Over the next 18 years, the masterpiece was built at a geomagnetic vortex near Landers, California, purportedly drawing from the powers of Giant Rock: an enormous, freestanding boulder thought by Van Tassel to be a centre of UFO activities.

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An ancient drawing of a gladiator has been carved into the rock, probably with a nail.

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Since releasing its first CD in 2001, the band has gradually abandoned its weepy pop-country sound for '80s-inspired college rock and new wave, but the incandescent passion in Lewis' voice has remained, drawing comparisons to Loretta Lynn and Neko Case.

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