The Ex-Bombers

Description

The Ex-Bombers are a delightfully sinister psychedelic blues duo who play suspiciously resonant songs harnessing the thunder of electric 8-string bass and drums, a pair of wrecking ball voices, and a kaleidoscope perspective of a world on fire. Since 2010 they have been amassing a cult following through their scintillating live shows and five electrifying vinyl releases on Cavetone Records.
The pair (Keri Cousins [drums] and S.M. Nancy Walus [bass]) have played on some of the biggest and the smallest stages at clubs, television shows, breweries, state fairs, art spaces, bars, radio shows, theaters, festivals, and even three weddings (Catholic, Pagan, and non-denominational for those keeping track) and average 80 performances a year.

Their five vinyl releases on Cavetone Records have been met with devotion from listeners and critical praise drawing comparisons to the spirit of The Velvet Underground, energy of first-wave garage rock, and the style of psychedelic noir jazz. The three long players and three 7" releases were all recorded completely analog in the spirit of 1967 complete with the crazy concept of playing the songs live / together in a singular take. The pair have also been the invisible hands that have produced countless other bands' records.

Work Sample

This is a visual tapestry of scintillating originals and twisted renditions of covers performed live by The Ex-Bombers at various points throughout 2021. It provides a fan's-eye view of the concert experience as all footage was captured by someone in attendance (in vérité style). The performances are from a "State & Water" television taping at WTVP in Peoria, IL, the legendary Blind Bob's Bar in Dayton, OH, and 7 Hills Brewing in Dubuque, IA. (TRT: 1:28)

This 77 second sound sampler of The Ex-Bombers provides tastes of five songs from the sinister psychedelic blues duo's third long-player "New Love Is Easy" (2021). It was all filmed in a single shot with a slightlydelic state of mind. The album itself is wonderfully alive, sonically intoxicating, and wickedly clever as it rides the rays of a phoenix rising up to let the world know its heart still beats. Primal pop hooks, toe-tappers, and a blues-meets-garage-meets-jazz dual vocal attack make this disc an immersive experience that is both timely and timeless. (TRT:1:17)

These are digital representations of potential shared moments. Whereas these videos invite gazing in a cluttered environment, imagine yourself present in the moments, fully available to dance, shout, interact, and to be lost in a shared moment. The performances are an electric cabaret that exist only in the moment, but linger for years.

History

The Ex-Bombers have been a cult band in the making since their debut in 2010 at a "venue" called the Snake Pit (a townhouse garage) where the decidedly non-punk pair dressed in all black ripped out a set of scintillating originals, twisted versions of covers, and let a pre-recorded VHS tape take the place of banter between songs. Everyone became lost in a shared moment. Curious looks turned to dedicated followers.

Since that show, Keri Cousins (drums) and S.M. Nancy Walus (bass) have played anywhere with a power outlet on some of the biggest and the smallest stages at clubs, bars, breweries, state fairs, art spaces, and even three weddings (Catholic, Pagan, and non-denominational for those keeping track) and average 80 performances a year.

Their five vinyl releases on Cavetone Records have been met with adulation and intrigue. The long players ("The Tightwire" [2012] / "Five Star Night" [2015] / "New Love Is Easy" [2021]) and 7" releases were all recorded completely analog in the spirit of 1967 complete with the crazy concept of playing the songs live / together in a singular take. The pair have also been the invisible hands that have produced countless other bands' records.

Artistic Vision

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

We have been The Ex-Bombers for the last 13 years and run a record label / recording studio called Cavetone Records for the past 15 years. Endeavors have also included video production, DIY merchandise production, owning a record store, and booking multiple venues. S.M. Nancy Walus has taught multiple courses at universities for the past 18 years along with producing countless records and videos. They have worked hands-on with multiple businesses with brand development and programming, in addition to nurturing bands on the label in sound and in the dark arts of the music industry. Keri Cousins is a professional maker well-versed in mixed media design (album artwork, print and digital promotional material), screenprinting, video production, and photography. She has empowered many artists by teaching them these arts. The pair have in-depth knowledge, experience in teaching, and engaging personalities to make any interactive experience (lectures, workshops, etc.) engaging, productive, and memorable for all in attendance.