If you are like me and heard Duster back in 1998 when Up Records released Stratosphere you probably have the same estrangement. The disorganized names underneath the pictures, the commercial jets, the architecture, and never knowing if they were from Seattle or California. They recorded on old tape machines, giving a texture that new technology cannot imitate. Loud clean guitars with pretty atonal compositions, fuzzed out sounds that pounded out at slow bpms were hypnotizing and surreal. I became obsessed with the imagery and the rawness. I heard that they played in rocking chairs and plugged into small vintage tube amps with the volume cranked. I was 18 at the time and this was unheard of to me. I was so excited about their lack of explanation that I would pour over their records and play them for everyone hoping they would feel the same way.

Today, with the internet, a little bit more can be found through research. Gratefully they are not giving away too much information as to wash out the mystery. When you do a search for Duster you won’t find much more than pictures of old tape machines that look like they were found on Mars, a whole slew of songs never released, and homemade videos from fans.

When I tell people that Duster has been one of my favorite bands, they usually ask, “Guster?” No, not Guster. About 90 percent of the time when I’m talking to people that are into good music, I’ll usually mention Up records and people will say “Oh yeah, Modest Mouse…”

I was just at the Silver Jews 100th show at the Metro in Chicago and ran into a couple outside. People were so welcoming we all had a great time hanging out. They asked me what my favorite bands were and I mentioned Duster expecting that they hadn’t heard of them, but it was one of those strange moments where they knew. We agreed on the importance of their music in the underground and how much they influenced us.

They are on currently on a label called The Static Cult. TSC are purveyors of some of the most intriguing and abstract music that still carries a torch for old psych rock. Their website’s design is very forward thinking.

The EP titled Apex, Trance Like, a 7″ released 10 years ago, sounds like it came off of a tape from outer space.

The first song, Four Hours, plays calmly with mystical delayed guitar patterns and vocal timings that have set them apart. Light Years finishes the EP with a tight high hat rhythm and snare beats that seem to pause with deep thought. Sleep induced church organs and tripping synths create a foundation. There is an epic guitar lead for the stars and this builds to a drum fill introducing the organ awakening. The vocals are eerie and buried just enough to create interest but not give too much.

Not a lot of bands like Duster will be offering their original 7″’s as free downloads. This isn’t some promotional free download that you would see on a myspace banner. This is a gift of celestial proportions.

Bands you may have heard that members of Duster have come from or are now playing with are Mohinder, Calm, Helvetia, Eiafuawn, and Valium Aggelien.

Please check out Stratosphere, 1975, and Contemporary Movement as well.

The Static Cult
Duster’s official homepage
A Duster Wikipedia

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