Flat Worms
Live In Los Angeles
FLAT WORMS formed in Los Angeles in 2015. From their early days playing together (Will Ivy guitar/vocals, Tim Hellman bass/vocals (THEE OH SEES), Justin Sullivan drums) they found a compatibility and sense of purpose that has guided them through several singles, an EP and two full-length LPs on God/Drag City, each of which had found a growing number of people who want to hear the band. With most of their recordings made in TY SEGALLs home studio, the contrast between the bands native emphasis on immediacy and the adventuresome signal paths and possibilities that mark TYs productions has given extra texture to Wills psyched-out guitar leads and the muscular flex of Tim and Justins rhythm playing. With Antarctica and "The Guest" 7", FLAT WORMS sound tilted further toward its virtual intent with STEVE ALBINI engineering at his Electrical Audio facility. Recorded live at Zebulon around the time of Into the Iris, Live In Los Angeles takes this tack even further, trading the wiggy sonic swamp of their studio-recorded sounds for the more open physicality that becomes apparent in a live setting, as the audiences presence goads the band and the band similarly pushes the audience. Live In Los Angeles is an overwhelming expression of FLAT WORMS democratic goals, with the three members thrusting forward together with the audience in a space infused with shared energy. This allows the dark humors in their songs to shine more brightly, and their intentions as a social band, to entertain and to move bodies, become clear over the course of eight uncompromising performances. This is FLAT WORMS first release for Frontier Records, whose seminal punk releases have always been an influence for the band. On Live In Los Angeles, the West Coast post-punk sound blooms eternal, outside of time, speaking as urgently to today as it always has. Live In Los Angeles brings the vibe, slamming us back into the club every time we drop the needle - until were able to meet again in such essential open encounters.