Osees - Sorcs 80

This album [SORCS 80] was a self-imposed ambitious project for us [OSEES] — something to kickstart the creative flow. The last few years, having been a challenging time in general, felt like a good moment for a pivot. The previous two albums were so guitar- and keyboard-centric, I wanted a weird and fun set of parameters for us to work with.

I demo'd everything at home on cassette four-track (harkening back to simpler times) using drum loops, and just kept going until I had a pile of "songs."

Tom [Dolas] and I chose one sound each using synths and created a range of three octaves of that sample. We then loaded them into Roland SPD-SX samplers and learned the transcribed songs using drumsticks. The idea was to change the way we wrote music and to have four people along the front of the stage essentially playing percussion. So—no guitar, no keys.

As we were recording, I kept thinking how the sounds, when paired up, resembled brass. So, we added a saxophone horn section to round out the “horniness” of the sound with a bit of reedy bell tones. Thanks to Cansfis Foote and Brad Caulkins on tenor and baritone saxophones.

Sort of a Dexy's Midnight Runners meets Von LMO meets The Flesh Eaters meets The Screamers kinda punk junk. Poppy and hooky, heavy at times. Sort of vacuous and maybe a bit sci-fi in sound. Boneheaded in riff and heady in lyrics.

Recorded at Stu-Stu-Studio by me on eight-track 1/4-inch tape. So, pretty hot and raw.

There’s a lot to write about today. Many of these lyrics came from things people said in passing about taking on life right now—phrases that stuck with me. Things that made me reflect. Things that made me laugh. Things that made me say “WTF.”

Some folks are kind, genuine, and give you love and energy. Others are greedy, manipulative ghouls who hang off your veins. You must be strong, composed, and take care of yourself. Be self-aware and check your mind for cracks. Learn to relax and be well.

There are moments of beauty and redemption. It’s not all bad news, and there’s always hope. People continue to surprise me one way or another.

Anyhow, hope you enjoy — and good luck out there.
– John Dwyer