Empty Shells * Escatones * Darwin’s Finches * Ziel Zuster

Rudyard’s presents Empty Shells * Escatones * Darwin’s Finches * Ziel Zuster.

Empty Shells (pictured, Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/emptyshellsband

Empty Shells is a three piece band from Houston, TX.  Formed in 2013 and led by the fiery guitar playing and emotive vocals of mercurial frontman Jonathan Espeche along with the pummeling rhythm section of Michael San Luis (bass) and Austin Hand (drums).

With a sound that encompasses the immediacy and aggressiveness of the early 1990’s alternative movement, lead guitar heroics of the 1970’s, as well the atmospheric sound of shoegaze; they have taken their influences and created a sound that is uniquely their own. Their dense wall of guitar and high energy live shows have garnered them comparisons to bands such as Smashing Pumpkins, The Cure, Nirvana, and My Bloody Valentine.

They have been tapped to open shows locally for national acts such as Clinic, No Joy, Yuck, Antemasque, and are quickly establishing themselves as an up and coming band to watch.

The Escatones (Houston,TX)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Escatones/110675738999767

The Escatones are a 3 piece rock and roll band. Formed in the summer of 2010 in Galveston, TX, they play a blend of psychedelic surf garage punk country folk rock and roll. Connor Purcell (Lead Vocals/Guitar/Bass/Keys) meet JT Popiel (Bass/Guitar/Keys) during the winter of 2009 while jamming at a friend’s house. Connor had already had a band going known as the Jimson Jolly Vagrants. After playing a few shows under that name they decided to start fresh with a new name and new material.

The name comes from the word eschatology, which is the study of the end of times. Combine that with tones and you got yourself a 60?s sounding garage/surf name. Influenced by The Butthole Surfers, The Judy’s, 13th Floor Elevators, The Byrds, Dick Dale, The Ventures, The Stooges, The Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth, Prince, and just about everything else they try to not get stuck in one genre of music. 2011 was a busy year for them.

They self released a spilt EP with fellow Houston rockers Darwin’s Finches called Owls in the Headlights of the Sulfur Digging Bulldozer. Released two full length live albums called Live from High Island and The Ghost of High Island, also a live album, on Houston label Homeskool Recordz. Relocating to Oklahoma for half the year after a disaster transport tour they were able to rock 55 shows throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and Louisana.

They are looking to end the last year on Earth with a bang. They are getting to release a 7? under Artificial Head Records and are currently recording their first full length studio album. Oh and they are fat and hairy and when they come to your town you might see more of them then you want to.

Darwin’s Finches (Galveston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/Darwins-Finches-191759184224784/

“Darwin’s Finches, from Galveston Texas, went on next and they rocked exceedingly hard. The band was fronted by this very timid, reserved-looking, guy but when he got up on stage he shredded in a way I’ve seen few people shred before. He was positively electric on stage as he squirmed and jumped and rocked. The vocals were great too, they reminded me of a higher-pitched, more articulate Les Claypool. One of the best parts of their set was a super-raw, garage-rock, cover of “Surfin’ Bird” by the Trashmen complete with water sounds and the bizarre “oom-pow-pow”. The members are really nice ”
Jack Betz – Free Press Houston

“Argh. I suck, I suck, I suck — I’ve got this massive pile of CDs sitting on my desk (well, okay, right now large chunks of it are riding around in my backpack), and Old Skatillivich, the full-length from Galveston-dwelling weirdballs Darwin’s Finches is practically living at the top of the pile, in desperate need of some focused attention I’ve yet to give it. Which is especially painful because I do like what I’ve heard so far, even if it throws me for a loop every damn time; the shambling, backwoodsy strangeness these guys bring forth is hard to pigeonhole but still pretty neat; I’ve got to give it a more serious listen, and soon.”
Space City Rock

Ziel Zuster (Shreveport, LA)
https://www.facebook.com/zielzustermusic