Portland's Dirtnap Records Signs Guantanamo Baywatch
Chest Crawl Will Be Released In May
Guantanamo Baywatch will release its 2nd album (first for Dirtnap Records) of sexy, sleazy, reverb'd out slime in May 2012. Guantanamo Baywatch was started by Jason Powell and Chevelle Wiseman in Portland about four years ago to 1c9f an immediately enthusiastic reception, released a very well received and now out-of-print LP on Portland's awesome Hovercraft Records, as well as a couple of EP's/tapes. The band really came into it's own, though, in late 2010, with the addition of Chris Michael (also in BOOM!) on drums. Technically it joined the Dirtnap roster in June 2011, but it took its time recording its debut for the label, done mostly at home by the band itself.
Chest Crawl sees the band working more vocal numbers into the mix, incorporating the usual surf/garage suspects (Cramps, Trashmen), more obscure 50's rock n' roll/RNB wildmen, as well as slightly heavier nods toward the young-oldies sound being popularized today by bands such as Hunx, Shannon And The Clams, Nobunny, etc.
Wildly popular here in Portland, and not afraid to tour, Guantanamo Baywatch are gonna be all over the place in 2012, starting with a two week tour with frequent bill-mates The Mean Jeans in March, followed by a solid summer of touring following the release of Chest Crawl.
Comments
GBW has been a longtime favorite! I love all their albums - I'd follow them anywhere. Not only are they hot in Portland, but have a huge following in Seattle and other west-coast cities. Congrats on the new label! Can't wait to hear the new tunes!
Love you guys - call your mother! :-)