Seattle Subsonic

Year of the Rat? Nope, Year of the Jerk

October 24th, 2008

If you haven’t latched onto PartMan PartHorse, than you just haven’t been paying attention. For all you mythology nerds, I’m (unfortunately) not referring to the Centaur, one of the most beautiful beasts ever devised, just behind the Unicorn and just ahead of the Griffin. I’m referring to the incendiary and fractured sex-punk from the band known for its provocative, half-naked frontman, its quirky bassist-cum-keyboardist, and its delicious guitar licks that, IMHO, really has yet to transcend the people’s tastes in this town. And it’s not for lack of effort; I write about these guys all the time. Shows you how little clout I have. The phrase “ad nauseum” comes to mind: winter shows, spring shows, my Top 12 list last year, and countless live recommendations. Hell, I’ve even written an “exposé” on the band’s anti-smoking stance that we here at Seattle Subsonic feel so strongly about (note to smokers: we are Pro-Choice).

.

Well, I’m at it again. Why? Because I care. In fact, I cared so much that I showed up at the Comet one night to accept a free copy of their sophomore record, Year of the Jerk. What a nice guy I am. I even managed to give it a spin or 50. If the first track doesn’t grab you, I don’t know what will. “Disappear” is an eruptive merger of metal and funk loaded with carnal innuendo, front-dude Gary Smith pleading with some poor soul, “Let’s get it on!” For all you suburban kids, “At the Mall” paints a nostalgic, slow-burning picture, complete with references to Orange Julius and jet black Swatches. “Magik” is a rapid-fire punk tune with spooky undertones and glam overtones. “Gimme what you got / and you won’t get hurt,” Smith seethes in one of his best lines on the record.

.

The rest of the band—comprised of guitarist Marshall Nall, drummer Lisa Smith, and bassist Rachel Ratner—thoroughly make their mark on standout song “Significant Bummer”, a steady drumbeat leading the charge for a flashy metal guitar and a sine-wave electro backdrop. Just don’t tell Smith how choice it is; he’s got a gloomy outlook, a significant bummer. Other tracks, like “I’m A Book” and “Shit Hot”, continue the same sort of genre-bending, dance-party atmosphere that should be requisite for all forward-thinking music fans.

.

The band prides itself on not taking its product too seriously, the first clue being they named themselves after a porno. If you’re satisfied with “deep” or “profound” music, PMPH probably won’t float your boat. But when was being serious considered fun?

.

Catch their wild antics at a CD release show on October 31st (that’s Halloween, folks) at the High Dive with local faves the Lights and the Coconut Coolouts, who’ll probably be eating a ton of pizza. Sample some of the PMPH awesomeness after the jump.

.

.

PMPH – Disappear

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

.

PMPH – Magik

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

.

PMPH – Significant Bummer

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

.

PMPH – Shit Hot

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.