Valley King Records

Anywhere “Infrared Moses” limited edition 7″ pre-order information…and more!

Secret Serpents — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:54:25 +0000

Valley King Records next release will be the second single for Anywhere! This record will feature a slightly different line-up: Christian Eric Beaulieu (Triclops!, Liquid Indian), Cedric Bixler Zavala (The Mars Volta, At The Drive In), Mike Watt (The Minutemen, fIREHOSE), and Toshi Kasai (Big Business). This release, as with all Valley King Records releases, will have silkscreened packaging with art by Alan Forbes (who is widely known for his album cover art for The Black Crowes, AFI, and many others!). This will be a limited pressing of 500 copies. The last Anywhere single sold out VERY quickly, so get this one while you can!

Christian Eric Beaulieu – guitars, percussion, stylophone, melodica
Cedric Bixler Zavala – vocals, drums, percussion
Mike Watt – bass
Toshi Kasai – keys, toy piano

Format: 7″
Edition: 500 on black vinyl
Artwork: Alan Forbes
Other info: signed / numbered by Alan Forbes; exclusive vinyl sticker

If you pre-ordered their first single, Pyramid Mirrors, through us, we will try our best to send out matching numbers!

We will start taking pre-orders for the Anywhere “Infrared Moses” 7″ on Thursday, January 5th, 2012 at 9:00 am PSD.

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The original artwork for the Pyramid Mirrors single is available. Alan uses a brush and inkwell on bristol on all of his originals (no computers, pens, or correction fluids!), which is a lost art these days! The original artwork comes with a copy of the single on colored vinyl! Click HERE for more information! We will also be offering the original artwork for the Infrared Moses single with a copy of the record on colored vinyl when it’s available.

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We will still be taking orders for the limited Valley King Records shirts until January 15th. We are only making up to 50 of these….and all shirt pre-orders will come with extra swag! Click HERE for more information on the shirt pre-order!

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Current Valley King Records releases:
VKR701 – Sweet Apple (J Mascis and members of Witch, Cobra Verde, Guided By Voices)
VKR702 – Carlton Melton (members of Zen Guerrilla)
VKR703 – Golden Void (members of Earthless and Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound)
VKR704 – Spiders (members of Graveyard and Witchcraft)
VKR705 – Anywhere (members of Triclops!, The Mars Volta, Sleepy Sun, w/ Mike Watt) / SOLD OUT

Happy New Year from Valley King Records and Secret Serpents!

Valley King Records shirt pre-order!

Secret Serpents — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:29:47 +0000

We will be releasing a very limited Valley King Records shirt (designed by Alan Forbes!) in January, but to guarantee your size you can pre-order yours now! Once you order, simply send an email to info@secretserpents.com with your size.

The shirts will be discharge printed on American Apparel shirts. We will only be printing up to 50…and when they’re gone, they’re gone for good!

For those in the US, you can pre-order by clicking HERE!
For those outside of the US, you can pre-order by clicking HERE!

Valley King Records releases:
VKR701 – Sweet Apple (J Mascis and members of Witch, Cobra Verde, Guided By Voices)
VKR702 – Carlton Melton (members of Zen Guerrilla)
VKR703 – Golden Void (members of Earthless and Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound)
VKR704 – Spiders (members of Graveyard and Witchcraft)
VKR705 – Anywhere (members of Triclops!, The Mars Volta, Sleepy Sun, w/ Mike Watt) / SOLD OUT

Anywhere “Pyramid Mirrors” in stores!

Secret Serpents — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 19:07:14 +0000

We are sold out of the most recent Valley King Records release, the ANYWHERE ‘Pyramid Mirrors’ EP, but there are a few stores that have them in (very limited) stock.

San Francisco:
Aquarius Records
1055 Valencia Street
San Francisco, California 94110
tel 415.647.2272
store@aquariusrecords.org

San Diego:
Thirsty Moon Records
525 A Evans Place
San Diego, CA 92103
tel 619-542-1500
thirstymoonrecords@sbcglobal.net

ONLINE:
Midheaven Mailorder
All That Is Heavy

We also have the original artwork by Alan Forbes available that comes with a copy of the record on colored vinyl (only 50 on colored vinyl were made!). Click HERE for more info!

