The split release has a deep-rooted history in the world of rock music. The legendary late-’80s Seattle music scene was built on splits, as it provided an economical way for bands to put out recordings to their fans when they couldn’t afford to record an album. It has also helped bands with networking and touring by working with another act from another part of the country or the world and resulting in a prime place to play while being on the road. These days it’s less common for the split 7-inch to come out due to the abilities provided through the internet that make it easier for bands to share their music. Despite the changes in the way recorded music functions, two badass rock and roll bands have a split 7-inch that’s being premiered on Vanyaland today.
Indianapolis’ Brother O’ Brother and Austin’s The Ghost Wolves complement each other pretty well; both bands are duos who know how to bring the fuzz to sky high levels of intensity. Brother O’ Brother consists of Chris Banta on guitar and vocals along with Warner Swopes on drums and they have an incredible blues sound reminiscent of The Black Keys’ early material and The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. Carley “Carazy” Wolf and Jonathan “Little Hammer” Wolf make up The Ghost Wolves and they bring a bit of a rockabilly flair to the table with a side of modern rock edge. The split they put out together is off the Colorado indie label Fonoflo Records and their partner label Romanus Records. It’s pretty unique looking with spectacular color combinations on the vinyl record and fake bushels of cash that look like orange Monopoly money.
The split consists of three tracks, Brother O’ Brother supplying two and The Ghost Wolves providing one. “I Confess” from the Indianapolis act is dirty as a pair of shoes that have been running in the mud with Banta getting up close and personal with his lyrics and vocal delivery. Starting off with the engine roaring and Carley’s guitar howling, “I Got Money $” oozes swagger and confidence. It sounds like it could be on the soundtrack of the next Guy Ritchie film with Carley’s smooth vocals and a breakdown anchored by Jonathan on drums finishing the track off. Concluding the split 7-inch is Brother O’ Brother with the rabble rousing “I Got It”, it’s an emphatic song that resonates a plethora of vigor.
Later in the week Brother O’ Brother and The Ghost Wolves will be doing a mini-tour together starting at The Hi-Fi in Indianapolis on July 28 and ending next week at the Marble Bar in Detroit on August 1. A couple weeks later Carley and Jonathan will be heading up to the Northeast for a few dates with shows at Don Pedro in Brooklyn on August 12, The Press Room in Portsmouth, NH on August 13 and returning to Firehouse 13 in Providence on August 14. If both bands are coming through your neighborhood, then go to a show. Until then, give a listen to the entire three-track split 7-inch via Bandcamp and within this post.
Brother O’ Brother + The Ghost Wolves mini tour:
July 28: Indianapolis, IN at Hi Fi
July 29: Ft Wayne, IN at Brass Rail
July 30: Akron, OH at Annabells
July 31: Columbus, OH at Double Happiness
August 1: Detroit MI at Marble Bar
The Ghost Wolves’ northeast dates:
August 12: Brooklyn NY at Don Pedro
August 13: Portsmouth NH at Press Room
August 14: Providence RI at Firehouse 13