I recently had the unsual pleasure of my knickers being thoroughly moistened by a group of 17 year old boys. No it is not the bi-line to the latest Bill Henson photograph, it is Papa Vs Pretty – a gaggle of kiddies, who, like the fine wine they are not legally allowed to purchase yet, are only going to get better with age.
They list their influences as Joy Division, Aphex Twin, Elliott Smith, David Bowie, Talking Heads and Tom Waits amongst others – “We listen to a lot of everything, nothing of which is exactly similar. When I write, I don’t try and constrict any genres. I may have one part that is industrial and then randomly flows into a slower piano thing. But I try and and mix up the instrumentation a lot – like have a Elliot Smith style melody in an ambient eletronic setting or have an Aphex Twin style jumbled huridness in an accoustic guitar setting. I don’t think about genres. If something sounds good, I will do it. I don’t think one should restrict their sound just to make it consistent. I am not the biggest fan of consistency.” Tom Rawle, ring leader of the ever impressive Papa Vs Pretty so modestly states.
Together now for over 2 years (now I aint no mathlete, but I am pretty sure that makes them 15 at inception) their puzzle piece precision astounds and their performance leaves us green with envy of the sheer talent of these youths. Their single ‘Citzen No.1’ has recently been receiving air-play on FBi with hordes of fresh faces showing up at their gigs due to the exposure. The support has not gone unappreciated, “It is a major plus when you’re playing. FBi are great. They are open to all sorts of music and in my opinion are the radiostaion to watch to discover new music.”
Having also made it into the finals of the Homebake incentive program, Papa Vs Pretty are most definatly laying solid foundations, for a long and lusturous career on the Sydney scene. Tonight they win our hearts with a cover of Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart – considering they were but one in a million sperm, and a mere twinkle in their daddies eyes when it was first aired, our jaws are dropped. They are unequivically splendid, and we are splendidly in awe watching them.
It is all over way to quickly, and every conversation I eaves drop on afterwards, is of the mutual opinion – that these guys are farkin spesh. If you live in Sydney you have the chance to bask in their grateness when they headline the World Bar on the 25th of July. Believe you me, this wont be the last you hear of them (or me talking about them.) So do yourselves a favour and catch them sometime soon. http://www.myspace.com/papavspretty for gig details , if not to restore faith in the youth of today, then for their Love will tear us apart cover alone.
They will rock your face.
The end.