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Check out Aquarius Records recent review of the Pyramid Mirrors single:

Local label Valley King are on fire, after singles by local space rockers Carlton Melton, SF psych stoners Golden Void, witchy Swedish rockers Spiders and Sweet Apple, the project of Witch’s Dave Sweetapple, comes this, the debut from L.A. supergroup Anywhere, which we have to say, we were a wee bit skeptical about. Not just because of the often bandied about ‘supergroup’ tag, but also cuz it seemed like a strange hodgepodge member-wise, Cedric Bixler Zavala of The Mars Volta and At The Drive In, Christian Eric Beaulieu of the late great Triclops!, Mike Watt of the Minutemen and fIREHOSE obviously, and finally Rachel Fannan from SF dreampsych combo Sleepy Sun. Weird right? The label explains how these folks all fell in together, but even then we weren’t sure what to expect, but whatever it was, it wasn’t this, a weird sort of psychedelic rhythmic acoustic guitar driven dronerock, laced with electronics, and tabla like percussion, a bit proggy and druggy and dreamy, the A side plays out like the first movement of an epic sidelong prog masterpiece, the guitars lush and shimmery, those tabla sound rhythms often run through glitched out effects, the melodies majestic and soaring, some classic sixties psych guitar laid over the top, it’s a shame it ends after only 5 minutes, when we had been plotting out the rest of the imagined song in our heads. Needless to say, it was a hugely pleasant surprise and had us hankering for more.

The B side adds vocals to the mix, Fannan’s hazy stoned croon, perfectly complimented by the warm, whirling acoustic strum and toy xylophone like percussion, the song ebbing and flowing in soft swells, even more than the first side, sounding like some lost sixties band, all Laurel Canyon, witchy folk flecked psychedelic classic rock, brooding and moody and darkly dreamy. Gorgeous stuff for sure, and here’s hoping they can manage a full length!

LIMITED TO 500 COPIES! Already sold out, we have the last 20 copies, and then this is gone for good. Like the other Valley King releases, super swank sleeves with striking cover art by artist Alan Forbes, signed and numbered, includes a sticker as well.

Anywhere

Secret Serpents — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:17:15 +0000

Anywhere began as a LA/SF collaborative project started by musicians Christian Eric Beaulieu and Cedric Bixler Zavala. Fresh off years of writing and touring as co-founder of Bay Area acid punk extremists Triclops!, Christian decided to immerse himself in the resonant universe of acoustic guitar and began performing solo under the moniker Liquid Indian. In early 2010 while in Los Angeles to perform at an art opening of mutual friend artist Sonny Kay, he befriended Cedric (singer of The Mars Volta) who was DJing the event. The two exchanged numbers and planned to record something acoustic rooted in the open tuning, eastern raga style Christian was delving into. Months later the pair met in Los Angeles, enlisted the mobile engineering talent of Toshi Kasai (Big Business) and tracked an album’s worth of material in 2 days at The Melvins practice space in downtown Los Angeles. During that same visit Christian played live on “The Watt from Pedro Show” as the musical guest of Mike Watt (of The Stooges, fIREHOSE, Minutemen). After the show, before leaving San Pedro, Christian realized they needed bass on the new material, and boldly asked Watt if he’d contribute. Watt agreed immediately, and a few months later delivered the entire projects bass tracks. Returning to San Francisco, Christian decided to reach out to vocalist Rachel Fannan, who had recently parted ways with Bay Area psych rockers Sleepy Sun and had relocated to Los Angeles. Having never met Christian before, Rachel generously contributed vocals to two of the songs, while Cedric added vocals to three of the tracks leaving the rest to exist as instrumentals.

While searching for a label to release the album, Christian solicited the talent of SF psychedelic poster artist Alan Forbes. During a meeting to discuss art concepts, Alan revealed that he, along with his Secret Serpents partner Justin McNeal, had started a label called Valley King Records. They agreed to release the debut Anywhere album as a series of limited edition silk screened cover 7″s, all signed and hand numbered by Forbes.

