WEBVTT 00:00:29.100 --> 00:00:33.200 Hey everyone, welcome to Shecky's Jam Bands where 00:00:33.200 --> 00:00:35.560 we cut through the noise and dig into the stories 00:00:35.560 --> 00:00:38.539 behind the bands lighting up stages across the 00:00:38.539 --> 00:00:41.200 globe. I'm Rob Sheckman and today we're taking 00:00:41.200 --> 00:00:45.619 a deep dive into the soulful scorcher band called 00:00:45.619 --> 00:00:50.820 Blues Pills. Formed in 2011 in Aarbor, Sweden, 00:00:51.200 --> 00:00:54.159 Blues Pills sprang from a transatlantic meeting 00:00:54.159 --> 00:00:58.020 between stepbrothers Zach Anderson on bass and 00:00:58.020 --> 00:01:01.229 Corey Berry. on drums. They were veterans of 00:01:01.229 --> 00:01:05.170 Radio Moscow, and they met powerhouse vocalist 00:01:05.170 --> 00:01:08.709 Ellen Larson on a tour in California. They recorded 00:01:08.709 --> 00:01:12.150 two demos, posted them on YouTube, and instantly 00:01:12.150 --> 00:01:15.530 attracted attention. The name Blues Pills, that 00:01:15.530 --> 00:01:18.390 came from a friend's music blog called Blues 00:01:18.390 --> 00:01:21.390 Pills, spelled with a Z at the end, centered 00:01:21.390 --> 00:01:26.469 on buried gems from the 60s and 70s, underground 00:01:26.469 --> 00:01:30.129 blues and psych sounds. an aesthetic that perfectly 00:01:30.129 --> 00:01:33.450 fits their sonic ethos. Their sound is a heady 00:01:33.450 --> 00:01:37.349 portion of psychedelic blues rock led by Ellen's 00:01:37.349 --> 00:01:41.689 Janis Joplin's caliber vocals. Raw, soulful, 00:01:42.129 --> 00:01:45.650 and larger than life, songs like Devilman puts 00:01:45.650 --> 00:01:49.650 them on the map with their Bliss EP in 2012. 00:01:50.290 --> 00:01:53.269 And they quickly gained traction touring Europe, 00:01:53.650 --> 00:01:57.629 playing at festivals from Dessert Fest to Crossroads. 00:01:57.900 --> 00:02:02.519 to Rock Palace's live at Rock Palace EP. Their 00:02:02.519 --> 00:02:07.540 self -titled 2014 debut album was produced by 00:02:07.540 --> 00:02:11.819 Don Altersberg and delivered analog warmed guitar 00:02:11.819 --> 00:02:15.099 fueled emotionally packed blues rock that topped 00:02:15.099 --> 00:02:17.979 German charts. In fact, they were number four 00:02:17.979 --> 00:02:21.500 on the German charts and broke into the Swiss 00:02:21.500 --> 00:02:27.840 and UK charts as well. 2016 Lady in Gold saw 00:02:27.840 --> 00:02:31.659 them broaden their palette, adding Hammond organs, 00:02:32.219 --> 00:02:36.539 soulful balladry and melodic depth, proving that 00:02:36.539 --> 00:02:39.759 they weren't just about crunching riffs, but 00:02:39.759 --> 00:02:43.639 also texture and heart. Here's a unique twist. 00:02:44.259 --> 00:02:49.180 In 2018, guitarist Doran Soroks left having joined 00:02:49.180 --> 00:02:53.379 at just the age of 16 years old. And bassist 00:02:53.379 --> 00:02:58.610 Christoph Schander came aboard on 2019 while 00:02:58.610 --> 00:03:01.969 Zack Anderson switched to guitar. A lot of drama 00:03:01.969 --> 00:03:06.349 going on there. In 2020 they released Holy Moly 00:03:06.349 --> 00:03:09.310 produced under their own vision and mixed by 00:03:09.310 --> 00:03:13.270 Grammy winner Andrew Scheps including the fierce 00:03:13.270 --> 00:03:18.229 single Proud Woman. Their latest 2024 release, 00:03:18.270 --> 00:03:21.830 Birthday, continues their evolution and remains 00:03:21.830 --> 00:03:25.280 unapologetically powerful. Now let's get into 00:03:25.280 --> 00:03:29.319 why fans love them. Number one, their genre authenticity 00:03:29.319 --> 00:03:33.280 and innovation. They feel vintage but fresh. 00:03:33.919 --> 00:03:38.280 Heavy psych, bluesy soul and soaring riffs that 00:03:38.280 --> 00:03:42.240 echo the past without sounding derivative. Their 00:03:42.240 --> 00:03:45.340 front woman charisma, Ellen Larson, her voice 00:03:45.340 --> 00:03:49.039 and stage presence is electrifying. Their DIY 00:03:49.039 --> 00:03:53.099 spirit meets ambition from YouTube demos to mixing 00:03:53.099 --> 00:03:56.680 with industry legends, they have balanced authenticity 00:03:56.680 --> 00:04:00.879 and bold artistry. Lastly, their cross -generational 00:04:00.879 --> 00:04:03.259 appeal. Their music resonates whether you cherish 00:04:03.259 --> 00:04:05.819 Led Zeppelin or you're discovering psych rock 00:04:05.819 --> 00:04:09.280 in 2025. That's our spotlight on Blues Pills, 00:04:09.580 --> 00:04:11.840 a band that lives and breathes the spirit of 00:04:11.840 --> 00:04:14.939 soulful psychedelic rock. Whether you've got 00:04:14.939 --> 00:04:18.060 your vinyl spinning or you're catching them live, 00:04:18.439 --> 00:04:22.519 dive deep into Bliss, Lady in Gold, Holy Moly 00:04:22.519 --> 00:04:25.569 and Birthday. Trust me, there's a new high to 00:04:25.569 --> 00:04:29.949 be had with every listen. Thanks for tuning into 00:04:29.949 --> 00:04:32.790 Shecky's Jam Bands. Don't forget to subscribe, 00:04:32.850 --> 00:04:35.910 share, and keep chasing those riffs. Until next 00:04:35.910 --> 00:04:39.529 time, stay soulful and let the music take you 00:04:39.529 --> 00:04:39.769 higher.