New Salem Witch Hunters
New Salem Witch Hunters
The New Salem Witch Hunters are a garage-rock institution in their native Cleveland, Ohio and this CD is the long-overdue reissue (first time on CD) of their debut LP originally released by Cleveland-based Herb Jackson Records in 1986. It coincides with the band's 20th anniversary. Recorded at the now defunct Beat Farm Studios this album still maintains its freshness after all these years due to the fact that, like label mates The Cynics, the New Salem Witch Hunters have a very clear idea of their sound (deeply rooted in obscure 60s garage) and know precisely how to transfer this sound into record. In fact, we highly recommend this album to all Cynics fans. Guitarist Tom Fallon and long time partner singer Dave Atkins have a similar songwriting approach as Kastelic-Kostelich of the Cynics and Tom even plays the same vintage Gretsch guitar as Gregg Kostelich! So there. But while the Cynics have a predominance for a fuzzed-out sound the Witch Hunters have a more melodic approach, very reminiscent of the early Seeds. Excellent album!