Wizards

"Sounding like an endless summer and riding into that old sunset, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan’s The Wizards feel the beach and adjust for wind on this EP. Opener “Hank’s Horn/Lunar Landing” breathes some much needed air into the hoary SURF ROCK corpse, starting out in a traditional DICK DALE vein only to veer for the aforementioned lunar sphere with only a quick drum roll for warning. As far as opening salvos go, these dudes are on to something. Third track “Fisheyed” puts some pasta on your plate, some dawn nightmare addled by too many rot-gut liquor shots. Draining fumes in the tailpipe is hard work, boys. Don’t think we don’t appreciate it. An all-too-brief five-song appetizer that will be followed by more madness soon. PRAIRIE SURF, MUTHERFUCKERS!"

- Christopher Laramee - Weird Canada

"The title of the first EP from Saskatoon-based Wizards was initially a bit of a head scratcher, in part because I knew nothing about them. A few seconds into the opening track it was clear where the “surf” came from, and after hearing the rest of the songs it seems likely they are drawing inspiration from some psych bands which makes the title a pretty transparent acid joke. However, that was a post-listening revelation because after the next few seconds of that opener, “Hank’s Horn/Lunar Landing,” I didn’t give the damn title a second thought and just let myself enjoy the guitar, which sure sounds like the work of a Dead Kennedys fan. These guys rock, and are able to contort the conventions of surf rock without getting wanky about it. Although the songs all feature vocal work, it’s kinda got a Sonic Youth feel and is not at the forefront. For the most part, these suckers are delightfully driven by that spacey guitar and propulsive drumming. The band could probably pull off a simple instrumental surf-revival act, but they have great instincts for when to sprinkle a tune with some clever tempo change—a sludgy grind or hopped-up speed beat—and it’s fantastic to hear from such a new band. “Fisheyed” is a stellar track, and the noisy finish of “Days In” is a lengthy outro to an exciting disc. It’s almost like Wizards know what a good thing they’re onto, and were reluctant to let it end. I’m gonna love this disc lots and probably join this crew for the trip every time they roll through town. (Sound and Silence Collective, wizardmusic.ca/)"

- Daniel Emberg - Stylus Magazine

"Since Tame Impala released Lonerism in 2012 I’ve had a hard time not comparing them in some way to every band I review. The Wizards’ Loser Surf Death EP is the nearest comparison I’ve found yet. Don’t be fooled, this EP doesn’t sound like Lonerism that much at all, but it does carry a certain weight to it that made me sort of grumble inwardly and say “ohhhhohh…I’m gonna have to listen to this one a few more times." As did Lonerism.

The band probably couldn’t have picked a more suitable title; one listen and you’ll realize why they called it Loser Surf Death. Those were the first three words I thought of while listening to it.

“Hank’s Horn/Lunar Landing” comes out all psychobilly with swirling guitars and burning garbage cans then it beautifully transitions into a shoegaze classic that would fit nicely onto, dare I say it, a Tame Impala record.

“Make Time” nicely picks off where the opener left off and sort of sounds like Syd Barrett psychedelia with a touch of “Hurdy Gurdy Man” at the end.

“Fisheyed” is my favourite track on the album, its haunting licks and summertime feel and lightning-fast drumming are jaw dropping.

Then “Mama” kicks in and it’s all like “what the fuck? Buendia? Mi Casa? Aren’t the guys from Saskatoon?” Not that “Mama” isn’t a good song, it’s just very obviously sung in Spanish.

“Days in” is a fun one too, it’s a feel good track that sounds a bit like Jefferson Airplane and the Velvet Underground and I’m not sure if he’s singing about the hotel chain or not. Either way, the singer needs more sleep.

The whole album is chock full of sun-bleached guitar noodling and odes to the classics of psychedelic rock. Loser Surf Death makes you want to cut the sleeves off your jean jacket and drink a PCP-laced cocktail out of a gutted pineapple. I just don’t see how anyone could possibly not like this disc, even my dad would like it and he’s into Genesis and votes Conservative. I should note that in a time when Saskatchewan is seemingly overrun with indie bands, as we seemingly are, (regardless that many of those indie bands are pretty good) The Wizards are a wonderful change of scenery and Loser Surf Death is worth telling your friends about.

Hey, wait a minute... Loser Surf Death...I get it. That’s pretty deep.

Loser
Surf
Death

The Wizards will be at 11 Hooks Studio (1422 Scarth St.) for Toboggan Island; June 18th @
5pm

Listen to Loser Surf Death here: http://wizardmusic.bandcamp.com/" - Greengrass Radio

The title of the first EP from Saskatoon-based Wizards was initially a bit of a head scratcher, in part because I knew nothing about them. A few seconds into the opening track it was clear where the “surf” came from, and after hearing the rest of the songs it seems likely they are drawing inspiration from some psych bands which makes the title a pretty transparent acid joke. However, that was a post-listening revelation because after the next few seconds of that opener, “Hank’s Horn/Lunar Landing,” I didn’t give the damn title a second thought and just let myself enjoy the guitar, which sure sounds like the work of a Dead Kennedys fan. These guys rock, and are able to contort the conventions of surf rock without getting wanky about it. Although the songs all feature vocal work, it’s kinda got a Sonic Youth feel and is not at the forefront. For the most part, these suckers are delightfully driven by that spacey guitar and propulsive drumming. The band could probably pull off a simple instrumental surf-revival act, but they have great instincts for when to sprinkle a tune with some clever tempo change—a sludgy grind or hopped-up speed beat—and it’s fantastic to hear from such a new band. “Fisheyed” is a stellar track, and the noisy finish of “Days In” is a lengthy outro to an exciting disc. It’s almost like Wizards know what a good thing they’re onto, and were reluctant to let it end. I’m gonna love this disc lots and probably join this crew for the trip every time they roll through town.
-Daniel Emberg - Stylus Magazine

