search for something...

search for something you might like...

Menage a Rock

Menage a Rock

by Alex V. Cook, Music Editor
first published: March, 2005

approximate reading time: minutes

Shakey has a jarring yet strangely comforting vibration running through it

Pit Er Pat
Shakey
(Thrill Jockey)

I have been told that when it comes to recreational intercourse among enthusiastic partners that three is indeed the magic number. Sadly, my chance to swim in this pool myself evaporated with graduation of college, when a girlfriend long ago once informed me that "Me and Kim were drunk one night and were going to 'pay you a visit' in your dorm room, but you were still sorta dating Susan then." My internal response was the same now as it was then: Say what? Dammit! Always apologize later rather than ask permission! Plus, you knew I was about to break up with Susan to start dating you! Ah well. It probably is better in imagination than it would've been in reality, this sighing music nerd tells himself as he reaches for a now-lukewarm cup of coffee.

Fortunately, the trio has been long in effect in musical circles for me to enjoy from the emotional safety and disease-freedom of my headphones. From countless jazz threesomes to the venerated rock power trio, this format seems to allow each member just enough voice. John Cage said if you have three sounds in space, you effectively have created a sonic sculpture, something with tangible shape and experiential existence, and I believe that. The dynamic keeps things from getting to introspective, too doey-eyed between two people. Chicago-based art-rock trio Pit Er Pat's history embody this perfectly. Originally assembled to support some now unimportant flighty singer/songwriter who ditched them for the supposedly brighter lights of NYC, they were forced to pool their resources to create a shows' worth of material for some now leaderless but still booked performances.

The interplay between cymbal-tastic drummer Butchy Fuego (Chicago must be an ideal natural habitat for drummers, given it's burgeoning population) Rob Doran's (an original memeber of the Alkaline Trio) groovy bass underbelly and the melodiousness of Fay Davis-Jeffers' keyboard and vocal stylings make this a deliciously tight and and singular triad. Shakey has a jarring yet strangely comforting vibration running through it, that reminds one of maybe Sterolab, but only on the surface similarities of steady pulse, female vocals and synth lines. "Bird" opens this little enigma with a densely intertwined shifting melody with each part being propped up by the other. The clockwork kicks into high gear with the rapid drum shuffle of "Gated Community" and slows down on the oddly melodic (not that its odd that they have a melody, but their melodies are definitely odd) "Un-Oh."

"False Face" picks up with a crystalline solid groove, present throughout the album but highlighted here, and coming to full flower on "Underwater Wave Game" (click here to listen). The finely women tapestries these three make are not just limited to the music they create, but their tentacles reach out into the arts community as well (The band name comes from a phrase found in a painting by Chicago art mainstay Jim Nutt) and in the offering of tasty crafts for you, the astute reader, to win. (See our contest with Thrill Jockey) but unless you are denizen of that metropolis amongst the corn and cannot personally join their cult, or if you are not in a position to engage in the giggly nakedness of two others, this threesome is a viable, engaging substitute.

Alex V. Cook
Music Editor

Alex V. Cook listens to everything and writes about most of it. His latest book, the snappily titled Louisiana Saturday Night: Looking for a Good Time in South Louisiana's Juke Joints, Honky-Tonks, and Dance Halls is an odyssey from the backwoods bars and small-town dives to the swampside dance halls and converted clapboard barns of a Louisiana Saturday Night. Don't leave Heathrow without it. His first book Darkness Racket and Twang is available from SideCartel. The full effect can be had at alex v cook.com
about Alex V. Cook »»

Pete Williams web banner

RECENT STORIES

RANDOM READS

All About and Contributors

HELP OUTSIDELEFT

Outsideleft exists on a precarious no budget budget. We are interested in hearing from deep and deeper pocket types willing to underwrite our cultural vulture activity. We're not so interested in plastering your product all over our stories, but something more subtle and dignified for all parties concerned. Contact us and let's talk. [HELP OUTSIDELEFT]

WRITE FOR OUTSIDELEFT

If Outsideleft had arms they would always be wide open and welcoming to new writers and new ideas. If you've got something to say, something a small dank corner of the world needs to know about, a poem to publish, a book review, a short story, if you love music or the arts or anything else, write something about it and send it along. Of course we don't have anything as conformist as a budget here. But we'd love to see what you can do. Write for Outsideleft, do. [SUBMISSIONS FORM HERE]

WRITERS thru' the Years

Agata Makiela, Alan Devey, Alan Rider, Alex V. Cook, Ancient Champion, Andy Allison, Annemiek, Becca Kelly, Belle Plankton, Bruce Bailey, Caiomhin Millar, Cassie Thomas, Chantal, Cheiron Coelho, Chris Connolly, Christian Present, Damon Hayhurst, Dan Breen, Danny Rose, David Hackney, David O'Byrne, Denni Boyd, Dirty Lillie, DJ Fuzzyfelt, Dr. Rich, Dr. Richard Bennett, Duncan Jones, Erin, Erin Pipes, Erin Scott, Gracey Babs, Graham Baker, Guilaine Arts, H.xx, Hamilton High, Henderson Downing, Holly Martins, J. Charreaux, J.Lee, Jay Lewis, Jaycentee, Jennifer Lynn, Jenny McCann, Jeremy Gluck, Jez Collins, Joe Ambrose, John Robinson, Jonathan Thornton, Julie O, Karl Morgan, Katherine Pargeter, Kelsey Osgood, Kevin McHugh, Kiah Cranston, Kleo Kay, Lake, Lee Paul, Luke Skinner, Malcolm, Marek Pytel, Mark Piggott, Martin Devenney, Meave Haughey, Michelle Williams, Mike Fox, mindy strouse, Neil Campbell, Neil Scott, Ogglypoogly, OL House Writer, Pam, Paul Burns, Paul Hawkins, Paul Mortimer, Paul Quigley, Peter Williams, Pixie McMowat, Pixievic, Rene Williams, Richard John Walker, Rick Casson, Rikki Stein, Ronan Crinion, Rowena Murphy, Ruby Lake, Ryan 'RJO' Stewart, Samantha Charles, Seth Sherwood, Shane O'Reilly, Sheridan Coyle, Sofia Ribeiro Willcox, Sophia Satchell-Baeza, Spanish Pantalones, Speedie John, Spencer Kansa, Steve McCarthy, The Conversation, Tim London, Tim Sparks, Tony Fletcher, Toon Traveller, Trevi, Urs Lerch, Wayne Dean-Richards, and founders, Alarcon & Lamontpaul

OUTSIDELEFT UNIVERSE

Last Night of the LTB Showrooms
OUTSIDELEFT Night Out
weekend

outsideleft content is not for everyone