Captain Audio

Experimental rockers Captain Audio must have seriously studied Can and mid-70s era David Bowie (as well as Phil Spector’s groundbreaking Wall of Sound production approach), as evidenced by the sounds they created during their short but sweet recording career. Captain Audio was formed by Brandon Curtis (bass, keyboards, vocals), Regina Chellew (guitar, trumpet, vocals), and Josh Garza (drums). Coming from Dallas, Texas, USA, most of Captain Audio’s members had previous experience playing with bands, as Chellew was a touring member of Ruby, while Curtis was a member of UFOFU. Formed during the late 90s, the trio issued the six-track My Ears Are Ringing But My Hearts OK EP in 1999. Rarely does a lo-fi band includes both horns and violins in their tunes, the release proved to be a favourite of underground hipsters, and was followed up a year later with their album, Luxury, Or Whether It Is Better To Be Loved Than Feared. Despite accolades in the press (and a few comparisons to the Flaming Lips), Curtis and Garza opted to relocate to New York City, which resulted in the band going on hiatus soon afterwards. However, it did not take long for Captain Audio’s former members to turn up elsewhere. Chellew launched a solo project, Chao, and issued Hits The Miss in 2001. Curtis and Garza opted to remain a team, and formed Secret Machines. With Curtis’ brother, Benjamin (ex-UFOFU), supplying drums, the Secret Machines issued a six-track mini-album in 2002, September 000.