In Britain the old school notion that we invented punk has become firmly rooted (Spoiler: We didn’t). Whilst the fateful Sex Pistols last tour was a deliberate act of provocation across America’s blue collar states, in certain places it’s ideals took root early; anyone looking for proof should go no further than Penelope Spheeris’ 1981 documentary The Decline of Western Civilization.
That examined a small but fiercely independent scene anchored in Los Angeles, the city that LA Witch also call home. Carrying on decades old traditions, they’ve maintained the flame of alternative rock through their self titled debut and it’s follow up Play With Fire, released in 2020. Recording now for the first time in Paris, the trio have saddled DOGGOD with a high concept that thematically explores complicated intra-gender relationships and darker beliefs.
Musically they centre around gothic and post-punk sounds, emulating in particular Joy Division on I Hunt You Prey, Seventeen Seconds era Cure (777) plus Siouxsie and The Banshees (The Lines). At their most outgoing on the title track, Icicle and Kiss Me Deep, on DOGGOD LA Witch are keeping it after dark in Los Angeles, a tradition that has as much of a place in history there as any place across the pond.
You can read a full review here.
The Voice Of Unreason 