Following their EP Situationist earlier this year, White Wives’ debut LP, Happeners, will be released June 28 on Adeline Records. Inspired by the mid-60s Provo movement, a counterculture movement that used nonviolence and absurd humor to provoke violent reactions from the police, the album bears the title of the movement leaders.
This quartet brings together Western Pennsylvanian natives Anti-Flag’s Chris “#2” Barker and Chris Head, Roger Harvey of Dandelion Snow and Tyler Kweder of American Armada. While they share a hometown, they have as many creative and ideological similarities as they do differences. “I think our varying influences are what helps create the sound and aesthetic of White Wives,” offers “2”. “I grew up listening to a lot of music from the mid nineties: Nirvana, Pixies.” Harvey, on the other hand, cites traditional literary songwriters: “Neil Young, Townes Van Zandt, Gram Parsons. Of course Dylan and Woody Guthrie.” The diversity of inspiration speaks volumes about their creative origins, and serves as a reminder to set pre-conceived notions aside and allow the music to be the voice. The collection of 11 tracks range from high-gain electric rock n’ roll, to punk/indie rock, to carefully orchestrated acoustic songs.
