I know what I like, so I generally go to shows with bands or artists I’m pretty familiar with, but tonight’s show was different. All I knew about Mudhoney was they were a pioneer in Seattle’s grunge movement, and of course I was familiar with ‘Touch Me I’m Sick’ and a few other songs. Pissed Jeans I was not at all familiar with. So this show was an amazing, delightful rock surprise.
Pissed Jeans are from Pennsylvania and have been playing for about thirteen years. They are a three piece with a Tasmanian Devil of a singer, Matt Korvette. They follow a punishing noise rock formula shaped by bands such as The Jesus Lizard, Scratch Acid, and Metz. To this they add a much cleverer lyrical bent, they are a very smart band trying to play dumb. These guys are not youngsters, but from the get go they unleashed pummeling slabs of rock and didn’t quit, Korvette all over the stage and clowning the crowd. Here’s an example of Korvette leading the crowd:
Korvette: “Hey!”
Crowd: “Hey!”
Korvette: “Whoah!”
Crowd (louder): “Whoah!”
Korvette: “I Have A Small Penis”
Crowd: “silence”
My pal Chuck opined that Korvette may have gotten some things from The Meatmen’s Tesco Vee. Songs like ‘Ignorecam’ and especially ‘The Bar Is Low’ got the crowd going. I loved this band. They made a new fan tonight.