The L.A.-based quartet Allah-Las never got more concentrated press than they did on August 24 of this year, when their Rotterdam show was canceled due to an ultimately-foiled terrorist threat (read a statement from the band regarding this incident on their website). Ostensibly a target because of their name, the Allah-Las have refused to give in to those who have taken issue with their moniker, unlike, ahem, some other guys who make pretty good music. For this, they deserve praise.
But they also deserve praise for their long, consistent career churning out psych-leaning garage rock. Following their 2016 album Calico Review, they’re back with a new 10-inch EP of covers. Plainly titled Covers #1, it’s out November 3 on Mexican Summer and features songs originally by Television and George Harrison, among others.
The album is pre-order-able right over here, and you can check out their take on Kathy Heideman’s “The Earth Won’t Hold Me” down below. It swaps the original’s folksy charm and Jefferson Airplane gravitas for a spacier, twangier approach; a wise move, considering Heideman’s presence on the mic would be difficult to replicate. In the end, it feels firmly like an Allah-Las song — unsurprising, because the Allah-Las never sound like anyone so much as themselves.
Covers #1 EP tracklisting:
01. Fish On The Sand [George Harrison] (vocal: Miles Michaud)
02. Hard On Love [Television] (vocal: Miles Michaud)
03. J.O. Eleven [Further] (vocal: Matthew Correia)*
04. The Earth Won’t Hold Me [Kathy Heideman] (vocal: Matthew Correia)
*Vinyl only
Allah Las tour dates:
9.27.17 - Seattle, WA - Neumos
9.28.17 - Vancouver, BC - Fortune Sound Club
10.4.17 - Portland, OR - Revolution Hall
10.6.17 - San Francisco, CA - Bimbo’s 365 Club
10.8.17 - Santa Barbara, CA - Soho Restaurant & Music Club
10.15.17 - Joshua Tree, CA - Desert Daze
10.18.17 - San Diego, CA - Music Box
10.21.17 - Los Angeles, CA - The Regent Theater