LSD and The Search For God are a cult shoegaze band that formed in California in 2005. Throughout their career they have operated through relative obscurity known by fans of the genre as pioneers, slowly building a name for themselves throughout the 2010’s through sharing stages with bands such as Lilys, The Brian Jonestown Massacre and Suicide. Their shockingly limited discography consists of two EPs, including their eponymous release in 2007 and Heaven Is A Place in 2016. Their song “Starting Over” has since become recognised as a hallmark anthem of the genre, exploding in popularity again over social media during the Covid-19 lockdown. So, while the band may lack in quantity they more than make up with quality with their unique blend of 60s psychedelia and moody 90s shoegaze.
Tonight was a rainy Monday, grey and dreary as church bells rung through the cobbled streets, but when I stepped in, the woozy red lighting and industrial scenery got me right in the mood. In fact, I thought instantly how perfect this venue was for this band. Thekla, being a repurposed shipping boat docked in the Bristol harbour was ready to ride the sonic sludgy sound waves that the band were to bring. I had arrived just in time for the band to start, so I grabbed a drink and headed for the balcony. I settled on the right wing with plenty of space and a great view of the stage and crowd. They opened with the track ‘Backwards’ from the first EP boldly telling the audience to buckle in.
The on-stage band is comprised of founding members Andy Liszt (vocals and rhythm guitar) and Chris Field (lead guitar) as well as vocalist E. Scarlett Levinson and drummer Scott Eberhardt. The light drumming and warm tones start the set with an uplifting mood as the subtly whispered conversation blurred between echoey chords distorted by the numerous pedals under each guitarist. This opening track immediately highlighted Liszt and Levinson’s talent for intensely emotional singing in such soft registers even though most words were obscured by the barrage of noise from both guitars.
What followed was the track ‘(I Don’t Think That We Should) Take It Slow’, the first song from the Heaven Is A Place EP. This song and the other songs from this EP are much darker and moodier than the self-titled debut, with the low tuned guitars bursting to the forefront with each strum. The next few songs seamlessly blended into each other marked only by subtle switches on pedals and the applause from the crowd. Halfway through the set Levinson brought out a tambourine for my personal favourite song ‘This Time’, her flowing white-dress sweeping around her as she danced freely and effortlessly in the soundscape. ‘Starshine’ was next with its signature drone starting the track followed by an awesome light and refreshing guitar lick before introducing Levinsons witchy murmurs. A stand out of this song was Eberhardt’s punchy drumming that carries the song between long, metallic wails and screeches from both guitars, especially over the last minute.
After this, the band left the stage, awaiting the inevitable cries of an encore which of course there was. When they came back they played ‘I Don’t Care’ and the much awaited ‘Starting Over’. When ‘Starting Over’ did play, the crowd burst into a raucous applause, the loudest during the set. This was obviously due to its larger popularity but highlighted the unity in the community that the song helped to foster and create over social media during lockdown when many people felt isolated. The final song was indeed not one which I recognised and I believe to be unreleased, it had rapid drums, swirling guitars with both singers chanting in a exasperated moans over the chorus. Hopefully this was a tease of new material to come following this large US and Europe tour they have embarked on.
Overall LSD and The Search For God were an absolute treat. Their unique sound as a representative of a rather niche genre was so refreshing to hear and there could have been no more perfect a venue for this sold-out, intimate set. I await eagerly to hear more from this band after such a naughty tease of new music and am holding out hope for a new studio release after their tour concludes!
Callum Preston
