Thee Windom Earles - Mai Tai Pink Eye (Earlesworld Rec Co. 2019)

It's been a long time since this album was released (February 2019) and no one told me about it .... but now that I've stumbled across it, I feel the need to recommend this "10 out of 10 points" album to YOU (just in case you doesn't discovered it yourself before). As usual I leave the talking about it to other, more eloquent people. Big big thanks to them.

Have the Windom Earles crafted a genre all to themselves? The 5-piece surf punk outfit from Manchester, UK have released an album fueled with fuzz, punk and chaotic rockabilly. Call it Fuzzabilly or what ever, this album is an absolute entertaining piece of work. Mai Tai Pink Eye shines from beginning to end with it’s fuzz-laced rockabilly. Thee Windom Earles take influences from bands like The Cramps and Amazing Royal Crowns and toss in some punk distortion along with stoner rock energy. Now this may sound disorganized, but it works. The band throw a ton of punkish attitude into the album while sticking to their rockabilly roots. The icing on the cake may be the lead vocals who reminds us of an odd blend of David Yow, Lux Interior and a bit of Glen Danzig from his Misfits days. The bottom line is this album crosses into so many rock genres it’s ridiculous. Fans who love stoner to hard rock and puck to hardcore will find it hard not to get into this album.   -Source

This video was recorded live for broadcast at Thee Earles Cave on Wednesday 20th of August 2020. See your favourite greasy hotdogs blast through a half hour of foot stompin', wig flippin, garbage fire rock & roll.

      A review by Olivia C. from her brilliant blog "Beat In My Bones.":         If you’re looking for something extra creepy & extra trashy- then you’ve GOT to listen to Manchester’s finest Thee Windom Earles. They are a fascinating band that make you feel like you’ve stepped into some weird Horror B-Movie. They are off the wall, in your face and just brilliant. Think along the lines of Captain Beefheart and The Cramps, then you’ll get it.

Where do you begin with a band like this? I know nothing about them, all I know is that they are from the greatest city in the world (Manchester) and they make the kind of music that would even move us fellow introverts. They’ve got a really cool style, and this Psychobilly sound is just exceptional. You cannot help but move when you listen to them, and you cannot help but play their music super loud.

Their debut record, Mai Tai Pink Eye came out in February this year. I know, I’m late with this one. But it’s such a great record. You don’t feel like you’re listening to a band from 2019. There is something nostalgic about this record- they’ve got every essence of The Cramps, but they don’t do it in a rip-off style at all. They take this creepy Rock ‘n’ Roll sound and make it theirs. If The Cramps came from Manchester, they’d probably sound like this. Songs like Sex Pizzeria are MADE to be played super loud and Oom Sha Cha too. Just play the whole record loud at least 5 times a day. You’ll feel better for it.

Mai Tai Pink Eye is not only probably the best name for a record you’ll hear this year, but it’s also got a such a tight sound. The production is flawless, and the sound is beautifully unruly. It is the best form of chaos possible- it’s basically a band making a lot of noise and having a great time doing so. I’m having a great time listening to it! It is such a thrilling record. Bands like Thee Windom Earles and Night Shades who are making their own style of Rock ‘n’ Roll right now; I’d love to see both play a show together. It would be insane. To hear a sound so refreshing on this record just makes you fall in love with music over and over again. Songs like Lunchtime Munchtime and Freight Elevator are just these incredible pieces of real Rock music. There’s the Garage Rock thrown in, there’s the effortlessly cool and weird style that lures you in. The vocals are delivered with this infectious energy that is happening throughout the whole record. I cannot praise this monster of a record enough! You cannot help but play every single song to death. It’s only 9 tracks long, but those tracks are enough to have you hooked in every single way. You’ll be having dreams about this record.

  

Lick The Flipper has this awesome Surf Rock feel to it, but it also has something a little eerie/sinister about it. I just love how the band mess with your head. The only thing that’s consistent is how brilliant they are- everything else is a pleasant surprise. You just have no idea how the next song is going to hit you. I think this is the song I’m obsessed with the most (for now) it’s definitely a stand-out song on this record, but truth be told, the whole record is an underrated masterpiece. Manchester is truly home to some amazing musicians and bands- Thee Windom Earles absolutely back this notion up for sure.

When you listen to this record you cannot help but let it take over your soul. You feel like it has corrupted you in the best way, and all good music makes you feel this way somehow. Imagine being about 14/15 years old, and finding a band like Thee Windom Earles and just letting this sound blow your mind, and you end up starting your own band? That’d be so cool. Instead, as a 32 year old, I’m just in awe of the band and I’m so glad they exist. I’m so glad I found them. Just when I think I couldn’t love this city even more, something like this happens! I think it is safe to say that Mai Tai Pink Eye is probably the year’s most underrated record. It’s got everything you could possibly want from a pure Rock ‘n’ Roll record.

Enjoy!