Even though I adore the Cave Singers, I still miss singer Pete Quirk's old project Hint Hint. Hint Hint were a far cry from what Quirk is doing nowâthey played spastic post punk laced with keyboards with not a washboard in sight. Paris Spleen's song "The Gesture" instantly fills the void left by Hint Hint. It starts with a dark, heavy bass and spirals into midtempo post punk with snotty vocals and wiry guitar. The guitars on "Ladies Night" sound like an Al Burian project (Challenger, Milemarker) with a chorus that nods to the Blood Brothers (the backing vocals would make Johnny Whitney proud). You have two chances to see the band this weekendâthey play the all-ages Fusion Cafe on Friday, August 15, and the 21-plus High Dive on Saturday, August 16.
Log on to The Stranger's Bands Page at www.thestranger.com/bands to hear Paris Spleen.
