"Come on down // Give up your guns // Scarecrow // Come of your fences..."
The euphoric glimmers and glowing indie rock resolve of "Scarecrow", by Austin's Whalers, cuts in many ways with from ethereal propulsions to post rock power that seems to stem across iconic rock decades. The guitar emulating a propulsive sound of an arpeggiated modular synthesizer had me gleefully flashing on the Pete Townsend's looped Lowry organ arpeggio (Baba O'Riley- 1971) giving off classic rock vibes while at the same time, the bass runs and Gus Smalley's vast storytelling / vocals feel alt-indie leaning ala Deerhunter / Modest Mouse-esque circa twenty-tens. A very inviting sound, one that feels indie filmic, that wraps around you like an unfolding story. The erupting outro full of layered ooohs and aaaahs, beautiful fanning guitar screams, drum breaks (and more) crafts an atmosphere of difficult times conquered, at least for the time being.
"Come on down
Give up your gunsScarecrow
Come of your fences
Your field is so loud
Growin deaf and dumb
You’re gonna blow
Your life’s ambition"
LINER NOTES (excerpted / bracketed):
[ On Scarecrow:
While trying to figure out how to emulate the percussive sound of an arpeggiated modular synthesizer on a guitar, melody and progression coalesced during an evening writing session in 2011 on a ranch in the Texas countryside. The resulting song became known as "Scarecrow" and was quickly demo'd out and left to rot in an "ideas" folder in Dropbox. While scrounging around in late 2023 it was found, recorded and sharpened by Whalers and their trusted studio guru, Kevin Ratterman (Invisible Island).
Moody and cinematic, "Scarecrow" is a rocker that builds from simmering verses into soaring choruses with grit and urgency. Layered guitars, driving drums, and raw vocals create a sound that feels both timeless and immediate, capturing themes of isolation and quiet strength.]
AND
[Formed in the bustling music scene of the late aughts, Austin, TX, Whalers is a 5-piece indie band blending the styles that each of its members brings to the table. Picture the 60s surf-wave mixed with modern folk-pop, a little Post-Punk, and a 90s alternative rock slap in the mouth. Comprised of Gus Smalley (vocals), Dan Martin & Kyle Rother (guitars), Todd Horner (bass), and Milos Bertram (drums), the band has drawn inspiration across a handful of EPs and albums from bands like Modest Mouse, The Walkmen, and Stone Temple Pilots. Known for their ability to blend styles without pretension they have continued to evolve through the years, while keeping that infectious, unpredictable energy that brought them together in the first place. Now, a little older, not much wiser, and still unable to take themselves too seriously, the band is preparing to release new material that sees them delving deeper into their influences and trying to expound upon their love for acts like The Tremeloes, Television, The Cars and late-era Beatles.]
"Take a good look around
These ain’t your budsTheir growth
Is not your mission
Gate and guard room are down
Her kingdom’s come
She explodes
Through your defenses
Come on down
From off your drugs
There’s love all around
Just switch addictions
You feel distant now
And growing numb
Dumbing down
Your precious senses"
-Robb Donker Curtius
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://soundcloud.com/whalers
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEKpwX0ufdvsp6v0Vb1GjnA
https://whalersmusic.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/whalersband/
https://www.facebook.com/whalersmusic
http://www.whalersband.com/
Formed in the bustling music scene of the late aughts, Austin, TX, Whalers is a 5-piece indie band blending the styles that each of its members brings to the table. Picture the 60s surf-wave mixed with modern folk-pop, a little Post-Punk, and a 90s alternative rock slap in the mouth. Comprised of Gus Smalley (vocals), Dan Martin & Kyle Rother (guitars), Todd Horner (bass), and Milos Bertram (drums), the band has drawn inspiration across a handful of EPs and albums from bands like Modest Mouse, The Walkmen, and Stone Temple Pilots. Known for their ability to blend styles without pretension they have continued to evolve through the years, while keeping that infectious, unpredictable energy that brought them together in the first place. Now, a little older, not much wiser, and still unable to take themselves too seriously, the band is preparing to release new material that sees them delving deeper into their influences and trying to expound upon their love for acts like The Tremeloes, Television, The Cars and late-era Beatles.
Formed in the bustling music scene of the late aughts, Austin, TX, Whalers is a 5-piece indie band blending the styles that each of its members brings to the table. Picture the 60s surf-wave mixed with modern folk-pop, a little Post-Punk, and a 90s alternative rock slap in the mouth. Comprised of Gus Smalley (vocals), Dan Martin & Kyle Rother (guitars), Todd Horner (bass), and Milos Bertram (drums), the band has drawn inspiration across a handful of EPs and albums from bands like Modest Mouse, The Walkmen, and Stone Temple Pilots. Known for their ability to blend styles without pretension they have continued to evolve through the years, while keeping that infectious, unpredictable energy that brought them together in the first place. Now, a little older, not much wiser, and still unable to take themselves too seriously, the band is preparing to release new material that sees them delving deeper into their influences and trying to expound upon their love for acts like The Tremeloes, Television, The Cars and late-era Beatles.
Whalers, Austin Texas, indie rock, alt rock, alt indie, post rock, dreamy, garage rock, post punk, psych rock, vast lyrical content, "Scarecrow", blending styles, 90's music, late aughts tones,
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