Shreveport, L.A.
No Fear of Diversity

Even at a time when co-mingling genres is commonplace, Shreveport, La.’s Seratones stand alone. Rising from the ashes of assorted punk bands, Seratones mix soul, blues, gospel, disco, funk, surf, jazz, psychedelia and vintage lounge with a gritty energy belying their roots. The music is sexy, sultry, swirly, passionate and moshable all at the same time. Vocalist/guitarist A.J. Haynes’ church-trained voice, wavering between Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone—with a hint of Wendy O. Williams—is an instant hook, the pillar supporting the band’s wide-ranging palette. “Everyone’s working together, but there has to be a voice,” Haynes says modestly. Seratones make it clear where they come from, opening their debut, Get Gone, with “Choking on Your Spit,” a punk thrasher with a deep funk groove. “Tide” shifts tempos with a ‘70s easy listening cum soul send up riding surf guitar licks; “Chandelier” and “Sun” channel vintage Detroit garage; “Headtrip” is a pure rockabilly rocker. There’s no fear of diversity here. “The power of music is transformative,” Haynes says. “Bands like MC5 or Little Richard—that energy and spirit is something we can’t live without. We’re trying to make a space where you can go through all the emotions that [music brings].”