Members of Melvins, Butthole Surfers and More Join Forces for Gatta Morta

Musicians from Melvins, Butthole Surfers and other groups have joined forces in a new supergroup called Gatta Morta. Their first song, ‘Black Hall’, can be heard below.

The four piece lineup includes Melvins founder, vocalist and guitarist Buzz Osborne, Butthole Surfers bassist JD Pinkus, Melvins drummer Coady Willis and Mr. Phylzzz guitarist and singer Clinton Jacob.

Speaking about the project, Osborne said: “It’s always a good time for the world to embrace a new heavy/weird band. I had the idea for Gatta Morta while touring last fall. I realised I needed to start a band with these three. Seemed like a no-brainer.”

He also characterised the group’s songs as “solidly weird rock music that needs to happen”.

Pinkus said: “It’s been way too long since I got to write a heavy album from scratch with such high-calibre players with such complementary styles… and we’re just cat scratching the surface of what we got goin’ on!”

Jacob, best known as the driving creative presence behind Chicago pop noise rock duo Mr. Phylzzz, added: “I just had this feeling that one day we would work together.

“I became friends with Buzz over the past few years doing shows together and having him play guitar on a Mr. Phylzzz song. When I was asked to be a part of Gatta Morta, I was speechless, but I was 100 per cent ready for it.”

Willis offered his own description of the band, saying: “Gatta Morta wages asymmetrical psychedelic warfare in the name of romance.”

The group’s debut EP, issued through Amphetamine Reptile Records, contains four songs titled ‘Taco Bellboy’, ‘Victims Of The Universe’, ‘Black Hall’ and ‘Clear Smoke’. Physical copies can be purchased here.

An official visualiser for the powerful ‘Black Hall’ is available to view above courtesy of Ipecac Recordings.

According to a press statement, ‘Burn Witch Burn’ combines “thick, riff-driven heaviness and warped, psychedelic passages”. The release also says Osborne, Pinkus, Willis and Jacob have made music that is “simultaneously reminiscent of their previous work and entirely new”.

Melvins put out their most recent studio record, ‘Thunderball’, last year. Butthole Surfers also released their long delayed 1998 album ‘After The Astronaut’ this summer, giving the band their first full length release in 25 years.