The Shape of the Earth Tygers of Wrath, Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk September 7, 2012

Tygers of Wrath

I am Tygers of Wrath, the composite entity of three dedicated musicians, the collectivity of their energies and creative input. I reside in the Mojave Desert of California, specifically Apple Valley. I am aware of my composition. Founded by guitarist Ahmad Ibrahim and drummer JR Kurtz, I’ve been around for nearly a decade, growing in direct proportion to the development of the musicians and their skills. The recent addition of low-end frequencies provided by bassist Jamie Baca, a fellow nerdy counterpart to Ahmad and JR, has emboldened my character even further. It might seem strange that I’m aware of the human parts of which I am composed, but I only know of them and not of their specific functions, much like humans are almost completely oblivious to their many internal processes (organs and such, a truly grotesque business). All I know is that they go about their lives, worrying about money and girlfriends or something, so I’ve overheard. But they do find the time to congregate regularly to release a trifecta of pure focus, and that’s when I, Tygers of Wrath, anxiously awake from silent slumber. Sometimes I tend to linger around the triad and listen to them whisper secrets about their musical endeavors -- that other aspects of their lives are only transitory and need be dealt with just to get back to musical creation, to much needed cathartic expression. And it’s there, in their private discussions, that I’ve realized my self, my power, my subsistence. I’m tethered to them. I’m the shape of their creative extensions. But I know not whether they control me or if I control them…

And here is an excerpt via Paul Rogers, LA Weekly:

"Witness the Inland Empire's Tygers of Wrath, an earnest and energized alchemy of At the Drive-In's post-punk adventure and Mahavishnu Orchestra's caftan concertos that's both Warped Tour and time warp."

whole write up about our last EP:

"If you think prog rock's apparently permanent revival is limited to established epic-mongers like The Mars Volta, Tool and Porcupine Tree, be warned that this hardy genre is still germinating in garages worldwide. Witness the Inland Empire's Tygers of Wrath, an earnest and energized alchemy of At the Drive-In's post-punk adventure and Mahavishnu Orchestra's caftan concertos that's both Warped Tour and time warp. The anime-inspired "Berserk", from TOW's new-ish Murdrum seven-songer, tautly encapsulates the trio's M.O.: tumbling odd-time verses with suitably "rescue me" vocals surrendering to a battering ram hook and, almost inevitably ('cos this is prog after all), a bridge of deliriously masturbatory guitar/drums and fluttering-eyelid psychedelia. On Tygers' periodic L.A. excursions, sharing stages with Hollywood haircut bands and Silver Lake blog snobs, their fearsomely authentic aura is truly a flower from the desert." -Paul Rogers via LA WEEKLY

Official Website: http://www.theglasshouse.us/event/147593/