Vinyl Friday

Name: Shooting Guns
Origin: Saskatchewan, Canada
Album: Flavour Country
Year: 2017
Links: Bandcamp,
Label: Easy Riding Records

 Shooting Guns - Flavour Country Test Press

This week I have something a bit special! This I set before you is a Test Press of the forthcoming album by Shooting Guns that is not due for release until August.

 I have mentioned them here a few times before. They are a Canadian psych band that holds up in Saskatchewan. They have released a number of albums, split LPs and a score to a film, Wolf Cop. I believe there is a sequel to come in the not to distant future.

Getting back to the future release Flavour Country. The label put up 40 of these test presses for release a couple of weeks ago. I believe they still have a few. They can be got here at Easy Riding Records

Here's what the label says about the release, "Canadian sextet Shooting Guns is known (and oft-nominated) for their film soundtrack work, but Flavour Country is more like a collection of anthems for your jettison from this universe into the multiverse. While they’re known for heavy and saturated sounds befitting crazed horror-comedy flicks like Netflix hit WolfCop, Flavour Country features some of the band’s fastest, heaviest and most visceral material to date. Yet, it also features some of the band’s most atmospheric sounds as well.

At times there are slight hints of Ennio Morricone’s Spaghetti Western twang amidst the looping Meddle-era Pink Floyd heavy psych and driving drone reminiscent of Bobby Beausoleil’s belladonna laced soundtrack to Kenneth Anger’s Lucifer Rising. But for the most part here, Shooting Guns is out for blood, regardless of tempo."

I've had 3 listens to it now and I'm not exaggerating that it's right up there with their finest. I can't post up any YouTube clip cause I have this that early. You will not be disappointed if you ever get a chance to grab a copy!

You can preorder black or the limited Clear vinyl from Easy Riding Records or I believe Norman Records will have them for sale at some stage. Just had a look at their site and they have two of their albums on vinyl for sale at £12.99. Bargain if you ask me!

Split #4

Name: Shooting Guns/ Hawkeyes
Origon: Canada
Album: Brothers Of The Nod
Year: 2015
Label: Pre-Rock Records
Links: Shooting Guns Bandcamp, Hawkeyes Bandcamp

Brotherhood Of The Nod Limited to 60 copies on Blue vinyl

A number of weeks ago I posted an album by Canadian band Shooting Guns. Today I give you a split with fellow Canadians Hawkeyes. Both these bands follow in the same vain so if you liked the initial post, then this is for you. Both these bands are heading a big psych scene in Canada along with 'The Band Who's Name Is A Symbol, Moths & Locusts, Betrayers, Backhomes and The Radiation Flowers to name but a few. In fact Hawkeyes and The Radiation Flowers have a split due for release anytime now.

Shooting Guns - Mega Volcano

This split sees both bands include 3 tracks each with side A blasting out tunes by Shooting Guns.  More people would be familiar with Shooting Guns having released quite a few albums whereas Hawkeyes have only released their debut called Poison Slows You Down. I believe they have an album along with the split due for release this year.

Hawkeyes - Hotter Than Ten Hundred Suns

This split has had a number of reissues due to it's popularity. My blue version is limited to 60. Apparently this version was meant to have an orange swirl in the blue but mine doesn't seem to have any. Guess that makes mine ultra rare! 

Full Album

Vinyl Friday

Name: Shooting Guns

Origin: Saskatoon, Canada

Album: Born To Deal In Magic 1952​-​1976

Year: 2011 (Reissue 2016)
Links: Bandcamp

Label: Teargas Recording Tree (Reissue Cardinal Fuzz/Captcha Record)

Oxblood with black swirl vinyl

This weeks Vinyl Friday post features one of a number of great bands coming out of Canada at the moment, bands such as The Band Who's Name Is A Symbol, Hawkeyes and Moths & Locusts to name but a few. All of which will feature at some stage in the future. The band in question for today's post is Shooting Guns which rests beautifully in between the other bands mentioned. The album in question is Born To Deal In Magic 1952​-​1976. This debut album was originally recorded in 2011 but the vinyl copy I have is a 2016 reissue from the  Cardinal Fuzz/Captcha Record labels.

Shooting Guns - Harmonic Stepphenwolf

For people like me who are relatively new to the whole psychedelic scene, reissues give me a chance to delve into Shooting Guns earlier works and see how they have developed as a band. Like a lot of instrumental bands, the songs are often improvised. Not with this band! It is very measured in it's song structure. For example in the opening track "Harmonic Stepphenwolf". The song starts off with a guitar riff and continues throughout. It builds with intermittent layering of sound effects, be it with additional guitars, synth loop effects or a change of pace etc. Shooting Guns have mastered this technique to perfection throughout. Each song crafted entirely differently which gives for a complete album. This is one of those albums were you will find yourself nodding your head, foot tapping, or like me, both!! 

Born To Deal In Magic 1952​-​1976 (Full album)