Drawing inspiration from an eclectic stable of hard rock and indie pop heavy weights like early Beck, Black Keys, Queens of the Stone Age, and Nirvana, Des Moines, Iowa's Holy White Hounds formed in 2013 around the talents of Brenton Dean (vocals/guitar), Ambrose Lupercal (bass), Seth Luloff (drums), and James Manson (guitar). Operating under the rock & roll credo "We're dirty but we're not unclean/We're mangy but you'd still let us sleep in your bed," the quartet introduced their infectious, hook-filled blend of quirky power pop and Midwest-born classic rock via their debut EP, Oh Mama, in 2014, followed by a string of shows with the likes of Cage the Elephant, Wavves, Surfer Blood, and Cake. The following year the band issued the blistering single "Switchblade" in anticipation of their debut studio long-player Sparkle Sparkle, which followed later that September. ~ James Christopher Monger