dpreviews

Dayton, Ohio
Impact Weekly (volume 9 - number 35 - 8/30/01)
By Leslie Benson

With a vocalist/guitarist and a drummer who lives in Denver, and a guitarist, bassist and another drummer residing in Dayton, the musicians of indie-rock band Dishwater Psychics have their work cut out for them. Having never played in the same room together as a full band, let alone having performed live, the band exists through the miracle of modern technology. “We record through the mail,” said vocalist and guitarist John Wenzel, who moved from Dayton to Denver last year. “We send 4-track cassettes and Zip discs through the mail, then layer our separate parts on analog 4-track cassettes and digital 8-tracks. We record a drummer listening to (our) demos through headphones and playing along with them. Then (we) add guitar, bass and vocals on top. It’s all very piecemeal, but it allows us to work together without living in the same town. All our recorded output is the combination of isolated sessions and improvised performances.” Wenzel, who keeps a mini-cassette recorder with him at all times to use as an aural scratch-pad, joins Dayton guitarist and keyboardist Dan Miller, bassist Chris Jones, and drummer Rocky Twarek, who worked on the band’s newest release, Candlewax Horizon, as well as the Denver drummer Mike Behrenhausen, also of surf-rock band Maraca 5-O, to round out the Midwestern folk-rock band.

With sounds faintly reminiscent of a Hunky Dory-era David Bowie, lyrics filled with absurd imagery and an overall sarcastic tone throughout, the band’s music includes songs that allude to simple messages but include songs that include more complex ideas. “I’m influenced by Bob Pollard of Guided by Voices, both in his approach to making music—(through his) do-it-yourself recording ethic, prolific songwriting, which captures the feel of the moment—and style,” Wenzel said. For instance, “The Ballad of Otis,” a humorous track from the group’s first EP, Industrial Prophet, tells the story of a friend of the band who claims to have seen a UFO over Middletown. The band’s newest full-length album also deals with such quirky occurrences. “It’s loosely based on a series of fucked-up characters we envisioned,” Wenzel said. The sarcasm seems refreshing for an age in which corporate music focuses on upbeat, poppy lyrics with references to the rise and fall of teen-age love, in which the common, suburban human experience of boredom, pain and personal growth becomes lost. The Dishwater Psychics, however, have always reveled in their commonplace, suburban lifestyle. Jones remembers performing in a local punk-metal band Hecatomb when he was 18 years old at the old Building Lounge on Third Street. “It was the last show I was doing with the band, and we were opening up for Dayton punk icons Poetic Justice and Haunting Souls,” Jones said. “My girlfriend at the time knew this hair-dresser friend, and the two of them put about three cans of hair spray on my head. I did it just to piss off the guys in the band, to come out doing this whole Glam rock thing, which they all hated. So during the last song, I was playing bass and smoking a cigarette, and my hair was so flammable that it started to smoke. I thought I was going to go up in flames at any moment.”

The Dishwater Psychics’ loose attitude and do-it-yourself philosophy has reigned supreme in nearly everything, music or otherwise, the band members have done. Accordingly, in 1997, Wenzel successfully founded Dayton-based indie-rock ‘zine Sponic with friend Rob Heater. After converting them from hard copy to an online format with the completion of the forth issue, Sponic is now available online at www.sponiczine.com. “It was at first an excuse to hang out with our favorite bands, but we found that people were actually responsive to the issues, so we kept growing, adding staff members and even putting out a 7-inch record, which featured Swearing at Motorists, The Figgs, Nightwalker (a GBV side project) and Stupid Club,” Wenzel said. Engineer and producer Miller, who has also worked with Nightwalker, Swearing at Motorists and The Figgs, is currently mixing a new Dishwater Psychics’ album at Daybreak Mastering in Germantown. The album is slated for release in January 2002. In the meantime, the band is continuing to improve its earthy lo-fi improvisational qualities, as well as its songwriting. “Indie rock is essentially a meaningless term, as most people that listen to it are quick to tell you. …Unfortunately, the term often brings to mind a lot of whiny, overeducated white kids ripping off punk and ‘60s pop with wild abandon, which, incidentally, more or less describes me,” Wenzel said. “Lo-fi is just what it sounds like: low-fidelity music. It’s usually accompanied by tape hiss, crackling noises and overall poor sound quality. It is kind of a return to the visceral, spontaneous aspects of recording, a way to bring the musician closer to the audience, akin to folk music.” According to Miller, the Dishwater Psychics closely follow that lo-fi path. “Knowing how to mix and produce gives us the luxury of being able to do everything ourselves, in our own time and on our own terms,” Miller said. “Dishwater Psychics’ music is truly homemade music.”

