Rock ‘n’ Roll Infection: Valley Fever releasing sophomore album

Local Tucson band Valley Fever is getting ready to make the region “sick” with the release of their sophomore album. The group that blends classic rock ‘n’ roll with American folk, gets ready to debut “II” on Sept. 26th. 

The ten-track album with a heavy electric guitar focus, drawing inspiration from classic ’60s and ‘70s rock ‘n’ roll bands and American folk artists. The record plays into the southwest rock culture with songs such as “La Vida Breve” and “Pendenjo” that give it a Spanish twist. 

During the day, Harry Schulz is a mule/horse packer for the National Park Service, by night, he spends his time jamming out with his band, he goes from spending time on the Arizona trails to creating guitar riffs and writing lyrics.

“It’s a guitar-driven kind of rock ‘n’ roll. Nods to previous decades of rock and roll but also trying to stay in the current age and time with it, too.” Schulz said. 

The three-year-old band consists of four members, Schulz, who plays guitar and backup vocals, Wes Traylor who does guitar and lead vocals, Russel Garner on bass and backing vocals and Johnny Lundock who plays drums. The group caring for their families and jobs in the day, found joy playing rock ‘n’ roll on nights and weekends.

With realizing their similar love in music, the group went from casual hang outs to rock and roll style jam sessions. The four decided one spring day to gather in a makeshift studio and give their rock ‘n’ roll love a shot on their own.

“Late spring of 2022 is when we got in a room together and decided to go give this thing a shot.” Shultz said. “It started off more like a J.J. Cale, Rolling Stones kind of vibe, me being a guitar player. We’re kind of into a little easier going, kind of sneaky little riffs, little slithery things. And then it kind of got a little heavier, more rock ‘n’ roll.”

Not one person does all the work, each member of the band comes together to write, play, record and produce their own music. Shults explains that they will each come in with a riff or a song they are working on and blend it together. The four of them play off each other and what they already have, making the second album that they have. 

“It’s very much a group effort regardless of where it starts, the way it ends is together, which is pretty cool.” Shults said. “Everybody comes from a band background in this band.”

The album took five days to record and produce, differentiating their second album by creating shorter ones and taking the time in dubbing their songs and recording voices. 

“We wanted to emphasize shorter, ‘hookier’ songs that still had a cool groove and didn’t blow out.” Sults shared. “We were able to take our time a bit more and get the parts down and overdub some guitars to make it sound a bit fuller.” 

“II” that debuts this September will be available on streaming platforms such as Spotify and available for purchase on vinyl. Valley Fever will have a live show performing the full album for its first time at Wooden Tooth Records, playing alongside other Tucson bands.