OSEES Announces ‘ABOMINATION REVEALED AT LAST’ LP While Denouncing Fascism

Los Angeles based music project, OSEES were originally formed in the Bay Area as OCS (aka Orinoka.Crash.Suite) back in 1997. At the time, it was intended as a side/solo/home recording effort for multi-instrumentalist, John Dwyer, who made up 1/2 of noise duo, Pink and Brown. Over the years, Dwyer has become somewhat of an elder statesman, inspiration, and mentor for the garage-psych scene that bloomed from the Bay and LA areas. OSEES have maintained a prolific output, while Dwyer has proven his versatility through ventures like his experimental electronic solo project, Damaged Bug, and various freeform improvisational jazz and krautrock collabs like Bent Arcana. In 2019, there was even an OSEES album of LSD-feuled synth-driven meditative ambient drone. Still, through all the twists and turns, when I hear the name OSEES, the first thing that comes to mind is high energy, driving guitar, pummeling dual drums, and a cathartic release of aggression. With the announcement of a brand new release today, Dwyer and company make it clear that they understand that trademark approach is exactly what the world could use right now.

The group has been through multiple name variations and lineup adjustments over the years. I believe that the first time I ever saw them live they were going by Thee Oh Sees and longtime member, Petey Dammit!, was still involved. The moment they hit the stage, you get a quick education on what they’re about. Feet on the gas, the band operates like the eye of a storm, the crowd getting whipped into euphoric frenzies and flinging their bodies with reckless abandon. At one point, a member of the venue’s security team chose to yank on a crowdsurfer’s leg, and I distinctly remember the look on Petey‘s face as he shut him down. Playing his downtuned guitar, he simply strolled over to the offender mid-song and shook his head. That gentle but assertive “nope” set things back on course and kept the security off the crowd’s back from that point on. That moment made a big impression on me. With his button-up, suspenders, tattoos, and combat boots, Petey has a classic skinhead aesthetic, but he’s clearly on the anti-fascist end of the spectrum.

On Flag Day in 2002, Dwyer and his band Coachwhips traveled around San Francisco, setting up and playing in various locations while giving out hot dogs. There’s some infamous footage shot in front of the 16th St Bart station showing John continuing to play and sing in a cop’s face, as he instructs him to shut things down. Dwyer and his crew enjoy getting rowdy, but they aren’t down with racism, exploitation, or any of the bullshit perpetrated by oppressive social systems.

With the announcement of the ABOMINATIONREVEALED AT LAST LP, OSEES isn’t mincing words regarding their feelings about the current state of the world and the power structures at play. Referencing the upcoming release, John Dwyer states the following.

“Well this album just channelled out of the mist of atrocities swirling around the planet right now.” “AI empathy, genocides, social media data collection & addiction, the alignment of tech billionaires with the fascist overlords and their armada of dogs, civilians being kidnapped by bootlicking thugs, the death of due process…the list goes on and on. It’s been a long year already.“

The 12 track album is scheduled to be released on August 8th via DEATHGOD (formerly Castleface Records). The music on this LP is promoted as “a hypnotic, maniacal, and propulsive attack on the senses–a fitting reaction to a world suffering from genocide, environmental collapse, state sanctioned violence, progressing technocracy, and more.” Although the press photo provided clearly shows 6 “members,” the current OSEES lineup is listed as John Dwyer (vocals/guitar/synths), Tom Dolas (guitar/samples/keys), Tim Hellman (bass), and Dan Rincon (drums). Meanwhile, Paul Quattrone is listed as a second drummer on the album credits, so there is either an error somewhere, or OSEES are back to being a one-drummer live act.

Our first taste of ABMONIATION… is the unwieldy and frenzied “FIGHT SIMULATOR,” which blasts hard through the gate only to gradually decompose into mutated cough syrup psychedelia.

ABOMINATION REVEALED AT LAST is currently available for preorder via Bandcamp. 

OSEES will be performing at Glastonbury before heading out on an extensive world tour throughout the rest of the year. Check out the current list of scheduled dates after the following message from the band.

“It feels like its all lighting off. A lot of fodder in today’s world for an artist. 

Too easily humans forget their humanity. Forgiveness is a dead science. Empathy is viewed as a weakness by cretins. Easier to hate rather than love. Fear and greed have dug their bloody hands into everything.

At least now we know who you are. We see you. We defy you.

People are under duress. Recognize this abomination. Oppose the oppressor. FUCK the fascists and their enablers. Fuck the war mongers 

Good luck out there. ACAB. “

– OSEES

TOUR DATES
6/27 – Pilton, UK – Glastobury Festival
7/17 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom 
7/18 – Oakland, CA – Thee Stork Club (Mosswood Meltdown Pre-Party)
7/19 – Oakland, CA – Mosswood Meltdown
8/1 – Berlin, DE – Festsaal Kreuzberg 
8/2 – Breelen, DE – Krach Am Bach Festival 
8/4 – Prague, CZ – Meet Factory 
8/5 – Munich, DE – Technikum
8/6 – Feldrich, AT – Poolbar Festival
8/29 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom
9/3 – Portland, OR – Star Theater
9/4 – Portland, OR – Star Theater
9/5 – Seattle, WA – Neumos
9/6 – Seattle, WA – Neumos
9/8 – Boise, ID – Shrine Social Club (Ballroom)
9/9 – Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall
9/10 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
9/12 – Las Vegas, NV – 24 Oxford @ Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
9/30 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom (w/ Brigid Dawson)
10/11 –  Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom (w/ Brigid Dawson)
10/17 – Austin, TX – Hotel Vegas
10/18 – Austin, TX – Hotel Vegas
10/19 – Dallas, TX – Ferris Wheelers
10/20 – Hot Springs National Park, AR – Cedar Glades Park
10/22 – Indianapolis, IN – Deluxe at Old National Centre 
10/24 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts
10/25 – Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw
10/26 – Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw
10/28 – Cleveland, OH – The Globe Iron
10/29 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
10/30 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
11/2 – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre
11/4 – Santa Fe, NM – Meow Wolf
11/5 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom 
11/22 – Querétaro, MX – Cervecería Hércules 
11/29 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom (w/ Brigid Dawson)
12/19 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom (w/ Brigid Dawson and The Mother’s Network)