The music captured on this material is a unique, resonant execution of what could be described as eastern acoustic punk. Likened to the voyeurism of Sandy Bull, Sir Richard Bishop, or Jack Rose style raga’s reinterpreted at times with Drive Like Jehu, Minutemen punk energy, other moments emotionally spiraling toward a haunting ethereal beauty akin to Vashti Bunyan or Grace Slick serenading desert ghosts on a lost Herzog soundtrack. Blending acoustic and minimal electric guitars with a multitude of percussion instrumentation, digital tabla machines, sci fi electronics and feedback, this avant garde collective of envelope pushing splatter artists have created a new presence. Modern mantras of electric silence that fuse consciousness into a recording of vibrant, transitional material blending geographic as well as cultural diversity within the rhythms. Stillness amidst chaos, light below the depths, awareness of life turning into music, living inside the search for the sound.

Anywhere “Pyramid Mirrors” limited edition 7″ available now for pre-order!

Secret Serpents — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:06:58 +0000

Valley King Records next release will be a single for the new ‘supergroup’ project: ANYWHERE. Christian Eric Beaulieu (Triclops!, Liquid Indian) and Cedric Bixler Zavala (The Mars Volta, At The Drive In) are joined by Mike Watt (The Minutemen, fIREHOSE, The Stooges) and Rachel Fannan (ex-Sleepy Sun). Recorded by Toshi Kasai (The Melvins, Shrinebuilder). As with all Valley King Records releases, there will be silkscreened cover art by Alan Forbes (signed and numbered by Forbes as well!). The artwork will be released shortly, but you can reserve your copy now! There will be a one-time only pressing of 500!

Christian Eric Beaulieu – Guitars, percussion
Cedric Bixler Zavala – Drums, percussion, electronics
Mike Watt – Bass
Rachel Fannan – Vocals

Format: 7″
Edition: 500 on black vinyl
Artwork: Alan Forbes
Other info: signed / numbered by Alan Forbes; exclusive vinyl sticker

Click HERE to pre-order!

Carlton Melton live in Europe!

Secret Serpents — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 01:14:57 +0000

01.04.2011 B – Marbehan – Bois-Des-Isles
02.04.2011 F – Rennes, Le Mondo Bizarro
03.04.2011 F – Paris, Le Labo – Théatre de Ménilmontant
04.04.2011 CH – Geneva, Usine
06.04.2011 GER – Stuttgart, Kellerclub
07.04.2011 A – Wien Arena
08.04.2011 CH – Luzern, Sedel
09.04.2011 I – Milano / Mezzago, Bloom
10.04.2011 GER – Darmstadt, Oetinger Villa
11.04.2011 GER – Jena, Rosenkeller
13.04.2011 GER – Hamburg, Hafenklang
14.04.2011 NL – Tilburg, O13, Roadburn, Midi Theater
15.04.2011 GER – Bielefeld, Falkendom
16.04.2011 GER – Berlin, Wild At Heart
17.04.2011 UK – London, Underworld

[ all shows Acid King / Carlton Melton except 10.04.2011 - Carlton Melton only ]

New Carlton Melton photos!

Secret Serpents — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 22:00:31 +0000

Check out Birgit Brunar’s photos of Carlton Melton from their recent show with Sweet Apple and Dead Meadow in San Francisco! J Mascis stepped in to play for awhile….
Click to view slideshow.

SPIDERS single out in March, pre-order now!

Secret Serpents — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 21:06:12 +0000

Hailing from Gothenburg, Sweden, SPIDERS mix garage punk and early hard rock with bluesy melodies. The band is fronted by Ann-Sofie Hoyles – a female lead singer possessing an awesome voice with attitude. In addition to that we find guitarist John Hoyes (from Witchcraft), drummer Axel Sjöberg (from Graveyard), and bass player Matteo Gambacorta (from Midwest) in the line-up. SPIDERS’ songs reveal the bands incredible songwriting prowess and the music is full of energy and raw rock riffs.

