If you’re a regular reader of the Hassle (BTW thanks so much) or really any source of local-focused music journalism, its difficult to imagine you’ve escaped coverage of the North Shore’s garage darlings FAT CREEPS, but in case you have, let us finally inform you (again) about one of Boston’s finest emerging acts of 2012. Fronted by the stunning pair of Gracie Jackson and Mariam Saleh, who frequently exchange duties at guitar and bass, Fat Creeps have been stirring the cauldron for the past year with a series of bandcamp-only singles featuring punchy, driving beats, jangley beach bum guitar rythms, groovey bass lines and, catchy harmonies that tie it all together with a pretty lil’ bow. With a popular palate of surf-infused sounds, and pretty faces to boot, these cats could be mistaken as just the latest iteration in forgettable ‘indie’ pop-rock bands, but hey! -they ain’t no push-overs. They may describe their sound as ‘lazy rock,’ but they’ve been working hard, playing many shows every month throughout Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, honing their sound to a sharp point, ready to pierce hearts and shake hips. And, after several months of diligent effort, including searching for a stable, competent drummer (whove they’ve found in the steady hand of Jim Leonard), they’ve finally released a 7-track self-titled EP that highlights the best of their abilities.
Whats so darn fascinating about Fat Creeps is that, behind a relatively straight forward garage pop sound, there are some heavy vibes lurking in the shadows. Like some seductive sirens, enticing lusting sailors to a rocky shore, Fat Creeps pull you in with a bubbly tempo, angelic harmonies and a easy, bouncy groove, but they hold you down and keep you there with lyrics that bite deep and a compelling rapport between instruments that stays interesting and funky fresh even after several listens. And if you dig anything even orbiting this sort of sound, you’ll soon find yourself listening to this tantalizingly short EP several times over. By contrasting darkly insightful, self-conscious lyrics about the highs and lows of young love with a sound that is unabashedly upbeat in that post-punk way, Fat Creeps maintain a driving tension that pervades their songs and gives them depth and meaning. Tumbling drum rolls and distortion-tinged guitar tangents give voice to anxieties that rise and fall from too-groovy-to-ignore bass rhythms full of easy-going non-chalance. But let’s not get too analytic here- this is really just some good, thoughtful tunes.
You can purchase their album digitally from their bandcamp, but why not get your hands on a physical copy (tapes are apparently already sold out, but they still got some CDs) after seeing them at one of their many electrifying live shows. What’s that? You say they’re playing the Precinct in Somerville this Friday? Well then, you know what to do. Get good and groovy.
