Fate of the Galaxies Bring Gloomy Local Synth-Pop to Club 910

The dreamy, danceable, synth-heavy music of Fate of the Galaxies sounds more like something that would come out of early-to-mid '80s England (The Cure, Joy Division) than downtown Phoenix. But that's where the trio that makes up Fate of the Galaxies -- Mandel Moreno, Oompa Pavone, and Chris McClay --...

By Niki D'Andrea

June 17, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

The dreamy, danceable, synth-heavy music of Fate of the Galaxies sounds more like something that would come out of early-to-mid '80s England (The Cure, Joy Division) than downtown Phoenix. But that's where the trio that makes up Fate of the Galaxies -- Mandel Moreno, Oompa Pavone, and Chris McClay -- call home. From their songs, it sounds like they only need look up at the sky for inspiration.

Tunes like "Dreamkillers," "Strangers," and "Time Will Bind Us" bounce and ooze between jangly, sparkly guitars; '80s synth-pop; low-fi digital rhythms; soaring keyboards; and spacey New Wave synths. Fate of the Galaxies has some nice melodies, but they're not as "rock" as The Killers, and sometimes sound gloomier than even the most pasty-faced of shoegazers. On the song, "You Kill Me," the singer's vocals sound more despairing than Robert Smith's most tortured wails.

It's truly some of the most interesting and layered music coming out of the Valley right now, and local listeners have taken note. Last week, Fate of the Galaxies made the top three on one of KWSS 106.7's "The Morning Infidelity" broadcasts, just behind Lost In Atlantis and Boys and Frogs.

Fate of the Galaxies will bring their self-described "elegant pulsar sounds" to Club 910 in Tempe on Saturday, June 18. FotG plays at 8 p.m., and the bill also includes fellow locals Giantkiller, Poz & Infekt, Corvus, Dividing Point, and Safe To Semi.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Niki D'Andrea has covered subjects including drug culture, women's basketball, pirate radio stations, Scottsdale staycations, and fine wine. She has worked at both New Times and Phoenix Magazine, and is now a freelancer.

Contact: Niki D'Andrea