Torches at IndieArts Fest, July 18

The Torches were cobbled together by Stephen Guidry in the late winter of 2009 as his other band, The Cassettes, retreated into hibernation. Hoping to find a repository and hopefully fertile crescent for the music that had been shaking around behind his eyes for sometime, the net was cast wide and drew in both old friends and new to create a ramshackle group, including banjo, oboe, harmonica, several-part vocal harmonies and cacophony, as well as some hollering and stomping. If you insist, they have been described as a combination of "Tom Waits, the Make-Up, the Sex Pistols and Temple of the Dog." The Torches played their first show without ever having all been in the same room at once.

Here's what The Torches looked like while playing "Blood and Money" at the Red and the Black last month:

IndieArts Fest will be their third show, and Fest attendees can catch them on the Fringe Stage at Burnside Park from 2:30 to 3:30 PM. In the meantime, they can read more about The Torches at the band's Myspace.