THE WAYDOWN: Supergroup, Big Scenic Nowhere, Ready to Release The Waydown, February 2024

By Lisa Lynn Morgan

The musicians at the heart of Big Scenic Nowhere have been trailblazers of their individual rock scenes for decades, earning legendary stature around the globe. They’ve each produced multiple records and have spent their lives touring a good portion of the world in their own respective ensembles, and yet the marrowdeep desire to expand creatively is hard wired. It was pre Covid 2019 when old friends, Gary Arce (Yawning Man) and Bob Balch (Fu Manchu) met over tacos and began to push the boundaries of their collectives, creating soundscapes that are now signed to the Heavy Psych Sounds Records label.

The impressive roster of contributors who have lent their talents to the project since, is one of the defining features of Big Scenic Nowhere and not only adds layers of complexity to the music, but also ensures a constantly evolving sound. The lineup has included heavy hitters Alain Johannes (Chris Cornell, Them Crooked Vultures, Eleven), Tony Reed (Mos Generator, Treepeople), Bill Stinson (Yawning Man), Mario Lalli (Yawning Man, Fatso Jetson), Per Wiberg (Spiritual Beggars, Opeth), Nick Oliveri (Mondo Generator, Queens of the Stone Age, ex-Kyuss), Lisa Alley and Ian Graham (both of The Well), and Thomas V. Jäger (Monolord) – to name a few. Though it wasn’t part of their business model to be coined a “supergroup” by critics, since the multiple collaborations happened fairly organically, the title is clearly well earned.

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Big Scenic Nowhere’s journey has been documented by their critically acclaimed releases which include 2020’s Vision Beyond Horizon, and 2022’s EP, The Long Morrow. Their newest album release, The Waydown, is set to launch in early February 2024 and has the makings of well-oiled heavy machinery ready to tour.

Big Scenic Nowhere brings together a wealth of experience and wizardry, weaving a mesmerizing tapestry of sound that transcends traditional musical confines (which has always been right in their individual wheelhouses). It is something of a progressive, psychedelic, transportive, stoner-rock-space-journey. Arce’s soaring verb-enriched guitar signatures fly like a phoenix rocketing with expansive, atmospheric instrumentals storming against the heavily anchored rhythms of drummer, Bill Stinsen, and bass man, Tony Reed. Enter Balch’s thunder laced heavy riffs, and you’ve got a tsunami of heavy sonic treasure.

Like icing on a metal cake, the richly layered, passion-fired titanium vocals of Tony Reed add tension, emotion, and dynamic prowess that coax the listener off a sonic high dive into a hot bubbling bath of heavy vibration. Reed also contributed delicious guitar and synth to the album.

This genre-bending sound bath has tentacles that reach back to early 70’s Black Sabbath, 1979’s Black Flag, and early 90’s Days of the New, while holding on to all the riches hard won in a decades long desert rock crusade.

The Waydown features Arce and Balch on guitar, Reed on vocals, bass, drums, and synth, and Stinson on drums. Other collaborators include Reeves Gabrels (The Cure) on guitar, and Per Wiberg (Opeth) on synth. You’ll even be treated to surprising, stellar pedal steel contributions from Gar Robertson, owner and producer of Red Barn Recorders in Morongo Valley where part of this record was recorded. Other portions were recorded at Gatos Trail Recording Studio, The Racket Room, HeavyHead Recording Company, and Balch’s home.

I’m super proud of it,” shared Balch. “I’ve invested a lot of time, but it’s not work to me at all. Playing with this project has been rewarding because there is no shortage of inspiration.

The individual players of Big Scenic Nowhere have undoubtedly already left an indelible footprint on the psychedelic and stoner rock genre, and it would appear they’re not done yet. This project’s ability to transcend traditional boundaries and explore further uncharted musical territories is nothing short of inspirational. The collaborative spirit of the project serves as a testament to the power of artistic synergy and the limitless possibilities that arise when the desert, more specifically, the greater Joshua Tree area, summons such talents together. The collaborative ethos and diverse influences make it a relevant and compelling force in the contemporary heavy music scene.

Follow Big Scenic Nowhere at www.heavypsychsounds.com/bands/big-scenicnowhere or scan the bar code. Check out the title song, “The Waydown,” on all streaming media.