The fallacy of most of today’s so-called “post-punk” is that it’s not actually moving past anything. While cultural vacuums like Williamsburg have produced countless bands worshiping at the altar of The Clash and Gang of Four, few seem hip to the fact that those bands left their mark by applying a punk aesthetic to the hot urban dance music of their day (disco funk, reggae, etc.) as well as creating their own fierce sound. Yet, retracing the original post-punkers steps continues to be sold as the sound of today to ostensibly discerning listeners.
Consider as an alternative Professor Murder, which just dropped their debut EP, Professor Murder Rides The Subway (Kanine Records) last month. While the locally-based quartet share qualities with ESG and Liquid Liquid—early ’80s NYC acts known for minimal, percussive sounds—it’s HOT 97 listeners, not Other Music shoppers, who will pick up on the signifiers in tracks like “Camron’s New Color (part three).” When lead vocalist Mike Bell-Smith chants “It’s the P-P-P-P-P Murder, this is dem killa” (on the interlude-like “Pedigree”) in his indie voice, he’s co-opting the tuff talk of dancehall’s deejays while riffing on his unit’s name in the fashion of today’s hip-hop MCs. Then, following a volley of cowbells (one of the band’s calling cards), a Fugazi-esque bass kicks in.
“It’s not about trying to be coded or explicitly referencing something,” explains Bell-Smith (who also handles percussion) of Professor Murder’s approach to music. “We’re creating this collage that’s drawing from our environment, and pulling in these disparate elements. We’re firm believers in music being a dialogue and a lineage based on appropriation—borrowing and stealing ideas and transforming them.”
Under the guise of King Oppression, the group’s members have also performed Professor Murder songs over dancehall riddims like the Coolie Dance and hip-hop beats like Jay-Z’s “Big Pimpin’” instrumental.
“What we’re doing is a product of living in New York, and how it affects your psyche, just being in this crazy place with a million types of people and music from all over the world,” says Bell-Smith.
It’s a melting pot worth getting down with.
August 18. Mercury Lounge. 217 E. Houston St. (at Ave. A), 212-260-4700; 9:30 p.m., $10/$12.
