Peeling Grey is a post-punk band from LA that has created quite a stir on their local club circuit.  Listening to “The Peeling Sessions”, their Demo EP, it is easy to see why.      Since it is indeed a demo, production is a bit rough around the edges.  But it is a good intro the sound of the band, and gives a tantalizing glimpse of what a fully produced album will sound like.    This sounds very much like a concert recording (without the annoying clapping, whistling, etc.)  I immediately had flashbacks to many a good show I attended back in the day.

“Peeling Grey” has a very early Goth/Deathrock sound.  Not the original deathrock, mind you, but very much in keeping with the new generation of DR.  It’s a quite stripped down sound, with steady percussion, a sort of fuzzy guitar, and keyboards which play a prominent part.  The song is dominated by Andy’s vocals, which are probably a bit more on the Gothic end of the spectrum.   The song is not complicated, yet hooks the listener quite firmly.

“The Strip” starts with a spooky ‘siren’ kind of sound, then percussion and keyboards kick in.  The keyboards have a very cool melody that reminds me of the hurdy gurdy sounds of medieval music.  Go figure!  Combined with eerie guitar and echo-ey vocals, it is dark, yet very catchy.  A nice guitar slide finished up the song.

“James Quarterly” has a very ‘80’s feel, with has guitar that vaguely brings the Cure to mind, and the keyboards remind me of something I just can’t put my finger on.   I love the vocals, evocative and edgy.   In the middle, percussion drops to a heartbeat, and the keyboards have a spooky drone, which augments the guitar which drops into the lower ranges.   Everything speeds up right at the end.

“Faith in Forever” is perhaps my favorite song on this EP.  Layered Gothic vocals,  almost tribal percussion, distant keyboards, and raspy muted guitar  are backed by an electronic drone. The song slows, and the percussion sounds rhythmic like a train for a bit, with an accent provided by high hat percussion. Everything stops, and the vocals echo into oblivion.

I simply cannot wait to hear a full-production CD from Peeling Grey.  This is one of the times I wish I lived on the West Coast instead of the East, since I would love to hear them perform.  Their stripped down, yet effective music is reminiscent of ‘80’s post-punk, and early Goth, and yet manages to sound new at the same time.   Just when I was starting to get bored with some of the stuff in my collection, Peeling Grey has provided me with a new fix!  Check them out,  You won’t regret it.

http://www.myspace.com/peelinggrey