Wizards on CFCR

CFCR supports hometown band the Wizards (not to be confused with ELO buddy band Wizzard, despite songs about “going to the moon”), whose psychedelic surf sounds bring sunny warmth to the wintry parkland. - CMJ.com

Sounding like an endless summer and riding into that old sunset, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan’s The Wizards feel the beach and adjust for wind on this EP. Opener “Hank’s Horn/Lunar Landing” breathes some much needed air into the hoary SURF ROCK corpse, starting out in a traditional DICK DALE vein only to veer for the aforementioned lunar sphere with only a quick drum roll for warning. As far as opening salvos go, these dudes are on to something. Third track “Fisheyed” puts some pasta on your plate, some dawn nightmare addled by too many rot-gut liquor shots. Draining fumes in the tailpipe is hard work, boys. Don’t think we don’t appreciate it. An all-too-brief five-song appetizer that will be followed by more madness soon. PRAIRIE SURF, MUTHERFUCKERS! - Weird Canada

Since Tame Impala released Lonerism in 2012 I’ve had a hard time not comparing them in some way to every band I review. The Wizards’ Loser Surf Death EP is the nearest comparison I’ve found yet. Don’t be fooled, this EP doesn’t sound like Lonerism that much at all, but it does carry a certain weight to it that made me sort of grumble inwardly and say “ohhhhohh…I’m gonna have to listen to this one a few more times." As did Lonerism.

The band probably couldn’t have picked a more suitable title; one listen and you’ll realize why they called it Loser Surf Death. Those were the first three words I thought of while listening to it.

“Hank’s Horn/Lunar Landing” comes out all psychobilly with swirling guitars and burning garbage cans then it beautifully transitions into a shoegaze classic that would fit nicely onto, dare I say it, a Tame Impala record.

“Make Time” nicely picks off where the opener left off and sort of sounds like Syd Barrett psychedelia with a touch of “Hurdy Gurdy Man” at the end.

“Fisheyed” is my favourite track on the album, its haunting licks and summertime feel and lightning-fast drumming are jaw dropping.

Then “Mama” kicks in and it’s all like “what the fuck? Buendia? Mi Casa? Aren’t the guys from Saskatoon?” Not that “Mama” isn’t a good song, it’s just very obviously sung in Spanish.

“Days in” is a fun one too, it’s a feel good track that sounds a bit like Jefferson Airplane and the Velvet Underground and I’m not sure if he’s singing about the hotel chain or not. Either way, the singer needs more sleep.

The whole album is chock full of sun-bleached guitar noodling and odes to the classics of psychedelic rock. Loser Surf Death makes you want to cut the sleeves off your jean jacket and drink a PCP-laced cocktail out of a gutted pineapple. I just don’t see how anyone could possibly not like this disc, even my dad would like it and he’s into Genesis and votes Conservative. I should note that in a time when Saskatchewan is seemingly overrun with indie bands, as we seemingly are, (regardless that many of those indie bands are pretty good) The Wizards are a wonderful change of scenery and Loser Surf Death is worth telling your friends about.

Hey, wait a minute... Loser Surf Death...I get it. That’s pretty deep.

Loser
Surf
Death

The Wizards will be at 11 Hooks Studio (1422 Scarth St.) for Toboggan Island; June 18th @
5pm

Listen to Loser Surf Death here: http://wizardmusic.bandcamp.com/ - Greengrass Radio

Saskatoon psych-surf group gear up for EP release party

The Wizards, a Saskatoon psych-surf four-piece, will be releasing their six-song EP Loser Surf Death this Friday, March 8 at Vangelis.

And man alive it’s a ripper.

Immaculately recorded by some folks who graduated from the Recording Arts Institute in Saskatoon, Loser Surf Death opens with some total surf-y ‘verbed-out guitar washes amidst sludge thumps before completely taking a stylistic left turn towards sun-baked psych rock.

I’ve always wondered how the prairies could produce such authentic sounding surf-rock – remember the group Hawaiian Mafia from back in the day anyone? The Wizards totally nail it.

The vocals are appropriately understated with retro guitar noodling taking over the reins on this fantastic voyage. And with an utterly solid rhythm section sitting shotgun, The Wizards have a clear shot at becoming one of the next buzzed-about prairies rock groups.

There is one point of confusion – the band’s Facebook page says their name is “Nobody and The Wizards” while everything else points in the direction of the much more succinct moniker “The Wizards”. Definitely not something to get all cyclone dick bust about but… zuh?

Joining The Wizards at Vangelis are guests Kieran Blake, Stephen Cooley and Body LVL. - Ominocity.com