The sci-fi, surf-punk ghouls The Hamiltones are back with a couple of new singles off their upcoming album, IN SPACE. The Buffalo-based band has released “Space Race” and “Entr’acte to The Hamiltones in Space,” the new record will drop on March 8th.
IN SPACE will be a high-concept surf record, serving as the soundtrack to an epic space opera. The album borrows themes and textures from mid-century science fiction and superimposes them onto modern surf rock. While most bands of the style only use guitar, bass, and drums, The Hamiltones dare to utilize layers of vocals, lush strings, horns, space-age synthesizers, and even theremin on their new record.
“The result is a record that has just as much in common with John Williams, Ennio Morricone, and John Carpenter as it does with Dick Dale or The Ventures,” the band says. “IN SPACE is unflinchingly audacious, daring to boldly go where no surf band has gone before.” So, in other words, this is one small step for a surf rock band and one giant step for the surf rock genre. Hold onto your seatbelts …
The 12” new record comes with a companion 7” EP of music by the mysterious Moon People and a six-page insert spelling out the plot to a fictitious film to which IN SPACE serves as the soundtrack. That sounds awesome!
The Hamiltones emerged from the unexpected but formidable hotbed of surf rock in Buffalo in 2014, initially for what was supposed to be a one-off gig at an annual February frozen beach party. The gig went so well that the band continued playing together. Their music weaves elements of horror, sci-fi, and cinematic scores into their sound, and the group members have also played in bands like Aaron & The Burrs, Science Man, and Space Wolves.
“Space Race” is a short track under two minutes long but packs a potent punch. The blending of surf rock with the sci-fi vibes makes for interesting listening, and the song’s fast tempo hits just right. “Entr’acte to The Hamiltones in Space” introduces more prominent weird electronic noise, slowing down the pace but keeping the surf rock meets space rock feel. It’s good stuff.
If you like the two singles from The Hamiltones, get ready for the release of IN SPACE on March 8th and pair it with another freaky surf-rock band we wrote about recently, Movie Club. You can also check out The Hamiltones’ debut album, Dracula Invitational 1791, from 2021, for more surf-punk ghoulish delights. Enjoy!
Pre-order IN SPACE by The Hamiltones on Bandcamp here.
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