Sadly, Tacocat’s last Philthy show, this April at Everybody Hits, got cut short due to a delayed start and early curfew, leaving the self-described “Post post punk pop pop” Seattle quartet with a mere ten-minute set. However, Philthy’s coolest kids were likely spread pretty thin that evening, as Iggy Pop, Lissie, and Har Mar Superstar were also in town that evening, so I guess the circumstances could have been worse. However, Tacocat return to The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection next Monday, October 3rd, when they will headline Underground Arts, accompanied by Daddy Issues, and local favorites Queen of Jeans and Pouty, for pretty much the only cool live show in town that night.
Tacocat have basically been on the road since April, but last week, during a brief roadside stop, I got to chat with bassist Bree McKenna for a few moments, who tells me that, for her, the best part of having their new album out is just being able to take it city-to-city and have so many people from far off places appreciate something they’ve done: “A big highlight is having so many people like the record and show up to shows. And I’m excited that so many people know the lyrics to the songs. That’s just crazy to me.”
On the other hand, when I ask Bree what would seem to most inspire her, she tells me that Seattle plays a major role, both in terms of local artists doing cool things and also the city itself… which is going through some not-so-cool things at the moment.
“I feel really inspired by a lot of my friends’ bands. They’re really cool ladies, making really cool music. But I’m also really inspired by gentrification. I mean, we go away on tour and are completely out of the loop and then we get back home and we’re being pushed out of our neighborhood, which you can’t help but think about.”
Finally, I ask her if Tacocat has any significant influences that may actually surprise their fans and Bree tells me that they certainly do: “I think some people think we’re joking when we say this, but we all really like Miley Cyrus. There’s just something about after being on the road with punk bands for so long and hearing that every day that can make you really appreciate good pop music.”