SPIDERS was formed in Gothenburg in February 2010. A few months later the band appeared at one of Sweden’s most successful music festivals, Way Out West. It was around this time SPIDERS for the first time as a band stepped into the studio with producer Don Ahlsterberg (The Soundtrack of Our Lives, International Noise Conspiracy, Jose Gonzalez) and started recording.

John Hoyles – Guitar
Ann-Sofie Hoyles – Vocals
Matteo Gambacorta – Bass
Axel Sjöberg – Drums

Deluxe limited edition “Nothing Like You” 7″ available March 2011

Limited to 500 copies
Silkscreened packaging
Signed and numbered by artist Alan Forbes
Exclusive SPIDERS vinyl sticker

Click HERE to pre-order!

Carlton Melton & Sweet Apple tour dates!

Secret Serpents — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 17:38:12 +0000

Friday, January 14th, 2011
Cafe Du Nord
2170 Market Street
San Francisco, CA
w/ Sweet Apple, Dead Meadow

Saturday, January 22nd, 2011
Operation Mindblow presents Winter’s Womb II
Til Two Club
4746 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA
w/ Red Octopus, Von Veeder Veid, Joy, Sugarrush Railroad Inc., Brainticket DJ’s

Saturday, February 12th, 2011
El Rio
3158 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA
w/ Drunk Horse, Hot Lunch

Saturday, March 5th, 2011
Hemlock Tavern
1131 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA

Thursday, April 14th, 2011
Roadburn Festival 2011
Tilburg, Holland
w/ Godflesh, Pentagram, Wovenhand, Buzzov*en, Soilent Green, Alcest, Wardruna, Acid King, Circle, Blood Ceremony, The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble, Count Raven, Ghost, Today is the Day, Year of no Light, Winterfylleth, The Atomic Bitchwax, In Solitude, Zoroaster, Naam, Quest For Fire, Cough

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011
Tractor Tavern
5213 Ballard Avenue Northwest
Seattle, WA
w/ Dead Meadow

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011
Doug Fir Lounge
830 East Burnside Street
Portland, OR
w/ Dead Meadow

Friday, January 14th, 2011
Cafe Du Nord
2170 Market Street
San Francisco, CA
w/ Dead Meadow, Carlton Melton

Saturday, January 15th, 2011
The Satellite (formerly Spaceland)
1717 Silver Lake Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA
w/ Dead Meadow

Sunday, January 16th, 2011
The Casbah
2501 Kettner Boulevard
San Diego, CA
w/ Dead Meadow

Carlton Melton “Handling Snakes” limited edition 7″ now available for pre-order!

Secret Serpents — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:43:10 +0000

Limited edition “Handling Snakes” 7″ available for pre-order now – CLICK HERE!

Release date: January 11, 2011

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For fans of Wooden Shjips, Moon Duo, Sleepy Sun, early Pink Floyd

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“The field of psychedelic hypnno-drone rock in San Francisco keeps getting wider, and more amazing. Along with Wooden Shjips, Sleepy Sun and The Lumerians comes the slow growth space rock of Carlton Melton. Recommended!” – Aquarius Records

Top 10 – J. Mascis for Filter Magazine

“I bet if you went to the dome where the album was recorded you could still hear the music bouncing around the room…trapped in the dome creating an undistinguishable wash of sound to bathe in for an eternity. Highly recommended for any fan of neo-psych or space rock. Get your hands on it before it’s gone.” – Dave W. (White Hills / Rocket Recordings)

“There are bands, and on this website we are lucky enough to deal with a fair few of them, who defy convention and easy categorization. Reference points may be offered, but essentially such bands exist in their own little world, utterly unaffected by trends or popularist concerns. Carlton Melton are one such band – a willfully psychedelic beast tinged with blues, doom, drone and feral rock energy that recall the majesty of Earthless and the spontaneity of early Pink Floyd” – Sonic Abuse

“Finally, a psychedelic band that successfully crosses generations, appealing equally to old school bong-bubblers, kinky krautrockers and the new school of psychedelic stooges. Can-style jams, trance-inducing drones and Ummagumma-era Pink Floyd ambiance may be the foundation here but these improv jams easily break from the tether of their influences and soar righteously through the stratosphere. Freak out!” – Montreal Mirror