A Pocket Full Of Fists

Fight Like Apes “Jake Summers”

“I’m a simple man. I just want a band with synthesizer and girls yelling that sounds like McLusky. Is that so wrong?” – Mike Barthel, on Idolator yesterday.

No, it’s not wrong at all. In fact, upon hearing Fight Like Apes for the first time over this past weekend, it felt like I was getting a correct answer to a question I hadn’t even thought to have asked.

Fight Like Apes specialize in bold, urgent pop songs that lean hard on the propulsive dynamics of post-Pixies alt-rock while stripping out the guitars and replacing them with colorful synth textures. (In this way, they are more like Future of the Left, Andy Falkous and Jack Egglestone’s keyb-centric post-McLusky band, than McLusky proper.) To sweeten the deal, the band deliver strong hooks with a powerful oomph, and boast a lead singer who can neatly transition from yearning arena balladry to spunky, shouty bits and thrilling, wordless exclamations.

“Jake Summers,” a song seemingly penned about a character from a largely forgotten tv show by the creators of Saved By The Bell, covers a lot of territory in just under four minutes, careening from one thrill to another while barely calling attention to its odd, slightly asymmetrical structure. The lyrics are wonderful too, full of amusingly specific language with a particular focus on taste and scent. The band certainly get bonus points for writing a line as silly and damning as “You’re like Kentucky Fried Chicken, but without the taste!” and then making it one of the most fist-pumping moments in any song I’ve heard in the past few years.

Buy it from Fight Like Apes.