Angeles rocking once again as trio

When Mat Wisner’s one and only bandmate died, he had to decide if the music would be buried as well.

Jonas Teater was taken by a drug overdose in November of last year, and days later Wisner performed solo for the first time as Ambulance for Angeles.

During the last song of the piano-based indie-rock set, Wisner performed “In Memory,” and explained to the filled-out Fat Tuesday’s crowd that it was in tribute to Teater.

“I wanted to do the show for him. When I was practicing for the show, it was weird because he wasn’t there,” said Wisner, 22. “After Jonas died, I was by myself and wasn’t sure if I wanted to search for new members.”

Since then Wisner has recruited two members, and Ambulance for Angeles has nudged its way into the local music scene with a couple of well-placed support slots and is heading for the studio to record its first EP.

Ambulance for Angeles – pianist/singer Wisner, drummer Brandon Vasquez and guitarist Matt Robertson – plays back-to-back shows this weekend starting tonight at 7 at Fat Tuesday’s, 109 W. Pacific Ave., with Epic Records’ Vendetta Red, Seattle’s Kane Hodder, and The Look. Tickets for the all-ages show are $5 in advance, $7 at the door. Check Ambulance for Angeles on Saturday at The B-Side, 230 W. Riverside Ave., with Portland rockheads System and Station and locals The Duckets. Showtime is 9:30 p.m. There is a $5 cover.

Before Ambulance for Angeles, Wisner and Teater played in Stealing Serenity.

When they broke off and formed Ambulance for Angeles, the idea was finding a retreat for a two-man band trying to make it big from Spokane.

Since Teater’s passing, Ambulance for Angeles has developed a full rock-band sound, minus the expected electric bass guitar, with a heavy leaning toward melodic folk.

Wisner said Ambulance for Angeles is in no hurry to add a bass guitar layer but has plans for a cellist and female vocalist by the time it records at Tri-Cities Medical Records in the coming weeks.

Ambulance for Angeles’ sound is influenced by Elliott Smith and Bright Eyes with piano-laced curve-ball textures that increasingly rely on electronic drums, which is featured on the track “Drugs and Drama.”

“Our manager wanted a full-band sound, so we went with that tech-beat. We’re going to continue to draw on that,” Wisner said.

As for “In Memory,” Wisner said, “(It) isn’t included in Ambulance for Angeles’ current set, and it’s likely it won’t be included in the studio recording.

“It’s hard to do justice to that song when you’re not in the moment.”