Syracuse, New York’s Perfect Pussy are heading to Australia for the first time to play Laneway Festival as well as sideshows in Melbourne and Sydney this summer.The punkers originally formed as a power pop trio who were to make an appearance in a 2012 John Cusack film. Though they didn’t make the final cut, unlike Cusack’s their career trajectory has been on the rise ever since.The story goes that Meredith Graves was asked by director Scott Coffey (who played a drooling jock in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off ) to have her band Shoppers appear in the film Adult World. Shoppers had finished up so she enlisted the help of her friends Garrett Koloski and Greg Ambler to form Perfect Pussy to write a song.That one song developed into four which became a demo cassette that quickly generated buzz and led to their debut LP Say Yes to Love, released earlier this year on indie label Captured Tracks.They are now heading to Australia with a reputation as a formidable/ballistic live show based around Grave’s vibrant and up-front presence. Basically they are one of the boldest new rock bands around.We spoke to bassist Greg Amber, a guy who has been known to throw his instrument in to rivers. Punk as!Noisey: When you think of Syracuse hardcore or punk Captured Tracks doesn’t come to mind?
Greg Amber: Yeah you’re right. The punk and hardcore scene was big in the mid 90s and in certain points it became more militant and built this reputation. It then eased back then it just blended in together and now it just sound like stuff you hear on the radio. It’s just nu metal! We consider ourselves a hardcore band but some of that shit’s a fucking joke.Your album grew from a demo cassette. Nowadays with Soundcloud and Bandcamp are physical demo cassettes still important?
Yes I think so. Musically all our recordings come from demos from the original four songs to all the songs that have come out since. We use everything. We actually gave that demo to Captured Tracks which will be putting more stuff out.So the band formed on the set of a John Cusack film?
Meredith was asked to help out for the film. We didn’t form on set but the film was the basis of us to start writing songs.Did you get a chance to speak to Cusack on set?
Nah, a film set is a funny place. We didn’t get to meet anyone of any importance.He seems the quintessential sensitive and misunderstood guy. A true emo.
Yeah I’ve had girlfriends who were totally into the boom box scene from Say Anything.Last year Parquet Courts were the rising US punk band on the Laneway festival. This year it seems to be you guys. What do you think of playing summer festivals?
We are a newish band and just appreciate the opportunity to be able to play to new audiences. We don’t care about size or type of audience we just like to play hard. I swear if I didn’t have my guitar I’d be breaking my arms on stage.Catch Perfect Pussy this summer:January 29 in Melbourne at the Corner Hotel. Tickets available through Ticketscout.
February 4 in Sydney at Oxford Arts Factory Tickets available through Ticketscout.They will also be appearing at St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival.
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Greg Amber: Yeah you’re right. The punk and hardcore scene was big in the mid 90s and in certain points it became more militant and built this reputation. It then eased back then it just blended in together and now it just sound like stuff you hear on the radio. It’s just nu metal! We consider ourselves a hardcore band but some of that shit’s a fucking joke.Your album grew from a demo cassette. Nowadays with Soundcloud and Bandcamp are physical demo cassettes still important?
Yes I think so. Musically all our recordings come from demos from the original four songs to all the songs that have come out since. We use everything. We actually gave that demo to Captured Tracks which will be putting more stuff out.So the band formed on the set of a John Cusack film?
Meredith was asked to help out for the film. We didn’t form on set but the film was the basis of us to start writing songs.
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Nah, a film set is a funny place. We didn’t get to meet anyone of any importance.He seems the quintessential sensitive and misunderstood guy. A true emo.
Yeah I’ve had girlfriends who were totally into the boom box scene from Say Anything.Last year Parquet Courts were the rising US punk band on the Laneway festival. This year it seems to be you guys. What do you think of playing summer festivals?
We are a newish band and just appreciate the opportunity to be able to play to new audiences. We don’t care about size or type of audience we just like to play hard. I swear if I didn’t have my guitar I’d be breaking my arms on stage.Catch Perfect Pussy this summer:January 29 in Melbourne at the Corner Hotel. Tickets available through Ticketscout.
February 4 in Sydney at Oxford Arts Factory Tickets available through Ticketscout.They will also be appearing at St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival.
