First time I heard The Ukiah Drag was with Grams wrapping presents during X-mas late 2013 in the Sands Point Nursing Home’s activities room, blaring the band’s Night People tape Variations of Candy (which I believe is mostly an instrumental tape) while sharing some blue-label scotch around the table, pour under the cloth, and laughing about holiday stories within the community. Those ladies oddly matched the crazy The Ukiah Drag draws out in “Open Room in Hell,” One lady rambling on as if she’s reading a dirty and violent poem. Another sort of just telling the same story over and over, like the tinge of this guitar. Grams sort of keeping the beat moving by asking if people want more booze. The gal with blue-wispy hair calling Grams, “The Blonde.” Everyone telling each other through laughter they wish death upon themselves. Christmas. Presents. Maybe I should’ve brought Bailey’s Irish Cream?
But The Ukiah Drag is 100% not a liquor-type sippin’ music. For example, “Open Room in Hell” is definitely the type of straight from the bottle track you want to hit the neck until you hitting yours. Or your neighbor. What else they got to steal? Start stabbing! Also, “Open Room in Hell” sounds exactly like the direction Interpol should’ve taken, drawing upon a strong influence of Bush’s Razorblade Suitcase, playing live after the Journey cover band because the local Pink Floyd cover band all had a stomach bug. Thus, entering the The Ukiah Drag, about to tare the whole rink down.
“Open Room in Hell” is the feature track off The Ukiah Drag’s newest Wharf Cat Records’ Crypt Cruiser EP on August 18 in vinyl format. You can preorder here and listen to “Open Room in Hell” singling out below:
• The Ukiah Drag: https://soundcloud.com/theukiahdrag
• Wharf Cat Records: https://wharfcatrecords.bandcamp.com
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