Gangcharger at the hi-dive

After Boulder's melodically atonal Mansfield Ghost broke up, it was entirely possible that the band's unique guitar sound would follow it into the annals of local music. Fortunately, two thirds of Mansfield went on to form the decidedly noisier and more beautifully abrasive Gangcharger (due at the hi-dive on Friday,...

By Tom Murphy

June 25, 2009

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After Boulder's melodically atonal Mansfield Ghost broke up, it was entirely possible that the band's unique guitar sound would follow it into the annals of local music. Fortunately, two thirds of Mansfield went on to form the decidedly noisier and more beautifully abrasive Gangcharger (due at the hi-dive on Friday, June 26). Recalling Sonic Youth at its heady peak, the group's sound is wrapped in dynamic layers of razory melodies and thick rhythms swimming amid textured streams of distortion and white noise. If you tend toward cleaner tones and harmonies, Gangcharger's splintery, albeit electrifying, output may be something of an acquired taste. On the other hand, if you're a fan of noise rock of any stripe, or you like your music almost aggressively raw, this act is the embodiment of both.

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Tom Murphy is a writer, visual artist and musician from Aurora, Colorado. He was a prolific music writer for Westword and a documenter of the Denver music scene.

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Twitter: @simianthinker