Known for their distinctive blend of garage rock, alternative, psychedelic, and punk influences, Vasoline Tuner continues to push the boundaries of musical creativity. Their latest album, “Cancelled Crystal Balls,” is a testament to their dynamic and unpredictable style, featuring nine original tracks that offer a rollercoaster ride of edgy vocals, fuzzy guitars, and lo-fi production aesthetics. In this interview, we delve into the making of this kaleidoscopic masterpiece, exploring the band’s inspirations, recording process, and the intriguing themes behind their music.
Vasoline Tuner is a psychedelic punk/ experimental rock/ freak pop type band from Southern California/ USA , it is the highly imaginative work of guitarist/vocalist/ songwriter BillyTsounis and has been described as “ the sonic equivalent to Salvador Dali’s paintings and as weird and wonderful. Join us as we uncover the cosmic irreverence and caustic surrealism that define Vasoline Tuner’s unique sound.
- What can you say about this new ALBUM? It’s a collection of songs with an underlying theme of cosmic irreverence, lo- fi campiness and caustic surrealism all covered in a fat and trippy rock attitude.
- What is the meaning of the ALBUM name? The title of the album – ‘Cancelled Crystal balls’ – it’s something that I metaphorically used in the sense of the cancel culture situation/ experience and crystal balls being used to supposedly look into the future so I was getting at the future through someone else’s eyes and superstitions and thus all that is cancelled . It can also be someone’s balls all crystal and non hairy and easily breakable or getting psychic readings from a crystal scrotum. Could be a new trend you never know.
- How was the recording process? The album was recorded here in the city of Hemet , CA by this young and super talented guy , Josiah Garcia at his home studio . We the band, Julio Guez and Austin Malik tracked live and then I did a few overdubs and the vocals . The songs ‘clouds are sexy’ and ‘Rich ladies purse’ has the drums being recorded in Nashville by my good friend Kevin Rapillo . I sent the riffs/ song to a click and he played all perfectly as he always does and I did the guitars here in town . The album was actually recorded during the Plandemic period, and it was great to go out and about driving with hardly anyone on the freeways.
4 . If you had to pick one song, which one would you pick? I like all of them on the album but I really like ‘Bake Baby Bake’ , the latest video . It’s chaotic and spiral and the story is of a man breaking into clothing stores to get stoned with the mannequins.
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- Is there a special message in this album?If there is what it is? No particular message but more of a kaleidoscopic interpretation.
- Are there some lyrics that you’d love to share? Some lyrics from the song in my past life : in my past life I rode aboard a UFO and planted humans everywhere I got stoned / I did double Hollywood duty rolling boogers on the velvet ropes and golden showering the cream of the crop . there’s all fun lyrics so take a listen and all the lyrics are on the bandcamp page .
- Which inspirations have been important for this album ? Like musically or friends, family, someone you’d love to thank specially? Mostly inspired by the subconscious i would say , just react on moments and I like to pick apart supposed taboos or social/ culture behavior, fear , delusions. Anything, really but at some point I look for the dark or sarcastic side of things that normally don’t want to be looked at. Ugly makes it beautiful. As far as people, friends go I would like to always thank Julio and Austin that played on the album , made time and space to learn and interpret the songs , my friend Kevin who also played on it .
- Something to add? I’m still enjoying the tracks on the album and soon we will record another video for a song on there called “ Chillin with my Zombie “ I think somewhere we all have a zombie that we can relax with or be someone’s zombie but the main thing is the chill , we need the chill now more than ever on the planet.
Watch the music video of “Bake Baby Bake”:
