Guitars, Drums, Tones, and Saxophones

Under the Influence vol. 3

Unusual entry today. Instead of an album, I’m going to talk about two 7″ records that came out this year.

First up, is volume 3 of Suburban Home’s Under the Influence series. The UTI series features notable artists covering songs they find to be influential to them. Volume 3 finds Mustard Plug covering the Fugazi classic “Waiting Room,” and Bomb the Music Industry! taking on Pavement’s “Gold Soundz.”

Fugazi is a pretty beloved band. Even if you don’t know their catalog, you have probably had a friend press “Waiting Room” on you. The song is an absolute classic. Mustard Plug, as is their way, throw a bit of ska on it. It doesn’t necessarily improve the song, but it doesn’t hurt it. The vocals hit it pretty spot-on, and the addition of the horns makes for a fun addition. Overall, the song doesn’t out-do the original (naturally), but it’s not a bad cover by any means.

I have to say, I was wary when I heard Bomb the Music Industry! was covering Pavement. Mostly because, despite my most valiant efforts, I cannot get into Pavement. Much like similarly-hyped band Neutral Milk Hotel, I think they are absurdly overhyped. But, as Jeff Rosenstock writes in the notes for their cover, he figured a straight-up ska version of a hipster classic would really drive the indie rockers up a wall. Odds are it will, but it makes the song a lot better than the original. In my own biased opinion, of course. At any rate, it’s a damn fine ska number.

Mike Park/O Pioneers!!! split 7"

Next up is a split 7″ from Mike Park (ex-Skankin’ Pickle, the B. Lee Band, the Chinkees; also founder of Asian Man Records) and O Pioneers!!!, also on Suburban Home. Mike contributes an acoustic number (most of his solo work is acoustic) entitled “Rise Up.” It’s a catchy song, with Mike’s distinctive vocals and guitar, along with a harmonica here and there. The gang vocals for the chorus fit the song’s try-to-be-optimistic vibe with voices imploring the listener to “Rise up/Tell me everything will be alright.” Fans of Mike Park’s solo releases will not be disappointed here.

O Pioneers!!! throw down on the other side with a rocking, poppy soung called “Stressing the Fuck Out.” The gruff vocals have smoothed out some since I first checked out the band, giving them a nice balance of harsh edge and actual listenable singing. The song itself is great, with its propulsive drumming and intermittent guitar under cries to “calm down!/Everything will be alright!” A response to Mike Park’s request on the other side, perhaps? At a rate, this song would be a great introduction to O Pioneers!!!. It definitely gets me excited for their Neon Creeps full-length.

This is definitely a record to pick up for fans of either artist. And it comes with a code for an MP3 download of the songs, which is a trend I love.

Tags: bomb the music industry!, mike park, mustard plug, o pioneers!!!