So, word on the street (and, actually, also from a few quite credible, inside sources) is that X’s show this Friday, September 22nd, at Underground Arts (part of their 40th Anniversary tour) is just about sold out… So if you wanna chance to congratulate Exene, John, and crew on their fourth decade in the business, you should prob get on that shit… However, if you plan on making it out to the mega-sized-yet-still-very-basement-punk-show, I would recommend showing up a little earlier than most like to make their presence known on Friday nights, as openers Skating Polly, who take the stage at 9, are just about every bit as impressive.
At the heart of Skating Polly are step-sister duo Kelli Mayo and Peyton Bighorse, in addition to Mayo’s brother Kurtis, who recently became an official member. Mayo and Bighorse began as a duo in 2009, when they were just 9 and 14, respectively, yet they already have four full-lengths; time logged on the road with the likes of X (This is their second trek with them, in addition to Ms. Cervenka actually producing their second record), Babes in Toyland, and Kate Nash (whose Made of Bricks ten year anniversary tour they recently opened); and earlier this year released an EP, New Trick, which was written and recorded with Louise Post and Nina Gordon of Veruca Salt. While many of their earliest releases could be easily characterized as post-riot grrrl, or what I like to call Sunshine Punk, their latest is definitely their most epically poppy… with prominent nods to ‘90s alt rock. Read my May chat with Kelli Mayo here and check out their recent acoustic performance of single “Louder in Outer Space” from the Paste Studios below.
