Brenton Manser and the Disciples of Zen
Genre:, Folk, Rock, Roots
Since its beginnings as a solo project for the Swayback frontman, sitting atop his old kick drum and breaking out the slide guitar, Brenton Manser and the Disciples of Zen have grown to become a vibrantly quirky five piece, initiating members from prominent bands in the local rock and roots scene into the fold.
With an unusual sound incorporating two percussionists and the fiddle of award winning virtuoso, Emma Luker, the Disciples’ bluesy rock tunes are reminiscent of Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band joining forces with The Beach Boys at Junior Kimbrough’s Juke Joint.
Having collectively played shows with acts from The Audreys to The Animals, and seen their debut EP, ‘River’s End’, simultaneously holding the number one spot on both the Three D and Awesam Sales charts, the band is now proud to present its debut album, ‘Strange Notions’.
Covering a lot of musical territory over the course of its twelve tracks, ‘Strange Notions’ builds on the stompbox blues of the band’s origin with everything from the boisterous, psych tinged rock of Circus Street to the lingering ballad Empire.
With the bones of most songs being laid down in no more than two takes, the album maintains a raw earthy base, fattened out and topped up by some studio experimentation including guest percussion from Akoustic Odyssey’s Matt Davis.
Not content with the sublime soaring, plucking and rumbling of her violin gracing the album, Emma Luker also adds some eerie melodia to Dirty Window as well as lending her lush voice, along with Burt and Thomman (both lead vocalists in their own bands) to the rich harmonies peppered throughout the album.
‘Strange Notions’ is out now through Half A Cow Records in an environmentally friendly Eco-Box jewel case and online through iTunes.
