Hot Band Alert: The Picturebooks — it's all about rock 'n' roll, skateboarding and motorcycles

Photo credit: Stefan Lind

With long hair a flowin’ and hot asphalt beneath their choppers and bobbers, you would think the rock ‘n’ roll duo known as The Picturebooks came straight out of a scene from “Easy Rider.” Surprisingly, these dudes are form Gütersloh, Germany. With a love for music, skateboarding and motorcycles—the blues-rock duo composed of singer/guitar player Fynn Claus Grabke (son of professional skateboarder, Claus Grabke) and drummer Philipp Mirtschink have been making their rounds across Europe the past few years, going full-throttle with their rattling tunes and edgy lifestyle. And now the German imports are taking the ole red, white and blue by storm.

The Picturebooks released their North American debut album, Imaginary Horse, on October 7 via RidingEasy Records. Prior to their RidingEasy release, the band independently put out two albums in Europe: Artificial Tears and a List of People To Kill. The fiery duo lay down tracks that are both intense and easy-riding. Songs like “Learn It The Hard Way” and “Your Kisses Burn Like Fire” have a powerful, but slow-moving cadence that ripples with dark blues. The band cranks up the tempo with songs like “The Bridges I Must Burn” and “The Rabbit and the Wolf,” while the tambourine tinged “All Of My Life” reveals a lovely rock ballad.

The Picturebooks will be cruising their way through the USA with their North American Tour that kicks off on June 7 at Governor’s Ball in New York. They will stop in Los Angeles next Tuesday, June 9 for a headlining performance at The Echo. If you like the sound of gritty blues-rock—the kind that gets your boots stompin’ and your head bangin’—you might want to rev your way to The Echo or any of their other upcoming tour dates.

Below you can stream The Picturebooks’ 13-track record, Imaginary Horse, and watch their new video for “E.L.I.Z.A.B.E.T.H.” which was shot and directed by Claus Grabke.

Tickets to The Picturebooks at The Echo are priced at $8-$10 and the show is 18-and-over. You can purchase your tickets here. Opening up for The Picturebooks are L.A.’s Tweak Bird. This is going to be a very rad show. See you there.

Watch The Picturebooks’ official new video for “E.L.I.Z.A.B.E.T.H.”

Stream The Picturebooks’ new album Imaginary Horse

The Picturebooks 2015 North American Tour Run