Phantom Family Halo
May 3rd, 2012
The Ottobar
Baltimore, MD


Source:
Roland Edirol R-09 (onboard mics, low-cut on, AGC off) > WaveLab (Puncher (medium density, 75% effect, 0% output gain) + SL-1 StereoExpander (100%)) > CDWAV (tracks split and saved as .FLAC level 8 ) > foobar2000 (Tags + ReplayGain)

Location: In a rare break from Ottobarian Tradition�, this time the recorder is perched on the soundman's... wooden cell, for lack of a better word. The legendary Taping Table just happened to be the perfect spot for the band's projector, and I didn't want to run the risk of obnoxious wind sounds on the recording.

Taper: ZaPenguin (zappa.penguin(AT)gmail.com or
http://db.etree.org/ZappaPenguin)

SOUND QUALITY: A-. With a bit of EQ for the high end, this makes for very fine listening that doesn't mind being cranked up. A bit echoey - but that's sorta how the band SOUNDS.


THE BAND: (direct from Mr. Benton)
Dominic Cipolla: rhythm guitar, lead vocals
William Benton (Cat Casual): lead guitar, backing vocals
David Lackner: keyboards, sax
Ben Lord: drums
Mikel Bisbee-Durlam: additional drums
Jim Lingo: bass


TRACK LIST:
01. Sun Behind the Sun [7:06]
02. "we're the Phantom Family Halo, we're the filthiest people alive" [0:37]
03. Vital Energy [6:22]
04. > Light Year Girl [3:07]
05. "thank you, Balt-uh-more..." [0:42]
06. White Hot Gun [3:51]
07. "the clock in the sky" [0:40]
08. Master of the Universe [6:11] *
09. Broken by the Way [4:21]


Notes:
* - Hawkwind cover
The "intro" seems to be a dry playback of Harry Nilsson's "He Needs Me", as sung by Shelly Duvall in the 1980 movie adaptation of Popeye. I chopped the "dry" portion off to comply with Dime regulations - this recording starts with the first actual on-stage noise.

MINI BIO:
" . . . When I Fall Out is the first of the releases and will be issued on February 14, 2012. Inspired by concept albums of the past, such as Pretty Things� SF Sorrow and Wire�s 154, the songs were all written following the death of one of Cipolla�s close friends. It took Cipolla a year to write the songs that became When I Fall Out and ready himself for the move to Brooklyn, NY, leaving the �darkness� behind.

Writing and recording the album was cathartic to Cipolla. Some of the tracks are literal � �Dirty Blade� is hypnotic and dreamlike, while �White Hot Gun� is raw and urgent � a sliding fuzz bass note anchors the track while Cipolla intones, "you�ve got nothing to fear ... loaded gun� as the song builds to a screaming climax. The album is alternately resigned, angry, and hopeful � the tracks are about someone [who] gets lost deep within the dark side of life and the friends they leave behind. It�s a powerful record that pulls you inside and immerses you in its mood and sound."
- Phantom Family Halo's official webpage on Knitting Factory Records:
http://www.knittingfactoryrecords.com/artists/phantom-family-halo/bio/


BAND PAGE:
http://www.knittingfactoryrecords.com/artists/phantom-family-halo/

BAND MYSPACE:
http://www.myspace.com/thephantomfamilyhalo


SHOW NOTES:
Still my favorite "touring opener" (not to be confused with "Ottobar specials") the Acid Mothers Temple have had since I first saw them back in 2007. As I said in my torrent of the Philly show, they have a great sound - think Hawkwind meets the Melvins and picks up some personality quirks from Wire and a more psychedelic, foggy approach to vocals.

This set is a bit shorter than the Philadelphia extravaganza the night before - no real surprise, with three opening acts and all, there's bound to be a bit of time pressure. It certainly doesn't feel abbreviated, though. Same setlist as last night - certainly no complaints here, it's a great series of songs.


REQUESTS & REMINDERS:
Do not sell this recording. Do not buy this recording. Do not sell this recording, then buy it from yourself. If you're a band that has a webpage, please do people like me a favor and list your members somewhere on that webpage, unless you're going for some sort of arty Residents effect.


CREDITS:
The Ottobarbarians - enthusiasm

Torrented by the taper: ZaPenguin

email - zappa.penguin(AT)gmail.com
web - http://db.etree.org/zappapenguin (always woefully out of date)

Band page: http://www.knittingfactoryrecords.com/artists/phantom-family-halo/