When I first wrote about this new local group, the Gods Themselves, they'd just released their first single, "I Am the President," and it was with that song I got a distinct sense they were a noisy, blues-born, aggro-NYC group like the Honeymoon Killers or early Boss Hog. The song was pretty noisy and raw, plus the tGT instrument lineup is right guitar versus left guitar and drums, so a LOT like some of them NYC groups.

Thing is, they suggested they were actually playing "angular dance dirges laced with heavy wah-wah" while acknowlegding knowing nods to the Make-Up, Gang of Four, and Eazy E. Hmmm, but the single, to my ears, WAS kinda contrary to how tGT described themselves. Well, having lived with the entire The Gods Themselves album for a couple weeks now, I totally dig their scene, man! I get it, there are some NYC aggro vibes via their pointed, stabbing guitar bits, along with a subtle, sweet grooviness throughout the entire album; their groovy propels and unifies the album. And, yes, there's plenty of wah-wah. Also, the album is shrouded in a little bit of creepy. It's not dark goth "creepy," but there's a bit of darkness in their tone. So yes, it IS dirge-y!! Of course, they ARE admittedly in the post-punk business, and post-punk can be the most SERIOUS of business (thankfully they don't incorporate post-punk's reggae affection). For all the convergence in tGT's mix they've really stepped into their own and produced a solid LP which carries start to finish. Oh yeah, they even toss a Ginuwine cover into their mix (headphones on, it's slightly NSFW!):

The Gods Themselves' The Gods Themselves album is officially released Tuesday, September 30 (as all records are released on a Tuesday), but the record-release show is this Saturday night, September 27. Uh, yes, the event was already well showcased by Mr. Dave Segal. The show looks killer, dig the lineup: The Gods Themselves, the Intelligence, and the Bali Girls—this is also a TRIPLE record-release show as all three bands are celebrating new records!

Also, there's a Stranger™ TICKET GIVEAWAY for this show, so click HERE and type "GODS" in the subject line for a chance to win a pair of tickets. DO IT, this show will be massive.

Saturday, September 27 // Lo-fi Performance Gallery // doors at 9PM.