For younger generations, there’s always one sure fire way to find old great bands: their parents’ record collections. That’s always a great starting point. But as discerning music aficionados start attending gigs, the real discovery begins.

You start to find band’s bands. Stuff like Television, Ween, Grouper, The Shaggs, Low, My Bloody Valentine. So many bands that are iconic, but seem to live on that shelf that not all parents reach for.

That’s how I was introduced to the music of The Sonics. I was covering any gig in Sheffield I could get into when Sloucher started, and two bands in particular covered the witch: Bromheads (now back as Bromheads Jacket) and The Death Rays of Ardilla, who were simply one best fucking live duos you could watch live.

Both live covers were great and kept the essence of The Sonics pure, while still adding their own brand of weirdness. Bromheads (Jacket) with their scuzzy garage rock, The Death Rays of Ardilla with their satanic surf psychedelia.

I went deep into The Sonics discography and found too many fucking great songs there, like Cinderella and Boss Hoss (my dad’s fave). My dad eventually overheard them and was flabbergasted. We watched the Live at Easy Street KEXP show together on YouTube and he loved them so much. “Who’s that dude? And that one?” He asked as members of Pearl Jam, Slacktone, Mudhoney, Screaming Trees, The Presidents of the United States of America, Swallow, Girl Trouble would come into the stage even for a quick head bobbing.

It’s weird, when you think about it. Me introducing my dad to a band from his era he never heard of. Life is truly stranger than fiction.

If you’ve never heard of them, check their KEXP session, it’s well worth a hearing aid.

-Sam J. Valdés López