Pissed Jeans
August 18th at Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco

As Pissed Jeans were about to begin their set, singer Matt Korvette walked up to the microphone in a black tank emblazoned with the word “heaven” to mysteriously exclaim, “A big stage requires a big man.” Compared to other SF venues of similar clout, the stage at Bottom of the Hill really isn’t that big, but the sizeable Korvette and the rest of the Allentown, Pennsylvania rock foursome had plenty of space to work with around their fairly minimal set-up—drummer Sean McGuinness’ kit sat at the center, leaving plenty of strutting room between the amps. Although they’ve been around for about five years now and are touring in front of their third full-length (and second for Sub Pop), King of Jeans, this was somehow the band’s first outing to San Francisco.

They really made it count. For those who haven’t heard them, Pissed Jeans kick out meaty, ’80s hardcore-influenced thud-punk in the vein of bands like Flipper, Drunks With Guns, and Stick Men with Ray Guns. Totally bludgeoning and riff-tastic, but with a resigned, disarmingly contemplative lyrical core: “I don’t mind stacking papers up in a pile / And I don’t care if it takes half an hour to get there” goes a nine-to-five-resigned line in the blistering “Dream Smotherer.” More than the lyrics, however, it’s the band’s energy that sticks out above all else in the live setting: McGuinness smacked with unbelievable force, and the pairing of bassist Randy Huth (also the guitarist in Pearls & Brass) and guitarist Bradley Fry makes for a ripping accompaniment to Korvette’s writhing, gutturally howling figure. He would hold the microphone and the upper half of the mic stand (separated from the lower half), whirling around maniacally and sometimes crouching to wink at one of the nearby girls or take a swig from his water bottle (no beer necessary!). Korvette gave the mic a few affectionate kisses and bites as it briefly hung from the onstage holiday light fixtures, and everyone went wild for the fastest, most ass-kicking half hour I’ve ever experienced. These guys are masters, seriously—one of the best live bands you’ll ever see.

Watch: Pissed Jeans, “Caught Licking Leather” [at youtube.com]

Tags: Pissed Jeans, King of Jeans, Sub Pop, live review