The Herms

The Herms started in 2003 when Alex Tuzin and Matt Lutz were in school at Berkeley. The inspiration gained from the loan of a college classmate's Tascam 388 blossomed into a full obsession for Lutz in the short period that it took him to write and record the songs that appear on their first Jackpine Social Club full length release Record Machine. The rough-hewn quality of these early recordings remains a constant in their presentation, as well as the thrift-store instrumentation (ancient upright pianos, harmoniums, and cardboard box drums) which underlies The Herms' natural knack for songwriting. And, yes, the Tascam 388 is still in the picture, as essential a part of the sound as anything.

The Herms have shared bills with the likes of The Fiery Furnaces, Kelley Stoltz, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, The Noisettes, Rogue Wave and The Lovemakers. They've appeared at many San Francisco venues: Great American Music Hall, Slim's, Bottom of the Hill, and Cafe Du Nord, as well as the city's annual Noise Pop Festival (twice). Their debut Record Machine is the sum total of these experiences, but it's also the product of fevered imaginations and a relentless drive.