JD Pinkus and Tall Tall Trees release “Fungal Mountain Breakdown”
Shimmy-Disc announces the forthcoming release of a brand new record, Ponder Machine, the heady new concoction from banjo virtuosos JD Pinkus (Butthole Surfers) & Tall Tall Trees (Mike Savino), due June 30, 2023. The new LP — which contains the spirit of high mountain bluegrass, laden with profound and somewhat sinister depth — is introduced with the following:
“Take a Deep Dive into their secluded mountain stream, but beware the rapids and hang tight to your tube! That heretic howl is not in your imagination, and yes, the ancient trees may shift slightly as you rocket past, just enough to offer a glowing glimpse into the strange new world illuminated by a pair of passionate, psychedelic banjo masters.
If a trembling string fails to find its traditional fret, the network of fungi beneath your feet may be alerted by the wanton sounds of SpaceGrass (or is it ‘SlowGrass’ ?) shifting magnetically in the cosmic blue-lit forest. Watch out for boiling soils beneath your feet. Hold tight in that brainy space between your ears – better just lay back and enjoy the long slow slide.”
Alongside the record announcement, today also finds the arrival of its first single, “Fungal Mountain Breakdown,” with an accompanying video.
On the track, Pinkus wrote: “Only two Banjo pickers in the world know how to play this song, and when played at the proper tempo and tuning, it can transport the players and the listeners to other dimensions. We were lucky enuff to capture it on tape one day…”
1. Sourdough Rag2. Building Fires3. High on the Mountain
4. Mad County5. Afterlifer6. Can’t C#7. E.Y.’s Demise8. Ponder Machine 9. Zeno Raises The Dead10. Fungal Mountain Breakdown11. Building More Fires *Cassette B-Side / Digital Exclusive*12. E.Y.’s Continuous Demise *Cassette B-Side / Digital Exclusive*13. Zeno Rises Again *Cassette B-Side / Digital Exclusive*
Stay tuned for JD Pinkus & Tall Tall Trees’ brand new record, Ponder Machine, out in full on June 30, 2023 via Shimmy-Disc.
About JD Pinkus & Tall Tall Trees:
Jeff “JD” Pinkus is an American bassist best known for his work with American punk band Butthole Surfers from 1985 to 1994 and since the 2009 reunion. In 1990, he and Butthole Surfers’ lead vocalist Gibby Haynes released Digital Dump, the only album from their psychedelic house music side project The Jackofficers.
Upon leaving Butthole Surfers, Pinkus worked full-time with the Austin trio Daddy Longhead, which he had assembled during his waning months in the band, and which included longtime Atlanta associate Jimbo Young on guitar and Rey Washam on drums. Daddy Longhead retired after 10 years, leaving Pinkus free to explore other projects, including Skinny Leonard and Areola 51. Pinkus played with Helios Creed on his albums NUGG: The Transport [1996] and Activated Condition [1998], and has also collaborated with Bad Livers frontman Danny Barnes several times in a live setting. JD Pinkus then co-founded the band Honky who went on to record five albums and are still currently active. Pinkus also performs with Pure Luck, who released a self-titled release in 2017 on Heavy Feather Records. He leaves his bass to play Banjo and Guitar in this project.On their 30th anniversary tour in 2013, Pinkus joined the Melvins in place of Jared Warren (on paternity leave), in addition to performing with the opening band, Honky. He subsequently joined the Melvins full-time, touring with them in 2014 in support of the album Hold It In, which also featured Butthole Surfers founder Paul Leary, and again in 2015. He also plays on the song “Captain Come Down” which was first released in 2015 on Chaos as Usual, a split release with Le Butcherettes, and later included on the 2016 album Basses Loaded.In 2018, JD Pinkus released a solo album, Keep on the Grass, on cassette tape via Danny Barnes’ Minner Bucket Records and later, on vinyl and Compact Disc through Heavy Feather Records. It was recorded entirely on banjo and features a rendition of the song “Bride of Crankenstein” from the Melvins album Hold It In. The Keep on the Grass album release show was with Sleep in San Pedro on September 15th 2018.Later, the Melvins announced that Pinkus would be joining them, alongside current bassist Steven McDonald (Redd Kross), on their next album and subsequent tour. Released on April 20, 2018, the aptly titled Pinkus Abortion Technician features both bass players and four songs written or co-written by Pinkus. In May of 2021, JD Pinkus and Daddy Longhead released another album titled Twinkle, which was originally recorded but not distributed in 1998.
Last year, JD Pinkus is released his second solo “space grass” banjo album titled Fungus Shui. The album was written, recorded, and mixed by Pinkus himself at Plastic Cannon Studio in Asheville, North Carolina. The album was mastered by Kramer. Fungus Shui was released on Shimmy-Disc on August 20th 2021.
Tall Tall Trees is the musical ID of songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mike Savino, a pioneer in the realm of experimental, DIY banjo music. Accompanied by his trusty Banjotron 6500, a highly customized, electrified banjo and effects pedal setup, Savino has wowed audiences since the 2009 debut of his self-titled album with his eclectic and innovative blend of psychedelic folk, rock, and world music. His work seems to actively evade comfortable definition. Upon first listen, one will recognize the tenderness of Cat Stevens, the melancholy introspection of Elliott Smith, the anthemic psychedelia of Pink Floyd, and a deep abiding respect for Earl Scruggs. Savino often performs solo, showcasing his fleet-footed loop pedal mastery, as well as alongside long-time collaborator and fellow innovator, Kishi Bashi. In 2020, Tall Tall Trees released A Wave of Golden Things on Joyful Noise Recordings, and his forthcoming solo LP was Mixed & Mastered by Kramer.
