California X ‘Nights in the Dark’ Album Track “Hadley, MA” Out Today
National Tour Kicks Off Jan 2
Sophomore LP Drops Jan 13 via Don Giovanni Records
“Sludgy-yet-accessible guitars chug along throughout the song, calling to mind Pinkerton-era Weezer with a bit more of a bite.” – Consequence of Sound
“California X just goes, roaring through one deafening, full-tilt tune, stopping briefly to catch its breath, then tearing into the next.” – Pitchfork
“This trio’s proclivity for sun-baked garage-punk grind makes them cousins to thrashing L.A. acts like FIDLAR, and their preference for slowly growing shaggy anthems pegs them as direct descendants of their gnarly neighbors in Dinosaur Jr.” – SPIN
“If you like triumphantly blearly guitar jams, you should absolutely check it out.” – Stereogum
“For a bunch of Massholes, California X sound awfully sunny. It’s light, catchy music for sunny days and late nights, but here’s some serious grungy grit lurking between the garage rock clamor and rousing power pop hooks.” – VICE’s Noisey
Photo Credit: Ricky Adam
California X’ highly anticipated sophomore album Nights in the Dark will be released January 13, 2015 via Don Giovanni Records. The new record not only stimulates the senses but it allowed the quartet to delve deeper into more conceptual work, the contrast between light and dark, contentment and longing. A follow up to their critically acclaimed eponymous debut, Justin Pizzoferrato (Dinosaur Jr, Speedy Ortiz) once again helms the engineering deck, ensuring the new record retains all the distorted overdrive of the band’s characteristic fuzzed out, hard guitar-driven sound.
Drawing on influences from 70s rock to 90s alternative, “Hadley, MA” is an epic ballad with emotive lyrical harmonies and tremendous guitar solos. Yet another example of the indie rock scuzz-meets-growling grunge that the band is revered for, “Hadley, MA” premiered with Consequence of Sound and is available here.
Formed by friends Lemmy Gurtowsky and Dan Jones upon relocating to Amherst, MA, California X have crafted a more mature sophomore record, that find solace in a heavy, lush and melodic home with the addition of Zach Brower on guitar and Cole Lanier on drums. An introspective vision is confronted as the band manoeuvres, seamlessly as ever, from fuzzy power chords to conceptual ballads.
Catch California X on the road in 2015:
1/2: Brooklyn, NY @ Shea Stadium (w/ Ovlov, Big Ups, LVL UP)
1/3: Philadelphia, PA @ Golden Tea House (w/ Ovlov, Hound, Mannequin Pussy)
1/4: Washington, DC @ Pat Vogel’s House
1/5: Charlotte, NC @ Sanctuary (w/ Late Bloomer, Black Market)
1/6: Nashville, TN @ The End (w/ Left and Right)
1/7: New Orleans, LA @ The Beatnik
1/9: Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves
1/11: Tempe, AZ @ 51 West
1/12: San Diego, CA @ The Hideout (w/ Happy Diving)
1/13: Los Angeles, CA @ La Cita (w/ Happy Diving)
1/14: Oakland, CA @ 1-2-3-4 GO! Records (w/ Happy Diving)
1/16: Portland, OR @ Smart Collective
1/18: Boise, ID @ Neurolux
1/19: Salt Lake City @ The Loading Dock
1/20: Denver, CO @ 7th Circle Collective
1/21: Lincoln, NE @ The Bourbon Theatre
1/22: Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen (w/ Earth Girls)
1/23: Cincinnati, OH @ The Comet
1/24: New Brunswick, NJ @ Paradise Lost
2/7: Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory