MUSIC FEATURE
Cowpunk meets performance art on Pussy Launcher’s first EP
Amy Wormhole, KleoKatt, and Al Random. PHOTO COURTESY OF PUSSY LAUNCHER
BY ANNA CHANDLER
anna@connectsavannah.com
WASHING ketchup and mustard out of your clothes for a week after a show where every band member vomited Vienna sausages onstage might not be ideal for many musicians. But for Nicole Edge (KleoKatt), Alex Mitchell (Al Random), and Amy Stafford (Amy Wormhole) of Savannah trio Pussy Launcher, picking canned meat out of one’s hair, tending to burned clothes, and cleaning up blood are just the proud marks of a great show. “Burns Alley in Charleston told us, ‘Anything goes, but don’t light the curtains on fire, because someone lit the curtains on fire last week,’” says drummer and band founder Edge, recounting their last smashing success of a gig. Pussy Launcher’s Holy City debut was anything but holy—at least in the JudeoChristian sense. Edge, who finished the show wearing only pasties and underpants, slathered in ketchup, mustard, and pickle relish, explains the band’s mess was a sacrifice to the hot dog gods.
“I was summoning them, got naked, covered myself in mustard, relish, and Vienna sausages, and proceeded to have communion with a three-dollar bottle of wine,” she states matter-of-factly. “People were coming up and taking [the sausages], then I started feeding Alex Vienna sausages.” “One,” Mitchell clarifies. “One sausage. That I stomached. Amy threw it up onstage.” By the end of the gig, the tarpless stage was absolutely trashed. “And they paid us and asked us back!” Mitchell beams. Pussy Launcher’s antics and fascination with gas station foods are a natural complement to their sound, a raw kind of cowpunk that encourages participatory sing-alongs and standing on dudes as if they’re bearskin rugs. The show and the songs are confrontational, horribly irreverent, and now, the band finally has recordings for their foul-mouthed legacy. “We’ve been called everything,” says Edge. “We were called ‘Savannah’s Worst Band’ for a while. Now we’re playing places and people are like, ‘I’m surprised you actually sound good. You’re actual musicians.’”
“I think it’s ‘cause we’re very gimmicky and fun,” Stafford says. “Now they’re saying it’s fun, gimmicky, and good music.” In their own words, Pussy Launcher plays “Southern degenerate rock” featuring country rhythms and a lot of two-beats. Mitchell, who often performs on upright bass, would bring her giant axe to PL gigs to keep the Southern vibe, but it would limit her mobility and access to Vienna sausages. “Nicole dictates that I have to play the electric,” she says wryly. Pussy Launcher began as a collaboration between Edge and her ex-boyfriend Ty Watkins. The duo eventually invited Mitchell to join on bass, and when Watkins and Edge’s relationship ended, Crystina Parker took his place as guitarist. Parker recently departed the band, and Stafford joined on guitar. “I was really nervous at first, because I hadn’t played in a band in a long time,” Stafford shares. “But everybody’s so nice, and I really warmed up to it now, I think.” “And,” she adds, “It’s cool that Nicole manages everything, because I already do too much! I’m so happy to have someone else be the leader.”
PUSSY LAUNCHER, VALORE, TOO MUCH, AMERICAN LESION, MAMMOTH CANON WHERE: The Wormhole WHEN: Friday, March 17, 9 p.m. COST: $4.99 via wormholebar.com
MAR 15-21, 2017
READY TO LAUNCH
Pussy Launcher boasts a storied history for its three-year existence, and the debut EP is a kind of tribute to that. The majority of the songs on the CD are early PL tunes composed by Edge and Watkins, and Edge, Mitchell, and Parker played on the recording. The latest iteration of the band—Edge, Mitchell, and Stafford—will play the album at the release show. “It turned out a lot cleaner than we would be live,” Edge says of the recordings, tracked and mastered by Wormhole soundman Jeff Neugebauer. “There’s a lot more clarity to it. You can hear the dirty lyrics!” The trio wants to offer a Saint Patrick’s Day alternative to downtown-avoiding locals—but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a messy, debauched time. A Pussy Launcher show is an experience, and their album release party is no different. The band encourages their fans to wear ponchos, or clothes they don’t care about, or drag clothes they don’t care about. “Pretend you’re going to a Gallagher show,” Edge says. Attendees can show off their artistic skills in a phallus drawing competition inspired by a fresh PL track. There’s a drag contest, naughty piñatas, and Valore, Too Much, American Lesion, and Mammoth Cannon opening the show. Every dude performing onstage will be dressed in drag. “We wanted to have all-girl bands,” says Mitchell. “But we couldn’t get them and had all these guys who wanted to play. So, we said, ‘Under one stipulation—you gotta dress in drag.’ It’s not necessarily an antiSt. Patrick’s Day party, because we’re running all the snakes out of Savannah!” Guests can also sip special Pussy Launcher cocktails, served in martini glasses with three variations available. “Mine, the KleoKatt, is well vodka, ‘cause I’m cheap,” says Edge with a wicked grin. “The garnish is going to be a cherry and lime garnish. If you get The Al Random, you go for the random—you have gin. If you have the Amy Wormhole, you’re going to have to have classier vodka, so that one has Stoli. Amy’s the fancy lady!” The band will have fresh shirts, printed by 13 Bricks, and CDs available for purchase at the show. “If you like to be entertained and offended at the same time, come on out,” Edge invites. “If you’re easily offended, don’t even walk through the door. That’s my best advice!” CS
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