The Coathangers and L.A. Witch are two of modern alternative rock’s most exciting bands, consistently pushing the envelope in thrilling new directions with their original material. Teaming up for a new split 7” titled One Way or the Highway and featuring cover art by Pippa Toole, both bands flex their creative muscles by paying homage to a pair of punk’s most prominent pioneers with a combo of covers that celebrates the genre’s past while racing headlong toward the future.
If any band was going to take on Blondie at their best it would be The Coathangers at their most raw. “One Way Or Another” is a cornerstone in the genesis of punk and alternative rock, so deeply engrained in the cultural conversation that any attempt at tackling this absolute juggernaut requires unbelievable skill and an immeasurable level of confidence — qualities that The Coathangers have truly and consistently demonstrated they posses in spades.
Jagged lead guitar is brought right to the front, foregoing embellishments to create a confrontational interpretation of the classic riff that distills the arrangement down to its most elemental. Gone are the playful and mischievous undertones of the original track, replaced instead with a wild eyed and unpredictable delivery that flirts with unhinged obsession as the classic come-ons get twisted into an ominous threat. The suggestion of a casual tryst with a lurking admirer quickly evaporating into the promise of a strategic back alley beatdown. One way or another, The Coathangers are coming for you. Better watch your step.
On the b-side L.A. Witch take a similarly unique approach on their contribution to this release, channeling the spirit of Los Angeles underground king Jeffrey Lee Pierce (who ironically in this instance, was notably obsessed with Blondie) with a deliciously acerbic take on “Ghost On The Highway” from The Gun Club’s 1981 debut LP, Fire Of Love. Similarly instrumental to the development of punk, Fire Of Love combined gritty DIY ethos with the textual heritage of American roots music for an unprecedented take on garage rock, the influence of which is clearly heard in L.A. Witch’s sound.
L.A. Witch preserve much of the driving force that propels The Gun Club’s recording of “Ghost On The Highway,” seasoning the original’s twangy guitar licks with characteristic moody reverb and a thick rhythm arrangement for maximum dramatic affect. Written as a break-neck tirade from the perspective of lover scorned and reeling from effects of romantic withdrawal, L.A. Witch channel that hopeless frustration with steady determination, wielding the poetically impassioned barbs with cool, lethal efficiency.
One Way or the Highway is available now digitally and on 7” vinyl November 19th via Suicide Squeeze, and streaming on Spotify. Follow The Coathangers and L.A. Witch on Instagram and catch the bands on tour this year.
The Coathangers 2021 Tour Dates
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DEC 30 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
DEC 31 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
L.A. Witch 2021 Tour Dates
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OCT 16 – San Francisco, CA – 20th St Block Party
OCT 26 – Phoenix, AZ – Rebel Lounge~
OCT 29 – Austin, TX – Levitation~
OCT 31 – Houston, TX – Axelrad+
NOV 03 – Albuquerque, NM – Sister Bar*
NOV 04 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre*
NOV 05 – Salt Lake City, UT – Metro*
NOV 07 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo*
NOV 08 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore*
NOV 09 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall*
NOV 11 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore*
NOV 12 – Big Sur, CA – Henry Miller Library*
NOV 13 – Pomona, CA – Glass House*
NOV 15 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda*
NOV 16 – San Diego, CA – Music Box*
NOV 17 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom*
NOV 19 – Tucson, AZ – 191 Toole*
NOV 27 – Bisbee, AZ – The Quarry
NOV 30 – Denton, TX – Andy’s
DEC 02 – Atlanta, GA – 529
DEC 03 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle^
DEC 04 – Baltimore, MD – Soundstage^
DEC 05 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts^
DEC 07 – Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw^
DEC 08 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club^
DEC 09 – Montreal, QC – L’astral^
DEC 10 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall^
DEC 11 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls^
DEC 12 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom^
DEC 14 – Columbus, OH – Skully’s^
DEC 15 – Detroit, MI – Magic Stick^
DEC 16 – Chicago, IL – Metro^
DEC 17 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
*with The Black Angels
^with All Them Witches
~with The Paranoyds
+with Glove
