Puggy
- Dubois Died Today
Talkieo
With members from the UK, Belgium and Sweden, relatively new band Puggy stand at least a chance of being a little different. With the release of ‘Dubois Died Today’, the group are opening for US rockers Incubus, on the latter’s European tour dates – doubtless with rock mogul Vince Power’s help as he has taken an interest in them.
It must be said, Puggy is a truly terrible band name – like a dodgy vole mate of Rupert’s. But I suppose no worse than Mercury Rev (a vicar who can run fast ?) or the Dykeenies (dwarf lesbians ?) and no ‘The’…
Lyrically, these chaps often favour ‘the darkside’ – check the titles ‘the Luckiest Crime’, ‘Burned’ and ‘Lonely Murder’. But will their sound be akin to king of misery Nick Cave (banned from the pub in Happy Hour) ?
Baroque melodies with a mix of acoustic and electric guitar work, this is the sort of offbeat act you might come across at the Troubadour, in London’s Earls Court hinterland. The vocal range is similar to Maroon 5, strangely enough, though the drumming is pretty Keith Moon-influenced to these ears, fablous tomtom sound et al. I have never heard a Continental band with any hint of XTC quirkiness, but Puggy do have that touch and I can picture this lot being top favourites for certain music afficianados, because they are different enough. ‘Out Of Hand’ is catchy enough ; the gipsy rhythm of ‘We’ll See’ is doubtless a live favourite ; the choppy chording of ‘Burned’ shows all band members at their best.
Brave, different and confidently played, this album succeeds though something stops me loving it. You might well though
