Heavy rock collective BIG SCENIC NOWHERE (with members of Fu Manchu, Yawning Man, Mos Generator, as well as Nick Oliveri, Alain Johannes, Per Wiberg) unveil the second excerpt taken from their debut LP 'Vision Beyond Horizon', due out January 31st on Heavy Psych Sounds.
New song “Hidden Wall” was written by guitarist Bob Balch (Fu Manchu) and vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Tony Reed (Mos Generator), with Gary Arce (Yawning Man) rocking all of the guitar solos, and Per Wiberg (former Opeth, Spiritual Beggars) on additional mellotron. Rhythm section is driven by Mario Lalli (Fatso Jetson) on bass and Bill Stinson (Fu Manchu) on drums.
Guitarist Bob Balch comments: "I wrote the riffs to “Hidden Wall” thinking it was going to end up on side two of the next Sun And Sail Club record. I wanted to have Tony Reed on side two with all mellow stuff and Tony Adolescent on side one with all fast aggressive stuff. Literally while writing it I was texting with Gary Arce about starting up Big Scenic Nowhere. It was then that I realized that those two projects should become one thing. Tony Reed and myself already had “War Years” so I sent both tracks to Gary and he dug them. We used both on “Vision Beyond Horizon.” I never knew how to end the song so I created a track that allowed for jamming at the end. Mario Lalli on bass, Bill Stinson on drums and Per Wiberg on keys completed the sound. Tony Reed played keys as well. Gary Arce came by my house in San Diego and we recorded leads for him in my backyard. Super stoked on how that one turned out."
Tony Reed adds: "The Hidden Wall is possibly the second song that I worked on from the numerous demos that Bob (Balch) sent to me. Many of the vocal melodies for these demos came very easy for me, including this one. It’s great to be able to work outside of my writing structure and add to the approach of other musicians. As far as I can tell, The Hidden Wall is about self religion and closing out the world around you to search for purpose, clarity, and inspiration."
Anyone familiar with the terms “Stoner Rock” or “Desert Rock” have surely heard the names FU MANCHU or YAWNING MAN. While stylistically different, both bands occupy legendary status. Like many of the best things in life, the root collaboration behind Big Scenic Nowhere between guitarists Gary Arce of Yawning Man and Bob Balch of Fu Manchu started with tacos.
While the project would grow soon enough to encompass players like Tony Reed (Mos Generator), Mario Lalli (Fatso Jetson, Yawning Man), Per Wiberg (Spiritual Beggars, ex-Opeth), Bill Stinson (Yawning Man), Nick Oliveri (Mondo Generator, ex-Kyuss, etc.), Lisa Alley and Ian Graham (both of The Well), Alain Johannes (Them Crooked Vultures, Chris Cornell, Eleven) and Thomas V. Jäger (Monolord), Big Scenic Nowhere is founded on Balch and Arce tossing guitar riffs and leads back and forth, piecing together song parts one movement at a time. Jamming. Sharing music. Developing a chemistry to build something new based on their individual experiences. In this way, Big Scenic Nowhere is the heart of what collaboration should manifest. Something that grows stronger for the cohesion between those who make it happen.
Gary traveled to Bob’s place, Bob recorded the tracks and assembled what became more fluid progressions, and songs resulted, highlighting the differences of style between the two of them – Balch a fuzz-laden guitarist’s guitarist tuned to D standard, Arce a delay-drenched sonic explorer with a signature tone tuned to DAD’GAD – and the resulting cohesion from their efforts. After Balch arranged the tunes they headed into the studio to get basic tracks. Over the course of a few months musicians started to send in their contributions to the record. Vocals from Tony Reed came first, then Lisa Alley and Ian Graham from The Well and lastly Alain Johannes. Tony Reed also provided some vintage synth sounds, along with Per Wiberg, and Alain added some extra guitar parts. The end result is an album that is so dense with talent that it’s frightening. It’s a result of seasoned artists that have grown to this point. While all of their styles are different, the collaboration created a beautiful and unique album. “Vision Beyond Horizon” will echo through the ages as a document of our time, a bible to all things stoner and desert and then some. It’s a very heady album and deserves full attention. So sit back, relax, and take a trip behind the sonic curtain. Let “Vision Beyond Horizon” be your guide for years to come.
BIG SCENIC NOWHERE is
Bob Balch (Guitar, Bass)
Gary Arce (Guitar)
Tony Reed (Vocals, Keys, Drums)
Mario Lalli (Bass)
Per Wiberg (Keys)
Bill Stinson (Drums)
Nick Oliveri (Bass)
Lisa Alley (Vocals)
Ian Graham (Vocals)
Alain Johannes (Vocals, Guitar)
BIG SCENIC NOWHERE LINKS
Facebook / HPS Records website / HPS Records Facebook
