Psychedelic Hard Rockers The Freeks Add Slamming Drummer, Los Angeles Beat Music Editor Bob Lee

The Freeks: (left to right) Jonathan Hall, Ruben Romano, Tom Davies, Bob Lee and Esteban Chavez

World-class drummer and Los Angeles Beat Music Editor Bob Lee has joined venerable psychedelic rockers The Freeks. Firmly rooted in California’s desert rock sound, The Freeks are evolutionary torch bearers for the Sabbath meets Black Flag genre pioneered by notable artists Kyuss, Fatso Jetson, and Queens of the Stone Age.

Formed in 2007 by Ruben Romano, founding member of Fu Manchu and Nebula, The Freaks broaden the desert rock genre with diverse influences and musicality. Full On, the band’s acclaimed 2013 release, added the talents of Los Angeles guitar hero Jonathan Hall (Backbiter, Angry Samoans). Produced by desert rock lynchpin Scott Reeder, Full On is a sophisticated production, owing as much to 60s psychedelia, classic rock and blues as the punk and sludge staples of the genre. Groovy, exploratory jams––articulated with synthesizers, slide guitar, dobro, bongo drums, and ukulele no less— swing with aplomb, blending seamlessly with hard-nosed, high-octane rockers. Reeder recently spoke of The Freeks in the Desert Rock Chronicles: “It’s nice when a band like the Freeks come in and tear your face off with all first takes!”

Bob Lee’s talents as a drummer are well known in alternative/underground rock circles, first with avant-garde blues rockers Claw Hammer and power trio Backbiter and later with bass legend Mike Watt, with whom he served two European tours. Lee joins The Freeks at a pivotal time in preparation for the band’s third album and a possible European tour in March 2015.

Lee has no shortage of admirers, including LA Weekly music editor Falling James: “He’s so explosive that he can dutifully re-create Keith Moon’s rambling tom-tom fills, but he’s also much more solid than the Who drummer ever was.”

Band mate Jonathan Hall: “besides having played with him for almost a quarter century and having a psychic musical bond with the guy, Bob is an incredibly musical drummer with a proclivity towards experimentation, which is exciting as we are embarking on putting material together for the next Freeks LP”.

Freeks front man/guitarist Ruben Romano (also an extraordinary drummer):  “I shared a stage with Bob many times over my 20+ years playing music, but never together on stage at the same time.  Way back, I exclaimed to both Jonathan and Bob that one day we will make music together!  I am very excited to say that day has finally come.”

Lee debuts with The Freeks on Saturday, October 25 at El Cid in support of Sasquatch and White Dynomite.

Click here for more information about The Freeks.