POPDeFECT at the Crocodile Cafe
Saturday, August 21, 1998
text & photos by: Helen Halloran
Hey, this music hurts!

I remember, back in the olden days, I used to go out with my pal Diane & see POPDeFECT play here in Seattle, back when they still lived in Seattle.  Before they bailed for the promised land of Los Angeles.  Ah, but that was back before you kids were even born...

These days you kids know POPDeFECT as a Los Angeles-based band.  And they don't play 'round these here parts very often.  But when they do, I sure as hell try to see 'em.   And see 'em I did!  Hey you damn kids, turn that music down, you're hurtin' my durn ears!

Alan, the purty one
POPDeFECT had just played at the North by Northwest schmooze-a-thon the night before.  For some odd reason, POPDeFECT played second on a bill of four bands.  What the?  Do the bookers in this town have their heads up their asses?  (Yes.)  Despite the early start time, there were several appreciative die hard fans in the audience including all of Girl Trouble, all of the Kent 3, Stacy & Greg from Los Angeles, and Nadine.  Oh yea, and 'lil 'ole me.  The guys sounded great, playing their twisted brand of garage tinged surf influenced punk rock mish mash musical concoction.  How the hell do you describe these guys & do them justice?  Hell - they just plain ROCK.
Nick, the sticky one
The guys played many fine tunes that evening, and since they didn't appear to be playing from a written set list, I have absolutely no idea what the name of most of the songs were.  They did play one called "Dirge Overkill" that drummer Nick describes as his favorite.  They also did an encore entitled "I Enjoy Being a Boy," taken from a Banana Splits song, from a Honeycomb cereal box!  Hey, it doesn't get too much cooler than that, does it now?
Charlie, the sensitive one
I was so happy to see these guys, since I last saw them when they played at Moe's with the Lazy Cowgirls and Gas Huffer.  That was a long long time ago!  I went to Los Angeles twice this year, and missed POPDeFECT shows both times by a matter of days.  I missed their last show in Seattle about a year ago with John Doe due to a bad case of bronchitis.  Michelle missed this show due to a bad illness too.  Coincidence?  Is POPDeFECT spreading more than just musical hijinx up and down the west coast?  Someone should call the CDC, I've got a case of POPDeFECT!


Visit the friggin' POPDeFECT web site!


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