The Mantles are a contemporary pop/psych concoction from San Francisco. This San Franciscan four-piece are a zany group of longtime friends that really know how to create some sharp, garage-minded jangle pop in a groovy sort of way. Their unique sound encapsulates both the late 50’s countrified rock ‘n roll as well as the paranoiac side of the 60’s & 70’s psychedelic fuzz.
The band members’ paths crisscrossed in unlikely, but seemingly inevitable ways. All longtime Bay Area residents, The Mantles have formed a groove-furnished group that is spearheading the current San Francisco psych renaissance.
When Kevin J. Elliot of The Agit Reader asked The Mantles “How did you guys get started,” the drummer, Virginia Weatherby, responded- “I lost my job and was advised to find a couple of “shitbags” to help me kill time. Enter Michael (Michael Olivares- the band’s vocalist & guitarist), who was impressed that I lived in a house in San Francisco with a garage that you could practice in. He convinced me to jam even though I had never really played drums before. With some 40s in hand, Michael lured his high school buddy Jermaine to come play bass and the three of us spent the summer playing music as an excuse to drink during the day and not feel guilty.”
The bassist for the band, Matt R, described how the came together about by stating “I saw this incarnation of the band and asked to put out a single. I goaded Drew C (the band’s lead guitarist) into letting me co-produce the record in his garage. Slowly Drew seeped into the band and I wasn’t too far behind, as I was the only bass player shitty enough to get in the ballpark of Jermaine after he decided to leave.”
The Mantles are amidst a great sound that is currently going on in the SF music scene. The reason I dig them so much is the fact that they aren’t pushing out quantity but rather taking time to press the best.
This quality sound that The Mantles exude fills me with jittery exuberance and makes me wanna boogie. Whether or not yer day-tripping or just plain ol’ tripping out enjoi this breeze-kissed, pop nugget “Don’t Lie” off of their latest album titled “The Mantles.”
-Bill
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