Of Sons and Ghosts Are Extreme Music Lovers

Of Sons and Ghosts are based in North Park and played their debut gig in May 2010. “The band is named after the recent departure of three of our most influential father figures,” says singer-keyboardist Lane Dawson. “Our music is lo-fi, with a shoegazer kind of vibe.”

According to singer-guitarist Danny Medina, “The five of us are extreme music lovers, and our tastes are very similar, but there’s a wide range of influences.”

Singer-guitarist Barry Ligman describes the band’s music as “ambient, indie-noise garage rock, like a gentle melody quickly disrupted with distortion and controlled noise.”

“We love the contrast of something beautiful over something chaotic,” says singer-bassist Brian Grover. “Whether it be dark lyrics over a tranquil sound or a light falsetto sung over a heavy, distorted wall of sound.”

Drummer Adam Eidson puts it this way: “It’s about finding that unique sound, the niche, that will allow us to stand out.”

WHAT’S IN YOUR MUSIC PLAYER?

Lane Dawson:

1) “I’m really into the Black Keys’ new album Brothers.”

2) “I love anything Dan Auerbach puts out.”

3) “A.A. Bondy is a great songwriter, and his newest album, When the Devil’s Loose, makes me want to write songs.”

4) “I always have a heavy dose of Constantines in rotation.”

Danny Medina:

1) “The Deftones, Diamond Eyes, because the vocals and drums are amazing.”

2) “Spoon, Transference, for the super-cool, raw production.”

3) “Les Savy Fav, Let’s Stay Friends, because those guys really get it!”

Barry Ligman:

1) “Arcade Fire, The Suburbs, because all of their albums have inspired me.”

2) “Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago, because I want that falsetto.”

3) “Delta Spirit, History from Below. Just feels good.”

4) “The Constantines, Kensington Heights, though I’m afraid they’ve broken up.”

5) “The Walkmen, who I saw last year, and I’ve really gotten into them.”

Adam Eidson:

1) “The Dead Weather’s Horehound album, because it just gets under my skin.”

2) “The Sword, Age of Winters. So thick that I can’t help but love it.”

3) “My Hank Williams Sr. albums are in constant rotation. There’s no denying his genius when it comes to simple Americana.”

4) “Morphine’s Cure for Pain, because I’m a sucker for really happy music.”

5) “Muddy Waters’s Anthology album, because, if you think about it, there wouldn’t be anything without the blues.”

Brian Grover:

1) “Band of Horses, Infinite Arms, because of his voice.”

2) “Transfer, Future Selves, for the songs, which are brilliant.”

3) “Radiohead, In Rainbows, since they’re the best band ever.”

4) “Them Crooked Vultures, their self-titled album, because I’m pretty sure they moved rock music a bit further ahead with that record.”

MOST EMBARRASSING SONG IN YOUR MUSIC PLAYER?

Medina: “Is ‘It’s Raining Men’ an embarrassing song to have on one’s iPod? No? Then I guess I don’t have one.”

Ligman: “There’s a reason for everything in there, but John Denver always gets the most remarks. At least he’s not full of shit.”

Eidson: “Any Foo Fighters.”

Grover: “Mariah Carey. Hey, that bitch can sing!”

BEST BAND NAME EVER?

Dawson: “Prince Albert and His Bedazzled Coin Purse.”

Medina: “The Bubble Puppy is both best and worst, but mostly best.”

Ligman: “Nashville Pussy. Worst is probably Skinny Puppy or Tampon Death.”

Eidson: “John Cougar Concentration Camp.”

Grover: “The Rolling Stones.”

FAVORITE CONCERT?

Dawson: “Trail of Dead in 2000 at the Casbah. I had already heard of their live show, which has tamed a bit over the years, but when you see guitars thrown against the walls, drums smashed, bottles broken, hands bleeding, and blood rubbed on ceilings, that’s an amazing show.”

Medina: “Kiss in 1984, with my dad and brother in Fresno. I was in fourth grade — need I say more?”

Ligman: “I’d say Sigur Rós at the Civic Center. Their art show that accompanies that beautiful music is amazing.”

Eidson: “The best I’ve seen in a long time would have to be when Dead Weather played at the House of Blues downtown last July. I was mesmerized.”

Grover: “Roger Waters at Coachella in 2006. He re-created almost every classic moment of Pink Floyd, including the giant inflatable pig and a two-story-high prism with a light reflected through it, panning the crowd, like the Dark Side of the Moon.” ■