Parkay Quarts at DC9

Parquet Courts escalated their war on nomenclature by headlining this show as Parkay Quarts while also playing with a new lineup. So is this the same Parquet Quarts or isn't it? Because they've played shows as PQ with the classic lineup before as well. So maybe the original lineup is PC but also PQ-A and this is PQ-B, which is half of PQ-A plus two new members. Therefore we can state that:

PQ-B = ((PQ-A)/2)+2 = (PC/2)+2

On a related note I hear that regular Parquet Quartz drummer Max Savage is busy taking grad level math courses. Once he gets done solving for P perhaps he can explain to me what the hell is going on here.

Park A Corpse's Website, Music

Posted: 11/9/2014 at 3:00pm     Tags: DC9  Parkay Quarts  Parquet Courts 

Parquet Courts at 285 Kent

Is it just me or are Parquet Courts louder than they used to be? Their shows are wilder too, their audiences more crazy. I think they've become one of those bands where people know their shows will get nuts and that's half the reason they go. That's a good reputation for a band to have, 'cause bands like that are fun!

This is not to say that Parquet Courts are all about getting crazy. Granted, they did play one song which was is so chaotic I was reminded of "Drug Me" by the Dead Kennedys, but most of their songs are full of hooks and rhythm and most importantly, craft. There are tempo changes and whole-band pauses. The guitars trade solos and then the song goes off in a different direction entirely. These guys have style, not just loudness.

Pay attention to those lyrics too. Their best songs are serious poetry. You'll recognize those songs by the not quite natural rhythm of the vocals. Most of the rest of their songwriting has more of a stream of consciouness style which personally I find less distinctive. But of course it is hard to hear the lyrics when they are playing live. Perhaps it is actually the cadence of those more poetic songs is what makes them work so well, not the words themselves?

Posted: 2/3/2013 at 8:49pm     Tags: 285 Kent  Parquet Courts 

Parquet Courts at Brooklyn Bowl

Technically this is just three-fourths of Parquet Courts (pronounced like "parquet floors"). Although I do like their music, especially "Stoned and Starving", I think their rhythm-centric songs would probably have benefited from the presence of a bass. Apparently it was a last-minute gig and their bassist couldn't make it.

Posted: 12/10/2011 at 7:18pm     Tags: Brooklyn Bowl  Parquet Courts