Santa Clarita group together PANGEA really mixed up the pot of what you thought the band could do. Leading up to the release of the record Bulls and Roosters, I thought it was going to be a good, classic Burger Records-esque release by a Southern California band. I was wrong. While there are certainly elements of that, this release is way more psych, sophisticated, and all around cleaner than what I envisioned. In other words, it’s really good. Prior to the group’s show tomorrow at White Oak Music Hall, FPH spoke with vocalist William Keegan about the recent events of another SoCal band, the change in the band’s direction, and some unconfirmed reports on a Weimaraner.

Free Press Houston: I wanted to start off by getting your thoughts on the semi-recent news surrounding the Allah-Las show in Rotterdam.

William Keegan: Yeah, I heard it was some sort of gas container or something of that nature. But I haven’t read anything about it (the day it happened). But I heard they were fine. So it was an explosive or something?

FPH: Yeah. From what I understand it was a truck with some potentially explosive materials in the back. The Spanish police had a tip and passed it along their counterparts in Rotterdam. I was wondering if you have you heard from them yet, if you guys have a close friendship like that?

Keegan: We know the guys a little, but not super well. We’ve played some shows together over the years. But yeah, I’m sure that’s really scary to go through, especially because it turned out to be a serious threat. But again, I haven’t read much about it. It just sounds really scary for the band any anyone that was planning on going to the show. I don’t know, you never expect to be confronted with something like that. That’s pretty scary.

FPH: Did you ever watch that HBO documentary about the Eagles of Death Metal after their show at the Bataclan?

Keegan: Oh, no I never did. But I heard about it. What’s his name again, the main guy?

FPH: Jesse, or “Electric Boots.”

Keegan: Yeah, I heard how crazy it was for them, but I never actually watch it.

FPH: This album sound a little more psych/melodic — like an album that the Allah-La’s would record compared to Badillac. Is Bulls and Roosters a shift in the band’s sound?

Keegan: Yeah, it’s definitely a shift. That’s kind of our thing. We intend to shift with every album. I think it’s interesting for me, as a songwriter, and I think for us as a band, to try different things out and see where we can go with stuff. You know, different sounds and feelings and stuff. I think it would be really boring to make the same sounding album over and over again. So I guess I’m not a purist in that sense. I like a lot of different kinds of music, so it’s definitely a little different. It’s less aggressive and maybe a bit more introvertive. Maybe it’s more thoughtful. But yeah, it’s definitely different.

FPH: Can you talk about the importance of the track ‘Kenmore Ave.’ in particular?

Keegan: Danny Bengston, the bassist, wrote that song, and this is our first album with stuff written by him on it — there are three songs. This is a song he wrote in rehab, and it’s pretty emotionally raw when you listen to it. And I think there are a few sides to the album; some are a bit darker and some are lighter. But it’s fairly quick-paced and energetic.

FPH: I’ve heard reports that Junie is the best Weimaraner around. Could you confirm or deny that?

Keegan: Haha! Yes, I think I can confirm that.     

together PANGEA performs at 7 pm on Thrusday, Sept. 21 upstairs at White Oak Music Hall alongside Tall Juan and Daddy Issues. Tickets available here.