few years ago, a mix tape sparked a movement. A student at Michigan’s Interlochen School for the Performing Arts had dubbed a copy of Pinback’s self-titled debut for the purposes of broadening a friend’s musical horizons. The student eventually graduated and relocated, yet never abandoned the indie rock band that had accompanied him through periods of significant change. During a visit to his alma matter, the student was somewhat stunned to hear strains of Pinback’s “Loro” streaming through dormitory windows across the vast campus. It seemed that the original copy had served as a motherboard, spawning a myriad of offspring. The school had been completely swept into a frenzy—hypnotically transfixed on the heart-wrenching melodies of Pinback.

The band itself has similarly unassuming roots, sprouting from a side project between Armistead Burwell Smith IV (otherwise known as “Zach,” a name bearing allegiance to his San Diego roots with its hip and dreamy “Saved By the Bell” beach-culture connotations) and fellow musician Rob Crow. Both were involved in other groups at the time of their collaboration. However, the unexpected bloom of Pinback compelled them to sidebar extraneous pursuits. Their other bands were most likely set up for an early demise anyway due to such unfortunate names as Thingy and Heavy Vegetable. The natural cohesiveness of the union led to rapid creative output.

	Armistead Burwell Smith IV, a.k.a. "Zach," with Pinback bandmate Rob Crow.

Smith and Crow relied on home recording to produce their first album. Along with the help of former 3 Mile Pilot drummer Tom Zinser, the band created a work that immediately caught the eye of Tim/Kersher records, a label that showed off their newly appropriated goods at the North by Northwest Music Festival only to have them swept away by interested onlookers. The politics of wheeling and dealing sent Pinback into a contractual bidding war, one that left their record in mute limbo.

Eventually, New Jersey’s Ace Fu Records (a label that is also home to The Vexers, a female fronted garage rock band from Philly whose lead singer spends the majority of their shows writhing around on the floor and kicking back free pints of beer) emerged victorious. In 1999, they took their prize winnings to the streets, unleashing newfound melodic addiction upon an unsuspecting public.

Although the first time around endangered pure artistic intent by capturing it in a net of record industry hype, Pinback’s second effort somehow managed to be even more beautifully authentic than the first.

Their sound falls on the mellow end of an energetic pop spectrum. Songs are not frantically upbeat, but rather unfold in calculated grace. Sometimes the patient construction is painfully slow, leaving the listener ample time to reflect on personal bittersweet moments.

However, just because these guys are in touch with their sensitive sides, don’t expect them to be pushovers. At one of their earliest appearances, an unruly audience member exerted his displeasure with the inspired declaration, “You suck!” Smith asked the unhappy attendee how much he’d paid to gain entry to the show and, after hearing the reply, pulled out a crisp ten-spot from the side pocket of his corduroy pants. Smith stepped into the crowd, stuck the bill in the hands of the angry tone-deaf man and showed him the door. The concert resumed shortly thereafter, completely unhindered by unpleasantries. Those who stayed finally understood the appeal of a band that had hundreds of Interlochen students playing bootleg tapes until the overused sounds faded out.

On Thursday, April 3, Pinback will make their way to Salt Lake City to spread their infectious melodies at Club X-Scape, 115 S. West Temple. Come prepared for the possibility of developing a sonic addiction.
jamie@red-mag.com