Ben Hopkins and Liv Bruce make up the core of PWR BTTM. Together, they crafted last year’s Ugly Cherries, a record that sees them both singing lead and switching instruments. But when the duo stopped by The A.V. Club office to cover Counting Crows’ 1993 hit “Mr. Jones” they brought some friends along with them. Joined by Petal vocalist Kiley Lotz and Dowsing bassist Michael Politowicz, the band glittered up and gave “Mr. Jones” the PWR BTTM treatment.
While they record their sophomore album, Brooklyn queer punk duo PWR BTTM have reclaimed Counting Crows’ “Mr. Jones” from frat house day parties everywhere, by doing an excellent cover of the song.
The haphazard and fresh garage-punk duo have often behind defined by their sexuality, as is perhaps understandable given this album contains songs entitled ‘I Wanna Boi’ and ‘All The Boys’, and although comparisons to the likes of Pansy Division are bound to follow, ‘Ugly Cherries’ delivers through the indelble catchiness of its songs. In hock as much to Jonathan Richman’s off-kilter and refreshingly candid ditties as Milky Wimpshake’s DIY lo-fi ramalama or even The White Stripes’ in-the-basement rawness, ‘Ugly Cherries’ is a triumph of both chutzpah and spark.
The Fat Angel Sings 