Pu$$y-Cow is one of the first bands I ever came across in the Los Angeles music scene. The band was part of a collective of bands that came under the umbrella of Kiss or Kill. When did I first come across the band? That's hard to pinpoint. My first photos of the band are from January 2007 when they played with The Dollyrots. I'm pretty sure that this was the night when Luis Cabezas (of The Dollyrots) went leaping pass me from the stage. I'm sure that I came across the band before that date because late 2006 was when I started to do band photography (with a really cheap point and shoot) and so there were a lot of nights hanging out at Kiss or Kill that I never photographed. Let's just say that I've followed this band since circa 2006.
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| Pu$$y-Cow at The Escondite |
I don't get to cross paths with this band as much as I once did. But when I notice they're playing I will mark it in my calendar. There are always people who show up at these shows that I used to hang out with back in those years and it is nice to exchange a few words.
So on the night of the Grammys, The Escondite hosted the band. Who is this band? They're a four piece country-punk band: Joe Dana on vocals, Mike Schnee on guitar, Kevin "Flaco" Jones on bass, and Jon Rygiewicz on drums (who took over for original, and long time, drummer Danny Poulos). Based on how you determine what a song is, their songs can last 2 minutes or less, or 10 minutes. Their songs focus around what they love as a band: neighborhoods in Los Angeles ("Sunset Junction"), rap music ("Me & Ice T"), tacos and burritos ("Taco-Chariot"), and sex infatuation song titles ("You Will Drink the Black Sperm of My Vengeance").
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| Pu$$y-Cow at The Escondite |
Of maybe the greatest importance, as those of us who follow the band are much older now than we were in circa 2006, the band focuses on ending their sets when promised, especially on a Sunday night when you've got to go to work the next morning. On this particular night, they missed their 8 p.m. promise, closing out their set at 8:03 p.m.
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| Pu$$y-Cow at The Escondite |
As for their stage show, they were there to entertain. Sound check was conducted with the words, "Arugula. Arugula." By the second song (we're talking the 2 minute interpretation of their songs and not the 10 minute interpretation), Dana was without pants in a nod to "No Pants Day Metro Ride." Just as immediately, paper streamers from Party City come flying over the heads of the crowd. By the end of the set, there was a pile of paper streamers on the floor. Dana's brother was in the audience, which meant you saw him doing some cameo singing with the band. Though not on this particular night, past sets have included a naughty nod to BDSM (or maybe I just missed it on this night).
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| Pu$$y-Cow at The Escondite |
What's the song for this blog post? "Taco-Chariot." Their BandCamp page describes the song, as follows:
We're from Southern California so we're required to write a song about tacos or burritos. Inspired by something our drummer's brother said after a show.
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| Pu$$y-Cow at The Escondite |
Personally, I love the blasting, heavy opening that then quiets down to the opening notes from the theme song of Top Gun. Then the song just blasts into Mach speed where one has to think that band is trying to make Dana sing so fast that he can't possibly get all the lyrics out.
Comment of the set: Come up closer. It's more cause it makes me feel sad when you guys are far away. I will not hit you. I will not touch anyone who doesn't want to be touched. But it'll make me feel so much better if you're a little bit closer. I will probably be coming down there, but it won't be violent. I promise you.
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| Pu$$y-Cow at The Escondite |
Must be noted: both Jones and Rygiewicz played in multiple bands on the night's lineup. Jones opened up the night playing bass for The Probe. Rygiewicz played drums for The Letter Openers (you can read my US Rocker review of a prior set here) and I was told he played with another band earlier in the day.
Setlist: Suck, Ninja, BernNadette, You Will Drink the Black Sperm of My Vengeance, After Party, Bro Truck, Love Plus One, I Love the Muffs, Me & Ice T, Sunset Junction, Sean Combs, Straight Edge Wedding, MacD, Taco-Chariot, PCow / MacD.
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