Description

When NYC-based experimental dance punks Guerilla Toss, active since 2011, were in Vermont recording their new full-length albumYoure Weird Now, frontwoman Kassie Carlson would prepare what she called ‘punk lunch’: a communal meal made by raiding the studio fridge for whatever was left and assembling a sandwich from the most random ingredients imaginable.

Regularly joining punk lunch were two legends from their own corners of the weird music world: Stephen Malkmus (Pavement, The Jicks) and Trey Anastasio, Phish guitarist and owner of The Barn; the recording studio where Guerilla Toss were makingYoure Weird Now, with Malkmus in the producers seat. Engineer Bryce Goggin, who has worked with Malkmus since Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, and Ben Collette, Phishs longtime engineer at The Barn, were also part of the crew.

While the idea of the guy from Phish and the guy from Pavement sitting around with Guerilla Toss, congenially assembling sandwiches from random foodstuffs dug up from the depths of a studio fridge, might seem absurd, it also makes total sense. Because really, if theres any band that serves as the natural bridge between slacker punks who saw Pavement way before you did, wild-eyed wooks whove seen Phish more times than you ever will, and even the eccentrics in 90s drip following former GT tourmates Primusits Guerilla Toss. A band so imaginative and unapologetically themselves, theyre basically the real-life manifestation of a utopian, post-snob world where all musical ideas are worthy of expression and everyone is welcome.

Youre Weird Nowpowers this message. Guerilla Toss fifth album and second for Sub Pop is a hugely creative and joyful statement about the joy of creativity. WithYoure Weird NowGuerilla Toss reclaim the word weird for everyone brave enough to let their freak flag fly and stay true to their artistic vision no matter whata way riskier act than its ever given credit for, and one that requires a certain amount of serene self-confidence that it takes time and effort to cultivate and sustain. And they do so with the enthusiastic support of their musical predecessors: a standout moment arrives with Red Flag to Angry Bull, which builds to a campfire sing-along-worthy outro featuring Malkmus and Carlson duetting over a chatty, classically Phish-y (theres really no better word for it) solo from Anastasio.

The band hopes the message ofYoure Weird Nowwill resonate not only with music heads but anyone who struggles with feeling weird in a world where it will always be hard to be different. At the end of the day, its all about the spirit of punk lunch: theres room for everyone because music is for everyone. Everyone loves and appreciates music, says Carlson. If you dont like music, youre kind of an asshole. Thats not weirdthats just true.