Sacramento, CA (Top40 Charts/ Half of Nothing Records) Sacramento-based Sexrat is set to release Masters Of Obscurity on August 2, on the home-grown, DIY label, Half Of Nothing Records. "MoO", as the album is affectionately known, celebrates Sexrats' no-holds-barred, freewheeling ethos with 12 tracks that run the gamut from boisterous pandemonium to reflective ballads.
The release of the CD will be limited to local live shows and through Sexrat's website, as the bands' label, Half Of Nothing Records, is slated to begin worldwide distribution through the INgrooves Fontana network this fall.
Band members Zach "Zippy" Goodin (guitars/vocals), Devin Hurley (drums/keyboards/vocals), and Marc "Dirty German" Kallweit (bass) recorded Masters of Obscurity at RadioStar Studios out of the Weed Palace Theater in Weed California, with legendary producer Sylvia Massy. Ironically, Massy started her career in music production as producer, engineer, and mixer for a 1985 compilation disc titled Rat
Music for Rat People. Massy is better known for working with Tool, Red Hot
Chili Peppers, Sublime, Sevendust, Powerman 5000 and many other chart topping acts. Under her tutelage, "MoO" retains the trademark Sexrat freakiness, while building in a more reflective narrative. The bombast is still present, but now features more clarity of style with focused, nuanced songwriting.
Standout tracks include the socially conscious Made In China (featuring expert drumming from Sublime's Bud Gaugh); the pensive ballad Grudge, which solves many a human character defect while calmly hinting at making amends; and the arena rockers Vapor Trails, Hot Shower and the aforementioned Hangin' On. Massy expertly tapped into Sexrats' amazing musicianship and passion for jamming hard, focusing the band's talents on creating a solid album.
Speaking to Submerge Magazine, Massy commented "Sexrat has managed to capture something that's rare in today's musical offerings - true honesty. They are organic, gritty, and melodic. They are fun, and yet they express deep emotion in their music with inspired performances coming directly from the heart."
This inspiration is evident from the very start of "MoO". Hangin' On, the first track from the new CD, starts with an ominous opening - think Led Zeppelin's In The Evening - a dark, droning intro which slowly builds into a vocal and driving guitar climax heralding the arrival of Masters Of Obscurity. It's an effective build - one that draws in the listener and prepares them for the array of styles that pour from this latest Sexrat concoction, while hinting at the myriad of musical influences that litter throughout this latest release.
As if their sonic boom live show wasn't enough, Sexrat recently integrated multi-media video on stage, culling diverse and sometimes disturbing images to counter their hard playing. These images are also featured in their two music videos for Made In China and Vapor Trails.
Sexrat will feature their multi-media live show and songs from Masters Of Obscurity at a CD Release concert at The Townhouse Lounge, 1517 21st Street in Sacramento, on August 2. (916-837-3374)
Online: Twitter: @__sexrat__ Facebook: Facebook.com/sexrat Website: Sexerat.net Reverbnation: reverbnation.com/sexrat Myspace: myspace.com/sexrat
Label: Halfofnothingrecords.com
Instagram: @sexratmusic
