Master & Machine: Mylo Bybee’s Deep Fried Alt-Rock Treat
Mylo Bybee, from left to right, Jason Guadalupe, Tyler Schlagenhauf, Wes Schlagenahauf
Most outsiders probably think ‘potatoes’ when they consider quintessential Idahoan grub. But there is nothing quite as Idahoan as the not-so-delicate delicacy, the finger steak. For those newbies to Idaho culture, that is finger-sized steak trimmings battered and deep-fried to heart-stopping, chewy perfection; created in the ‘50s by U.S. Forest Service employee, Mylo Bybee. And you could say that the only thing more Idahoan than a finger-steak is naming your Boise-based alt-indie rock band after the culinary genius who invented them. Well, that is exactly what brothers Tyler and Wes Schlagenhauf did when they formed their band, Mylo Bybee (@mylo_bybee). So, chew on that.
Since their conception during the pandemic, I’ve always considered their music as its own heart-stopping delicacy, a bit punky, definitely moody, emo-tinged alt-rock, albeit deep-fried in shoegaze and rock and roll. Their tunes always made me feel a bit nostalgic, reminding me of younger years discovering bands like Mars Volta or The Dillinger Escape Plan, but also having that poppy-punk vibe (partially because of Tyler’s unique tessitura) that I used to love during my Hot Topic and Warped Tour days. Yet recently, Tyler (guitar/vox), Wes (bass/vox), and Jason Guadalupe (drums) released a new album, Master & Machine, proving that (unlike me) this band has matured and changed past their younger, alt-rock teen roots. What once felt like a budding anthemic poppy fused angst, has blossomed into this rather mature and swooping alt-rock orchestra all its own. Mylo Bybee still aptly showcases this passion and nostalgic appreciation of their musical roots, but now that they are situated as a three-piece with the talented Guadalupe, I found myself pleasantly surprised by this album, realizing that I had wrongly tried to pigeonhole this talented three-piece into any specific genre to begin with.
Master & Machine was released in August this year, following their signing onto the ZMI Arcadia label in June. This is a genre-bending ten-song album and was tracked at the Tonic Room (Boise, ID), remastered at Abbey Road Studios (London, UK), and features none other than Boise rock hero, Brett Netson (on tracks “Blueprint” and “Friends We Once Had”). The collective input certainly created an album that showcases the creative range and dynamic talents of Mylo Bybee; I am incredibly impressed at the rawness, creativity, and range that is on display on this album. With additional layers of instruments, I would normally not expect at a live show, Mylo Bybee stretched their creative wings and utilized the artistic opportunity to use the studio, and the multi-instrumental talents of the group, to create something I think they should truly be proud of. An album that, at times, made me feel all the feelings that are shared by this charming trio.
From pulsing pianos and hard-hitting riff-heavy instrumentals, to country-infused songs that felt like an amalgamation of Pinegrove meets At the Drive-In, Mylo Bybee continues not to conform to any one sound or genre. Yet, still, this well-balanced album solidifies their capacity as artists to hit hard and make surprising songwriting choices that are unlike any ‘alt-rock indie band’ that exists, especially in Idaho. It also means that fans of many genres could listen to this album and appreciate the evident emotion and thoughtfulness that went into its creation. Check Master & Machine out here.
My favorite track is either “Fade Me Out” or “Friends We Once Had” (music video below), but it honestly depends on my mood, each track hits a little differently because this is an album that is moody, ominous yet hopeful, heavy yet soft. Check out this talented, kind, and driven group, especially if you have your own inner teenage alt-girl buried deep within you, and go check them out on Saturday, October 14th at The Shrine Basement in Boise playing with Warren Dunes (@warrendunesband) and locals Los Syringas (@los_syringas).
