Americana with psychedelic tendencies . . .

 

 The Sham Saints centered around two singer-songwriter-guitarists, Darius and his old friend Michael Packard, from their “paisley underground” band Darius and the Magnets. In the years between the Magnets and the Sham Saints, both were denizens of the 1990s L.A. alt-folk scene. Darius released his four solo CDs ,and Michael co-founded the folk-punk band Walking Wounded, who released three albums. 

 

The EP Out of Tune was recorded on 2-inch 16-track tape and also features Darius' long-time collaborator, drummer Phil Leavitt of 7Horse and Dada; bassist Louis Ruiz of 80s band Felony; and pedal steel player Chris Lawrence (Shooter Jennings, Mike Ness, Mink Deville, and many more).

 

The result of the above EP was an Americana with psychedelic tendencies, lots of vocal harmonies and jangly guitars, and a little sitar.

 

The proceeds from the single Pledge of Allegiance (to the Earth), an environmental call to arms, were donated to the Sierra Club.

​

The Saints played a number of shows around San Diego.