Song of the Day: Les Big Byrd - Two Man Gang

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on The Morning Show with John Richards, is “Two Man Gang” by Les Big Byrd, from a 2017 single out now on PNKSLM Recordings.

Les Big Byrd - Two Man Gang (MP3)

It's been a couple of years since we last heard from Swedish band Les Big Byrd. Formed in 2011 by Joakim Åhlund (Caesars, Teddybears) and Frans Johansson (Fireside), their experimental, krautrock-inspired sound caught the attention of Anton Newcombe (Brian Jonestown Massacre). Newcombe went on to invite the band to his recording studio in Berlin, and he released their 2014 debut LP They Worshiped Cats on his own A Recordings label.

The band has continued to develop their brand of motorik psych over the years, leading us to today's Song of the Day. The track is a tease: just one new song as side A of a 7" single out on PNKSLM Recordings. (Incidentally, the B-side is a live cover of Guided by Voices’ "My Valuable Hunting Knife.") Against a hypnotic synth line, Les Big Byrd trade off sing-song vocals before launching a space-rock explosion of guitar towards the end. It's a song that makes you want to dance, and triggers your anxiety, all at the same time.

It doesn't look like the band have any tour dates planned at the moment, but you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter to watch for an announcement. In the meantime, check out a kinda-disturbing video for the song, featuring a "two man gang" who look like the White Stripes wearing those peel-off beauty masks that are all the rage right now.