Presidents Of The United States Of America
The Presidents of the United States of America formed in Seattle. Chris Ballew played two-string basitar and Dave Dederer handled three-string guitbass. The band saved a fortune on strings. Jason Finn handled drums.
The Presidents had a chance to be in on the Grunge scene, starting in '91, but they went in a slightly different direction. They approached their art with a fair amount of humor and guile. In fact, they were often equated with the Knack. Namely, the Knack was to New Wave what the Presidents were to Grunge - a one-off novelty band. Easy to understand, since their biggest thing was "Lump." What people forgot was "Lump" Rocked. The insistent rhythm and vocals ("she's lump, she's lump, she's in my head") as the song bashed and crashed exquisitely. The self-titled debut also provided the eager listener with "Kitty," and "Boll Weevil."
Having done what they came to do or finding nowhere else to go, the Presidents called it quits in '97 after three CDs.
The first Presidents reunion took place in '00 when the group released the single "Jupiter." The song's popularity led to the album "Freaked Out And Small" which sold a mere 25,000 copies. In the world that would normally be a ridiculously low number for a major band but there was next to no promotion and the group didn't tour. The Presidents split again with Ballew working with Tad Hutchinson of The Young Fresh Fellows on The Chris And Tad Show.
Four years later, The Presidents tried again releasing "Love Everybody" on their own PUSA Inc. label. At this point Seattle guitarist Andrew McKeag appeared onstage playing guitbass, spelling Dederer who wanted to spend more time with his family. But McKeag's prolonged involvement and Dederer's continued absence fueled rumors that McKeag had replaced Dederer, which was discounted on occasion though McKeag appeared in band photos.
The Presidents issued "These Are the Good Times People" in March, '08. The set contained the single "Mixed Up S.O.B."
The Presidents of the United States didn't stay long but they were fun while they were around. Their self-titled debut with "Lump," "Kitty" and "Peaches" is the CD to get. The President's reckless energy shines through. Subsequent efforts, "II" and "Pure Frosting," are good but not as witty or satisfying.
The Presidents make a spotty comeback with "Freaked Out And Small." It starts strong with "Tiny Explosions" which has Go-Go's "We Got The Beat" era flourishes (that are even more pronounced on the 'demo' version). "Jupiter" reveals the pop Presidents and they take a fun little Country flavored romp with "Velvet Universe." Aside from a couple other good songs ("Tiger Bomb," "Meanwhile Back In The City" and "Blank Baby") and the lounge-influenced "Death Star" (a song of destruction) The Presidents try to be raucous but only come across as noisy.
They are a lot more fun on "Love Everybody" where they sound like a Punk band channeling vintage B-52s. "Some Postman," a song about a letter carrier lifting mail - "some postman is grooving to all our love letters" - is and infectious pop song. "Highway Forever" lifts the "Radar Love" backbeat and bass line while "Surf's Down" rides a wave Dick Dale missed. Keyboards, in the right hands, have a goofy charm and are used to good advantage here. But there are also some excellent straight-ahead (for The Presidents) songs. Check out "Clean Machine," "Poke And Destroy" and the 'messy' lust song "Drool At You."
"You're a loose balloon before you pop and die, you made the little kid cry when you took off for the sun." That line from "Loose Balloon" shows the lighthearted yet often fatalistic feeling that permeates "These Are The Good Times People."
The title is either ironic or foretelling, coming as the '08 U.S. economy is sinking and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq seem to have stalemated. Good times indeed.
Though "Love Everybody" is amusing, The Presidents are better served on this set." The lyrics are as witty as ever but the band is more grounded musically, even employing acoustic arrangements and including what is by now the obligatory Country track, "Truckstop Butterfly."
"Mixed Up S.O.B.," a clever song about a girl (wait, how can a girl be an S.O.B. - well, that's the joke), is the perfect lead single to say nothing of the accompanying video which was directed by "Weird Al" Yankovic. The song jumps out with an irresistible charm. The Presidents quirky humor shows up all over the place like on "Warhead" where "ground zero is a happening place." They push credulity rhyming 'surprise' and sterilized' on "Sharpen Up Those Fangs" but escape unscathed. "Riot In The Sun" proves they can still deliver their trademark frantic sound.