Members of AFI, Against Me!, Alkaline Trio, Dan Andriano & The Bygones Form LEKTRON & Share 2-song Debut EP (Asian Man Records)

LEKTRON, L-R: Matt Skiba, Atom Willard, Hunter Burgan, and Randy Moore (SOURCE: Facebook, photographer unknown)

LEKTRON was born in a torrential rainstorm in San Jose, California on a fateful winter night. What started out as an excuse for Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio, blink-182) to make some noise in a friend's studio quickly evolved into a Garage-esque Punk Rock band thanks to the recording prowess of Ryan Perras and the Black Belt guitar musings and structural sensibilities of Randy Moore (GET MARRIED, DOKI DOKI, Dan Andriano & The Bygones.) Moore actually works at Asian Man Records with owner and founder Mike Park. The three built the foundation for the songs "Dirty Jacks" & "She's A War" to be taken up by rhythm section juggernauts Atom Willard (Social Distortion, Against Me!) on drums and Hunter Burgan (AFI, Matt Skiba & The Sekrets) on bass. What started in the vibey confines of District Recording Studios in San Jose would be taken down to the Foo Fighters' beautiful and legendary Studio 606 for said rhythm implementations by Atom & Hunter. The result is LEKTRON's first release, via Asian Man Records. The band already has plans for a follow-up full-length album and an extensive live touring schedule.

LEKTRON draws influence from its members' respective projects, as well as bands, like Fugazi, Joy Division, and Brainiac. LEKTRON, a new Garage Punk outfit led by Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba, released their debut two-song single, via Asian Man Records. Both tracks, "Dirty Jacks" & "She's A War," are now available on major streaming platforms and now-SOLD OUT ~~fans can pre-order the~~vinyl, which is expected to ship by end of June, on asianmanrecords.com. LEKTRON, also, confirmed plans for a full-length album supported by extensive touring with more details to come later this year. Emerging organically from the musicians' established friendships, LEKTRON promises to give those involved an opportunity to comfortably explore new creative directions while remaining true to their shared Punk roots. "Dirty Jacks," for example, builds tension with an energizing and irresistible rhythm that pounds for a full minute before exploding with Skiba's signature vocal hooks and just the right amount of grit and dissonance.

"She's A War" goes faster and darker with more stripped down production and a generous dose of fuzz. Both tracks capture what these guys do best: deliver catchy, yet macabre Punk Rock at a frenetic pace with wry humor and wicked hooks throughout. The recording process for the band's first official release started at San Jose's District Recording before moving down the coast to the Foo Fighters' Studio 606. The final tracks are now being released by Asian Man Records and Mike Park, another stalwart of the Bay Area's ever-evolving D.I.Y. music scene. Known for nurturing talent and giving bands time and space to develop, Park's label proved to be a perfect match for the nascent group, providing another opportunity for long-time friends Park & Skiba to collaborate. Be sure to Follow both LEKTRON and Asian Man Records for further news on the band's upcoming plans and releases.

It's an incredible feeling when you're able to work with one of your best friends. I've known Matt Skiba since he was a teenager living in the suburbs of Chicago. He's made quite a name for himself in music. He could have released this project with any label he wanted, but he asked me. He told me, "it feels right. It feels like when we started together 25 years ago."

And he's right!!! No contracts, no deadlines, no crazy managers, no crazy expectations, just friends creating art together. There's a lot more I want to say, but I'll just leave these final words. "Music is amazing and creates so many bonds. If you are good to each other in this extremely sh*tty business, you will retain these bonds for a lifetime." Hope you've had a chance to listen to the songs. If not, just click the link in my Bio. Have a blessed day.

Peace,

Mike Park (@asianmanrecords)

LEKTRON press shot and LEKTRON EP cover (CREDIT: Mark de Salvo)

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