In 1993, Damon Albarn painted a portrait of the United States’ damaged relationship with fame through “Miss America,” off Blur’s second album. Though they were known as an uptempo Britpop band, this track is discordant and slow—and begs to be sneered at. “I don’t mind,” Albarn drones in the chorus, “I love only you.” A debate rages as to whether the character, Miss America presumably, was brainwashed and obsessed with her lover or with idolatry itself.
Local band Egg Drop Soup put out their demo version of a song called “PMS” (an apt song from a band whose moniker references menstruation) last December, which thumped and crunched with contempt for a character referred to as Miss Los Angeles. “I don’t know, what do I know?” chants lead singer and bassist Sam Westervelt—the overlap with “Miss America” is uncanny.
Yet, Egg Drop Soup shines light into our dilated pupils. Where Blur keep it vague, the local trio rips open wounds, referencing hard drugs and crushed dreams. This is their Los Angeles, a tough place to do what you love, despite being the very reason why musicians move here at all. The group’s new video is comprised of candid shots of them in the studio as they have been mixing new material, including the version of “PMS” that is shared below.
Next week Egg Drop Soup will return from a quick run of touring for a homecoming show at Harvard & Stone; more info. It will be their last performance in LA for awhile. Find the rest of their dates below. Beyond that, they will be recording at Golden Beat Recording Studio for Sad Pony Records with Aaron Zee and Travis Pavur.
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3/14 – Austin, TX – The Electric Church – Fascination (Unofficial SXSW Showcase)
3/16 – Austin, TX – Spider House – Electric Garden Party (Unofficial SXSW Showcase)
3/16 – Austin, TX – Full Circle Bar – For Spite Unofficial SXSW Showcase
3/18 – Flagstaff, AZ – The Green Room
3/20 – San Pedro, CA – Harold’s Place
3/21 – Los Angeles, CA – Harvard & Stone
4/20 – East Jesus, CA – Morton Salt Children’s Religious Revival
