There’s a phrase that captures the essence of the world today – perpetually chaotic and endlessly evolving. But while much remains unpredictable, there’s a reliability in the sonic energy that is Frankie and the Witch Fingers. In their seventh studio production, “Data Doom,” the Los Angeles-via-Indiana ensemble unravels a musical treatise on the impending digital apocalypse, setting forth a compelling blend of psych rock turbulence and electrifying inventiveness.

Photo:Lance Bangs

“Data Doom” is not merely an album; it’s a manifesto of resistance against the looming shadows of artificial intelligence. By championing raw human creativity, the band treads the taut rope between adaptability and authority. This stance is emboldened by the album’s DIY ethos, sculpted by the dynamism of founding members Dylan Sizemore and Josh Menashe. The vigor is further intensified with the rhythmic acumen of Nikki “Pickle” Smith and Nick Aguilar.

Songs like “Burn Me Down” stand as a testament to the revamped quartet’s organic synergy, with its dexterous interplay of heavy psych and Afrobeat elements evoking an exhilarating sensation of confronting the unknown. Such is the pervasive theme of the album: a clarion call against digital dominance, reminiscent of their previous album “Brain Telephone” which was an invocation to break free from mind’s constraints.

With “Empire,” Frankie and the Witch Fingers take the listeners on an 8-minute odyssey into the realm of audacious melodies and whirlwind distortions, offering a critique on the tech czars’ unbridled ambitions. The song is emblematic of the entire album’s ethos – a fusion of diverse inspirations ranging from ’70s avant-jazz to the intoxicating beats of Zamrock and Afrobeat, all concocted in the cauldron of Frankie and the Witch Fingers’ experimentalism.

Indeed, “Data Doom” is a melting pot of musical genres. It’s an album where Fela Kuti’s rhythmic genius meets the punk-infused energy of psych rock, where Aguilar’s drumming pays homage to Tony Allen’s genius, and where tracks like “Mild Davis” pulsate with unrestrained vigor.

The inclusion of experimental jazz and Afrobeat, intertwined with the band’s natural psych prowess, offers a refreshing divergence from the oft-trodden paths of contemporary American music. It’s a delightful chaos, one that mirrors the tumultuous age we find ourselves in.

Yet, even amidst the chaos, the band’s critical commentary on our modern predicament shines brilliantly. Songs like “Futurephobic” provide a harrowing glimpse into the disconcerting world of technological overreach, steering clear of clichéd tech critiques and instead portraying the genuine horror of our algorithm-dominated existence.

Throughout “Data Doom,” there’s a fiery defiance, a proclamation of human resilience. As the album progresses, there’s a palpable sentiment of unity and hope. While tracks like “Electricide” bellow against digital dominion, there’s also a celebration of the human spirit and its indomitable tenacity. Songs like “Syster System” advocate for a future shaped by feminine energies, a stark contrast to the destructive paths taken by its masculine counterpart.

Frankie and the Witch Fingers’ “Data Doom” is a timely sonic reflection on our modern world, fusing sophisticated musical craftsmanship with compelling social commentary. It serves as a reminder of the beauty of human ingenuity and the importance of remaining vigilant in an increasingly digital age. Far from being mere music, it’s a rallying cry for the human spirit in an age of machines.

Data Doom Out Now!

FRANKIE AND THE WITCH FINGERS 

LIVE 2023 

AUGUST

25 – Purple City Music Fest – Edmonton, CAN

SEPTEMBER

9 – The Usual Place – Las Vegas, NV **

10 – Valley Bar – Phoenix, AZ **

11 – Love Buzz – El Paso, TX **

14 – Parish – Austin, TX **

15 – Andy’s Bar – Denton, TX **

16 – Continental Club – Houston, TX **

17 – Gasa Gasa – New Orleans, LA **

19 – JJs Bohemia – Chattanooga, TN

20 – The Blue Room – Nashville, TN #

21 – Terminal West – Atlanta, GA #

22 – Grey Eagle – Asheville, NC #

23 – Pour House – Charleston, SC #

25 – Black Cat – Washington, DC #

26 – Crystal Ballroom – Somerville, MA ~

27 – Sala Rossa – Montreal, QC ~

28 – Space Ballroom – Hamden, CT ~

29 – First Unitarian Church – Philadelphia, PA ~

30 – Warsaw – Brooklyn, NY ~

OCTOBER

2 – Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH #

3 – Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL #

  4 – Miramar Theatre – Milwaukee, WI #

6 – Hi-Dive – Denver, CO #

7 – Hi-Dive – Denver, CO #

8 – Sister Bar – Albuquerque, NM #

27 – Quartyard – San Diego, CA @

28 – Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA@ **

29 – Rickshaw Stop (Psyched! Fest) – San Francisco, CA @

31 – Rev Hall – Portland, OR @

NOVEMBER

1 – Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA @

3 – Catalyst Atrium – Santa Cruz, CA @

4 – SLO Brew – San Luis Obispo, CA @



** w/ Spoon Benders 

# w/ Wine Lips 

~ w/ Iguana Death Cult 

@ w/ MONSTERWATCH 

# # # 

CONNECT WITH FRANKIE AND THE WITCH FINGERS 

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