Photo by Chris Sullivan

BIG JESUS meshes “big riffs and pop-heavy melodies” with “hardcore influences” and “90s guitar rock sensibilities” (VICE).

BIG JESUS‘s label debut ‘Oneiric’ – meaning “of or relating to dreams” – was released September 30th, 2016 via Mascot Label Group / Mascot Records. Now the band has unleashed a new video for the song “Lock & Key”, watch it here:

Spencer Ussery (Bass/Vocals):

“The video for Lock & Key finds us causing a ruckus out in a desert in the middle of nowhere. We filmed it at a place outside of Palmdale, California called the El Mirage Dry Lake. We wanted to go out there to really play up the epic scenery surrounding us, and in that setting we were able to have a ton of fun driving an old beater and setting off smoke bombs.”

CJ Ridings (Guitar):

“Making the video for Lock & Key was a trip. I’ve never been in the desert, so that alone was an experience, but getting to drive that Buick in circles was the icing on the cake.”

Contrasting loud and heavy fuzz-laden tones with soft, pop-melodic vocals, BIG JESUS has garnered comparisons to My Bloody Valentine and early Smashing Pumpkins. “Ussery’s voice sits somewhere between Billy Corgan and Silversun Pickups’ Brian Aubert,” says VICE – “but he’s more relaxed than either, happy to sit on top of the mix and drive it home rather than battle the concrete guitars around him.” Alternative Press featured BIG JESUS as an “Artist to Watch,” saying they “tear up the rulebook on the genre and boast one of the very best names in rock to boot.”

The band’s eclectic sound stems from their surroundings and upbringing in the Atlanta, GA music scene. “We grew up on the popular rock music of the 90s, and were greatly impacted by everything from metal, psychedelic pop, shoegaze, hip hop, and even classical piano music,” explains Ussery. Oneiric was recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Matt Hyde (Deftones, Slayer, Monster Magnet, Sum 41, Alkaline Trio). The first cut on the album, SP, starts off energetically, with big guitars, a heavy beat and melodic vocals that give it an almost psychedelic feel. Album standout Lock & Key is reminiscent of some of the biggest hits in ‘90s alternative rock, with its soft beginning, fuzzy guitar tricks and bombastic, harmonious vocals.

More information at www.facebook.com/bigassjesus