True West may have been part of California's psychedelic underground,
but the Davis quintet definitely had a sound and style all its own. Drawing
inspiration from Syd Barrett (the band's first release was a single of his
"Lucifer Sam," reprised on the EP)
and Roky Erickson, they played a frenetic, dense drone with crazed guitars
and dramatic vocals.
Co-produced by guitarist Russ Tolman and Dream Syndicate's Steve Wynn, True West is a rough, marvelous record — five slices of chaos that kick out nostalgia in favor of powerful rock with a dark, threatening ambience. Echo-laden sound gives tunes like "Hollywood Holiday" and "Steps to the Door" an unsettling noise/chaos level that considerably heightens their tension. Hollywood Holiday contains the entire EP plus three more-sophisticated tracks subsequently
recorded with a new rhythm section. (New Rose later included Hollywood Holiday on its CD of Drifters.)
Drummer Jozef Becker left to rejoin Thin White Rope; True West recorded the Drifters
album with his replacement. The nine new songs (reprising "And Then the Rain"
from the French LP) showcase Gavin Blair's vocals as much as Tolman's inventive,
original guitar work. A strikingly good record that escapes the strictures of
neo-psychedelia by incorporating folk-rock ambience, Drifters retains just
enough raw-edged aggression to keep things from getting unacceptably melodious.
"Look Around" is the clear standout, but other numbers — "Shot You Down" and "Hold On,"
for instance — also marry engaging sound and arrangements to solid songwriting.
After losing Tolman, True West pressed on as a quartet. The countryish
Hand of Fate receive valuable guitar assistance from Matt Piucci (Rain Parade)
and Chuck Prophet (Green on Red).
True West broke up in 1987. Russ Tolman continued on as a solo
artist releasing 8 albums in Europe, while Vocalist Gavin Blair and
guitar virtuoso Richard McGrath moved to Seattle and formed the Foolkilers
releasing 2 albums which have recently been reissued on CD by the
Paisley Pop label in Portland, OR.
