19, 2007
Salon.com Audiofile
Exclusive Daily Download: "Lonesome Gods," the Willowz
The last album from Los Angeles' the Willowz was picked as one of Rolling Stone's top 50 albums of the year when it came out in 2005. The band's new record, "Chautauqua," is even better. The way they balance fierce, fuzzy garage rock with a softer folky side brings to mind the White Stripes -- though with a full rhythm section and much less affected artiness. "Lonesome Gods" features both sides of the Willowz's dark and light personality, as the verse's lonesome melody gives way to anthemic bursts of brass and guitar. DM
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
AND MORE AGAIN KATHY FENNESSY
A New Review for a New Year
The Willowz, Chautauqua, Dim Mak [3/20/07]
Another line-up change, another label. Not to worry, the Willowz still sound like the Willowz. The Anaheim aggregate still rocks hard, Richie Follin still sings at the top of his range. Hey, it worked for Geddy Lee, it worked for Fred Cole--it worked for Jeffrey Lee Pierce, too. The Willowz may sound more like the White Stripes as a quartet than trios like Rush or Dead Moon, but you get the idea.Guitarist Follin and bass player Jessica Reynoza form the core of the band. As with Chicago's Ponys, a garage-punk group founded by a couple, I'd imagine that these two are an item (Reynoza's always been the only female member). According to their website, Aric Bohn (guitar) and Loren Humphrey (drums) are the new members (Tony Mann fills the drum seat on the disc). As with ex-couple/former Sympathy labelmates the White Stripes, the Willowz also alternate between hard and soft. While the Stripes base their sound in the blues, the Willowz enter country-rock territory when they turn the volume down. At these junctures, Neil Young comes to mind (he likes those high notes, too).
The Willowz, Chautauqua, Dim Mak [3/20/07]
Another line-up change, another label. Not to worry, the Willowz still sound like the Willowz. The Anaheim aggregate still rocks hard, Richie Follin still sings at the top of his range. Hey, it worked for Geddy Lee, it worked for Fred Cole--it worked for Jeffrey Lee Pierce, too. The Willowz may sound more like the White Stripes as a quartet than trios like Rush or Dead Moon, but you get the idea.Guitarist Follin and bass player Jessica Reynoza form the core of the band. As with Chicago's Ponys, a garage-punk group founded by a couple, I'd imagine that these two are an item (Reynoza's always been the only female member). According to their website, Aric Bohn (guitar) and Loren Humphrey (drums) are the new members (Tony Mann fills the drum seat on the disc). As with ex-couple/former Sympathy labelmates the White Stripes, the Willowz also alternate between hard and soft. While the Stripes base their sound in the blues, the Willowz enter country-rock territory when they turn the volume down. At these junctures, Neil Young comes to mind (he likes those high notes, too).
Sunday, February 11, 2007
MOUNTAIN TO SOUND
"I lost my mind now in a game and I found it hard now to pretend..."
Which is a line from a song by The Willowz I'm listening to and reminds me of a movie I saw last night called The Devil and Daniel Johnston. The documentary accounts for Daniel Johnston, a singer-songwriter from West Virginia who rose to a strikingly pronounced fame with his debut masterpiece he created on a weight bench in his brother's garage while working at McDonald's in Austin, Texas. Deemed a genius by most circles in the Austin rock scene of 1983 and by most in years to follow, he stepped onto MTV led by an inertia that seemed to carry him from peak to pit throughout most of his life. Flying under and off the radar and into a tree, (literally after he threw the keys the cockpit of his father's small plane and they spiraled into a wood) he's gone in and out of treatment for most of his life. Burdened with an intense gift for visual art and music and coinciding mental illness, Johnston channels these thoughts, visions, fears, paranoia, and essentially schizophrenia into the beauty that only travellers on the fringes of reality can witness. I highly recommend seeing this documentary. It paints a realistic and beautiful picture of Daniel Johnston and the people who love him.
Which is a line from a song by The Willowz I'm listening to and reminds me of a movie I saw last night called The Devil and Daniel Johnston. The documentary accounts for Daniel Johnston, a singer-songwriter from West Virginia who rose to a strikingly pronounced fame with his debut masterpiece he created on a weight bench in his brother's garage while working at McDonald's in Austin, Texas. Deemed a genius by most circles in the Austin rock scene of 1983 and by most in years to follow, he stepped onto MTV led by an inertia that seemed to carry him from peak to pit throughout most of his life. Flying under and off the radar and into a tree, (literally after he threw the keys the cockpit of his father's small plane and they spiraled into a wood) he's gone in and out of treatment for most of his life. Burdened with an intense gift for visual art and music and coinciding mental illness, Johnston channels these thoughts, visions, fears, paranoia, and essentially schizophrenia into the beauty that only travellers on the fringes of reality can witness. I highly recommend seeing this documentary. It paints a realistic and beautiful picture of Daniel Johnston and the people who love him.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
The Willowz in Pitchfork
Ever zince L.A. garage rockers the Willowz filled two slotz on the zoundtrack to Charlie Kaufman'z Eternal Zunshine of the Zpotless Mind (and more recently, contributed muZic to another Michel Gondry-directed film, The Zcience of Zleep), their profile has continued to rize.
