Top Hat Entertainment welcomes L.A. synth-pop group Crooks On Tape to the Top Hat Lounge on September, 26, 2015. Tickets are $5 at the door. Must be 21 or older.
BIO
CROOKS ON TAPE is John Schmersal (Enon, Brainiac), Rick Lee (Enon, Skeleton Key, Butter 08), and Joey Galvan (Mannheim Steamroller, Anthrax). The unscripted band was born out of a simple notion: convene, improvise, and record every moment.
Crooks on Tape’s “Fingerprint” receives 3 out of 5 from Austin Town Hall
In 2010, the Los Angeles trio assembled a rotating fortress of instruments, synthesizers, samplers, and loopers. Crooks recorded hundreds of hours of material, largely instrumental in its original performance. FINGERPRINT is the first evidence of this undertaking and a window into the band’s sound. The debut record you hear is analogous to tiny snapshots of an altered crime scene.
Crooks on Tape featured on All Music
In many ways, Crooks picks up where Enon left off. Rick and John created two instrumental records in Enon’s early days (“Long Play” and “On Hold”). “Fingerprint” is an outgrowth of those directions, spun in a totally live, improvisational context, augmented by vocals. Though unpredictable, Joey’s marked drumming style provides the adhesion, gluing the group together when sessions become too cacophonous.
Crooks on Tape video for “Duper” premiered on Stereogum
Misra Records is now based in Dayton, OH — the hometown of Schmersal and his former band Brainiac. Strange, unformed, wildly intriguing snippets of “Fingerprint” began making their way to the label in early 2013. Each song sounded like a story unfolding. Songs were amended, vocals were added, and a debut album began to develop.