> > np: PAK demo for second album
>
>
> How is it? I muchly enjoy "100% Human Hair"...
>
> ____
> boris
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Hi Boris,
It's similar to but even better than 100% Human Hair. There are
guests on violin (Carla Kihlstedt), trumpet, and sax on some cuts
that are used very well. It reaches some pretty stunning extremes of
twisted tight rhythms, and I'm sure it will be the major buzz in the
avant-prog world when it comes out, album of the year candidate,
etc. The last track is an unbelievable 10 minute prog epic. I
don't know anything about the plans for release, timing, labels,
etc. I think 100% Human Hair is completely mind-blowing and after
seeing PAK live last fall I think they are just about the hottest
thing going in rock music. I *highly* recommend seeing them live,
even if it requires some travelling! If anyone hasn't heard 100%
Human Hair yet and likes insane stop-start, spastic rock music like
Ruins and The Stickmen, you *must* hear it!

Actually, I've been thinking a lot about PAK lately because a few
weeks ago I rediscovered 100% Human Hair and found I liked it even
more than I did at first. Well, actually, it's not just PAK I've
been thinking about, but their sister band, the Ruins. Let me make a
timeline about my personal experience and changing perceptions:

--saw PAK open for Ruins many years ago. had never heard of PAK,
thought their vocals were annoying, didn't think much of it. had
several Ruins albums, was extremely excited to be seeing them, was
blown-away, had a thrilling rock experience beholding Sir Yoshida.

--fast-forward a few years. I hear Ron Anderson's solo
album "Anything's Possible" (incredibly original masterpiece) and
some brilliant work by his old band Molecules, realize he is an
important genius of avant-prog composition who is pursuing original
directions with studio manipulation and rock complexity. Discover
that, like me, he is a huge Gentle Giant fan.

--100% Human Hair is released. I buy it immediately and I love it.
The occasional vocals don't bother me, and mostly enhance the music.

--attend concert in August, 2003 at the Knit with Dr. Nerve, PAK, and
Samla Mammas Manna (Yoshida as guest drummer). all three bands are
incredible with moments of total bliss--one of the best nights ever--
and Yoshida's drumming with Samla is jaw-dropping, but PAK steals the
show for me, which is saying a lot considering I'm a *huge* Dr. Nerve
fan, it was my first time seeing them, they were the main reason I
even went to the show, and they were incredibly *hot*! But PAK hit
an insane peak of greatness and stayed there for their whole set,
spastic rock ecstasy, a nearly perfect performance. I was numb with
amazement. The greatness of the other two bands paled in comparison.
I also realize that their vocals are mostly brilliant rhythmic
interplay with the music and contribute to the wild excitement, much
like the Ruins, whose vocals I have always loved. very impressed by
PAK bass player, Jesse Krakow, who plays like an equal to the guitar,
not just background rhythm section playing. Also impressed by brand
new very young PAK drummer, who shares the over-the-top zany energy
of the other two and has excellent technique. realize that it is a
special magical synergy between three people and that PAK is headed
for world-domination. happy that some things are right about the
world.

--around the same time (before or after I don't recall) I see the
Ruins play, but I'm mostly bored and I realize their music has a lot
of bland filler, whereas PAK is pure concentrated prime meat. Still
really really love listening to Ruins albums, and they're one of my
favorite bands, but because of PAK live experience I realize I like
PAK much more. Looking forward to seeing PAK again as much as
possible, probably will not bother to see Ruins again (I see too many
concerts anyway). also realize the RonRuins albums "Big Shoes" is
possibly my favorite Ruins albums, realize that Ron Anderson is a
great guitarist.

--listen to 100% Human Hair for the first time in many months. Mind
is blown over and over, better than I remembered it. realize that
PAK is way beyond any of the brutal prog bands I've been trying to
learn about, and that they should be huge among fans of that music
(Lightning Bolt, Orthrelm, Flying Luttenbachers, Hella, Locust,
etc). Even though they are not especially brutal, they have a great
aggressive energy.

--friend in Baltimore gives me copy of new PAK album. play it six
times in a row, feel deep joy and excitement. hard to believe some
things coming out of the speaker. life is good. very few vocals,
but they work really nice.

Of these related bands, all of which I *love dearly*, here is my
ranking in terms of personal preference:

1. The Stickmen
2. Koenjihyakkei
3. PAK
4. RonRuins
5. Symphonica
6. Korekyojin
7. Ruins
8. Other Yoshida projects

That's about all I can think to say on this topic offhand. In
conclusion, my advice is to GET "100% Human Hair" and GO SEE PAK PLAY
LIVE!!!

Mike Parker
SE Pennsylvania

np: poire_z "+"

The best way to predict the future is to invent it. --Alan Kay