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BEST OF 2001
Chip Midnight/Editor, Swizzle-stick.com
1. Alta May: We As In Us (Glazed)
Like all of the early '90s SubPop bands, Alta May rips off classic-sounding fuzzy punk with strong melodies and an endless supply of wicked stoner-rock groove. A head-on collision between the first Queens of the Stone Age CD and Nirvana's Nevermind. If that sounds pretty damn impressive, wait until you hear the music.
- Chip Midnight
The Stranger
Northwest Music Roundup
February 2003
With Alta May, ex-members of Fluid, Cold Crank, and Anodyne came together to create fuzzy, sludge-fisted rock. They've been compared to everything that's hook-filled yet heavy, from Queens of the Stone Age to Nirvana's Nevermind, and for good reason--songs hang on catchy choruses and ebullient melodies, carefully crafted so you're not just buried under a mountain of monstrous riffage. After the crest and collapse of grunge, Alta May are one of the few local bands skilled at continuing to work the best elements of that genre to their advantage. - Jennifer Maerz
Bath Chronicle
Bath, England
Live Preview
November 29, 2002
Don't misunderstand this band because of the twee name; Americans do have irony in the new millennium.
Alta May is often described as Queens of the Stone Age meets Nirvana, certainly not a twee combination.
A pretty hip combination too, as the Queens are the thinking person's modern metal and Nirvana, well, what do you say when every single rock band in the world is under their influence?
Alta May is what once was called a power trio, a term now redundant as seemingly all bands exude power.
What is bringing these three up the ladder, then, is simply quality.
They manage to merge every genre of guitar rock, punk to grunge to pop, to make evocative, melodic and memorable music. Oh, and powerful. - Charley Dunlap
Discography
"Take What You've Found Here" - LP, Flotation Records, FR012 - 2006, produced by Jon Ervie and Alta May
"Local Flesh"/"Lost and Found" - 7", Flotation Records, FR001 - 2005 - produced by Jon Ervie and Alta May
"Dark Days" - LP, Glazed Records, GLZ016 - 2003 - produced by Jack Endino, Jon Ervie and Alta May
"We As In Us" - LP, Glazed Records, GLZ009 - 2001 - produced by Jon Ervie and Alta May
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Alta Mays electrifying 2001 debut We As In Us introduced the Seattle trio to the international rock scene, drawing worthy comparisons to Queens of the Stone Age and Bleach-era Nirvana. Blending sheer sonic rock power with melodic songcraft and masterful musicianship, Alta May began captivating audiences with their engaging high-energy live show. West Coast forays and a UK/Ireland tour followed the release of their debut album with Alta May sharing stages with bands like the Catheters, Hot Hot Heat, Verbena, Jucifer, The Walkmen, The Thermals, Mclusky, Russel Simins, and capping a near-perfect 18 months of rocking with an appearance at SXSW in 2003.
Legendary producer Jack Endino, whose work with bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden, along with Jon Ervie of Jupiter Studios (The Presidents of the USA, Mark Lanegan), recorded and produced Alta May's sophomore effort. Dark Days made its way on numerous college radio stations' charts across the US and Canada. Alta May also received airplay on UK stations as they had for We As In Us. A successful west coast tour with Mudhoney followed.
Alta Mays third full length, Take What Youve Found Here, drives through a wall of sound to reveal a work of well written, hook-laden songs. Catchy riffs and melodic vocals navigate through the sometimes heavy, yet dynamic soundscape.
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