AVON is essentially a heavy rock band from California, USA, although (slightly oddly) they’re named after frontman James Childs’ former home county in the UK! Musically they play psychedelic, raw, melodic rock with a distinctly desert tang to it. Avon released their debut album Mad Marco, on Spira Records in 2016 and completed four EU tours across Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Germany, Belgium, and the UK before releasing 2018’s Dave’s Dungeon album via HPS Records, followed by more years touring, a highlight being the prestigious Desert Fest in London in 2025. Black on Sunshine is the band’s latest offering, set for release on Go Down Records. Recorded and produced by James Childs in Los Angeles, the new album sees the band dive even deeper into their signature blend of psychedelic haze, desert-bred groove and raw, melodic heaviness. Rooted in the spirit of the Californian desert yet reaching far beyond genre boundaries, AVON deliver songs that are as reflective as they are powerful – heavy rock with character, depth and something to say.
It’s also fair to say that AVON have a somewhat impressive pedigree of desert rock history! On drums, the mighty Alfredo Hernández – known for his work with Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age and Yawning Man – brings his unmistakable groove and desert-born power to the record. Frontman James Childs previously found success with British rock outfit Airbus and collaborated with Geoff Barrow of Portishead, as well as “Philthy Animal” Taylor of Motörhead. On bass, Charles Pasarell – deeply rooted in the Palm Springs scene and connected to acts orbiting the original desert movement – completes the sonic backbone that defines AVON’s sound.
And so to the vibes! – the title track kicks off the album, exhibiting the band’s expertise in psych-rock and harmony, it also features a guest appearance from Airbus lead singer Nick Davidge, who provides back-up vocals and guitar. James, Alfredo, and June deliver the rest with an “in-yer-face” clarity, Charles delivering such a solid base in every sense of the word and Alfredo’s skins getting particularly thwacked for this one. Awkwardness is next, its definitely got that QOTSA feel to it, with classic Hernández drums, Childs’ distinctive guitar style, and bass from Charles that pins the listener down for a catchy three-minute tale. the vocals also lend a touch of those wacky Swedes Marvel?!
Spacebar is a psychedelic space-rocker that positively reeks of early Hawkwind, a tale of being tricked and tempted by advertising to access the dark web, highlighting the uncomfortable sense of being watched. There’s something about James’ vocals that’s given me a brainworm trying to think who else sings like this…..the track winds up nicely with percussion clattering all over the shop. Never In A Million Years is driven by Charles’ monster of a bassline and spikey guitar notes. Childs sings of rejection, the whole thing being distinctly unsettling, whilst thundering along very satisfyingly, replete with a sort of “Johnny Rotten sign-off” at the end!
Bandits is a signature-style Avon standard that rhythmically and mesmerically punches its way through to your skull, Alfredo forcing his wicked way on the drum set while James’ skillfull guitar solo unleashes his chanting of “I see you, I feel you, I touch you.” Ninteen Bruises follows, an excellently pure Desert Rock song with dreamy instrumentation, melody, nice lead licks thrown in in the middle and Charles’ massive hooky bassline leading a lyric that is lost on the road.
Super Furry Antidote echoes James’ early days in California, when “Black On Sunshine” was indeed a band, and this track was one of its standards. It was first recorded in the UK with Portishead’s Geoff Barrow on drums at his studio in 2003. Until now, the song never saw a release, however the track stands the test of time and has found a new home with AVON. Again hugely redolent of QOTSA, but no complaints from this quarter!
James wrote Doorway in the wake of the Millennium: a love song so precious and special to his heart, it has taken 25 years to finally let go of it. AVON recorded the song in the UK, and they loved its 80s/‘Mannequin’ era-type vibe so much that it had to go on their new album.
Speaking of old songs, Strangest Love was written by James with Nick Davidge in early 1993 during a wildly different time, when Nirvana were massive, and life seemed simpler. The song is marked by a solid “Regular John”- type rhythm with sexy lyrics and a fat chorus, and is again joined by its co-author Davidge (vocals/guitar), resulting in a proper banger that is still relevant today. And then the album closes out with Oblivion, performed with AVON’s unmistakable style and destined to become a classic AVON mantra – this one will leave its breathless listeners searching for the repeat button….
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