Baby-faced and topped by a mop of unruly hair, the prolific Ty Segall looks like nothing so much as the neighborhood kid who makes a living mowing lawns in the summer. Beneath the beach bum looks though lies the soul of one of the greatest hard-rocking garage punks currently on the scene.
Segall has released nearly a half dozen records in the last few years either solo, or as founder of Thee Oh Sees or an adjunct partner in crime to the bands White Fences and Sic Alps. You'd think he'd lack the time to tour, but darned if he isn't out on the road a great deal as well.
Fronting his four-piece band, a Ty Segall show is replete with his riff-heavy rock songs that draw on garage nuggets from all eras of rock. What's perhaps really surprising about seeing Segall live is how strong his voice is, especially on recent tours. If you see him in a decent-sized venue, his vocals will be turned up above the maelstrom of cranking guitars and it's remarkable to hear how good a vocalist he's become.
Segall concerts are a great deal of fun and exciting. If you're down close to the stage, expect to be part of a mosh pit of sorts for at least a bit, as Ty's music and his audience tend to induce that sort of thing. In some places, that old 1990s standby—the stage dive—makes an encore at Segall shows, so while you're swaying with the crowd and rocking out, be sure to get your hands up!
Grace Bowers
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