Western Family
Portland, Oregon, United States | SELF
Music
Press
With guitars unabashedly out front and vocal melodies as catchy as they are strained and sullen, PDX's Western Family reminds us that the Rose City was built on rock and roll (some country, too). It's tough not to get onboard with the interplay of the guitarists. Their instruments often emerge with '70s cock rock bluster out of serene squeals, arpeggiated jangles and seductive strumming (as usual poised drumming makes it all possible). However, the honey hole is Kevin Colgan's lightly grated gullet.
On "Pastoral II," Colgan delivers a ration of truth with the lyric, "I can't stand this fuckin' song," in such a passive manner as to suggest exhaustion with the whole damn world. His snarkily-aggressive line in "Punky Bleach Kit," "Goo-goo ga-ga, yeah, cry me a river," feels as pitiless as it sounds. Hey, it can't be all bummers, right? The chord progression in "Blue Lagoon" sounds majorly joyful, but, as per usual, the subject matter is not. Peppiest song about a mutual break-up, ever. Here, the aforementioned guitar work pops off as well. Guitarist Ryan Schmidt isn't afraid to get noodle-y on the fretboard, but only in service to the song.
If your heart desires new-fashioned rock, Wish Upon a Scar may just do. - Missoula Independent
Discography
Wish Upon A Scar, 2010
Photos
Bio
Born of friendships forged in the early 90's west coast music scene, Portland-based rock band, Western Family draws influences from 70s classic rock, pop, punk and folk. Consisting of front man/guitarist Kevin Colgan, lead guitarist Ryan Schmidt, bassist Tyson Schmidling and drummer Brett Snyder, Western Family's songs are built on unusual chord structures and pretty/pretty-ugly melodies.
Collectively, individual members of Western Family have played with a wide array of previous projects including Everclear, Molly Cliff and Sharon America, appeared on Jay Leno and opened for the Rolling Stones. Playing professionally and touring both east and west coasts since 1993, members of Western Family have also worked in-studio with industry icons Barrett Jones (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), Nathaniel Kunkel (Sting, Crosby Stills and Nash, Maroon 5) and Sony A&R rep Justin Goldberg.
Western Family lives up to their roots with their debut record "Wish Upon a Scar". Released in 2010, the album is a twelve-track collection that emphasizes imagery and themes concerned with American culture and the class struggles within. "Wish Upon a Scar" was mixed by Kevin Hahn at Opal Studios and mastered by Nathaniel Kunkel at LA's Studio Without Walls.
Western Family is currently working on their sophomore effort (slated for release in 2011).
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