The Wind-Ups are back to deliver some grade A, lo-fi garage punk sounds with their third album, "Confection."
The band was created by Jake Sprecher during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“If one good thing happened to me in COVID, it was having the time at home with nothing to do to write and record music.”- Jake Sprecher, The Wind-Ups
He crafted its pop garage punk aesthetic with a TASCAM 388, which is an 8-track reel-to-reel tape recorder combined with a mixing console
“If one good thing happened to me in COVID, it was having the time at home with nothing to do to write and record music,” Sprecher said.
The new record is out this month on Dandy Boy Records. Sprecher prefers maintaining a consistent sonic identity and doesn’t feel pressured to alter their sound drastically with each new release.
No studio, no problem
Clocking in with 11 tracks, the new album is in-your-face, distorted bubble gum punk reminiscent of the Ramones.
“I like that lo-fi tape sound, and I'm able to do that, it's kind of one of my little dreams that I've been able to make come true, is having a band that I can record the tape and not have to pay thousands of dollars at the studio,” Sprecher said.
Drums, guitar, bass and vocals, Sprecher does it all. He writes and records all the tracks himself at home, building each song from the drum up. He then assembles his bandmates with help on the road. Connor Finnigan and Jason Wuestefeld will be joining Sprecher on shows this summer.
“It has been wonderful having consistent guys like Connor and Jason. The trick has just been one steady drummer,” Sprecher said.
Sprecher says this remains a persistent issue within bands, as drummers are notoriously difficult to secure.
Sprecher doesn’t just play the music scene, he builds it
If you’ve been to even a few shows in Chico, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Sprecher. He’s often working the door or merch booth and also helps with show production.
For the last two decades, he has been instrumental in introducing new bands and sounds that have shaped the Chico music scene. He says his start came from networking in the music scene.
“It's not rocket science from that standpoint, but I'd say for the most part, it's as social as it is anything else,” Sprecher said.
There’s an immense satisfaction from observing people enjoy themselves at events that Sprecher appreciates.
“When you really love the community aspect of whatever it is you do, and in my case, it happens to be music, like the only way to do your job well is to continue bringing things that you know stimulate the community that you're a part of,” Sprecher said.
