Kevin Bronson on April 1st, 2011

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You could write a a book about the perseverance (now into its third decade) of L.A. indie-rockers the Black Watch. In fact, Ph.D.-wielding frontman John Andrew Frederick did, back in the ’90s, titled “The King of Good Intentions.” What those intentions, not to mention the years of doggedness, have yielded for TBW are an estimable catalog (some 15 albums and EPs) and a cult following that’s seemingly strongest everywhere but the quartet’s hometown. Not surprising, the latter bit: The Black Watch makes Anglophile-leaning rock that dabbles in shoegaze, post-punk and jangle-pop and adheres adamantly to a writerly aesthetic, not unlike the work of such artists as David Kilgour, the Wedding Present, Dean Wareham and the Go-Betweens. What Frederick and mates lack in four-on-the-floor club candy, however, they make up for in songs that are simply interesting, with just enough in the way of hooks, guitar interplay and storytelling that they don’t feel dashed off. The quartet’s new album, the wryly titled “Led Zeppelin Five,” ranks among their best (I don’t have the whole catalog, but I can recommend 1991’s “Flowering”, 2005’s “The Innercity Garden” EP and 2006’s “Tatterdemalion”); Steven Schayer (formerly of New Zealand pop standouts the Chills) plays guitar and contributes vocals. There’s probably another book in the Black Watch’s tale somewhere, but for now these short stories will suffice.

||| Download: “Emily, Are You Sleeping?”

||| Live: The Black Watch performs Saturday night at the Redwood Bar.