Artist description Music that is eclectic, thought provoking, creatively challenging, and fun.

Music Style progressive

Musical Influences The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground, Talking Heads, Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan, REM, Neil Young

Similar Artists Wilco, Wallflowers

Artist History The music of BLITCH BANGO is a mysterious package. At the surface is a musical wrapper of memorable melodies and sonic style. But open the package, and inside you'll find the gift of expressive lyrics, musical structure, and passionate delivery spring to life. Led solely by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter B. Mathis, BLITCH BANGO's music draws upon the essence of rock, with a blend of folk/americana, punk/new-wave, and elements of lounge/cocktail jazz, forming a unique and eclectic style. Paired with lyrics that can be pointed, cynical, facetious, or abstract, the songs are conscious yet fun, contemplative yet diverting, with enough melodic hooks to keep you humming. BLITCH BANGO's main influences include The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, and bands of the punk/new-wave movement (Elvis Costello, Talking Heads, Velvet Underground), but also draws influence from folk-rock/americana artists like Bob Dylan, early R.E.M., and Neil Young, the psychedelia of Robyn Hitchcock, and the rough hewn edges of The Clash and Lou Reed. Added to this is an additional peppering of abstraction from lounge and cocktail jazz resulting in a style that cannot be easily compared to any one entity. Do these influences show in BLITCH BANGO's release TWILIGHT? "I wanted to do a record that drew heavily upon the more rootsy influences, with a lot of acoustic instruments," says Mathis. "The 'Beggars Banquet' era Stones influence is there. The R.E.M is there. I've been listening to a lot of Wilco, and that's been a strong influence. Also, I've been listening to quite a bit of Martin Denny, so vibes and bongoes find their way in as well. After completing MODERN CHRISTMAS CLASSICS IN VARIOUS STYLES, I wanted to go to a more rootsy sound. I felt a bit more freedom for interpretation and experimentation on MODERN CHRISTMAS CLASSICS than I would have normally afforded on my own compositions. As a result, the arrangements stretch beyond anything I have done before. I wanted to carry that freedom to TWILIGHT but strip it down a bit." BLITCH BANGO was conceived as Mr. Mathis's "band personification" when he left the self-proclaimed neo-post-modern group The Suppositones in 1996. As a founding member of the 'Tones, he contributed his skills as one of the three principal songwriters, as well as guitar counterpoint in the 'Tones unique two guitar sound. On his own, Mr. Mathis has penned and produced music for independent video productions, and has accumulated a backlog of dozens of musical studies, demos, and other tidbits not intended for public consumption.

Group Members B. Mathis, M. Tailor

Instruments All of them

Albums Modern Christmas Classics In Various Styles, Twilight

Location McHenry, IL - USA

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