The Pack Mules

SMB first covered The Pack Mules a while back when they played as a two piece at the Alki Tavern. Not only did the show benefit a great cause, but the sheer energy that came out of two pairs of hands and enough PBR pitchers to fill each one duly impressed. Because of this it was our pleasure to see them headline Chop Suey last Sunday night at a show featuring local newcomers Palefire and I Will Keep Your Ghost. As a music writer it is easy to fall into the habit of constantly seeking out artists that try to create new genres and sounds just for the sake of finding something new and exciting. Watching the Pack Mules tear up some good old fashioned rock and roll with pastiches of punk, garage and dare I say hip-hop was a refreshing reminder of the adage of “if it aint broke, don’t fix it, just rock the fuck out while doing it” And that they did. Playing to a crowd that was pressed up against the stage within seconds of their opening anthem “PBR” The Pack Mules delivered an onslaught of three hard hitting rock tracks before gently leading the crowd through several more ballads that eventually gave way to an acoustic solo rendition by lead singer Perry Mayer. The other band members retook the stage for what seemed like the last song, ending in a spooky dissonant guitar loop as the band once again left the stage one by one. The crowd let it be known that they were not done with the Pack Mules however as the chanted for one more song and the band was not one disappoint as they again appeared to replay a raucous mashup of “PBR” with Jay-Z’s “99 Problems”. When our photographer Hsiao Chi wasn’t dancing around like a man possessed he managed to take a couple of videos of the first and last songs which you can view below. Check out them out and find more on the Pack Mules at their MySpace here! - Seattle Music and Blog