PUJOL, the charismatic Nashville rockers led by the idiosyncratic “philosopher king” Daniel Pujol, are coming to Pittsburgh on Friday, December 14th at Club Cafe – the band is known for their raucous, high-energy live set so this is one you should not miss.
Rolling Stone nailed their description of PUJOL’s music in a recent feature, noting it “shimmers with power pop hooks and a slight dose of fuzz” – their sound and electric stage presence has built a loyal fanbase and phenomenal reputation for the band.
PUJOL arose from the ashes of MEEMAW in 2009 to carry on the Nashvillian ideals of DIY and self construction through adeptly crafted songs based firmly in meaningful lyrical content. It’s these motives and songs that have taken PUJOL from the basements of Middle Tennessee to stages across the country and have garnered notice from more than just those with their ear to the ground.
Releasing a plethora of singles and cassettes over the past two years on Jack White’s Third Man Records, Nashville’s Infinity Cat Recordings and Turbo Time Records among others, PUJOL has now partnered with Omaha’s Saddle Creek. Following the critically praised Nasty, Brutish, and Short EP from last year, PUJOL finally has an official debut full-length ready for unveiling. UNITED STATES OF BEING continues on with PUJOL’s doctrine of trying hard everyday and ventures lyrically to a place that most contemporaries fail to reach. Addressing the current status of twenty-somethings in America’s present and capturing their shared dispositions, the album throws the brakes on “catharsis,” and begs the listener to decide for themselves how to answer the robot’s last question, “What is love?” With riff-oriented guitar playing reminiscent of greats like The Replacements and Beetlejuice-esque earworms, PUJOL now sits atop the fringes of the rock and roll and DIY vernacular.
Whether this strange world chooses to embrace PUJOL is of no matter, as the prolific frontman will continue to carry on as always – Taking Care of Business 24/7. The adrenalized, infectious debut full-length, UNITED STATES OF BEING, is out now on Saddle Creek.
Quotes /
“They’ve got a gritty, garage-band sound, but with guitar riffs and catchy hooks that are hard to resist.” NYLON
“This madman of rock ‘n’ roll speaks like a young philosopher king.” Spinner
“Some twang and a skipped beat now and then, with a little self-revelation in the lyrics.” NY Times
“Shimmers with power pop hooks and a slight dose of fuzz.” Rolling Stone