John Schmersal has a long-documented history of being kind of weird. But considering there are a lot of weird people out there in the world, he’s always found an audience — especially with his excellent former band Enon. With Crooks on Tape, his new project, Schmersal experiments with all things bizarre: kooky Wayne Coyne-esque vocals, demented pianos and bombastic drums. The band’s foundation was built in the mid-1990s, before Enon. After that band split, Schmersal and Enon bandmate Rick Lee found themselves listening to improvisational jam sessions they had recorded long ago — and that’s what inspired Crooks on Tape’s first record.
— Leah Sottile
© 2024 Inlander
