Jasen T. Davis: Pyncher, Their Single "Get Along" and You

This single rocks...listen to it and ascend.

A short while ago it was the 80's and I had just started junior high in the thriving metropolis of Rancho Cucamonga, California (in America) when my friends met one day with me to discuss that we were now all totally dedicated to a) skateboarding, and b) being punk rock/listening to punk music.

That part of Southern California is a region known as "Dogtown" to the skateboarding community because it's near to San Bernardino County, the murder capitol of our wonderful state. Not intended to be a compliment (skating down the streets of south Ontario could get you shot in the 80's and now) the fair denizens made it their flag.

Dogtown Skateboards, from Thrasher Magazine.

Skateboarding and punk rock were synonymous to us and where we skated, whether it was Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, Upland, Claremont, Montclair, Fontana or San Dimas and beyond. The first albums I listened to as a teenager were Join the Army by Suicidal Tendencies, Give me Convenience or Give me Death by The Dead Kennedy's, Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me by The Cure, Bad Music for Bad People by The Cramps, Never Mind the Bollocks Here's The Sex Pistols by Sex Pistols, and Atomizer by Big Black.

My first album I bought was Living in Darkness by Agent Orange. We got onto our skateboards and rode down the streets from Ontario to Upland where I dropped $5 on vinyl at a Music Plus downtown. They didn't have cassette tapes for the work. We then went home, put the album on a record player, popped in a blank cassette, repeated the process for the other side, and I now had a copy of a genuine Orange County, California surfpunk, or just punk, record plus cassette. That's progress.

Living in Darkness, by Agent Orange.

Before I go further, check out their cover of "Pipeline." Wow! Moving on decades later Pyncher sent me an email with a link to their latest single, "Get Along." I wondered at this. Pyncher isn't punk, exactly. They are vastly more unique and evolved. I'd still count their music as postpunk from the Manchester, UK scene, which makes it a direct connection to the source. Wow, again!

Understand that, I like Pyncher. No just as a music band. They are very cool, good, honest, seriously music oriented people I'm emotionally invested in. So it's important to listen to "Get Along," as an outside observer, while to other coin's side is that a badass band emailed me a single! I didn't have to get on my Mike McGill mini with Indy 150's, German bearings and Santa Cruz 65A Slimeballs while I ollie'd curbs and did my best not to fall on my face in the streets of south Ontario, CA holding Agent Orange's record in a plastic bag. Open email, follow link, enjoy music. Not much risk.

Get it. You'll love it.

It was a rush to listen to the song. The energy, driving backbeat, thrashing guitar grooves, bone throbbing drum beats and harsh, powerful vocals synthesized, creating a single dedicated to getting you along the highway, sidewalk, or just life. The song is ominous. It reminded me of bands like Sonic Youth, Echo and The Bunnymen or Jesus and Mary Chain. It's rock and roll. It's going places, or "Get Along" is going to get you. Probably both.

Listening to the single really is a jaunt. There's discovery and surprises. Pyncher had studied the greats, you can feel so many influences throughout their music, yet "Get Along" is their own machine. Each song they compose has a story. The lyrics can haunt, echo, and wail, like the other musicians in the band. The best part is how their songs become to soundtrack to your life, if you want. Keep flying high and fast, Pyncher. We love the acceleration.