Splendid E-Zine (9/10/01)
By Daniel Arizona

If my old third grade teacher had had anything to say about it, Candlewax Horizon would be titled Needs Improvement. It's not that it's all bad; it's just mostly bad. Let's face it, Lo-fi tends to lend misplaced credibility to musicians who have yet to get their acts together. I realize that with Robert Pollard becoming more respectable, someone else has to give us our microphone-in-beer bottle records. The caveat here is that the Psychics aren't writing melodies worth being recorded poorly. Candlewax Horizon is their third release, and only occasionally does it display some maturity in song arrangement and variety. With drumfills coming in left of left field and tepid, soulless lyrics dragging the whole record along, you get the feeling that going analog wasn't a financial decision (see "Homelessexual"). There are, of course, a couple of standouts; "Balanced on Nothing" is a well-put-together song about a sour relationship, and "Driving the Clutch", with its REM-like guitars swirling around the lyrics, does much to redeem the other tracks. They try so hard, though. Someone should throw some money at this band. Please.

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Splendid E-Zine (1/07/02)
By Daniel Arizona

Last year I reviewed The Dishwater Psychics' previous effort, Candlewax Horizon, which featured only a modicum of songs that would be considered memorable. The album walked the line between lo-fi and no-fi; I remember thinking that only the haphazard fashion in which it was recorded was holding the songs back. Well, a few months have passed, and these sons of Dayton, Ohio have produced a five-song EP that blows Candlewax Horizon away -- not only because of its improved production (the band still favors their signature bare-bones style), but more importantly, due to the growing, evolving sophistication of songwriters John Wenzel and Chris Jones. Previous lyrics were shaky and muddled (and not in the Murmur sense) and what little "feel" they generated was sacrificed to patchy arrangement. Now, the lyrics hold their own (with some sacrifice of melody) and the songs are allowed to flow and play up to the band's strengths, such as Dan Miller's stark guitar arpeggios and the welcome drumming of Michael Behrenhausen. My only real criticism is that the band still isn't really exploiting many of their songs' inherent harmonies -- which is puzzling, considering how much attention is paid to the album's other vocals. This EP is also a little narrower in scope than its predecessor, but never parochial; ultimately, it's a case of a band honing and developing its sound rather than inventing anything new. For the Dishwater Psychics, the next step will be to write another full-length and hopefully to tour the East Coast -- when the weather gets warmer, of course.

Impact Weekly (volume 10 - number 3 - 1/17/02)
By Sara Farr

The Dishwater Psychics’ latest, a five-song EP titled The Signal Will Fade, is another experiment in geographically challenged recording. Guided by vocalist/guitarist John Wenzel, the editor of Sponic music ‘zine who now lives in Colorado, and Chris Jones, a Dayton-based bassist, The Dishwater Psychics exist only as a home studio project, and as such, owe a great debt to that other basement-recorder of international renown, Bob Pollard and Guided By Voices.

However, having said that, it’s necessary to clarify. The work of Wenzel and Jones has virtually nothing in common with GBV material; rather, the work boasts a distinctly darker, more introspective feel to it. Songs such as “Broken Feet” and “High Pitched Racer” are desolate, monothematic forays into a bleak landscape, while the more upbeat and fully realized “Warning Patterns” is a wistful rocker that makes use of a full-band setting. “Step One” starts off with the hopeless lyric, “Rejection suits me fine,” before segueing into some tasty guitar leads furnished by guitarist Dan Miller, while “The Glass Awaits” is a fuzzed-out, ‘60’s-flavored trip into garage psychedelia. Drummer Michael Behrenhausen doesn’t get much of a chance to let loose on this recording, but then again, his presence adds a distinctive touch.

