While we all remember the big names that came out of the aughts’ rock revival such as The Strokes or Jack White, there were also a lot who never hit the big time and just disappeared. One of them was be your own PET, who burned hot but short, breaking up in 2008 after two albums and sexism directed towards singer Jemina Pearl. But White and Pearl’s husband Ben Swank (co-owners of Third Man Records) convinced the band to reconnect, which eventually led to their reunion on the road and now on record, with the lost-none-of-its-fury MOMMY.
MOMMY feels directly out of that sweaty Mercury Lounge (QRO venue review) aughts rock scene (covered in the book & documentary Meet Me In the Bathroom – QRO film review – albeit Bathroom just focused on the big names). Pearl leads many punk kiss-offs, such as opener “Worship the Whip” to the catchier “Big Trouble”, channeling her feminism that is more recognized and respected in the #MeToo era than it ever was in the male-heavy aughts music scene. Yes, they’re older, and Pearl acknowledges that on the great complaint about getting older “Goodtime!”, but still know how to kick ass and take names.
Maybe you want a throwback to when you were younger and could stay out all night in dank clubs with new bands. Maybe you missed that all and want to see what it was about without just listening to those who made it big. Either way, be your own PET is back.
