The Parson Red Heads Officially Move to Portland

It's been a long time coming, friends! I've been hearing for a while now that the Parson Red Heads—one of the preeminent jangle rock bands on the west coast—are moving to town. It's all been through the grapevine, of course, but when the band played a residency at the White Eagle in February it only added fuel to the fire. Now we have official word: the Red Heads have re-located to Portland, and have started working on a new record with Chris Stamey.

Um, whoa! Though this information is probably relevant to only the biggest of geeks, let it be known that there is virtually no way that this could go wrong. Stamey is one of the founding members of the dB's, the beloved (at least to critic types) power pop band whose "Black and White" is still a mixtape staple of mine. Stamey has also worked with Alex Chilton (!), Television's Richard Lloyd, Yo La Tengo, Whiskeytown, and famed R.E.M. producer Mitch Easter. Really, I couldn't be more stoked. Stamey's aesthetic vibes perfectly with the Red Heads' easy California harmonies and catchy pop songs.

In the meantime, the band is hitting the road (including an August 7 stop at the Crystal Ballroom) with a new tour EP in tow. Early Birds features four re-recorded standards from when the Red Heads were still living in Eugene, including the wonderful "Choose" and the new song "Never Ending Road." I can't wait to see these guys on the reg.

Link:
The Parson Red HeadSpace

Photo courtesy of the band