Billy Howerdel Debuts Solo Work With Track “Poison Flowers”
On March 4th, Billy Howerdel, “the critically-acclaimed songwriter and multi-instrumentalist behind A Perfect Circle,” released his first solo track, “Poison Flowers.” “Poison Flowers” serves as the debut single for Howerdel’s debut solo album. “While Howerdel has been mum on details [about the album] … the Los Angeles-based guitar player has explained that the collection began taking shape during his most recent A Perfect Circle tour, serving as a letter in musical form.” If “Poison Flowers” serves as the introduction to this letter, this is going to be one amazing letter.
“Poison Flowers” begins with a bit of ambient guitar before a slithering bass line comes in to give the song its form. When the drums fully kick in for the first chorus – provided, by the way, by Josh Freese – the angst of the introduction and first verse come to fruition, and the energy is palpable. The track is full of incredible instrumental performances, and though Howerdel is primarily a guitarist, he handled “vocals and all instrumentation apart from Josh Freese on drums.” That bass line was provided by Howerdel, and that bass line is absolutely the tone setter not just for “Poison Flowers,” but for the album as a whole.
In comments on the track, Howerdel has said “‘Poison Flowers’ began with the bass guitar part and all of the pieces flowed from there. It’s a rare feeling when the process of writing blocks out all distractions.” As for the album, Howerdel has said “The upcoming songs reflect back to my earliest influences.” Cited among those influences are “The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen, Dead Kennedys, and Elvis Costello.” On “Poison Flowers,” there are tinges of “The Killing Moon” by Echo and the Bunnymen, and I can’t wait to see how Howerdel pieces those other influences into his work.
Check out “Poison Flowers” below, and let us know what you think!
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