1977

The Black Sands is a collaboration between a number of San Diego bands. Featuring members of the Heavy Guilt, Podunk Nowhere, the Fire Eaters, Mudgrass and Pocket, though the music stands solid and alone with it's own virtues. It is fronted by the powerful soulful voice of Heather Marie Janiga breathing life into some songs written by Alfred Howard and Josh Rice of the Heavy Guilt. The music is an attempt to find the middle ground between Radiohead and Gillian Welch, something adventurous and experimental, yet rooted in the story telling tradition of folk and Americana. The debut album 1977 features guest performances from an eclectic group of San Diego's top musicians. John Meeks lends harmonies, Greg Peters of Dead Feather Moon contributes lad steel, Jason Littlefield of the Heavy Guilt plays bowed bass and along with John Mailander on violin sculpt the feel of a string quartet and Chris Davies of seminal 70s band the Penetrators lends some very unique guitar work. The core band features Johnny Janiga on guitars, Tim Felten on keys, David Lowenstein on Bass and vocals, Jenny Merullo on drums and vocals, Sean Martin on Guitar, Alfred howard on percussion and circuit bent radio and Heather Marie Janiga on vocals.