The Black Angels (band)

Early Years (2004–2005) In 2005, the Black Angels were featured on a dual-disc compilation album of psychedelic music called Psychedelica Vol. 1 from Northern Star Records. This, along with the growing popularity of their MySpace page, gave the band a jump in popularity in the underground scene. Passover and Directions to See a Ghost (2006–2009) The group's debut LP, Passover, released in 2006, was generally well received in the underground independent rock community and was noted for its dark tones and lyrical content. A review of Passover described them as "Walking in the shadows cast by Spiritualized mastermind Jason Pierce," invoking "dirges" reminiscent of the 13th Floor Elevators. The 7th annual Austin Psych Fest was held during May 2–4, 2014 at Carson Creek Ranch next to the Colorado River and featured a rare Friday night performance from the legendary 1960s baroque pop band The Zombies, The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre performing together on the same stage, the psychedelic folk band Quilt, the electronica duo Peaking Lights, Temples, Sleepy Sun, The War on Drugs, Loop, and an incendiary performance from Japanese drone rock band Acid Mothers Temple in which several instruments were lit on fire. On July 22, 2014, the Black Angels released their EP, Clear Lake Forest. In December 2014, the Black Angels released a split single, along with Sonic Jesus, called "Molly Moves My Generation". The 8th annual Austin Psych Fest, now renamed Levitation, was held from May 8–10, 2015 at Carson Creek Ranch and featured an impressive lineup, including a rare 50th anniversary reunion of pioneering Texas psychedelic rock band The 13th Floor Elevators, The Flaming Lips, Tame Impala, The Jesus and Mary Chain's 30th anniversary performance of Psychocandy in its entirety, Spiritualized, Primal Scream, and Earth. Melody's Echo Chamber and Rose Windows were scheduled to perform, but Rose Windows announced their breakup prior to the event and Melody's Echo Chamber had travel issues and had to cancel. The band released their fifth album, Death Song, in April 2017. They released their sixth album, Wilderness of Mirrors, on September 16, 2022. ==Logo==

Besides the band's name, the Velvet Underground are also referred to in the band's logo, which incorporates a high-contrast negative image of the Velvet Underground's vocalist, Nico. ==Band members==

Current • Alex Maas – lead vocals, bass, organ, guitar, percussion, flute, Mellotron • Christian Bland – guitars, bass, keys, vocals, occasional drums, organ, harmonium, autoharp, electric piano, celeste, Mellotron • Stephanie Bailey – drums, percussion, occasional bass • Jake Garcia – guitars, bass, vocals, Mellotron • Misti Hamrick – bass, organ Former • Nate Ryan – bass, guitars, vocals, organ, electric autoharp, occasional drums • Jennifer Raines – drone machine/organ, keyboards, percussion • Todd Keller – guitars • Rachel Staggs (aka Rachel Goldstar) – bass, vocals • Kyle Hunt – guitars, bass, keyboards, percussion • Ramiro Verdooren – guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals, harmonica, percussion ==Side projects==

• World Destroyers' Pleasure Club (Nate Ryan [aka Neight Trion], Rocky of Death Valley Girls, Jay Eraser from Grooms & others) • The Shine Brothers (Nate Ryan, Oakley Munson of Black Lips, Colin Ryan, Ryan Rapsys) • The Viet Minh • Christian Bland & The Revelators & others) • Sweet Tea • Mien (Alex Maas, John Mark Lapham of The Earlies, Rishi Dhir of Elephant Stone and Tom Furse (aka Tom Cowan) of The Horrors) • The Welly Welly Wells • The Rotten Mangos • The Hollow Trees ==Discography==

Albums Compilations • Another Nice Pair (Light in the Attic Records, compilation of first two EPs, 2011) EPs • The Black Angels (Light in the Attic Records, 2005) • Black Angel Exit (Light in the Attic Records, 2008) • Phosgene Nightmare (Blue Horizon, 2011) • Clear Lake Forest (Blue Horizon, 2014) Singles • "The First Vietnamese War" b/w "Nine Years" (released August 21, 2006) • "Better Off Alone" b/w "Yesterday Always Knows" (released May 28, 2007) • "Doves" b/w "Drone in G# Major" (released May 20, 2008) • "Telephone" (released August 3, 2010) • "Watch Out Boy" b/w "I'd Rather Be Lonely" (released April 21, 2012) • "Don't Play With Guns" (released January 22, 2013) • "Molly Moves My Generation" (released December 1, 2014) • "Waterloo Waltz" (released January 20, 2015) • "Currency" (released February 10, 2017) • "El Jardín" (June 2022) == Notes ==