Wicked Tongues

Jackals is the second release from San Diego-based band Wicked Tongues (a self-titled EP was released in 2013), and with three tracks it’s an EP that is rollicking, dirty, and bluesy as all get-out. The band quotes influences like Rival Sons, Led Zeppelin and Myles Kennedy, and that kind of “classic rock steeped in blues and soul”-vibe does come through strongly in the music.

First track “Electric” is a great introduction to the band’s sound: sizzling hot and passionate vocals from front-man Mason Betsch, and a sexy-sweaty-swaggering rock sound with lots of thick and brawny guitar, and an edgy roughness that gives the music some real live heat, as well as a vigorous heartbeat.

On the title-track “Jackals” the band spins and twists and weaves together a terrific blues-rocking tune with a thumping beat, a sweet bass-line, and some swinging guitar work. Betsch really knows how to work those pipes, and the tune gets some real sparkle from the free-flowing musical jam backing him up here.

My favourite track on Jackals is the last one: “Wild Sadie”. It starts out with a beautifully soft feel to both the vocals and the music, and then amps up the energy with some fuzzy, rowdy guitar and crashing drums breaking through. There’s a seductively dreamy, glimmering vibe to this tune, both in its softer moments and the heavier interludes – making it a real standout for me. The slower, throbbing beat; the dark undertow of the bass below those hot-blooded vocals; and that loose, flowing guitar all adds to the beauty of it. I especially love the guitar and bass work here as Michael Conway and Ryan Shaw let loose together – in fact, the whole band really lays it on the line and it’s fantastic stuff.

Wicked Tongues has swagger, talent and style galore, and the band shows a real ability for coming through with something unique. There’s an edginess to their lyrics that adds a measure of originality to their work, and the band is at its very best on Jackals when they really release that glorious, unfettered on-stage energy.

This EP has a raw and gutsy quality to it, but that is a source of strength rather than a weakness, giving the material a real boost of life. Jackals is my first taste of Wicked Tongues, but I will definitely be back for more. - Real Rock and Roll

60 – WICKED TONGUES – “Electric” – Rival Sons may be the ones grabbing the attention for Led Zeppelin inspired music, but it won’t be long before the world discovers the equally-talented Wicked Tongues. Blues-based hard rock at its finest from this California quartet that features a pounding rhythm section (Ryan Shaw & Elias Berlinger), the outstanding classic rock guitar playing of Michael Conway and the outrageously stellar vocals of Mason Betsch (think Robert Plant meets Ian Gillan in their respective primes). Definitely a band to watch in the new year! - Hard Rock Daddy

Last month I told you about this talented blues/rock band that I’d discovered. I recently got the chance to interview them about their music and current plans.

INTERVIEW with WICKED TONGUES

How did the band meet and how long have you been playing together?
It’s funny. All of us tend to make fun of this fact, but we all actually met through ads that we posted online on Craigslist.org. Michael (guitars) and Mason (vocals) initially met and started writing material for the band back in 2012. Ryan Shaw joined us in 2013 right after our first EP was recorded and released. Elias joined the band in 2014. We’ve only been playing shows since early summer of 2014.

Who came up with the name ‘Wicked Tongues’? Is there a story behind it?

We initially kicked around several names but Wicked Tongues seemed to be the one that really fit the sound and attitude of the band. There’s a certain dangerousness and defiance that the name exemplifies, and to us that is really what rock n’ roll is about.

Which bands from the past have influenced your sound?

The list is a mile long and really depends on which member of the band you ask, but our influences come from many different bands from different eras: Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Queens of the Stone Age, Rival Sons, Myles Kennedy, Incubus, Soundgarden, Reignwolf, Royal Blood, James Brown. The list goes on and on.

There have been various statements bandied about by the music press claiming that rock is dead. What do you think of the state of rock music today?

Rock music is far from dead. It certainly seems to have taken a back seat in mainstream success to pop music, but there are still bands out there like Rival Sons, Reignwolf, Royal Blood, Monster Truck, Arctic Monkeys, and many others that are still out there paving a way for bands like us. Musical trends seem to be cyclical and what’s popular today may not be popular tomorrow. The evolution of popular music or music that people identify with is constantly shifting. Rock music, music soaked in blues with soul saturated riffs and vocals, in our minds, is coming back into the fray. More and more we notice and find inspiration from amazing bands coming out with a refreshingly old-school approach to music in how honest, raw, and soulful it is – not to mention the unbelievable talent of the musicians as well. Hopefully we can engage our listeners and help the scene turn back towards rock music. And then maybe in the not so distant future, we’ll experience the resurgence of rock n’ roll so that the music we love can have an awesome resurgence.

I totally agree! I think Wicked Tongues is proof of the fact that rock music is alive and well :) I am also finding lots of new indie rock bands every day online with awesome talent.

If you could be in any band for a day (apart from Wicked Tongues!), which band would you choose, and why?

We love our band and wouldn’t really want to be a part of other bands. We certainly would love to work and tour with other bands: Rival Sons, QOTSA, Crobot, Monster Truck, but that’s another list that goes on and on.

You’ve produced 2 great EPs, Wicked Tongues EP last year, and then this August you released Jackals. Who writes the songs for the band and where does the inspiration come from?

When we write songs, we usually jam an idea that one of us has written and that idea just transforms into a full song. Sometimes it takes a few minutes, sometimes we work on songs for a few weeks before completion. It’s a collaborative process, and we never have one member of the band bring a fully completed song to the group. At least not yet.

Are you working on any new music?

We’re always working on new tunes. We’re planning on releasing new material in 2015. We’re always working on evolving our sound. Our new material is definitely taking a heavier and more riff based sound. We’re really excited for everyone to hear it.

You’ve been playing gigs locally recently, what has the crowd reaction to your music been like? Do you have a favourite venue that you play at?

The crowd reaction and support in San Diego has been great, but we’ve also received tons of awesome support from people all over the US and Europe. We’ve played some really great venues all over town. It’s hard to put a finger on what our favorite venue is, but honestly we don’t really care about venues as much as we do a great crowd, and so far people have really been into our music. Gives us hope for rock music in general.

Do you have any upcoming gigs?

We’re taking the rest of 2014 to focus on writing a new record and making plans to start playing in other markets.
If you could tour with any band who would you choose, and why?
Without a doubt it would be Rival Sons. They are the band that really influenced us to get together and start writing/playing. We remember coming on to them when the band was first started and we were just blown away with their sound. Going on tour with them would be incredible.

They are brilliant, I agree. I had the pleasure of interviewing them earlier this year (http://ukartsdirectory.com/maria-savva-interviews-rival-sons/). I’ll be going to see them when they play in London next month :)

Any other news for your fans?

Just stay tuned. We’re working on tons of new material right now and are planning on releasing new songs in 2015.
Thank you! I’m looking forward to the new music! :) - UK Arts Directory