The Makeouts / Pale Family
The Makeouts and the Pale Family: a strange case of multiple personality disorder, or two great bands bundled into one?
An unpredictable quartet of gentlemen, depending on their mood they can be either plaid clad crooners or smartly attired garage rockers. An ensemble with a case of multiple personalities, the alt-country wails of the Pale Family can swing drastically in the opposite direction with gritty, 60s inspired rock in the form of the Make Outs. This is a guise they have used to hoodwink the press and even a few fans since their formation in the fall of 2006.
Juggling—and often reveling in—two different personas, The Pale Family/The Make Outs show a musical versatility with their ability to master multiple genres. Lead vocalist and guitarist Ryan Murphy has mastered both the lone wolf’s twangy howl and the rock n roll rebel’s gristly, angst-filled yell. Deftly played guitar from Josh Cochran can range from a skiffle-like shuffle to full blown distorted rock chords. Ray Luxby’s bass might be a plodding steady support or a dexterous, intricate line, he also has been known to garnish a song with pure, sweet whistled melodies. When original drummer Damon Hombs left the band, Ted Sharp took over the drumset with a style that ranges from easy tambourine timekeeping to thunderous cymbal crashes.
Neither band has any official releases available, but The Make Outs have tracks available on Yards & Gods Compilation Volumes 1 and 2