Whirlwind Heat 'Types of Wood' album

Whirlwind Heat is a band whose story you should already know. They are not the new Gang of Four or New Order. They are three kids from Grand Rapids, Michigan who happened to catch the eye of Jack White four years ago. But there's no point in repeating all this. The band was preposterously ahead of their game when they released the frenetic thrash punk-funk album Do Rabbits Wonder? in 2003, not to mention the 10 songs in 10 minutes mini-epic Flamingo Honey a year later.

Despite the rest of the world at last catching up with them, their music still sounds so OTHER. "We have no musical influence. Only non-musical influence. Like photographs, movies, people, and family. You could possibly say that music is an anti-influence. We watch MTV so we can see WHAT NOT TO DO," says lead singer David Swanson.

Eleven tracks of irrepressibly jerky, joyful, indie-industrial funk, Types of Wood, their latest endeavor, sounds like Lou Reed fronting the Pop Group, effortlessly fusing the sound of New Cross 2006 with New York 1981. Quite frankly it’s great and we love it. Hopefully you will too.

If you need more history than that go rent Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Really, all you need to know about Whirlwind Heat is contained in Types of Wood. Inspired by the crisp drum sounds on Cake's Fashion Nugget, the Heat drove cross-country to Paradise Studio in Sacramento to work with Kirt Shearer and Craig Long. Soon after, the band signed to Leo Silverman’s Brille Records.

Not limited to just writing, producing, and financing their own album, Swanson (vocals, moog), Steve Damstra II (bass), and Brad Holland (drums) shoot their own videos and short films, create their own artwork, design their own clothing and coloring books, and develop their own website. Add to that Whirlwind Heat's recent tour with Beck, past tours with White Stripes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and The Kills, and their consistent visual contributions from photog-supreme Terry Richardson and it's quite evident that everyone who wrote them off before will slowly have to recant and pay attention. Whirlwind Heat are in their prime and it'd be best for you to recognize.

Biography

Whirlwind Heat is a band whose story you should already know. They are not the new Gang of Four or New Order. They are three kids from Grand Rapids, Michigan who happened to catch the eye of Jack White four years ago. But there's no point in repeating all this. If you're looking for history go rent Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.

What you need to know about Whirlwind Heat is all included in their latest album, Types of Wood. Inspired by the crisp drum sounds on Cake's Fashion Nugget, the Heat drove cross-country to Paradise Studio in Sacramento to work with Kirt Shearer and Craig Long. Soon after, the band signed to Leo Silverman’s Brille Records.

The result is Whirlwind Heat’s most dynamic release yet. From the agit-fluidity of the funky "Uptight" to the undeniable ensnare of "Reagan", Types of Wood is the only record you will ever hear where a song about donating sperm ("Genepool Style") doesn't seem so out of place.

Not limited to just writing, producing, and financing their own album, David Swanson (vocals, moog), Steve Damstra II (bass), and Brad Holland (drums) shoot their own videos and short films, create their own artwork, design their own clothing and coloring books, and develop their own website. Add to that Whirlwind Heat's recent tour with Beck, past tours with White Stripes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and The Kills, and their consistent visual contributions from photog-supreme Terry Richardson and it's quite evident that everyone who wrote them off before will slowly have to recant and pay attention. Whirlwind Heat is in their prime and it'd be best for you to recognize.

If you can't take The Heat get your ass out the kitchen. We on a mission.

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Whirlwind Heat - Types of Wood