Clear Plastic Masks

Formed in New York City, Clear Plastic Masks quite literally have honed a world of influence into bluesy, punk—and soul—informed rock ‘n’ roll. Lead vocalist and guitarist Andrew Katz, born and raised in Detroit, was a stage actor when he met Dominican Republic-born drummer Charles Garmendia, guitarist/keyboard player Matt Menold and bassist Eduardo DuQuesne in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn where they were working at a moving company together. In 2012​, the band moved to Nashville with the opportunity to work on their debut album Being There with producer Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Benjamin Booker, Hurray for the Riff Raff). Since then, the band has played a major role in the burgeoning Nashville rock and roll scene. Recalling the sneer and snarl of the Rolling Stones’ early R&B-influenced work, Clear Plastic Masks’ debut album runs the gamut from mid-70’s New York punk to Stax-style soul; "Katz's vocals are wry and slightly theatrical, recalling both Lou Reed and the Strokes's Julian Casablancas, and the band's Stones-ish rock is showy while still hitting hard and direct,” says NPR.