Gondos, spearheaded by lead vocalist Aidan Trueheart Case, is a psychedelic rock band based out of Portland, Oregon. On June 3rd, the band released their latest album, Anatomy of a Hornet’s Nest. Their explosive garage-rock sound captures listener's attention with classic fuzzy instrumental distortion throughout the project, which was actually recorded on a ½ inch tape by lead guitarist Ben Windheim. Gondos is a four-piece band including members Case,Windheim, bassist Elisabeth Zarnick, and drummer Grant Anderson.

Anatomy of a Hornet’s Nest takes listeners on a journey through Case’s wild acid trips, love, heartbreak, and dealing with anger. The album is packed with rage and just the right amount of emotional grit.

Aidan Trueheart Case explains the album’s recording process, reveals conspiracy theories, talks musical influences, and more.

1/ELEVATOR PITCH

Well, usually I say that we aren’t for everyone but the longer we do this the more I realize that might not be totally true. I’d tell this stranger that we’re the real deal, a decade old band that’s still working at it. We’re loud, explosive, catchy in some ways, challenging in others. Most people can usually find something to like about us. Rock n roll forever baby.

2/INFLUENCES

Musically, it’s all over the place. I’m a huuuuge Oasis nut so there’s some of that sprinkled in there. Plenty of Ty Segall (Twins/Slaughterhouse era is my fave), Sex Pistols, the Beatles, Sonic Youth kinda, Neil Young, Lee Scratch Perry, Bad Nerves, all sorts of stuff. I really do like every genre, there’s a time and place in my life for any kind of music. Except Billy Joel. Non-musical influences are interesting. I use this project as a healthy outlet for a lot of my anger. I had horrible anger management issues as a child, and this band is a big part of my regulation process. The shitty state of the world, emotional stuff, books I read, movies I watched. Lyrically this album is mostly me reacting to the world around me, my internal healing processes, trying to make things manageable for myself. Really though I want this album to represent my work ethic, and my ability to shake off insurmountable challenges and still make good art. I’m pissed.

3/LIVE TO TAPE

If you want your music to sound like the music you love, a good place to start is by recording it the way your favorite records are recorded. I’d say almost all of my favorite records are recorded to tape. Especially for rock music, I think it’s hard to replicate the sound of tape digitally. Digital stuff is great, but to me it can sound airless or lifeless. Too much space, not enough limitation, drums don’t crunch nicely digitally. I just prefer it right now. We always record live, we’re a fuckin good live band and when you come see us it should sound a lot like our record, just louder, bigger, more hectic. It captures the energy of the performances. I wanna hear a band playing together, not decent musicians playing on top of each other. It’s looser, but that’s how this project operates. Skin of our teeth, hanging on by a thread, bringing it home. A couple tracks we nailed in one take, "Sun Eater" being one of those.

4/ADVICE

Just keep going. Wear sunglasses inside.

5/RAGE

I kinda touched on this earlier, but it’s very cathartic. Well, cathartic to perform at least. I can get really frustrated in my head especially when tracking vocals. I didn’t nail it this time around and I will think about that forever. Sometimes the creative process can be the most frustrating thing in the world. It isn’t always fun, it doesn’t always lighten the load. But it feels reaaalllllyyy good when it does. I guess I'm always chasing that dragon, the high of something coming together perfectly. This album is far from that, it’s very jagged, but I think it’s an accurate representation of where I was at the time of recording (horribly damaged, lashing out, driving myself insane, weeping, etc). I love it.

6/CONSPIRACY THEORIES

The rest of the band isn’t around right now, but I know Grant has some thoughts. I won’t speak for him. I don’t believe that conspiracies get everything right, but unfortunately it seems there’s always a bit of truth somewhere (unless they’re horribly racist). I be watching hellllla videos about the ancient Sumerian tablets late at night. Makes ya think. I know that the ruling class, the 1%, those fuckers are twisted and that they’re playing chess with our lives. I think that the CIA and other intelligence agencies are using the Internet as the ultimate propaganda tool. Check ya sources, stay vigilant. I’m a little cuckoo but I don’t think I’m totally wrong. We must remember that there are dark forces all around us.

Listen to Anatomy of a Hornet’s Nest here now. Follow Gondos on Instagram.

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6 Things W/ Gondos

On June 3rd, psychedelic rock band Gondos released their third record, Anatomy of a Hornet’s Nest. Influenced by Sex Pistols and Sonic Youth, their sound is inspired by a mix of early garage-rock and punk. Lead singer Aidan Trueheart Case discusses recording the album on tape, managing emotions, and even discloses his personal conspiracy theories.