Los Angeles' critical darlings the black watch have released 9 CDs of dreamy, infectious indie pop on a variety of labels. They've been called an edgier Go-Betweens, a sadder Beatles, an acoustic My Bloody Valentine, a more coherent Church, or a Dylanish Cure--epithets that attest to the unwavering impossibilty of pegging the sound and writing style of the band. One thing's certain, though--frontman/singer-songwriter John Andrew Fredrick writes ridiculously hummable songs with very literate lyrics (well, he would, having a Ph.D. in English Lit and all).

Jack Rabid of The Big Takeover has opined that tbw are "the most criminally under appreciated indie pop band in the USA," and anyone who's a part of the band's growing cult might not disagree. In fact, Jack's putting out the hypnotizing sea, the black watch's most ambitious record yet, on his Pink Frost label in February 2016.

tbw's records include Amphetamines, The King of Good Intentions, Jiggery-Pokery and Very Mary Beth, among others. John Peel used to play their early, vinyl-only stuff. This is their first time playing in England. They'll be joined by Pat Fish, the legendary Jazz Butcher, who has guested on a few tbw records, and who's one hell of an urbane/profound songsmith himself.