Surfin’ the Universe

If there is an ocean in outer space, then Man or Astro-man? has clearly outsmarted NASA by about 20-plus years and counting. Though traditional surf rock faded with the British invasion, Man or Astro-man? proved that there was still a place for the genre despite the advent of the psychedelic rock movement.

“We were never good at being a surf band; we grew up around punk rock,” says drummer Brian Teasley, who goes by the stage name Birdstuff. “When we were trying to get it right, we were getting it wrong.”

Blending an attempt at surf rock with punk rock vigor, and adding sci-fi inspired themes in both their performances and music, gave Astro-man an edge in keeping the genre alive. This year marks the band’s first full-length album with its original cast, Defcon 5…4…3…2…1, since 1997.

“When we first started doing this again, I was really worried about how it was going to go. We developed and kind of became more proficient musicians,” Teasley says. “Over the years, you sort of learn what’s best for the band and what’s not.”

Defcon features 12 new tracks ranging from sci-fi breakdowns to heavy, primarily instrumental tracks more reminiscent of surf rock sounds. But it’s the interludes that round out the album and keep it grounded in sci-fi. Where one interlude will break down into synth-heavy, shimmering progressions, the next track will spark up with a dirty guitar line that is as much punk rock as it is grunge (but recorded intergalactically, of course).

“We tapped into punk rock music and retro-futurism,” Teasley says. “We wanted it to be a show — a spectacle.”

Man or Astro-man? plays with the power-pop band Audacity 8 pm Tuesday, May 14, at Cozmic; $15.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!