The Pharmacy: “Baby Be”
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Where does one get a fix for what ails ya? Why, The Pharmacy of course. The Seattle three-piece make the kind of vintage garage-pop that’s like a healing prescription for the rock-starved masses.
When singer/guitarist Scott Yoder and drummer Brendhan Bowers first got together in high school way back in 2001, they had a very different group in mind than the very Kinks-y power-pop outfit they have today. Back then they had dreams of being the next big garage-punk act. In 2007 classically-trained pianist Stefan Stefan Rubicz joined up. His keys added an extra layer of retro-psych to the bands rough-and-tumble vintage sound. During the trio’s time together they’ve toured with Vivian Girls, Matt+Kim, and Japanther (with whom they shared one half of a limited-edition, European split single). In preparation for their newest full-length Stoned & Alone (out Nov. 20), the band decamped to New Orleans for a while (they’re back home in Seattle now), and soaked up the multitudinous sounds of the city. To record the new record, they enlisted producer/engineer Brandon Eggleston, a fella with a long client list that includes The Mountain Goats, Modest Mouse, and tUnE-yArDs.
Today’s song of the day “Baby Be” kicks off the lower third of Stoned & Alone. There are moments on “Baby Be” when Yoder’s slightly detached, breathy whine is a deadringer for The Kinks‘ Ray Davies. And with its playful pop-guitar hook, and nostalgic feel, the song itself is a bit reminiscent of The Kinks’ reflective late 60s/early 70s output. The song is short, clocking in at a brisk 1:50, but that adds the tune’s “aw, shucks” charm. It’s a simple tune, a bit rough around the edges, and it’s the perfect prescription.
If you like what you hear, The Pharmacy is coming to the 29th Street Ballroom on Nov. 23 for a Stoned & Alone release party right here in Austin.
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