By Marissa Mooney |Staff Writer|
Psychedelic Milk packs a mighty punch of desert-influenced vibes that is slowly infecting the underground rock scene.
The five-piece band consists of Chasen Landry on lead vocals, Russ Rosenwirth on Bass, Taylor Ruthford and Brian Saude on Guitar and Gary Humphrey on Percussion.
Two of the five members, Saude and Ruthford, attend CSUSB. Saude is a Mass Communications Major, graduating this spring and Ruthford is a dual Major in Philosophy and Communications.
The band’s main influence is based off the desert town of Hesperia, located on the outskirts of Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. “Our music is heavily influenced on the desert and people who live there,” said the band.
The name ‘Psychedelic Milk’ was inspired by the Stanley Kubrick masterpiece “A Clockwork Orange,” specifically the scene where the main character Alex DeLarge and his droogs attend the Korova milk bar. “Do you remember that part of the movie where they just sit there and drink psychedelic milk?” asked Landry.
The band name is almost a paradox because chemically, milk acts as a base in the human body that neutralizes toxins found in psychedelics.
The band has a noticeable retro sound, but they’re quick to point out their modern influences. “When people say we sound like we are from the 60s, fuck that, we are not from the 60s. We are influenced by music that is back during that time, but we are contemporary and modern,” said Landry and Ruthford.
The music that the band presents is vaguely reminiscent of The Doors coupled with their own independent style.
Brian jams on the lead guitar while Taylor strums in unison on the guitar to keep rhythm. Landry’s vocals are strong on his own, almost overpowering the strong percussion and guitars.
The music will definitely make you bob your head and tap your toes. It is definitely a listening experience that makes you want to hit the pedal on the gas and rock out.
The song “Temptation” is darkly alluring. It was the closing song for the set at Lake Alice which, after only listening to twice before, creates a catchy element of Rock n Roll.
The band believes that they do not have any type of influence in this modern world. “As Jack White says, you can’t be influenced by bands today. We are trying to blend everything we listen to and put it together,” says Landry.
When all is said and done, Psychedelic Milk are just a group of friends who are living the dream of playing music. “If you can find another band that does nothing but shoot the shit, and argue with each other as best friends, I would like to meet them. I have yet to meet anyone like us to this day. We are the best of friends, that play music together,” concluded Landry.
Psychedelic Milk is signed with Silver Rose Studios, an Independent Label. The band plays the second Wednesday of every month at the Lake Alice Trading Co. in Riverside.
You can listen to their music and watch the video “Temptation” on their website psychedelicmilk.blogspot.com/
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