If you have followed Josh Scogin’s prior bands, Norma Jean and The Chariot, you have seen things set on fire, death-defying jumps from the rafters and swinging guitars that could take your head off if you were too close. Scogin spent more time in and on top of the crowd than on stage during their wild shows. When ’68 became Scogin’s new mode of expression, one would think the chaos would die down. He might be too busy onstage to think about jumping around. The subversive element of ’68 became something more subtle… the attitude. There is clever repartee between Scogin and the audience, wild interplay between Scogin and his ’68 bandmate, Michael McClellan and music that will stun audiences of alt/indie rock and hard rock varieties.
There are some wild song titles on Two Parts Viper, which is certainly different than their untitled songs from the previous album. “The Workers Are Few,” “This Life Is Old, New, Borrowed And Blue,” and “Without Any Words (Only Crying and Laughter)” are among them. The sound is equally unique – a rollercoaster of sonic emotion. Just when you think you know what will happen next, the song takes an unexpected turn. The headspace that Two Parts Viper puts the listener in, is one of constant discovery. Highs and lows, subtleties and blatant elements, things that require attention. This is just what Scogin was looking to achieve. Every step of this journey was designed to keep you on your toes… provoke thought… and, of course, entertain. Wild, inside and out. If you get it, you are ’68 too.
Upcoming North American Shows
** w/ Every Time I Die
May 17 – Columbia, MO – Rose Music Hall **
May 18 – Nashville, TN – The End **
May 19 – Indianapolis, IN – Deluxe, Old National Center **
May 20 – Lansing, MI– The Loft **
May 21 – Garwood, NJ – Crossroads
May 23 – Cambridge, MA – Middle East
May 24 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
May 25 – Rochester, NY – Harmony House
May 26 – Pittsburgh, PA – Smiling Moose
May 27 – St. Louis, MO – Fubar
May 28 – Lawrence, KS – Jackpot Music Hall
May 29 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
May 30 – Salt Lake City, UT – Loading Dock
June 01 – Spokane, WA – The Big Dipper
June 02 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
June 03 – Portland, OR – Analog Theater
June 04 – Santa Rosa, CA – The Arlene
June 06 – West Hollywood, CA – The Roxy
June 07 – Scottsdale, AZ – Pubrock
June 09 – Dallas, TX – The Prophet Bar
June 10 – Houston, TX – Walter’s
June 11 – Austin, TX – Grizzly Hall