All Them Witches
Emerging from the musical hotbed of Nashville, Tennessee, All Them Witches is a hard rock band that has evolved from a solo project into a three-piece powerhouse. Their sound is a fusion of hard rock, stoner rock, neo-psychedelic rock, space rock, blues rock, and progressive rock. The band comprises vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Charles Michael Parks Jr., guitarist Ben McLeod, and keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist Allan Van Cleave. The band's journey began in Nashville in 2006 When multi-instrumentalist Robby Staebler, who had moved from Portland to join another band but left due to creative differences, found himself with a rough collection of eight tracks where he played all instruments. His love for the sound led him on a quest to find musicians who could help him transform his solo project into a band.
First to be recruited was guitarist Ben McLeod after Stabler had seen him play live. The pair worked well together and planned to create jazz music, but this was later repealed in favour of a heavier sound. A few months later, Staebler was thrilled to have the chance to meet the exceptionally talented frontman and bassist Charles Michael Parks Jr. This meeting took place when Staebler began his new job at a local retail store, where Parks also worked. Recognising Parks's musical talent and potential, Staebler eagerly took the opportunity to share his demo songs with him. Fascinated by the music and inspired by Staebler's passion, Parks felt strongly connected to the creative vision and decided to join Staebler on their exciting musical journey. Together, they envisioned a collaboration blending their unique styles and talents, beginning a new chapter in their artistic endeavours. The band's name was taken from Roman Polanski's film Rosemary's Baby.
Their first release as a band was the self-titled four-track EP, which attracted the attention of the German heavy psych label Elektrohasch Schallplatten. They became the first American band to be signed by the label. The first release on the label was their debut album, Our Mother Electricity (which the band had previously self-released in the summer of 2012). Re mastered s and released with new artwork the album by Mat Bethancourt. Our Mother Electricity was received well by listeners. Reviews made note of All Them Witches cohesive sound and a determined pursuit of a unique style and noted Their fearless dive into the gritty side of rock and roll is bound to thrill and energize listeners. With its complex blend of influences and this bold spirit, it rightfully carries the Elektrohasch logo that signifies its quality.
Soon after, they released their second EP, titled Extra Pleasant, which was recorded using just two microphones directly onto a four-track cassette tape recorder. In 2013, the band self-released their second studio album, Lightning at the Door, on their Bandcamp page; it was later distributed by Tone Tree Music. Their subsequent self-released album was an official live recording called At the Garage, which was released in February 2015.
In the summer of 2015, the band signed with New West Records, marking a new and exciting chapter in their journey. Later that year, they released their third album, Dying Surfer Meets His Maker, beautifully brought to life during a swift six-day recording session in a charming cabin in the picturesque Tennessee mountains. The album's intriguing title stems from a song originally penned by the band's frontman, McLeod, for his solo venture, Woodsplitter, inspired by a thrilling yet terrifying surfing experience he encountered.
Their earlier work, Lightning at the Door, released independently, caught the eye of New West Records, leading to its re-release in 2016—a testament to the album's undeniable appeal. The band also celebrated the power of live music with Live in Brussels, captured during an exhilarating performance in Belgium in March 2016, which made waves in September of that year. Their fourth studio album, Sleeping Through the War, arrived in February 2017, produced by the renowned Dave Cobb, a Nashville powerhouse celebrated for collaborating with greats like Sturgill Simpson and Chris Stapleton. This album featured enchanting guest performances from three talented Nashville artists and captivating harmonica contributions from Mickey Raphael.
In mid-2018, the band announced that Jonathan Draper would be joining as their new keyboardist, stepping in for Allan Van Cleave, who had moved on. During an engaging interview at a music festival, the band confirmed this change was here to stay. They released their next album, ATW, in September 2018. Shortly after, the group embraced a trio format, continuing to create powerful music without Draper. This album, produced by the band's guitarist, Ben McLeod, showcased a more straightforward and authentic sound that delighted fans.
As an energetic trio, they released a catchy non-album single, "1X1," on Halloween in 2019. It set the stage for their sixth studio album, nothing as the Ideal, which debuted in September 2020. This incredible album was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, a hallowed ground known for hosting iconic bands like The Beatles and Pink Floyd. Produced by Mikey Allred, who had previously collaborated with them, it showcased their artistic growth. Shortly before the album's release in mid-August, they treated fans to a captivating music video for the song "The Children of Coyote Woman," directed by Staebler and featuring talented skateboarder Evan Smith. Metal Hammer magazine even hailed Nothing as the Ideal as one of 2020's finest metal albums!
April 2021 was a joyous month as the band announced the return of Van Cleave as their keyboard player, reigniting their creative energy. Their first release post-reunion was a soulful cover of John Lee Hooker's classic "Black Snake," which delighted listeners in January 2022. Excitingly, this track marked the start of a thrilling series, with 13 new songs scheduled to be released monthly throughout 2022. In March of that year, they shared recordings from their dynamic Live on the Internet livestream show from 2020, available in digital, CD, and vinyl formats for Record Store Day 2021.
What makes the so gifted is its masterfully blends various genres, creating a unique musical experience that transcends traditional boundaries. Influences are drawn from hard rock, stoner rock, psychedelia, neo-psychedelia blues, folk, and southern rock, resulting in a rich tapestry of sound. Julian Marszalek of The Quietus aptly remarked that their blues is not just the clichéd "woke-up-this-morning" variety; it delves into deeper themes of malaise, anxiety, and the pervasive fear stemming from a world seemingly hell-bent on destruction.
They offer an alternative to escapist psychedelia, presenting a profound reality that resonates rather than indulges. Nick Pipitone of Monster Riff described the band's eclectic influences as a blend of styles that range from the rootsy sounds of Dr. John and Junior Kimbrough to the heavier riffs of Black Sabbath and progressive metal.
He emphasized their ability to traverse sonic landscapes that alternate between bluesy storytelling and expansive neo-psychedelia, ultimately culminating in relentless doom rock. Similarly, Rob Hughes of Classic Rock Magazine highlighted that All Them Witches can craft both turbulent waves of blues-infused psychedelia and serene reservoirs of mystical folk and heavy atmospheres. Charles Michael Parks Jr., the band's impactful vocalist and bassist, also serves as their lyricist and has openly embraced international folk music as a foundational influence.
He, alongside his bandmates, celebrates icons such as Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers, early Fleetwood Mac, and Roy Buchanan, all of whom contribute to their collective inspiration. Guitarist Ben McLeod points to Jerry Garcia and The Doors as early inspirations that shaped his musical journey. Drummer Robby Stabler adds to this eclectic mix, citing the diverse influences of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Miles Davis, Sun Ra, Santana, Neil Young, and Nick Drake that inform the band's dynamic sound.
