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Ahead of their show tonight at Abilene Bar & Lounge in Rochester, New York alongside local psych-rock supergroup Leus Zeus, we caught up with the Chicago's garage-psych barn-burners Glyders to talk all about their first proper full-length album, what it was like supporting their heroes the Gories, and whether or not they'll be trying any Rochester-styled dishes.
Dementedly blissful, motorik-driven rock 'n' roll is the sound you get when hear Glyders' debut LP, Maria's Hunt, hit the speakers. After self-releasing a couple singles and EPs, Glyders released their first proper LP on Drag City and Country Thyme Records back in January. Straight out of Chicago, Glyders was formed in 2014 by partners-in-crime guitarist-vocalist Joshua Condon and bassist Eliza Weber. Their new drummer, Joe Seger, didn't come into the fold until the new album was being pressed. Maria's Hunt is best described as a multicolored trip to the ongoing beat of American weirdness that finds a nebulous balance between hip-shaking, stripped 'n' strangled garage beaters, cosmic country, and a bongwater bath of stoner grooves and sheer guitar joy — it's timeless rock 'n' roll with a nocturnal pulse and piercing edge.
Ahead of their show tonight at Abilene Bar & Lounge in Rochester, New York alongside local psych-rock supergroup Leus Zeus, we caught up with the trio to talk all about their first proper full-length album, what it was like supporting their heroes the Gories, and whether or not they'll be trying the Rochester-styled dish Chicken French.
Paperface Zine: Take me through the origins of Glyders. How did you three meet and decide you wanted to play music together?
Joshua Condon: Eliza and I met about ten years ago. I had a few songs going and she mentioned she had a bass guitar. We started jamming and the rest is history! Joe joined up with us about the time the record was being pressed and fit right in to what we were doing. PZ: What are your thoughts looking back on your earlier EPs and singles since the beginning of 2014?
JC: I think they still hold up! But I'm more excited about what's next. Eliza Weber: I love those songs and will never outgrow them. Josh's songwriting is timeless. Someday we'll put out a greatest hits record with them all on it.
PZ: What was it like finally releasing your debut LP Maria's Hunt back in January and why did it take so long to release a debut album? Just wanted to master the craft carefully or other obligations?
EW: It was truly a dream come true. There are a few reasons the record took so long, but mostly we just wanted to take our time to get it right. We've got our whole lives to do this and we aren't in any rush.
PZ: How did you get hooked up with Drag City for the release? EW: We'd been pestering them for ages, and had almost abandoned hope when we ran Rian Murphy at the hideout just in the nick of time.....we had just decided to release the album on Bandcamp, but he told us we should "do it right," and we're so grateful that we got to. PZ: Talk to me a bit about the album's artwork. What was the idea behind it and how does it convey or match with the ten tracks?
EW: I've been making all the Glyders fliers and album artwork since the beginning, which is how I got started doing graphic design. The style of the album cover is loosely inspired by the gang calling cards of yore a la Thee Almighty & Insane. I wanted to include our logo, which I also designed, front and center. The rest is just doodles and decorations. PZ: You're currently embarking on an East Coast tour with stops in Detroit, Cleveland, and here in Rochester. What are you most excited about getting back on the road? I'm sure that Gories / Stools show in Chicago last weekend had to give you some fuel! EW: I think I speak for all of us when I say touring is our favorite thing to do on this earth. Hope to do it till we die!
PZ: How big was it for you to be opening for the Gories in Chicago? You can certainly hear them throughout your music especially with your hip-shaking, foot-stomping rock n roll sound. EW: It was a dream come true. I'll never forget hearing that Gories sound for the first time. JC: There would be no Glyders without the Gories. We've been ripping 'em off for years.
Joe Seger: Definitely never thought something like that would happen — very honored, they're heroes. They mean as much to me as, say, the Cramps or Dead Moon. PZ: You plan on stopping by at the House of Guitars or enjoying some Chicken French when you're in Rochester tonight?
EW: Chicken what? PZ: Aside from this East Coast tour that will take up most pf your August, what else is on the horizon for Glyders?
EW: We've got another dream come true show in December to announce soon with some Chicago heroes, and then after that we've got plans to cross the pond!
Maria's Hunt is out now on Drag City and Country Thyme Records.