Design Inspiration: Jason Galea

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This is the second installment of RSTB’s look at the influences that drive the designers behind some of my favorite album covers. Stepping up to the spotlight, Jason Galea opens up about some favorite album covers that have influenced his style. Jason is the designer behind pretty much anything visual that’s connected to Aussie psych warriors King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, plus The Murlocs and the Tame Impala side-project Gum. Galea has also done all of the band’s insane video work and kicked in on a few great Aussie garage comps including the Nuggets comp compiled by Lenny Kaye. The first thing that drew me into King Gizz back when 12 Bar Bruise came out was the artwork, and the triple gatefold on Oddments ranks among my own favorite covers. Its truly using the LP format to its full potential. Below are Jason’s picks that span some recent garage gems and and plenty of psych oddities.





St. John Green – St. John Green (Flick-Disc, 1968)

I came across this one going a through solid Kim Fowley obsession a year or so back. He produced this album in 1967, they split up not long after and from what I gather weren’t happy with the record. I’m not sure who created the artwork. ed note: yes the background on this record is fascinating and the cover artist is uncredited. Fowley took on the band and drove the sessions to a dark and at times comical place, but its a great psych obscurity.




Thee Oh Sees – Carrion Crawler/The Dream (In The Red, 2011)

This is my favourite Oh Sees cover (closely followed by Floating Coffin). It’s created by Belgian artist Elzo Durt who I just discovered has a bunch of great work. I get deep Sci-Fi vibes from this one, very inspiring for me still just as when it first came out in 2011.



White Fence – Family Perfume Vol. 1 & 2 (Woodsist, 2012)

The artwork for this double-double album by Tim Presley from White Fence matches the album perfectly. I’m lucky to have gotten my hands on the first pressings before it was combined to one double. Long live White Fence!



Friar Tuck – Friar Tuck and His Psychedelic Guitar (Mercury, 1967)

I took a gamble buying this record solely based on the cover and couldn’t be more happy with it. Friar Tuck only made one record but it’s a good’n. I’m into the happy early 60’s pop meets dark psych prophet genre going on here.



The 13th Floor Elevators – The Psychedelic Sounds of (International Artists, 1966)

This one might be obvious but it had a big impact when I was first discovering music and I still love seeing this record around. The back cover is great too, thanks to artist John Cleveland from Austin Texas.

In addition to album design Jason has done excellent posters for Australian tours, video work for tons of Aussie bands and printed the zine A Bumpy Ride Through Scribble Town. Check out his work HERE/ or purchase prints HERE.



Video for King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s “Robot Stop”

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