With their first full length Appreciation Night, Chicago’s Bound Stems graduated to full-fledged blog-buzz band status. No surprise, given their incessant mood shifts and Wolf Parade-meets-Modest Mouse moments. After recording their debut EP and before Appreciation, the band added the multi-instrumental and vocal abilities of Janie Porche, giving the group even more versatility and depth. For a taste, check this track from the record:
CMJers can catch ‘em at the Flameshovel / Dischord Showcase at Knitting Factory 11/3. We saw ‘em when they came through Mercury Lounge a few weeks back, and they had lots of faux-foliage. Can’t beat that.
And here, Janie and Bobby give you a peek inside their indie math-rock minds, responding to the only questions we know how to ask.
BOBBY GALLIVAN, BOUND STEMS
1. What is your favorite word?
ABLUTIONS
2. What is your least favorite word?
PANTIES
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
NECCO WAFERS
4. What turns you off?
MAYONNAISE
5. What is your favorite curse word?
DOO-DOO, BABY.
6. What sound or noise do you love?
TOASTER!
7. What sound or noise do you hate?
LIP SMACKING
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
TIGHT END
9. What profession would you not like to do?
PEDICURIST
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you
arrive at the Pearly Gates?
“HEY BOBBY, DID YOU GET A HAIRCUT?”
JANIE PORCHE, BOUND STEMS
1. What is your favorite word?
HAM!
2. What is your least favorite word?
SUPPLE
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
CROSSWORD DICTIONARIES
4. What turns you off?
BRUISES
5. What is your favorite curse word?
BALLS, PROBABLY.
6. What sound or noise do you love?
THE GOLDEN GIRLS
7. What sound or noise do you hate?
WINDEXING
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
CONDUCTOR, OF COURSE.
9. What profession would you not like to do?
PARKING TICKET GIVER-OUTER
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you
arrive at the Pearly Gates?
“I’M SORRY, BUT THE PRINCESS IS IN ANOTHER CASTLE!”
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This album is blowing my mind. It’s incredibly gratifying on the first listen, then gets better….. THEN you starting listening to it louder, or with headphones, and you start hearing things you didn’t hear before – the layers and complexity are almost without end – I’m stopping mid-song just to be sure: “did I hear that right?”. Listening to this album over and over again is how I’ve been spending most all of my free time of late and it’s just getting better. Seriously a treat like no album in years – for me anyway.
have you been reading the lyrics? knockout.
I have a digital copy, so yea – the ones on the cover(!) – but also making most of them out. Looking forward to a sitdown with them in front of me. I’m enjoying the different styles the lyrics are written in, but so far it’s just been a taste – need to get my arms (and head) around them yet.
this is one of the better ‘inside…’ things i’ve seen. thanks, scott.
This is one of the top 5-10 albums to come out this year. the first post is definitely right about the complexity and subtleties of the ablum. And to top it off, great lyrics.
Also, I have seen these guys a couple times now, and let me tell you, they are awesome live. Tons of energy, and the lead singer and the girl have formed a great singing duo. The lead singer is a great frontman.
What is wrong with “panties”?
they did a live set for bagel radio last week, just the singers. it was really good.
bobby is a great teacher.