The Signal Will Fade is The Dishwater Psychics’ fourth release and first that was self-released; Blueprint of a God, Industrial Prophet, and Candlewax Horizon were all released on the now-defunct Circuit Records. For more information on the band and how to get a copy of its latest offering, log on to www.dishwaterpsychics.com.

The Guardian (volume 37 - number 20 - 3/6/02)
By Krystle Barger

Dishwater Psychics: everything but the kitchen sink

The Dishwater Psychics create fluid sound and imagery, literally, without ever having performed live together. Their latest CD, a 5-song EP entitled The Signal Will Fade, follows a similar path to their last two CDs. Plans are already set for another, full-length album. Currently the Dishwater Psychics includes John Wenzel, who plays guitar and bass, Chris Jones on bass, Dan Miller on backing guitar, vocals and keyboards, Michael Behrenhausen on drums and musician Rocky Twarek. (1) For the first three months, getting the group together was not a challenge for the band. At first there were only three members: Jones, Miller and Wenzel, but the band grew rapidly. However, before they were able to really develop as a band, Wenzel and Behrenhausen moved to Denver, Colorado. (2) The band hopes to eventually play in the same geographic location. Another goal, which is on the minds of all members, is to get signed to a major recording label.

“I met John at work, and he pushed for us to jam some night. I kept blowing him off, and then I finally agreed. I was living with Dan at the time, and John came over and we made magic,” said Jones. “I had the studio so I was involved by default, because otherwise Chris and John really wouldn’t have a way to capture what they were trying to create,” said Miller. The Dishwater Psychics are uniquely talented at their music. Their sound is a combination of genres: lo-fi emo and back porch roots rock. Their lyrics are basic, yet thought provoking. Even their name is more than what meets the eye. “The name is actually a nickname that John’s grandmother gave him when he was little. He used to play with his toys in the sink, and that’s how he earned his nickname and our name,” said Miller. “I thought that it was obscure, but it was unique, and it fit the music.”

The group has a unique style when it comes down to recording an album. They use units by Roland that record onto Zip disks. The members that live outside of Dayton mail their contributions to Miller. He then takes all the disks and pieces them together. Without prior knowledge, most listeners can’t determine a difference. Although the members of the group hope for success and fame in the future, it’s not their main focus at the time. “Music is what makes me happy. I like creating things,” said Miller, 28. “My wife,” said Jones as he waits for a response from her, “and cheeseburgers.” The group has written more than eighty unreleased songs. “[Creative differences] really help fuel the energy, and it helps us get better. I think that if we were content and satisfied and believe that there is no room for improvement, we would just do the same album over and over,” said Miller. “It’s certainly unconventional, but it works,” said Jones. Visit www.dishwaterpsychics.com to purchase The Signal Will Fade.

Band notes:
(1) Actual band lineup and instruments played: John Wenzel, guitars and vocals; Chris Jones, bass; Dan Miller, guitars, keyboards, and backing vocals, Mike Behrenhausen, drums; Rocky Twarek, drums. (2) Mike is a Denver native. John met him after moving there.

Babysue & LMNOP E-Zines (4/30/02)

Ohio's Dishwater Psychics have been recording since 1999. What is interesting about the band is that they do not all play together at the same time. Instead, each musician plays their part in isolation and then forwards their track (or tracks) onto the next band member for their input. Considering the approach, the pop music on The Signal Will Fade is surprisingly consistent and accessible. The band's tunes are basic mid-tempo pop...and the vocals are particularly impressive. Well written songs like "Broken Feet" and "The Glass Awaits" make this little homemade EP a swell listen... Rating: 4 ("Very Good")

Bee's Knees (issue #17 - 8/17/02)

These guys have that sound that just screams middle America. Good down home vocals and sarcastic wit without turning it on themselves, and an ear for a good hook. If going out on a limb I'd say GBV meets Destroyer as you hear good pop, but nods to David Bowie here and there. The singer/guitarist John also runs the cool ezine Sponic.

