Beachwood Sparks flies again

The Los Angeles based alt.-country band is releasing "The Tarnished Gold" on June 26 on SubPop, the group's first new album in 11 years. Available digitally and on such popular formats as CD and LP (double-LP at 45 rpm), the album features the singles Forget the Song and Sparks Fly Again.

"The Tarnished Gold" is the work of the classic Beachwood Sparks lineup: singer/guitarist Chris Gunst, singer/bassist Rademaker, singer/multi-instrumentalist Farmer Dave Scher and singer/drummer Aaron Sperske, with support from guitarist and longtime friend Ben Knight (The Tyde).

For the sessions, the band expanded to seven members, with guitarists Knight and Neal Casal (solo artist and former member of Ryan Adams and the Cardinals), with Dan Horne on pedal steel in place of Scher, who opted to play organ, key, flying V guitar and electrified melodica. Also lending a hand were Gunst's wife Jen Cohen (from The Aislers Set and, more recently, Mystic Chords of Memory), Sparks' very first drummer Jimi Hey, Brent's brother Darren (leader of The Tyde), and L.A. indie-rock maestro Ariel Pink. Producer Thom Monahan returned to his familiar spot behind the console (read more @ Sub Pop).

Beachwood Sparks currently have two scheduled live appearances: on June 2, the band will precede the album's release with a headlining appearance at the Huichica Music Festival in Sonoma, Cal.; and on July 21 at Pappy's & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace in Pioneertown, Cal. Additional shows will be announced soon.