And your ears shall hear…

I came across this band by way of the FREE MONDAY shows at the Empty Bottle. I was reading my email, and the name popped out at me. I fired up Spotify, and I liked the vibe, punk but playful. One song in particular, “Binary Code,” struck me right away. I listened to the full album and checked my schedule to see if my obligations as a girls’ softball coach caused any problems with the Monday night show. Would you believe my schedule was open? And so I went…

I can honestly say that I’m glad I made it out on a Monday night at 10pm. Pat and The Pissers remind me of early Murphy’s Law and Operation Ivy. Check out “Big Hit” and “Binary Code” to get your feet wet. But, whatever you do, do NOT miss the last song on the record, “Chump.”

“Chump” is a hit. After a few listens on the radio, many people will be hooked. The downside of releasing it to radio first is that fans might be surprised when they buy the full-length record and find that the other 11 songs are hardcore punk! However, this might be a good way to draw people into the ‘Pissers fold.

Speaking of drawing people in, the Indianapolis-based punk rockers are known for their high-energy shows, supposedly cutting their teeth at local house parties — which we all know is the best way to create excitement, hone your craft, and develop stage presence.

Lead vocalist and guitarist Alex Beckman roams the stage with the swagger of a champion, throwing his arms outward like Freddie Mercury commanding Wembley. It was the first thing I noticed about their performance. When Beckman steps to the front, there’s a sense of leadership — not just for the band, but for the room itself. He isn’t singing to the crowd so much as singing with them, constantly prodding the audience to join in.

Meanwhile, guitarist Matt Keyser, drummer Conner James, and bassist Alex Kilmer filled the Empty Bottle, using every corner of the venue for their performance. When Kilmer isn’t jumping around, he holds his bass high for the audience to see. It looks a bit uncomfortable, but also very cool. Matt Keyser has great hair for headbanging, which he does while playing powerful chords mixed with quick guitar licks. His songwriting reminds me of Murphy’s Law, especially songs like “Beer,” “Fun,” and “Sit Home and Rot.” It’s power punk with rhythms that change quickly. You can’t help but move at their shows.

Let’s not forget Connor James, an amazing drummer who energizes the band! The show was lively from start to finish, and the Empty Bottle is a great venue for this act. I highly recommend seeing the ‘Pissers to anyone wanting a good punk rock show. I chatted with the band at the end and got some records signed. They were very gracious and down-to-earth, which is nice in today’s entitled climate.