Americana with psychedelic tendencies . . .

 

 The Sham Saints centered around two singer-songwriter-guitarists, Darius and Michael Packard, who once played together in the “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 CD and opened shows for the likes of Don McLean, Guy Clark, Lucinda Williams. He also played sitar on Warren Zevon’s song "Bad Karma" along with the members of REM.  

 

Michael co-founded seminal folk-punk band Walking Wounded, who released three albums and toured extensively. He has worked with members of Los Lobos, Oingo Boingo, Social Distortion, and the Blasters, among others. His songs have appeared on several film soundtracks.

 

The EP Out of Tune was recorded on 2-inch 16-track tape and also features Darius' long-time collaborator and favorite 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 guitar, and a little sitar, with songwriting at the fore.

 

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

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The Saints played a number of shows around San Diego.