Artist: Flesh Panthers

Artist: Flesh Panthers

Links: https://www.facebook.com/fleshpanthers

http://fleshpanthers.bandcamp.com/

https://soundcloud.com/fleshpanthers

One positive byproduct of the popularity of Ty Segall-fronted projects and that of their peer San Franciscans Thee Oh Sees -- other than spotlighting the mid-to-late 1960's American garage rock compilation they all bit from (1972's seminal Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era) -- is that it enables self-conscious indiedom to collectively embrace bands like Flesh Panthers. Because otherwise, panty waste hipsters with their delicate constitutions would reflexively gag at Flesh Panthers' loose and unbridled rock swagger.

Flesh Panthers' sensibilities are not all that different from fellow garage punkers, Murder City Devils -- that is, Flesh Panthers are all about staying high forever, being their own worst enemy, and triggering in others the reaction that they've lost their minds. This persona, along with Flesh Panthers' songwriting ability, have me concerned they're not long for Chicago's figurative garage. But I'm not too worried about it: Right now, Chicago's own Flesh Panthers are literally "fucking stoned" in the best city in the world.

Generally speaking, with garage rock, visibility in a hail of distortion is zero without some able-bodied production help. With Flesh Panthers, we get expert production by former Electrical Audio-phile Brian Fox. In Fox's hands, Flesh Panthers' considerable punk anthems don't get lost in the fuzz; and together, band and producer add dimension by tucking in riffs and fills and even backing vocals.

Simply put, Flesh Panthers elevate fuzz into an art form. And going back to that 1972 Nuggets compilation, its liner notes include one of the first uses of the term, "punk rock." It is in this fine tradition that Flesh Panthers are garage punk rockers of the first order. (And unlike those indie flavors of the month, Flesh Panthers don't bite the hand that feeds.)

*** The author of this review, Kevin Lee, plays the barrel drum for the following band: http://youtu.be/tMS73-1kCr8