SuperGiant – Self Titled
Review by Tim Emswiler (StonerRock.com)
Self-released
Available now
Now, I’ve never been to Albuquerque, New Mexico. In fact, I haven’t even come close, but when I found out that SuperGiant hails from those parts, my mind immediately assumed that I would hear some fat, fuzzy, smoke-wreathed chords, some peyotian lyrics, and that kinda head-down determination to rock blended with just enough space to keep the mental pores open and provide a break from the hair-throwing. This is because I am psychic. And this is exactly what I got.
Now, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t hear a touch of the Kyussian here, but I’d be hard-pressed to think of a band that embodies what I think of as “stoner rock” who avoids this favorite of all name drops. And SuperGiant does indeed embody that, but there is a vibe here that makes this unique, and (more importantly) rewards repeated listens. A big part of that vibe comes courtesy of Joel Rogers’ vocals, which are neither growly, guttural, shrieking, or piercing. They are, instead, somewhat understated, with an undertone of darkness that makes these songs more haunting than your run-of-the-mill retrobates. In fact, I’ve been beating my brains out all day trying to figure out who he reminds me of, without success, unless any of you know Scab Cadillac.
Also contributing to the vibe are the stylistic swings between songs: “Devil, Jesus and Me,” my favorite track, has a menacing swagger that The Lizard King would have appreciated, while “Sphere Mirror” is a Blue Cheer-y blooze with feedback-bleeding guitar work that could only have made he happier if it had been about six minutes longer. We get some of the almighty flange, lest we forget what territory is being mined here. We get some rockers. And, in closing track “War for Peace,” the band gets political. Never a bad thing in these weird times. Highly recommended.
We will be hitting Sight 16 Studio December 4, 5 and 6th to record our 3rd album to be entitled “Pistol Star”. Sid Garcia who recorded our 2006 EP will be producing the record.
new SuperGiant bootleg recording from our set last Saturday 11.7.09 at Launchpad! Concerts4Cures to raise $ to buy instruments and instruction for kids fighting cancer.
Thanks to PaulE for getting people together for a great cause, Joe for hosting the event, Aaron for doing sound, Wolf for recording the show and posting and to everyone who came out to support the cause. This recording contains a few songs that will be on our upcoming album “Pistol Star”
Click here >> to visit the new SuperGiant online store
These American ‘lumberjacks’ love using heavy timber in their carpentry, blending 51% southern ass kicking with 51% stoner rock and you get SUPERGIANT!
Much has happened since the debut ep and Supergiant are moving rapidly like a venomous snake out hunting. This hammer hits everything that moves, and i bet these champs eat vodka marinated nails for breakfast and wipe their asses with extra coarse sandpaper!
On the second release ‘Antares’ you get a brilliant concoction containing 14 well alternating rock acts. The first track ‘Psychedelic sunset’ is bad ass rock’n roll machinery, full of energy and with a strength that makes mother-in-law shit her panties. ‘Psychedelic sunset’ is the right medicine for those about to rock and you need this for your party! The show continues with the heavier ‘Petunias’, this psychedelic flower(s) shows a grandeur that makes any botanist fade. You get shit loads of heavy riffings with a bluesy touch, melodic vocals and an awesome bass line. ‘Petunias’ is one of the best tracks on ‘Antares’ and one of my favourites for sure.
Supergiant continues to surprise, tracks like ‘Everyman’ and ‘Hell faces’ makes me drool with delight, damn… this is heavy shit!! Every second of these two monsters are devastating, this is rock in its most evil form, one of the heavies tunes around and the vocals are incredible, I just love it. Supergiant delivers a 100% bulletproof mix of superiority and raw power which gives them the highest score!
Well… I thought it was over, but I was wrong. The title track ‘Antares’ makes me shaky, just as heavy and just as superior as everything else on the album. The track is a perfect mix of pure hate and psychedelic kindness which I adore. I’m on fire for the fourteenth time this evening and this starting to get real expensive… another television set have to go out of the window, it is inevitable because these giants are kings, truly one of the heaviest rock bands I’ve ever heard (and I’ve heard alot)
Buy it, it’s an order from the Supreme Council!
Tobias Beament • Planet Fuzz
August 2009
We just got the news and our hearts go out to Dickie’s friends and family.
We’re really grateful that we got the chance to meet and spend some time with him and Blue Cheer on their last US tour. SuperGiant played, partied, and hung out with them until about 4am that night. We learned a lot just from listening to those guys speak about life, music, and the road. I could seriously write a book about it. It’s also not every day you get to hear first-hand stories about Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. They were the most gracious and humble band we have ever shared the stage with.
It’s not often an original, groundbreaking band from the 60s era tours in a small van and plays a venue like the Launchpad. He loved rock n roll so much and it showed. His humble, renegade attitude and love of rock n roll is something that will stick with me forever. Meeting him and BC was definitely one of the most memorable nights of being in a band for us and we won’t forget it.
The trip to Denver to shoot our video for “Petunias” was one of our most enjoyable experiences to date as artists. We were without Gary on the drive to Denver, but he flew out to meet us the following day. The drive was short and funny, although i must say that cruising in a torrential downpour while on the highway is a very scary experience, we could not see a foot in front of us or behind us for a good 15 minutes. Weather always seems to save its dirtiest little secrets for us when we travel, but we have come to embrace the storms as much as the sunshine.
Anna Marie Vigoda of 100feetpromotions the director and producer of our video, assembled a team of visual magicians to help us get our first video off the ground. We shot for ten hours on Saturday in a 30,000 sq. foot studio with a black screen, a first for all of us. We got the shots the production team was looking for, and had a challenging time trying to translate live energy to a non live setting.
The best results artistically happen when you completely take yourself out of the equation to let something greater than the self come through. We were so grateful to be working with such capable, humble, professional people. There are 2 more shoots without the band that are scheduled for September to incorporate other visual dynamics.
Unlike a lot of videos and commercials today, that objectify and degrade females, we are hoping to share a vision that embraces the sheer beauty and amazing energy that women bring to our world. Equality and appreciation of women are the underlying themes of the song, and with what we have seen so far the video is going to be a brilliant portrayal of those feelings and ideas. We are blown away by what the team has in mind for the final product…. so stay tuned and stay in LOVE.