Guantanamo Baywatch: Raunchy Surf Rock for Project Pabst

Email to a friend Permalink

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Kemea Smith, GoLocalPDX Contributor

 Guantanamo Baywatch is bringing a mixture of surf and garage rock sludge to Portland's new music festival, Project Pabst, which kicks off on Friday.

The band formed in 2009, with its wacky name created over a dinner at Yurs.

“I was playing the dumbest band name game with my friend, and actually used the dumbest band name for a real band," says guitarist and vocalist Jason. "I’ve been regretting it every day of my life for the last five years.”

Guantanamo Baywatch is not for those with sensitive ears, -  this is music that will get you off your feet and dancing like a complete maniac as Jason screeches above Chev’s bass guitar and Crix’s jolly drum beats.

“It’s 'instro rock' oldies, but less put together,” says Jason. The sound is grainy, raw and upbeat all at the same time; basically, it’s a trashy good time.

GBW has toured with garage rock band 'together PANGEA' and California punk band Audacity. If guitarist Jason could play with anyone, he says, his choice would be Ricky Nelson or Bobby Vee.

"Chev would probably say Selena, or Miley Cyrus, and I’m guessing Crix would say Green Day.”

The trio’s recent album Chest Crawl put out by Northwest label Dirtnap Records has more vocal numbers than their previous records and is a nod to '50s rock'n'roll as well as a young-oldies sound.

Jason says his favorite songs from the album is Chest Crawl, "probably because it was supposed to be upbeat but came out kind of darker," and Sad Over You “because it's the only one where the vocals came out loud enough to hear the words.” 

GBW will be putting out a new album with Seattle-based label Suicide Squeeze, with most of it done and recorded in Atlanta.

“We are now having an emotional breakdown in the basement trying to get it finished by the deadline. It sounds completely insane. Goof levels are through the roof.

"Hopefully, the album will come out in early February with lots of touring leading up to the release, and I’m guessing a lot after.” 

You definitely don’t want to miss this band live as these guys seriously look like they are having a blast up on stage while feeding off of each other's awkward movements and zany personalities.

The Portland venue The Know is one of their favorite places to play “because they get you completely f**ked up.

"Or maybe Star Bar for the same reason.”  

Project PABST takes place Sept. 26-28 throughout the city, at Zidell Yards (South Waterfront) and venues such as Crystal Ballroom, Mississippi Studios and the Wonder Ballroom. Buy tickets to the Project PABST Guantanamo Baywatch show here.

Homepage Photo Credit: iStock 

Related Articles

• Summer Cannibals: Straight Up Rock N Roll for Project Pabst
• Portland Indie Pop Musician, Logan Lynn, Releases New Tracks

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

Email to a friend Permalink