Pistolero
Pistolero Picture Show
by Al Kaufman
Pistolero is a ragtag group of local boys that have finally begun to make a buzz. These are guys that live and breathe music so much they make their own amps. They have the kind of sound one would hear on Little Steven's Underground Garage; 60's, Mod-influenced, ragged rock and roll with just a touch of glam. They represent that style well on their new DVD, Pistolero Picture Show.
The DVD is broken up into videos and live clips. The videos are of the same quality as most Youtube fare. There's lots of stop animation, psychedelic effects, and grainy washouts. They record on someone's front lawn, in Kroger, or inside a serious bachelor apartment. All in all, the result is fairly amateurish, but it's fun. And, in the end, it doesn't distract from the fine music. Good rock and roll with jangly guitars. The interview with Mav Music is added on simply for prestige, as it reveals nothing. To hear lead singer Pallon Patrick say he's influenced by the Beatles and 60's Mod and that he loves to play live is about as revelatory as if Kermit the Frog said in an interview that he likes green and Miss Piggy. But it's fun to watch both Patrick and lead guitarist Tom Pollard use the ashtray that rests on Patrick's thigh.
The live footage is culled from various shows in the last few years. Again, the quality varies. Some are just a step up from the kind of stuff that people film on their cell phones. The audio is muffled and the picture is jumpy. Apparently, the idea of plugging into the soundboard never occurred to them. But the clips show the passion, energy, and love that Pistolero brings to each and every show. The one exception is "Garden Party," which the band performs acoustically at Decatur CD. The entire band looks like they just rolled out of bed and haven't had their coffee yet. But then the DVD moves onto "God Is Thicker than Water," recorded in all it's dimly-lit and sweat-filled glory at Lenny's, and balance is restored.
Pistolero have their DVD Release Party at Star Bar with Attractive Eighties Women, Thee Crucials, a comedian and a dirty ventriloquist, on Friday, January 9th, 8 pm. $8.
