February 3rd, 2009 10:52am
A Pocket Full Of Fists
Fight Like Apes “Jake Summers”
“I’m a simple man. I just want a band with synthesizer and girls yelling that sounds like McLusky. Is that so wrong?” - Mike Barthel, on Idolator yesterday.
No, it’s not wrong at all. In fact, upon hearing Fight Like Apes for the first time over this past weekend, it felt like I was getting a correct answer to a question I hadn’t even thought to have asked.
Fight Like Apes specialize in bold, urgent pop songs that lean hard on the propulsive dynamics of post-Pixies alt-rock while stripping out the guitars and replacing them with colorful synth textures. (In this way, they are more like Future of the Left, Andy Falkous and Jack Egglestone’s keyb-centric post-McLusky band, than McLusky proper.) To sweeten the deal, the band deliver strong hooks with a powerful oomph, and boast a lead singer who can neatly transition from yearning arena balladry to spunky, shouty bits and thrilling, wordless exclamations.
“Jake Summers,” a song seemingly penned about a character from a largely forgotten tv show by the creators of Saved By The Bell, covers a lot of territory in just under four minutes, careening from one thrill to another while barely calling attention to its odd, slightly asymmetrical structure. The lyrics are wonderful too, full of amusingly specific language with a particular focus on taste and scent. The band certainly get bonus points for writing a line as silly and damning as “You’re like Kentucky Fried Chicken, but without the taste!” and then making it one of the most fist-pumping moments in any song I’ve heard in the past few years.
Buy it from Fight Like Apes.
2/3/09 11:20 am
So it’s about fashionista boys with “attitude” who are emotionally papier mache.
Sort of a reply to “Just Like A Woman.” I know several of these guys. Great tune.
2/3/09 11:30 am
I’ve been recommending Mcluskey to my friends for ages, and the recurring theme is that guys love them and girls don’t. So, Mcluskey For Girls (And Wimpy Indie Guys) definitely fills a neglected niche.
Not to say that they haven’t earned the attention, the songs are great! I especially love “Knucklehead.” “No pressure!/No pressure!/You’re having tea with/Fran Drescher!/Fran Drescher!” makes me laugh every time.
2/3/09 11:36 am
Oh man, I absolutely love “Knucklehead.” I especially like that super anthemic bit that goes “and we like awful tv shows and robot sluts and fucked up pets, cars and parts, semi-naked friends, blips and blops and lack of rest.”
2/4/09 12:38 am
Have you heard anything about a domestic release of the album? I’m this close to biting the bullet and importing it
2/4/09 8:22 am
The album is out in the US on March 9th.
2/4/09 4:16 pm
Absolutely LOVE this. Thanks for introducing me to my possible new favourite band!
3/12/09 1:02 am
[...] from yearning arena balladry to spunky, shouty bits and thrilling, wordless exclamations.” - Fluxblog. NYC shows: March 13 at Mercury Lounge (with fellow Dubliners Dirty Epics and Paddy Casey…get [...]