Independent Clauses (2/27/05)

I really need to stop doing these at the last minute. I just spent 45 minutes listening to Eyes of the Betrayer and now I’m listing to the mellow, sad Dishwater Psychics. Dishwater Psychics sounds like the band you heard at the soon-to-be-broke acoustic venue last week. They are very mellow, very sad, and yet, very talented. Switching between keyboard and electric guitar, Dan Miller changes the sound each time he plays. Songs like "Step One" and "Warning Patterns", done entirely on acoustic guitar, really highlight the talents of the band. The one rough spot in the band is the drummer, who seems to be unsure if he is playing correctly or not. Dishwater Psychics is mellow and nice but nothing to jump up and down about. The Signal Will Fade was released in 2001, leading me to believe we won't see anything else from Dishwater Psychics. Best element: Being meaningful and mellow.
-Scott Landis

Independent Clauses (2/27/05)
Genre: Indie-rock
Best Element: A moody, dark indie-rock experience that draws from lots of genres perfectly.

First off, I must admit that I love Friendly Psychics Music. I love music collectives, I love prolific artists and labels, I love the DIY ethic and I love people who release music that matters to them despite what the greater populace may think, and Friendly Psychics is guilty as charged on all four counts. And it’s getting easier and easier to be in love with them, as each release they put out is better than the one preceding it. Thus is the case with Dishwater Psychics’ Dry Night Riverbed , which is without reservation or second thought the best album that Friendly Psychics has released.

The trick with Friendly Psychics is that, like all collectives, it’s built around a couple of key players. In this case, it’s guitarist/vocalist/keyboardist John Wenzel and bassist/lyricist Chris Jones. No matter who they’re playing with or what their title is, each release that FPM puts out shows Wenzel and Jones growing more and more mature as songwriters. From rolling psychedelia to fractured indie-rock to weary folk-pop, Wenzel/Jones have gone through it all. And on their latest outing, the aforementioned duo (with more than occasional player Dan Miller on guitars/backing vox/keys) put all of their influences together into something awesome.

Dry Night Riverbed takes the best influences of all those genres and combines them into a moody, dark indie-rock experience. The mood is extremely well cultivated (the psychedelia influence), the melodies appear in great number (the folk-pop) and the whole thing grooves with the strength of gritty guitars and propulsive drums (the indie-rock). It’s truly the full experience now, and a full palette of musical endeavors has finally been tapped into one canvas.

Considering that a great deal of the Wenzel/Jones catalog is the type of music that you have to focus on, mull over and listen to repeatedly, it feels almost like a reward to sit down to an FPM album. Not to say that nuance isn’t fun, but when the opening arpeggiated acoustic chords of “Decimal Jokes” are scored by a blast of guitar distortion and reinforced by a four-on-the-floor rock drumbeat, it’s exciting. The fact that the song hits, delivers its moody, angry message and quits is also a testament to songwriting growth. Gone are the unnecessarily drawn-out melodic sections. In fact, eight of the ten tracks on this album are under 3:30; I don’t know if this is truly a new improvement or if the improvement is the fact that every second of these tunes actually matters.

Even the dour vocals, which have been the major downside to FPM releases for as long as I’ve been reviewing them, are being used in ways that make sense. Standout track “Camp Oconda” features vocals prominently and effectively, allowing Wenzel to intone the memorable line “taking souls, and setting them on fire.” Given the dark indie-rock surroundings, it’s definitely one of the most soul-gripping moments I’ve heard in a while. It just hits.

It’s interesting to note that while “Camp Oconda” is easily a standout, it’s one of the two tracks that tops the 3.5 minute mark. Just more proof that the songwriting duo has finally figured out what is necessary in a song and what can go. There’s literally no fat on this album, and that’s definitely the first time that I’ve been able to say that of an FPM release.

The members of Dishwater Psychics have created a thoroughly and uniquely enjoyable album in Dry Night Riverbed . Dark, introspective indie-rock that doesn’t wig out into useless vamping or one-dimensional moping is tough to come by, and Dishwater Psychics have nailed it on the head here. Definitely one to check out.

- Stephen Carradini
July/August 2007