Sunwatchers - killer Brooklyn free rock/jazz/psych ensemble

Given that these guys just released their third absolutely amazing album in a row, I thought it was time for their own thread. I wasn't sure if they could top last year's Illegal Moves, but I think Oh Yeah? (also props for naming the album after the one with the Kool-Aid Man on it "oh, yeah") is indeed even better. Just massive, cathartic free skronk jams. I'm a huge fan and I hope to catch them live someday.

we've discussed some in the post Fahey thread over the years

great band

add another great album, their collaboration with Eugene Chadbourne

https://sunwatchersandeugenechadbourne.bandcamp.com/album/3-characters

Thanks for the reminder on that one, they also have another EP due out in a few weeks... just so prolific right now.

they're backing the legendary arthur doyle (along with a few others, billed as "his new quiet screamers) on this 2016 release, recorded in 2012:

https://arthurdoyle.bandcamp.com/album/first-house-recorded-live-at-the-stone-july-11-2012

same label that released the eugene C collaboration i now see

Yeah, same label for their upcoming Brave Rats EP as well.

they're wonderful live

^ yes they are

i would say it's four excellent albums in a row -> s/t, II, Illegal Moves and Oh Yeah

and thus...

one of the best bands going right now, i'd say

I actually haven't heard the S/T yet, but looks like the CD version at least is still available from Castle Face. I played the Eugene Chadbourne collaboration last night, that's really great too!

Some of the same folks as were in Dark Meat back about 15 years ago. Similar-ish sound too.

sweet band — some live jams here: https://archive.org/details/Sunwatchers
the live cassette from a couple months back is radical as well: https://sunwatchers.bandcamp.com/album/hauslive-1-sunwatchers-at-cafe-mustache-4-13-2019

Yeah, that Haus Live tape is so good too... just so prolific and consistently great. Can't wait to see them in post quarantine times.

I remember coming across a Dark Meat 7" that has a, uh, pretty NSFW cover at one point that put me off, but at the time I thought they were some garage rock thing or something. Need to go back and check them out.

first impression ofOh Yeah?: freaky and tight and expansive and somehow mellow simultaneously---they wish us nothing but good things, in and out of the hot rapids---so far my relative faves are "Brown Ice" and "Thee Worm Store" and if you suspect a Zappa influence, I suspect you're right---also early Guerilla Toss, maybe==anyway, amazing, thanks! Looking fwd to Brave Rats.

Some of the same folks as were in Dark Meat back about 15 years ago. Similar-ish sound too.

― charlie brown from outta town (GM), Thursday, April 23, 2020 2:31 PM (three hours ago) bookmarkflaglink

Whoa no way, I saw them in mpls ages ago, the crowd barely outnumbered the band, great show.

Brave Rats is here. Fave originals: glorious fanfare opener, subtle orbital closer. Fave covers: maypole dance adjustment of Sonny Sharrock's "Black Willie," Nileside asteroid marching orders of Alice Coltrane's "Ptah, The El Daoud." EPs are real!
https://sunwatchers.bandcamp.com/album/brave-rats

just getting to the brave rats ep and the 'ptah el daoud' cover is soooo good

I still need to get that one, thanks for reminder! Sounds like a good bandcamp day purchase tomorrow.

This is a good one
https://sunwatchers.bandcamp.com/track/loop-2

Finally got around to picking up the 2016 self-titled, so good. "Ape Phases" and "Moon Changes" are both killer.

New album in November, first track is an absolute banger. Can't wait.

https://sunwatchers.bandcamp.com/album/music-is-victory-over-time