(OK, we'll ztop. I mean stop.)
Now, Dim Mak has tacked the Willowz on to its roster, and plans to release their forthcoming Chautauqua LP on March 20. The track "Evil Son" is available for download below.
The band will tour North America with the Mooney Suzuki in February and March, and hit Europe in early 2007, though dates have yet to be confirmed. They'll also appear at Dim Mak's showcase at next year's South by Southwest.
Like everybody and their mom, the Willowz have been nominated for "Subterranean"'s video of the year for their "Cons and Tricks" clip. Vote here, if you are so inclined.
Finally, the Willowz currently have a single date on their agenda. They'll play a free show at L.A.'s Spaceland club on December 26.
Tracklist:
01 Beware
02 Take a Look Around
03 Jubilee
04 Nobody
05 Evil Son
06 Siren Song
07 Warship
08 All I Need
09 Waiting to Fall
10 Choose a Side
11 Once and a While
12 Big Knob
13 Yesterdays Lost
14 Lonesome Gods
Friday, February 09, 2007
WILLOWZ JUBILEE BY TOBEN J SEYMOUR
Willowz Jubliee by Toben J Seymour. Toben's Cons and Tricks video recently was voted by Mtv's Subterranean as one of the top 10 videos of the year. For Willowz upcoming tour dates check their myspace.
THE WILLOWZ, 'JUBILEE'
Add to My Profile | More Videos
Thursday, February 08, 2007
WILLOWZ NEW TOUR DATES JUST POSTED AND MORE TO COME.
3.03.07 EL REY THEATRE w/ HAR MAR SUPERSTAR & WEIRD SCIENCE
3.11.07 LARIMER LOUNGE
3.12.07 CONSERVATORY
3.14.07 SXSW- Dim Mak Records
3.20.07 RECORD RELEASE PARTY!!! at CINESPACE
4.03.07 12 GALAXIES
4.07.07 THE SUNSET
4.10.07 THE AQUARIUM
4.11.07 THE TURF CLUB
4.12.07 VAUDEVILLE MEWS
4.13.07 DOWNTOWN RECORDS
4.14.07 SUBTERRANEAN
4.15.07 MAIN STAGE
4.17.07 KRAFTBRAU BREWERY
4.19.07 THE BLACKOUT FESTIVAL @ THE UNION
4.21.07 BEACHLAND
5.02.07 HORSESHOE
***CHECK OUR MYSPACE FOR MORE DETAILS.
Monday, January 29, 2007
MICHAEL SLADEK JOSEPH KRINGS CONGRATULATIONS
Plug Ugly took the video they made for the Willowz, We Live On Your Street to Slamdance. Okay we didn't win but Michael Sladek's video did get an honorable mention.
Congratulations and Thank You Michael Sladek and Joseph Krings.
Congratulations and Thank You Michael Sladek and Joseph Krings.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
WILLOWZ IN JIVE MAGAZINE
5 OUT OF 5
Willowz
Album: Chautauqua
Label: Dim Mak Records
Genre: Rock
Release Date: 3/20/07
Posted: 01/12/2007
By: Jason Kordich
After one EP(The Willowz) and two LPs(Are Coming, Talk in Circles), the Willowz(Richie Follin, Jessica Reynoza, Aric Bohn, Ted Humphrey) have returned with one of the most impressive releases to come out thus far in 07. Continuing to channel the blues, rock, and soul of the 60’s and 70’s, the Willowz approach, although the antithesis of the minimalist framework of the White Stripes, maintains a similar sonic quality. Whether they are playing loud and raucous or twangy and soulful, this foursome from Anaheim, CA on Chautauqua has raised their song writing to truly legendary heights. Instead of merely creating brilliant displays of guitar work or drum solos(not to say that these areas do not shine on this album), the Willowz have worked long and hard at creating a complete album that will not soon be forgotten. With each song offering a different story told with a different musical approach, Chautauqua is an engaging and desperately needed resuscitation to raw fundamentals of rock in this digitally perfected age. Flawlessly executed, attention grapping, and joy inducing, Chautauqua is a renaissance rock masterpiece.
