MEMBERS: Katherine Kelly (guitar, vocals); Michael Murphy (drums, electronic percussion); Greg Ferris (synthesizer); Morgan Soltes (bass, keys)
Rising like a phoenix from the ashes of late band Sons of Hippies to new heights of aural intrigue, Sarasota-based songstress Katherine Kelley has definitely shifted gears in PLEASURES. Her vocals still have that razor sharp sweetness, but are now treated with robo effects and her bandmates include a dedicated synth player who’s currently studying the canon of horror films and a drummer/percussionist who loves off-time signatures and minor scales. Collectively they explore dark, electro-psychedelic terrains and space-faring rock domains in lush propulsive soundscapes and experimental progressions. According to Kelley, “I think we all use the darker vibes inspired by a lot of synth tones and heavy fuzz and delay to inform the song building process in our band.” PLEASURES embarks on 27-date national tour behind 2016 full-length, Fucked Up Dreams Come True, this weekend.
Next show date: Tour Kick-off Party July 16, Local 662, St. Petersburg with FayRoy, Soapbox Soliloquy, Nimbus Initiative and Sonic Graffiti; on tour through August 20.
RIYL: Radiohead, Battles, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Deerhoof
Self-styled Sound: "Black Sabbath meets Yes"; "Sex music for robots"
Why PLEASURES? Any special name origins? "It's a tag line from the British sketch comedy about two hangmen, Snuff Box, of which there is sadly only one season. We watched it over and over while working together in California the fall of 2014 when we were conceptualizing our band. At the end of each episode, they’d preview the next one and in a cheesy British overdub said things like "On the next episode of Snuffbox: Whiskey! Ladies! Pleasures!" while playing the clips. They'd switch out the words but "pleasures" was almost always in there, accompanied by a large-chested lady looking silly and scandalous or something. We'd laugh every time."
Overriding themes of Fucked Up Dreams Come True: “The psychotic nature of love versus self-control, grieving shadow selves, and exploring notions of action versus consequence… The title of the album is really about the relief of moving out of a bad spot and into a place of reprieve. Like when things get so bad that seeing the light at the end of the tunnel is just a fucked-up dream. Moving from Sons of Hippies to PLEASURES was a few years in the making and there was so much toxic behind-the-scenes stuff that was unhealthy for everyone involved. I think everyone felt like they'd never escape it. But eventually the dream came true.”
Key track: “Fashionable Ghost”
How PLEASURES is building a fan base: “We started PLEASURES to be a touring act. There was never any intention to build a local following first, then branch out slowly tour by tour. We kinda just hit the road running because there was no other choice, really. I had a Hippies tour booked at the time I ended the band and we all decided to keep the dates and tour as PLEASURES. At home and away, people seemed to psychologically merge Hippies into PLEASURES because I was still the lead singer beside Morgan and Mikey, so that was advantageous. When they realized it was definitely not the same band, we lost a few fans and gained many more.
"We don't make it a priority to build a local fan base because it's not as important to us as building a fan base all over the U.S. But essentially both things are accomplished by doing the same thing, which is putting out quality content that is consistent and hitting markets several times each year.”
Hardest thing about making a career of music: “Needing to take breaks from touring. It's the thing we all want to do the most all of the time, but like with everything else, you have to be smart about timing it all and not burn out too fast.”
Ultimate goal, or desired outcome, with your music?: “Our ultimate goal is to support ourselves solely with our art and be able to travel for as long as possible. That's been the goal since we started and I think that'll always be the goal.”
Songs that get the most positive feedback in a live setting?: “Most everyone loves the song ‘Everything Forever.’ That's the one people always want to talk about after the show. And recently a new song called ‘Teacher's Pet’ is really hitting everybody's sweet spot.”
PLEASURES Favorite Artist?: “Roger LaFranchi. His skill and talent as a well rounded player surpasses anybody in the area.”
Favorite show you’ve played in recent memory?: “We were a late add to this year's Heatwave and our show at New World Brewery ended up being one of the best shows we've ever had. The vibe was right and the applause was louder than our set. Everyone was totally engaged and kept creeping closer and going nuts. It was very powerful.”
Favorite town you’ve played?: “We always have a great time in Springfield, Missouri. We have so many friends and fans there — it's just one of those spots that developed well. More people come out to the show every time we visit and we have a core of good friends there. Charlotte/Raleigh area is becoming a close second. Lots of people there who love music that takes chances.”
Favorite local venue/hometown venue?: “New World Brewery, The Bends and Jon Berg's WovePrint.Co Gallery.”
Any more new music coming up? Big news? Touring plans?: “We're planning to release one more thing this year, a comprehensive album of early demos and noise tracks called Deluxed Up Dreams Come True. We have a huge tour planned from July 16 to August 20. Our longest tour so far. Almost every date is booked and we're super excited about that. The kick off show is July 16 at Local 662 with Fayroy, Soapbox Soliloquy, Nimbus Initiative, and Sonic Graffiti.
“Also we've been delving into smaller visual art projects on our time home. Mikey made a workout tape using the B-roll from our music video for the “Summer Strip.” We recorded an 8 1/2 minute drone track for it and made it into a weird VHS tape. Greg's currently filming a short black-and-white horror movie he wrote for the next VHS.”
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This article appears in Jul 14-21, 2016.