The Lords of Altamont head to The Georgian Theatre on Thursday 19th November, bringing their garage-rock and psychedelic sound to Stockton for what promises to be a raucous night of old-school rock ’n’ roll.
The Los Angeles band have been making music for more than two decades, combining psychedelia, blues and classic rock ’n’ roll into something with plenty of bite. Taking their name from the infamous Altamont Free Concert of 1969, the band have always had a taste for the less polished side of rock music.
Their sound is packed with fuzz, Hammond organ and pounding drums, with the kind of rough edges that suit a band who have never seemed particularly interested in following the rules. At the centre of it all is frontman Jake Cavaliere, whose organ playing and vocals have become a defining part of their sound.
For the Stockton show, Cavaliere will be joined by Dani Sindaco on guitar, Rob Zim on bass and Barry Van Esbroek on drums.
The Lords of Altamont have gone through a number of line-up changes over the years, but Jake Cavaliere has remained at the centre of the band throughout. With more than 25 years of music behind them, there’s a sizeable back catalogue to draw from, along with plenty of experience when it comes to putting on a memorable live show.
Their influences take in mid-’60s London R&B, garage rock, psychedelia and the rougher side of ’70s punk. There’s a strong sense of those eras in their music, but the Hammond organ and heavier guitar work give them a sound of their own. It’s occasionally unruly, but it’s raw, energetic and certainly doesn’t ask for polish.
The band have played venues and festivals across the world, building a following well beyond their home city. They’ve shared stages with plenty of names from the wider garage, punk and rock scenes, while continuing to release new music of their own.
If you’re discovering them for the first time, this could be a good introduction to a band who have been quietly doing their own thing for a long time. If you already know The Lords of Altamont, meanwhile, it’s a chance to experience that distinctive mix of garage rock, psychedelia and old-school influences at close quarters.
Tickets, priced at £17.50 in advance, are available at georgiantheatre.co.uk.
