Youngblood Supercult

Performing at Doomed & Stoned Fest 2016, courtesy of Johnny Hubbard.

Youngblood Supercult is an American stoner rock band from Topeka, Kansas. The band’s line-up consists of Bailey Smith (guitar), David Merrill (vocals), Weston Alford (drums), and Brad Morris (bass). The group has been categorized as hard rock, stoner rock, and heavy blues. Their sophomore album, High Plains (2016) garnered substantial reviews and ranked at number two on the label and blog-backed Doom Charts for March 2016.^[1] They have been consistently touring various U.S. cities since their latest release, and have signed to DHU Records for a limited vinyl release of High Plains.

History

Youngblood Supercult formed in the wake of the splintering of several different bands located on the desolate plains of northeast Kansas. The four original members – Bailey Smith, Weston Alford, Coder Potts, and Wyatt Desch – quietly crept into the Topeka music scene with their debut in the NOTO Arts District on September 6, 2013.^[2]

With several shows under their belt, the four musicians holed up at Alexander Lancaster's Two Wolves Studio in historic downtown Topeka to record their debut album, Season of the Witch, under the direction of producer and friend, David Steinlage. The seasoned and revered Jerry Tubb of Austin's Terra Nova Studios mastered the album, and the band recruited designer Pol Abran of Branca Studio in Barcelona to oversee the album art. Heavy Planet praised the album in their review: "Straight out of Topeka, Kansas comes four riff-worshipping bandmates that unite their love of seventies heavy blues, occult-ish doom rock, and a free and easy vibe in what they like to call Stoner-lite. I would have to say that their sound would not qualify as "lite" in my book, in someone else's, maybe. The band's first single "Season of the Witch" is a slithering, hard-driving, and catchy tune that wraps around a tight groove. The vocals reign supreme with their bravado and mighty soaring ability. Youngblood Supercult has played alongside fellow [Topekans] and Heavy Planet favorite The Midnight Ghost Train. The band has a very straightforward approach and a strong desire to make a name for themselves. Give Youngblood Supercult a listen, you'll be glad you did."^[3]

Following the release of Season of the Witch, vocalist Wyatt Desch left the group to focus on other endeavors. The remaining trio caught a break with the addition of their current vocalist, David Merrill. This transition marked a new era for the group. They wrote feverishly, departing from their previous driving heavy rock sound in favor of experimenting with elements of folk, blues, psych, and the droning, flat-tuned, off-time riffs that are the trademark of the traditional classic heavy stoner sound.

The response to their unique culmination of sound has been mammoth.^[4] The group began recording new material in late 2015. This process was not without its share of inner turmoil and strife between band members. As a result of creative differences between Coder and the rest of the group, David stepped up to record basslines on High Plains. After peacefully severing professional ties with their bassist, Youngblood Supercult consolidated into a three-piece group as David began to work diligently on simultaneous vocals and bass.

The group released their sophomore album High Plains on February 19th, 2016, an album which has already received online and FM airplay on 105.9 KISS FM and 97.5 The Quake^[5] as well as critical acclaim from music blog administrators such as The Obelisk's JJ Koczan, who wrote: "Midwestern fuzz ideologues Youngblood Supercult release their sophomore full-length, High Plains, on Feb. 19. An 11-track/48-minute CD with double-vinyl impending for this summer, it follows early 2014’s debut, Season of the Witch, and marks a significant change in vibe on the part of the graphic-design-inclined Topeka, Kansas, three-piece. Where the debut took a classic metal bent toward heavy rock, more straightforward and rhythmically driving, High Plains offers plenty of sonic weight — the guitar and bass working together on “Black Hawk,” or the clawing “Nomad” earlier on — but takes a more lurching, atmospheric approach overall. This seems to have been a purposeful shift in aesthetic as much as one of lineup, but either way, it suits them."^[6] More recently, the group picked up bassist Brad Morris in an effort to expand the band's musical capabilities. And they have no plans of slowing down; they are currently writing material for a third album.

Members

• Bailey Smith – guitar
• David Merrill – vocals
• Weston Alford – drums
• Brad Morris – bass

Former members

• Coder Potts - bass (2013–2015)
• Wyatt Desch - vocals (2013-2014)

Discography

• Season of the Witch (2014)
• High Plains (2016)

References

External links

• Official website