Frankie and the Witch Fingers is a psychedelic rock band based in Los Angeles. Formed in 2013, the band consists of members Dylan Sizemore, Glenn Brigman, Josh Menashe, and Alex Bulli. Known for their high-energy performances and retro sound, Frankie and the Witch Fingers have gained a dedicated following within the underground music scene. The band's music draws inspiration from 1960s psychedelic rock and incorporates elements of garage rock, surf rock, and punk. Their sound is characterized by fuzzy guitars, pulsating rhythms, and infectious hooks. Frankie and the Witch Fingers' songs often feature trippy lyrics and intricate instrumental sections that showcase their technical skill and creativity.
This is the ultimate version of this essential Frankie and the Witch Fingers album!
ZAM isn t the type of trip where you drop out and begin hallucinating, it s an eerie zap of focused psych buoyancy that allows you to connect with the mythical. ZAM isn t the type of trip where you drop out and begin hallucinating, it s an eerie zap of focused psych buoyancy that allows you to connect with the mythical.
Frankie and the Witch Fingers' songs often feature trippy lyrics and intricate instrumental sections that showcase their technical skill and creativity. Since their formation, Frankie and the Witch Fingers have released several albums and EPs, including "Heavy Roller" (2016), "Brain Telephone" (2017), "Zam" (2019), and "Monsters Eating People Eating Monsters" (2020). Their music has received critical acclaim, with many praising their ability to capture the essence of 60s psychedelic rock while also pushing the genre forward with their unique style.
Frankie & the Witch Fingers: ZAM
The latest record from Los Angeles psych-rockers Frankie and the Witch Fingers sounds like it wasn’t birthed on this planet—or this dimension for that matter.
ZAM inhales and exhales with a sonic vastness and an extensive jumble of genres—krautrock, garage, funk, prog and psych. Its lyrics channel the energy of the otherworldly—mythical creatures, wielders of the dark arts, apocalyptic mayhem and each person’s drop off at either the pearly gates or the stairs down to the blazing inferno. The album traverses through murky swamps, mountainside caverns, and they even propel themselves into cyberspace—trekking across moon craters in zero gravity. Each of these scenic expeditions are accompanied by equally mythic musical passages—zigzagging fits of guitar distortion, rapturous drum fills and spunky, spitting vocals.
The near nine-minute album opener “Dracula Drug” is the album’s peak. Each ingredient of the witchy psych-Kraut brew—punctilious guitar lines, attitude-filled vocals and engine-like rhythms—extends its shelf life and potency. The song drips and drips until the floodgates open and out pours a ripple of propulsive grooves that will infect the psyche of any nearby creature or spirit.
Musicianship is often the make or break point of any psych-leaning record, and ZAM definitely passes the sniff test. Any band can warp their guitars and give a record that melting effect, but Frankie and the Witch Fingers’ guitar work feels purposeful rather than gimmicky, and their rhythm section is anything but flimsy. The title track is a clear highlight—dexterous and meaty grooves paired with dynamic drum fills are an integral point in ZAM’s sonic adventure.
On “Cobwebs,” frontman Dylan Sizemore yelps, “Turning your dreams into liquids and potions / Ashes they burn like the foggiest notions” over a bed of overdriven guitars, and it’s this kind of vibrant spookiness that gives the record its charm. There’s a frequently diabolical energy to ZAM—it’s as if they’re feverishly enjoying themselves while maniacally chuckling. Later on “Purple Velvet,” Sizemore sings, “Suddenly I’m removed from my body / I do not wish to return just yet,” and in a way, ZAM is the same—it’s like that out-of-body moment that you realize you’re in a dream, but you fight your natural inclination to wake up. ZAM isn’t the type of trip where you drop out and begin hallucinating, it’s an eerie zap of focused psych buoyancy that allows you to connect with the mythical.
ZAM ends on a much quieter note than expected, but not only does the string-laden “Head Collector” not seem out of place—it’s easily one of the best tracks. It’s the kind of elegant psych-pop that gives Frankie and the Witch Fingers both variance and sophistication.
Frankie and the Witch Fingers don’t blow up the psych playbook by writing an album about strange, epic phenomena—King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard probably do it better than anyone else right now—but their vigorous musicianship is compelling throughout and occasionally superb. The peppy guitar freakouts of ZAM are likely best suited in their live form, but these studio recordings are still worthy of your earspace and bewilderment.
Watch Frankie and the Witch Fingers’ 2017 Daytrotter session below.
ZAM inhales and exhales with a sonic vastness and an extensive jumble of genres—krautrock, garage, funk, prog and psych. Its lyrics channel the energy of the otherworldly—mythical creatures, wielders of the dark arts, apocalyptic mayhem and each person’s drop off at either the pearly gates or the stairs down to the blazing inferno. The album traverses through murky swamps, mountainside caverns, and they even propel themselves into cyberspace—trekking across moon craters in zero gravity. Each of these scenic expeditions are accompanied by equally mythic musical passages—zigzagging fits of guitar distortion, rapturous drum fills and spunky, spitting vocals.
In addition to their studio recordings, Frankie and the Witch Fingers are known for their energetic live performances. They have toured extensively, playing at various music festivals and venues across the United States and Europe. Their shows are characterized by their charismatic stage presence, captivating visuals, and infectious energy that gets crowds dancing and fully engaged in the music. Frankie and the Witch Fingers' success can be attributed to their ability to capture the spirit of 60s psychedelia while also adding a modern twist. Their music appeals to both nostalgic fans of classic rock and contemporary listeners looking for something fresh and exciting. With their dynamic sound and electrifying performances, Frankie and the Witch Fingers continue to push the boundaries of psychedelic rock and leave a lasting impact on the music industry..
Reviews for "Frnkkie and the Qitch Fingers Zam: A Utopian Vision of Music and Art"
1. Alex - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Frnkkie and the qitch fingers zam". The story was confusing and didn't make much sense. The characters were underdeveloped and it felt like they were just thrown together without any real purpose. The writing style also left much to be desired, with awkward phrasing and repetitive descriptions. Overall, this book just didn't live up to the hype for me.
2. Sarah - 1 out of 5 stars - I found "Frnkkie and the qitch fingers zam" to be extremely boring and unengaging. The plot was dull and predictable, and the pacing was incredibly slow. I struggled to connect with the characters as they lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. The writing was also quite lackluster, with repetitive language and lack of creativity. Unfortunately, this book was a total miss for me.
3. John - 2 out of 5 stars - While I appreciated the attempt at creating a unique fantasy world in "Frnkkie and the qitch fingers zam", I felt that the execution fell flat. The world-building was confusing and inconsistent, making it difficult to understand the rules and dynamics of the story. The dialogue also felt forced and unnatural, lacking authenticity. Additionally, the writing style was overly descriptive to the point of being tedious. Overall, this book had potential, but it failed to deliver a satisfying reading experience.
4. Emily - 2.5 out of 5 stars - I had high hopes for "Frnkkie and the qitch fingers zam", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The storyline was convoluted and hard to follow, making it difficult to become invested in the characters and their journeys. The pacing was also inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Additionally, the dialogue felt stilted and unrealistic, making it hard to connect with the characters on an emotional level. While this book had some interesting ideas, it didn't come together cohesively for me.