Funk Out!
“Won’t you play those funky drums for me?”
Pottery are releasing their debut album, Welcome To Bobby’s Motel, tomorrow (Friday, June 26th)! The record was originally supposed to drop in April, but it was postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The turnaround is impressive considering the Montreal-based band released their debut EP, the aptly named No. 1, just last year. Based off those early tunes, they were invited to SXSW 2019. They also toured with Parquet Courts, The Oh Sees, Viagra Boys, and Fontaines D.C.
No. 1 brought to mind bands like the aforementioned Parquet Courts, as well as Here We Go Magic, Django Django, and The Breeders. There are also some heavy Devo and David Byrne influences along with the occasional splash of Bowie. My more outlandish comparison involves the classic British comedy The Mighty Boosh, but that’s a whole other conversation!
These comparisons and their post-punk, psych, funk, and krautrock influences are kicked up a notch on Welcome To Bobby’s Motel. One particular example is “Take Your Time,“ an exceptional track which sounds like Devo 2.0. If you’re anything like me, these last 2 sentences should make your ears excited!
Welcome To Bobby’s Motel isn’t just crazy fun and games though. Their recent, chilled-out single “Hot Like Jungle“ is easily one of my favorites from Pottery’s catalog, but I’m a sap for a good love song. Drummer Paul Jacobs wrote the track one Summer for his girlfriend, as a kind of Springsteen parody.
This has been one of the more surprising albums for me this year with its infectious funk, hooks, and grooves. It’s nearly impossible to keep from bobbing your head, tapping your feet, or just flat out flailing around while listening.
All that said, I’m sure there are a couple of important questions you may have about the album’s title, Welcome To Bobby’s Motel; Who is Bobby, and what exactly is his motel? In their words:
Beginning as an inside joke between the band members, Bobby and his “motel” have grown into so much more. They’ve become the all-encompassing alt-reality that the band built themselves, for everyone else. So, in essence, Bobby is Pottery and his motel is wherever they are.
One place Pottery won’t be for a while is playing live shows in front of fans, which is unfortunate because their performances are widely praised. I was almost able to confirm this as they were supposed to play here in Austin next month. COVID-19 unfortunately shut the world down, but if/when that gig gets rescheduled I will be there!
Welcome to Bobby’s Motel is out June 26th via Partisan Records
Tune In, Tune Out
-Josh
I dare you to tell me you don’t hear the influences of Talking Heads and Devo in “Hot Heater“
Not only did Jacobs write the beautiful song “Hot Like Jungle,“ but he also animated the song’s video!
How zany is the video for “Texas Drums Pt. I & II,“ and how fun does it look to hang out with these guys?
Bonus Track: Devo-ize yourself on “Take Your Time“
