Brandon McCulloch and the Deadbirds
Los Angeles, California, United States
Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Songwriter Brandon McCulloch (lead vox/guitar) has teamed up with Joel Patterson (drums), Emil Macasinag (keys), Jason Benfield (bass) and Meredith Meyers in creating a unique blend of "plugged-in" songwriter-based psych/indie-rock with a collection of songs and new recordings that are "meant to be blasted out of car windows." (Tracy Pepper ) - Spin Magazine
Since he moved into the now-gentrified Villa Elaine a decade ago, Brandon McCulloch’s world on Vine Street has become something of a legend. The entrepreneurial busker first founded Substance Records and released a haunting compilation called California from the arty derelicts who hung about/squatted there (Remy Zero, Spacetwins, Aaron Embry, et al.), before releasing his ex-band Silver’s elegiac Red City in 2002 — an album that solidified him further as an artist’s artist rather than a household name. Even still, McCulloch helped make the Hotel Café a recognizable venue with his early residencies there, and whenever he straps on the acoustic at the Three Clubs, he’s received like Lou Reed. After taking some time off to help produce tracks for the likes of Nancy Sinatra and Rachael Yamagata, McCulloch returns with a gentler power yearn in his new band, The Deadbirds, who replace Silver’s coked-up keys-and-guitar arrangements with violins and sedatives. (Chuck Mindenhall)
LA Weekly (May 7, 2008)
- LA Weekly
Discography
"The Tension and the Spark" - Darren Hayes -(2004) Colombia Records.
- electric guitar
Vicious Delicious - "In Front Of Me" - Infected Mushroom - (2007) BNE Records
- featured vocalist
Photos
Bio
Nestled among the transvestites and derelicts of Central Hollywood's Vine Street is the Villa Elaine Apartments, former home to Man Ray, Henry Miller, and Orson Welles, and now residence to The Deadbirds front man Brandon McCulloch. Something about the building breeds bohemian creativity, and somehow, through sheer will and unabating talent, The Deadbirds are in the vortex. Brandon both enhances and feeds off of the artistic community of Vine Street, writing and recording in his loft apartment, slogging away in dank bars, and playing downtown rooftops instead of industry showcases.
This entrepreneurial busker founded Indie label Substance Records in 1999 with his sister Dionne McCulloch and James Dion. Out of their collective desire to capture the Hollywood/Silverlake music scene, in 2000 they released a haunting compilation entitled “California”. The CD included tracks from artists such as Remy Zero, Spacetwins and Aaron Embry. “California” also debuted Brandon’s first band Silver (1999-2004) with the songs “Suspicious” & “Castle”. In 2002 the label released Silver’s first CD entitled Red City. It was an underground hit. More notoriety came with Silver’s second release EP “Dreams in Black”, 3 of the 5 songs were licensed to hit shows; “Cruel Sun” and “Did I lose you?” were featured on Smallville and One Tree Hill. The highly successful song “Transmissions” has become an anthem for deep-sea fishermen and their fans after being featured on the season finale of The Discover Channel’s “The Deadliest Catch”
Brandon returns with a melodic more complex resonance in Brandon McCulloch and The Deadbirds. Where Silver focused on minimalist power pop melodies, The Deadbirds have moved into a more intricate, and explorative psychedelic space. His new songwriting technique and style “replace Silver’s coke-up keys and guitar arrangements with violins and sedatives” (Chuck Mindenhall LA Weekly).
Who is Brandon McCulloch? He has been described as the band’s lady-killing lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist. The son of a diplomat father and professor mother, Brandon grew up in twenty-two countries, including Spain, India, Singapore, and Costa Rica. He was introduced to music by his art-fanatic mother, who bought him his first guitar at age eight. The jazz and classical instruction that followed (along with a keen intellect and sardonic sense of humor) influence his moody, melodic, and unique song writing to this day.
He is joined by Joel Patterson on drums, who met Brandon whilst playing with Los Angeles band Sky Parade. Joel’s ability to play with muscle and finesse is a perfect match. Emil Macasinag on keys, whose classic piano skills with spacey delay compliment The Deadbirds sound perfectly. Meredith Meyers, provides the Harmonies, she met Brandon on the acoustic coffee shop circuit ten years ago, they trust one another vocal range implicitly. Finally, Jason Benfield on bass who lends his enigmatic bass rhythms to The Deadbirds introspective sound.
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