ASA Press Release PRINTABLE (PDF)
 

Alice Sweet Alice (ASA) — based in Kansas City, Missouri—USA — is a 4-
piece band signed to American independent label Cauldron Soundwerx
Productions. Founded by Scott Martinez on bass and vocals, ASA released
its’ first two albums with pianist and vocalist Ali Kat and online collaborative
guitarist Jeffrey Galios. Following extensive tryouts in mid-2009, Billy Brown
joined ASA on drums, with Alan Hicks completing ASA’s
lineup on guitars.  This lineup of ASA went on to play locally, and culminated with their
June 2010 release, "ASA Live in Kansas City."   ASA released their sophomore album, “Moloko &
Ultraviolence”, in May 2009. This is the pile-driven, powerhouse follow up to
their premier release, “First Light”, released in 2008.  Both LP’s are available
for sale through Cauldron Soundwerx, and physically distributed internationally through
AMAdea Records in Bulgaria. ASA is the first band on Cauldron Soundwerx that
will be distributed into China through Cowbell Digital based in Australia.

As described by Pete Dulin of Present Magazine, their newest album, Moloko
and Ultraviolence ". . . is alternately sweeping and wound tight, unabashedly
dramatic and consciously remote, sexy as a Twilight vampire and coolly
reserved as a diamond smuggler. Alice Sweet Alice references musical
antecedents, nodding to touchstones if you will; however, they refuse to
dress up in the worn black leather, velvet lace, or loud plaid of yesteryear’s
goths, punks, and New Wave outsiders. They’re looking through the
electropostpunkadelic kaleidoscope backwards and forwards, twisting and
tweaking enough to craft a familiar sound with some idiosyncratic flourishes."

As written by AMAdea Records in Bulgaria: ". . . Alice Sweet Alice comes
with the sequel “Moloko & Ultraviolence” that brings new set of challenges.
Their debut album “First Light” was a magnificent record; huge production,
anthemic tracks, warm buzzing guitars. It was the album where Alice Sweet
Alice gained their audience. Where “First Light” was visceral “Moloko &
Ultraviolence” is intellectual. The high points on the new album are many.
The augmentation of the guitar/bass/drums with various instrumentation
gives a broader palette than the previous title “First Light”. In terms of
songwriting and the melding of this writing with arrangement and
performance, the band seem to have really reached a zenith."

ASA, ascribes their genera to be “Electropostpunkadelic”, and creates
exciting music that is truly a fusion of ASA members’ respective and diverse
musical backgrounds. As Pete Dulin of Present Magazine describes their
sound: "Take the turbulent undercurrent of Joy Division, add edgy guitarsynth
crunch and hooks ala Garbage, drop in the haunting post-punk of
Siouxsie Sioux and the Banshees, a dash of Love and Rockets
psychedelics, and polish the whole mix with angst-meets-curious inclinations
inspired by The Cure's rhythmic urges. Something like that with a twist."
ASA’s unique brand of rock has been compared to the likes of Pink Floyd and
the Doors for their hard-hitting rock and psychedelic tendencies, and The
Floyds, Smashing Pumpkins, Clan of Xymox, Joy Division and My Bloody
Valentine for their inspired use of darkwave sonic spectrums. ASA's music
can be described as being complex, yet intricately textured with contrasting
themes and overtones that synthesize their European and American
influences, generating a sound that is both innovative and trademark. Songs
vary from serene to turbulent in their aesthetic use of acoustics, found
samples, electric guitar effects, and synth-composition. ASA’s live shows are
enhanced with powerful displays that combine both theater and raw energy.
ASA emphasizes songwriting, as dramatic lyrical performance is meshed with
structured noise.

With ASA’s lineup finally intact, the group is continually rehearsing and
perfecting their live show for regional performances, while working with
overseas partners in planning a European tour for 2010. Finally, as prolific
and restless as ASA’s songwriters are, listen for new and exciting material to
be offered all along the way.