MATT TEN CLAY & THE HOWLERS

Very Much Alive

2014-02-28

Matt Ten Clay & The Howlers released their first EP, Heavy Boots in May of 2012. Less than two years later, the rock, pop, psych, shoegaze group visited WYCE on February 7 to promote their new 4-track EP, Very Much Alive. The EP features Lazy Genius' Patrick Wieland on drums and a collaboration with Jonny Bruha, along with Haunted Leather's Dustin Meninger. The local group recorded at Ten Clay's studio Amber Lit Audio for 10 months on songs that setting Matt Ten Clay apart as an ingenious local producer. "Very Much Alive," the title track, sets the tone of the record with heavy guitar and drums. Ten Clay's production skills become clear as his vocals are easily distinguished from the clamoring of the band. "Now Or Never" is deepened by Ten Clay's vocal range as the electric guitar creates a driving Western Frontier feel mixed with the group's rock/psych tendencies. Though the song seems to be building to a climax, we never get there. "I Can't Fight It" closes out the album with a confession from Ten Clay and a wonky, reverberating electric guitar.
Richard Martin

Quick Links:

• Matt Ten Clay & The Howler's Bandcamp Page