Candy Whips Articial Melodies

The second LP from Oakland’s Candy Whips is a different affair. Their cassette-only debut, Automaton, featured Wendy Stonehenge (well-known frontman of Glitter Wizard), operating as a one-man synth/drum machine song factory. Side two features Stonehenge in much the same format, alongside guitarist Arthur Tea, whereas side one sees Candy Whips presented as a full band with humans operating devices such as drums, keyboards, bass and guitar (including fellow G Wiz bassist Greg Downing in the lineup). This not only provides a richer, more developed sound, but also a touring live unit, coming to a venue near you! From Stitched Sound: “With Artificial Melodies, Wendy Stonehenge elevates the Candy Whips’ legacy by enlisting a powerhouse ensemble of seasoned Bay Area rock luminaries, including David Kurtz (Whateverglades), Greg Downing (Glitter Wizard), Melanie Burkett (Psychic Hit), and Warren Huegel (Daevid Allen’s University of Errors/Citay). Arranged thematically, the soon-to-be-released album displays two sides of the band’s personae. Side A unveils the band’s new sound, a sonic landscape Stonehenge playfully dubs ‘post-glam’ or ‘accidental goth.’”