Now You Know: Pal&Drome

Having grown up on the unevent horizon of suburban Rancho San Diego and rural Jamul, I was never accustomed to nightlife in my homogenized hometown. So it came as some surprise when, as a high school senior working pizza delivery, I overheard what sounded like Tortoise emanating from Hooleys Irish Pub and Grill.

The band was called Glorfindel Trio, a project of the Wheeler twins, who have gone on to make music with afro-funk outfit Society!, Scarlet Symphony, and Joe Guevarra (Lady Dottie and the Diamonds/Jejune).

Now, Josh and Zach Wheeler, a Sasquatchian pair prone to completing each other’s sentences, have begun their own two-piece dance-music project, Pal&Drome.

Listing influences such as Mix Master Mike, Numark (Jurassic 5), Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, Amon Tobin, Daft Punk, house music, EOTO, Gorillaz, and Martin Dosh, the Wheelers make use of samplers, an electronic drum set, guitar, bass, synths, effects, and software to construct electronic dance music.

“The possibilities are endless,” says Josh. “We’re using the software as an instrument just as much as the keyboards or drums or bass guitar.”

“Learning the technology and mastering the technology, it’s taken over a year,” says Zach.

“It’s definitely a lot more than just playing bass or drums,” Josh adds. “There’s something about watching someone create electronic music...it’s almost more exciting than watching someone play in a rock band.”

Zach describes the project as “Positive funk groove. It’s all about the groove. Just a dance party. We want to see people feeling good, not worrying about shit.”

“In the future, we want to incorporate guests,” says Josh. “Singers. Whatever. Like Gorillaz.”

Says Zach, “I wanna do, like, a five-hour set at Burning Man, nonstop.”

Max out in your dancey pants with Pal&Drome monthly at Cirello Gallery during the Ray at Night art walk.