Beautiful Grotesque

It's ritual time when anything could happen. Your next lover could wash up on the beach - or drop from outer space - and might not be exactly human. Underthings won't ask where you come from, they just want you to come with them. Beautiful Grotesque exudes a world of beings who swarm, feast, seduce, mate, protest, smirk, mourn, enchant, radiate, hallucinate and sacrifice as they stumble from the shores of Vertigo Island to the very end of time. Your family might not approve but will you grasp the hand reaching from the kelp? Underthings are a soulful vocal trio propelled by a supple rhythm section of drums, bass and guitar. Their sound blooms from funk, rock, punk, and Motown roots and sometimes branches into Bollywood and tropicalia. Underthings' music is described as Anthemic ceremonial satire by Tim McKee, Managing Editor of The Sun Magazine. Listeners have been reminded of the Velvet Underground, David Bowie, the Beatles, Os Mutantes, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Vocalists Brad Erickson, Courtney Arnold and Olivia Rathbone are veterans of alt-musical theater productions such as DayGlo Yodel and Apostasy of the Sea Monkeys. Drummer Jason Berkman keeps bees and also keeps beats for Baby Seal Club and Parlor Tricks. Bassist Sarah Topaz can also be heard playing the low notes for Illusive Soul. Credits: Brad Erickson: vocals and guitar Courtney Arnold: vocals, gorgogliatore, cuca, kazoo Olivia Rathbone: vocals, tambourine, saxophone, giro, wood block, gorgogliatore Jason Berkman: drums Sarah Topaz: bass Bernie Jungle, guitar on tracks 5, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15 and 16 All songs written by Brad Erickson except 'Midnight Radio' written by Stephen Trask (EMI) and 'Seizure Squid' written by Courtney Arnold and Brad Erickson. Recorded, mixed and mastered at The Wally Sound, Oakland, California. 2012. Art: Brad Erickson, Photography: Jason Baldwin Graphic design: Lisa Roth. No monkeys, mosquitos, squid, bees, frogs, jellyfish, snails, livestock, aliens, or brine shrimp were harmed-at least not too badly-in the making of this album.