L.A.'s equivalent to England's “working class” is the native without a safety net; the local band with more soul in their war-torn Chucks than an entire band of surfers embracing faux-poverty while collecting vintage tube amps. Thankfully, Fullerton's Burger Records gave one of those gritty local bands a chance to break out.

Like Oasis' Gallagher brothers at some posh party in Chelsea, the two brothers of East L.A.'s Vision don't quite fit into our city's current rock & roll milieu. While brothers Christopher Valer (vocals/guitar) and Phillip Dominick (drums) aren't quite the pontificating rabble-rousers Oasis were, and while they won't even pretend they give a shit about all the carpetbaggers overtaking the scene, Vision still strike us as East L.A.'s answer to Manchester's Gallaghers — who were pissed off, working-class and ready to brawl over respect.

The two brothers have formed a solid band, with a second guitar player and bassist, but Valer (the principal songwriter) and Dominick (keeper of the beat) are the vision, the deadeye purpose behind a group that began by gigging backyard parties in East L.A., away from their hometown in Santa Fe Springs (where there's no music scene). Since releasing a debut EP on Burger in 2012, Vision have built a reputation as L.A. punks who sound like they're influenced by the heavy doom of Nevermind, the cool irritation of Oasis and the cutthroat danger of The Germs. Their live shows have been described as no-frills and raw and, for some, uncomfortably aggressive and unsafe. 

On Sept. 18, Vision will release their debut LP, Inertia, on Burger Records behind the single “What I Need” (premiering below). Written like a frustrated letter to an ex, the track builds around Valer's motoring riff and a heavily distorted grunge chorus, on which his vocals sound like a more fucked-up Liam. The tune closes with a searing '60s-psych-rock solo that feels like the Sex Pistols' Steve Jones — had he been a Beatle. 

Vision plays the Burger vs. Lolipop record label showcase at Echo Park Rising on Sunday, Aug.16. 


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