As the Sun sets on an ever-heating planet, strange synthesizers converse in the distance, punctured by disco rhythms and interjected by saxophone growls, akin to a jukebox of divine sadistic temptations, oozing goth rock-esque melodies that forever haunt you… You have just been exposed to the groovy sonic onslaught of CSDM a.k.a. Celebrity Death Slot Machine, a collective based in Atlanta (GA) that features current and former members of alternative outfits: Material Girls, Neighbor Lady, Mothers and Rose Hotel.

While in the confines of their windowless subterranean concrete studio, CDSM is helmed by Ben Presley (vocals, guitar/bass, synthesizers, drums), Tyler Jundt (vocals, saxophone, synthesizers) and John Restivo Jr. (vocals, drums, percussion). The live band features accompaniment from Jack Blauvelt (synthesizers, percussion, backing vocals), Drew Kirby (synthesizers, guitar, backing vocals) and Vinny Restivo (synthesizers, bass, percussion, backing vocals). This formula, consisting of an evil choir of synthesizers, a shining drum set bathed in red fog, a tenor brass machete, and a cascading flow of motley melodists, is said to affect the room like a defibrillator jolting its pulse. 

Their debut EP Hell Stairs (April 29th, 2022 via Exag’ & Mothland) was both glamorous and bleak, swanky and derelict, uplifting and crushing, described by the band as “hedonism clinking in your glass, change jingling in the pit of your chest.” It’s post-punk meets darkwave meets no wave, but it’s even more so, an invitation to dance away the pain, in the form of croon-esque laments, rumbling synths, swirling saxophone riffs and tight four-to-the-floor cadences. A perfect clair-obscure soundtrack for a night at the local neon noir casino. 

Following the release of “GOGO” amidst a year spent on the road playing all over North America and Europe, Atlanta’s hot new commodity is back with a Halloween offering entitled “GOGO” (October 31st, 2023 via Mothland & Exag’ Records), complete with a music video featuring a single sequence shot.