Anyone reading the names behind Drink The Sea might initially think of a classic all-star project. But the new band is far more than the sum of its famous members. Here, musicians come together who have been among the most creative minds in the international rock and alternative scene for decades, and whose shared curiosity outweighs any desire to look back on past successes.
Among them is Peter Buck, founding member and guitarist of R.E.M., whose unmistakable playing has shaped the sound of an entire generation. Joining him are Barrett Martin, former drummer for the Seattle legends Screaming Trees and the supergroup Mad Season; Chilean-American multi-instrumentalist and producer Alain Johannes (Queens of the Stone Age, Eleven); and British singer-songwriter Duke Garwood (Mark Lanegan Band). Rounding out the lineup is Mexican-American percussionist Lisette Garcia.
The story of Drink The Sea began rather casually in 2022. Alain Johannes and Barrett Martin met at Martin’s studio in Washington State for a joint session. Initial ideas evolved into new songs, and casual recordings gave way to a creative process that spanned several years and numerous countries. Additional tracks were recorded in Reykjavík, São Paulo, Joshua Tree, and Santiago de Chile.
Their two debut albums were thus recorded all around the globe—a fact that is also reflected in their musical language. While Drink The Sea draws on the classic elements of a rock band, they expand their sound far beyond those boundaries. Arabic oud, Indian sitar, Indonesian gamelan sounds, and a rich arsenal of percussion instruments intertwine with guitars, bass, and drums. The result is not merely a world music fusion, but an organic sound that makes the diverse backgrounds of its members audible.
The fact that a project of this magnitude came to fruition at all is primarily thanks to Barrett Martin. Peter Buck recently described him as an extraordinary facilitator of ideas and people. In fact, not all of the participants knew each other personally beforehand. Their music together emerged from trust, curiosity, and a willingness to break new ground.
With “Drink The Sea I” and “Drink The Sea II,” the band released two albums in 2025 that bring together their vast experience as songwriters, arrangers, and producers. At the same time, the recordings sound remarkably fresh. Perhaps this is also because the six musicians never tried to replicate past successes. Instead of nostalgia, a desire to experiment takes center stage.
The live performances are now set to be particularly exciting. While the albums were recorded in various locations and with changing lineups, the members haven’t shared the stage together for quite some time. That’s precisely why the upcoming concerts hold such special appeal.
Additional information
Participating artists
Drink The Sea
Dates
October 2026
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