JIVE Magazine Rating: 5 out of 5
Track Listing: 1)Beware 2)Take a Look Around 3)Jubilee 4)Nobody 5)Evil Son 6)Siren Song 7)Warship 8)All I Need 9)Waiting to Fall 10)Choose a Side 11)Once and A While 12)Big Knob 13)Yesterdays Lost 14)Lonesome Gods
Willowz
Album: Chautauqua
Label: Dim Mak Records
Genre: Rock
Release Date: 3/20/07
Posted: 01/12/2007
By: Jason Kordich
After one EP(The Willowz) and two LPs(Are Coming, Talk in Circles), the Willowz(Richie Follin, Jessica Reynoza, Aric Bohn, Ted Humphrey) have returned with one of the most impressive releases to come out thus far in 07. Continuing to channel the blues, rock, and soul of the 60’s and 70’s, the Willowz approach, although the antithesis of the minimalist framework of the White Stripes, maintains a similar sonic quality. Whether they are playing loud and raucous or twangy and soulful, this foursome from Anaheim, CA on Chautauqua has raised their song writing to truly legendary heights. Instead of merely creating brilliant displays of guitar work or drum solos(not to say that these areas do not shine on this album), the Willowz have worked long and hard at creating a complete album that will not soon be forgotten. With each song offering a different story told with a different musical approach, Chautauqua is an engaging and desperately needed resuscitation to raw fundamentals of rock in this digitally perfected age. Flawlessly executed, attention grapping, and joy inducing, Chautauqua is a renaissance rock masterpiece.
JIVE Magazine Rating: 5 out of 5
Track Listing: 1)Beware 2)Take a Look Around 3)Jubilee 4)Nobody 5)Evil Son 6)Siren Song 7)Warship 8)All I Need 9)Waiting to Fall 10)Choose a Side 11)Once and A While 12)Big Knob 13)Yesterdays Lost 14)Lonesome Gods
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
WILLOWZ AND BLACK LIPS
The Willowz are playing with the Black Lips Saturday January 27th at Spaceland.
The Willowz are also playing at House of Blues w/ Moving Units in Anaheim at 8pm on Friday night.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Willowz & Moving Units House of Blues Anaheim
The Willowz are playing on Friday night- January 26th at the House of Blues in Anaheim with the Moving Units
Thursday, December 28, 2006
THE WILLOWZ AT SLAMDANCE
Our music video The Willowz: We Live On Your Street is in competition at the 2007 Slamdance Film Festival!! Help us win by VOTING NOW, pleeeeeze!??
It Only Takes a Few Minutes:
1. Go to www.Slamdance.com
2. Click our video The Willowz: We Live On Your Street on the Main Page
3. Sign up for a login in the box on the right or just log in if you already have one
4. Follow the directions and vote!
If you’ll be in Park City Utah for Slamdance or Sundance, come see our screenings at Slamdance Film Festival as part of the Anarchy Shorts section on January 23rd (11am) and 25th (2:30pm)!!
Directed & Illustrated by MICHAEL SLADEK
Edited by JOSEPH KRINGS
www.PlugUglyFilms.com
www.TheWillowz.com
Plug Ugly – oi!
It Only Takes a Few Minutes:
1. Go to www.Slamdance.com
2. Click our video The Willowz: We Live On Your Street on the Main Page
3. Sign up for a login in the box on the right or just log in if you already have one
4. Follow the directions and vote!
If you’ll be in Park City Utah for Slamdance or Sundance, come see our screenings at Slamdance Film Festival as part of the Anarchy Shorts section on January 23rd (11am) and 25th (2:30pm)!!
Directed & Illustrated by MICHAEL SLADEK
Edited by JOSEPH KRINGS
www.PlugUglyFilms.com
www.TheWillowz.com
Plug Ugly – oi!
Monday, December 18, 2006
WILLOWZ NEW SONG ON MYSPACE. EVIL SON
This is the cover to our upcoming album Chautauqua on Dim Mak Records available for purchase and download March 20th 2006. Album designed by Aric Christopher Bohn. Photo by Amanda Milius.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
ACE NORTON WILLOWZ NORAH JONEZ
After Ace finishes another video for Norah Jones he is going into production on the next Willowz video for Evil Son!!!
Friday, December 15, 2006
TOBEN J SEYMOUR WINS AT SUBTERRANEAN
Congratulations to Toben Seymour and us,(the Willowz), we won #8 of the top 10 videos on Mtv2's Subterranean 2006!Toben is currently working on another video for us for the song Jubilee.
Thanks to all our fans that voted numerous times. Our label Dim Mak. Our previous label Sympathy For the Record Industry. Thanks to John at Sympathy for putting out See In Squares. Thanks to Commondeer as always and mostly thanks to Toben J. Seymour.
Thanks to MTV2 for playing us.
You can watch the top 10 videos this weekend on Subterranean.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
THE WILLOWZ PHOTOGRAPHED BY MICHEL GONDRY
The Willowz standing in front of their library in their Hollywood apartment.
Photo by Michel Gondry.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
WILLOWZ NEW RECORD CHAUTAUQUA DIM MAK MARCH 20TH
Our new record, Chautauqua will be out on Steve Aoki's label, Dim Mak on March 20th.
The record was recorded in Piermont, New York, in June of 2006. .........
For those of you not familiar with our new drummer: meet Loren Shane Humphrey.
Loren has also made the best dressed list year for Esquire Magazine by Glenn O'Brian.
Monday, December 11, 2006
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