An incredibly talented proto-punk four-piece inspired by the likes of Iggy and The Stooges, The Sonic, Big Star, and Buzzcocks, Fantastic Shams have recently shared their massive debut album, unleashing a flurry of power-pop licks and bold, yet eccentric glamour.
A massive undertaking from the Indianapolis-based band, their debut record is a masterclass in versatility and sheer force of will, delivering ten original tracks that showcase the band’s full repertoire of styles. Built to impress, ‘Fantastic Shams’ is a rough-and-ready album that is not only personal and thought-provoking, but also undeniably enjoyable, balancing the darker, reflective moments with waves of gilded proto-punk goodness.
Embracing an old school approach to production, the band have captured the true ethos of early punk, stitching together a heavy combination of effects and sonically charged melodies with a focus on social commentary and meaningful messages. Speaking about the album, the band share, “The sound is built on loud guitars, vintage amps, and unique analog effects and electronics. The songs, written by David Bower, are pure catharsis mixed with dream journal-esque lyrics and storytelling inspired by a Midwest outsider zeitgeist.”
The album was recorded at Russian Recording in Bloomington Indiana with Mike Bridavsky, with each song recorded live to 2” tape, with minimal overdubs. No computers were used, giving the full album a brilliant nostalgic feel, and the band’s raw energy and appeal seeping through your speakers to create one of the most authentic albums of the year.
Along with the digital release of the album, the band are also gearing up to drop a very special vinyl release in the new year, with the limited-run, 140-gram, lacquer-stamped LP available to pre-order now via their website.
A band and an album well-worth remembering, ‘Fantastic Shams’ delivers an impressive dose of unadulterated sounds, from gritty, angst-laden cuts to more poignant and melodic journeys. You can stream the full album above via Spotify, and make sure you check out the band’s website and socials for more.
Connect with Fantastic Shams,
