For more than a decade, the Pernice Brothers have mostly made plush, romantic orchestral pop that doesn’t gild the lily once tended by the Zombies, Walker Brothers and Elvis Costello. True to frontman Joe Pernice’s working-class nature, the band’s sixth and latest album, Goodbye, Killer (Ashmont), does away with the sighing string section and goes straight for the guitars, from the mod-rock riffing of “Jacqueline Susann” to the Teenage Fanclub power-pop of “Something For You.” After a four-year spell between albums, the Pernice Brothers return with their leanest and most efficient effort to date. Pernice will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new Q&A with him.
Pernice:
Dear Joe,
I hope you can help me out with some advice. I’m a 25 year old woman. I build websites for a living. I had a full time job up until the economy went whack, now I work freelance which is cool with me. About a month ago, I was hired to do some work for a well-known indie-music site. The job is a friggin’ dream come true. The people are pretty cool and they all have Brooklyn Lagers at 4:00 on fridays! Anyways [sic], late one friday afternoon, I’m up against this crazy deadline. I’m trying to get this uber important SXSW edition done, and this really super cute guy who is one of the site managers, let’s call him Jeb (not his real name), was standing behind me, helping me with a bunch of Fleet Foxes hyperlinks. Next thing I know, I feel “something” hard pressing against my back. At first I thought it was the frame of my Herman Miller aeron chair, but it wasn’t! When I tried to swivel, Jeb stopped me and started massaging my shoulders. He kept saying over and over, “That’s not where that goes. That’s not where that goes … ” Lets just say we sorted out those hyperlinks pdq, and had intercourse at my place!!! Jeb moved in for good (I hope!) the next week. He’s the best, and I don’t really have any complaints. Here’s where you’re advice is needed. Jeb told me after we were together for almost two weeks that he used to be gay, but that meeting me changed him, he swears it. (I guess I’m OK with that because people change, right? lol) The problem is, his old boyfriend (of three plus years! OMG) is moving to town, and Jeb wants him to crash with us until he can get squared away. Do you think I should let the ex crash?
signed,
He Who Is Not Confused Can Cast The First Stone.
Dear HWINCCCTFS,
I have studied your situation with a keen and learned eye. And my advice to you is this: By all means let the ex stay with you guys for as long as Jeb likes. Don’t be a jealous nelly. It’s unattractive and gives wrinkles and hemorrhoids. You have absolutely nothing to worry about with regards to Jeb being unfaithful to you or even desirous of his ex. The past is the past. Hell, we welcomed Libya back with open arms, and all they ever did was blow up a jumbo jet full of mostly people younger than you! I mean, really, how long does someone have to suffer as a single person before it’s kosher for him to get back up on the horse? (Don’t write in an answer to that. It was rhetorical.) Clearly you and Jeb understand and respect each other deeply. And besides, this whole “gay” thing is a bunch of hogwash. It’s a fad. Trust me. (Try sleeping with a few chicks, and you’ll see what I mean.) I hope my words to you are helpful. Good luck to you both. In the mean time, I suggest you listen to Julius Caesar by Smog.
And if you have any free promo shit—CDs, shirts, books—laying around the office, I’d be into having them.
Joe
Video after the jump.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiXj1NIYjRw
