Political Party
Hayyyyyy we want some PUSA.
Some real measured, calm, pleasant vibes out there in the world on this election day / week / month / unending slog.
I’m sure you have noticed!
If you haven’t voted already, please go do that.
Cast mine last week, so might as well ‘stack early too, using this time to focus on three Pacific Northwest gentlemen I can only describe as uniters, not dividers.
The Presidents Of The United States Of America!
Part of me wonders how to describe the cultural phenomenon for those too young to have lived it. For a brief, shining moment, shit like this just happened.
The mid-to-late ‘90s were a time of scatmen and mambo enthusiasts, Latin dance instructors and Maori mariachis, Barbie girls and little blue guys.
While ostensibly “alternative rock,” PUSA’s concise, high-concept tunefulness and pleasantly kooky aesthetic slotted into this novelty pop gumbo almost too perfectly, thanks to a pair of enormous, one-word Buzz Bin bangers.
First was “Lump,” which singer Chris Ballew said “combined his own history of having a benign tumor in the head with a vision of a woman in a swamp.” He played it on a two-string bass; Roman Coppola filmed the video on a barge using a helicopter.
Next was “Peaches,” about… moving to the country to eat a lot of peaches.
Allegedly, the song’s inspiration owes more to John Prine than any body parts. In any case, its goofball glee is now overshadowed by the recorded works of King Koopa.
The band had a couple more rippers too, about kittens and dune buggies, avoiding volcanoes and grooving with postal workers.
At one point, they were big enough to record Drew Carey’s theme song, turn down SNL (they did Mad TV instead, which feels emotionally correct) and perform in front of Mount Rushmore for MTV.
Yes, that’s Kennedy, former MTV VJ, current Fox News commentator (I know, I know, was trying to drive around that particular mindhole but… take what you can get).
You can read more about the Presidents while listening to them on whatever screen you’re existentially glued to for the forseeable future. Their tunes are a nice little macrodose of joy for the day.
And if *I* need it, you probably do too.
No matter where the universe’s latestWheel Of Fortune spin ends up.
Playlists updated…