Philadelphia Weekly

MUSIC

Critic's Pick: Pissed Jeans

By Elliott Sharp

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Jan. 10, 2012

“Run your hand across my hair and you might catch a flake,” admits Pissed Jeans’ Matt Korvette on “Half Idiot” from the (mostly) Philadelphia-based band’s killer King Of Jeans LP. This nicely captures their unique charm: They wanna be touched, but they’re very dirty, and that will never change. Most sludge-punk bands bash your brains and leave you feeling violated/alone, but not Jeans. They warmly welcome people into their wonderful world of filth and dismay. On “The L Word,” from 2010’s Your Life Is Worth Pissed Jeans 7-inch, Korvette sings about love. “Love is the word I use to describe the way I feel inside,” he groans. Then he lists things he loves: pie, a good surprise, Velvet Sky (the Jenkintown bakery, or the pro wrestler?), and the Flyers. Like you, Pissed Jeans are simple men. But unlike you, they’re the greatest live band in Philadelphia.

Sat., Jan. 14, 9pm. $12. With Blues Control + Innergaze. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave. 215.739.9684. johnnybrendas.com