Volta Sound [with the name being taken from the Italian physicist, who in 1800 invented the voltaic pile, which was the first source of continuous electric current. The volt unit of electromotive force is named for him. Thus Volta Sound, being an electric sound ...] is an etherial semi translucent band hailing from Cleveland, Ohio. The band were known for their live performances and their albums on
Orange Sky Records. Fred Mills of Magnet wrote: "Taut dynamics, stoned vocals and fluid organ/fretboard drone locate the Volta Sound in the vicinity of the Warlocks or Brian Jonestown Massacre. Mike Cormier (vocals, acoustic guitar, tambourine), Ben Yawns (guitar, trumpet, trombone), Matt Cassidy (electric guitar, vocals), Todd "T.D." Vainisi (combo organs), David Geddes (bass), and Mike Prieto (drums). The lineup coalesced officially in 2000 and officially came together as a group in mid-2000. They are one of several bands associated with the local Davenport Records label, founded by Cassidy in nearby Kent, OH (near Akron and Cleveland). In addition to the Volta Sound, the other groups in this loose-knit collective share common members and often play together on the same bill.
Had I not been traveling this wayward psychedelic road for so many lightyears with the likes of Spacemen 3, Pink Floyd, and BJM being part of the lexicon of my musical life, I think I might be much more impressed with the band. Back in 2001, after two sleepless nights hounded by coyotes in the New Mexico desert, The Volta Sound gathered its stuff and headed for California. After a run in with Greg
Shaw and Anton Newcombe of Bomp! and BJM, they decided to start putting out and away they went! 4 albums, 1 EP and 3 tours with Orange Sky and Elephant Stone Records later, it was time to put on some pants and maybe get some food. The Volta Sound found itself releasing 3 albums back to back in the summer of 2012 and totally hooking up, pants and all, with Joe Foster and Sterling Songs Publishing. After adding Chad "Chad Hill" Hill to it's roster and briefly touring with Sterling Roswell of Spacemen 3 and The Darkside, The Volta Sound has reached it's full girth and is now ready to spread itself all over the place. So watch out.
Guitarist Cormier and his friends formed the Volta Sound specifically to play the space rock-influenced material that Cormier had written for himself to sing. The Volta Sound soon built up a
considerable following in the Cleveland area, opening for bands traveling through on tour such as the Brian Jonestown Massacre. In 1999, the band's first four-track recordings were compiled for the limited-edition release of Everything's Alright. As their reputation grew outside the Midwest, several U.S. labels began vying to sign the band, but the winning imprint was Orange Sky Records, a new division of the Dionysus reissue label. The Volta Sound's official debut, My All American Girl, was issued in spring 2002, just as the band began their first Southwestern U.S. tour.
01. THE VOLTA SOUND - DANDELION WINE 2004
Such a fab album from a criminally under-appreciated band. Yellow and green for the cover art, a plant-based product for an album name -- if the Volta Sound hadn't started their new album Dandelion Wine with a low-key acoustic strum/singalong redolent of hippie vibes, it would have been a strange thing indeed. Having already released a couple of enjoyable efforts, the Volta Sound's 2004 turn isn't quite their unplugged album but it does generally aim for a hazy, pleasant campfire singalong atmosphere spiked with a bit of Beatles-tinged psychedelia, thus the horn additions on songs like "There Is No Question" and the horn and flutes both on the merry "I Knew You'd Know," which is actually a pretty good dance number in its own way as well.
The Volta Sound – Dandelion Wine
Label: Orange Sky – OS2217
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released:2004
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock - Folk
TRACKS
01. There Is No Question 5:06
02. I Love You 4:26
03. Now That It's Out 2:20
04. Faustrock 10:32
05. I Knew You'd Know 3:42
06. Girls And Tamborines 5:39
07. Goldilocks 2:39
08. Eyes Half Shut 1:53
09. Miss June '85 8:14
10. Three, Two, One 0:39
11. [Untitled Track] 2:11
12. [Untitled Track] 8:00
Flac Size: 338 MB
02. THE VOLTA SOUND - GOOD LOOKIN OUT, YA'LL 2011
The Volta Sound dips rhythms reminiscent of The Velvet Underground into a bucketful of sticky American beach rock for this release. The band's happy, West Coast '60s sheen is hard to resist and it's not long before you find yourself in the car singing along with the four-part harmonies that have clawed their way into your subconscious.
The Volta Sound – Good Lookin Out, Ya'll
Label: Not On Label – none
Format: File, MP3, Album
Country: US
Released: 2011
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock - Folk
TRACKS
01. Good Lookin Out, Ya'll 3:50
02. Familiarity 2:36
03. Don't 4:26
04. Get in Yr Noose 2:53
05. Let The Robots in 3:54
06. Go Straight Ahead 3:52
07. Ain't Nothing Going On 3:07
08. When It Works 3:52
09. Photosensitivity 2:54
10. A Million Things 3:17
NOTES
Recorded circa 2011 and released only as digital file originally available on Bandcamp and social media only, but has since been removed.
MP3 @ 320 Size: 81.7 MB
03. THE VOLTA SOUND - LIKE ENTROPY 2014
Re-release of their 2009(ish) 'Floppy' album, but with new title and released only as digital file available on Bandcamp and social media only, but has since been removed. This album was originally recorded around 2009/2010 and had a limited physical release titled 'Floppy' (packaged to look like a floppy disc). Great songs that are stoned, hazy and very droney. "Sleeping Potion" is one of the all time great Volta Sound tunes that dates back to their early days. This is a different version of the tune that was included on their 'Cuts' comp.
What The Volta Sound do, is like nothing anyone else does … and that’s probably because the underlying premiss of their music is to have fun, to enjoy the moment, to get lost in the rapture, and sincerely create something that’s going to take you for a walk through splintered sunlight. Though that being said, their penchant for capturing moonbeams in a jar is a given understatement.
The Volta Sound – Like Entropy
Label: Not On Label – none
Format: File, MP3, Album
Country: US
Released: 2014
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock, Folk Rock
TRACKS
01. Meditation Station 4:06
02. Dog 4:40
03. The People In Me 4:01
04. Don't Bring It Down 3:32
05. Come On Sun 4:29
06. Nobody Knew 6:32
07. We'll Be Fine Again 2:41
08. Sleeping Potion 7:52
These albums are quite rare and difficult to to find, so please refaim from requesting scans of the covers, back covers and CDs or many photos of the band. You are very fortunate to have access to this music with you anyway. Enjoy the listening session and cheers.
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