The P-90’s play Motorco Wednesday, Nov. 23, with Almost People and B Side Project.
Remember when you were still young and pissed off? Billie Feather does, because it was about five minutes ago, judging from the fury in the half-dozen amped-up rockers found on Limited Supply, the debut EP from The P-90’s. The Winston-Salem native’s studied classical guitar and played upright bass with the Bo-Stevens and John Howie & the Sweethearts. She returns to the electric guitar here and enlists Howie on the skins for this boisterous, fist-pumping entrance.
Youth rebellion and distrust rule as Feather surveys the Stepford future of a “Suburban Nightmare.” This rugged, garage-abilly opener moderates the tempo just enough to let Feather use her lower register, giving the music a little sultry sway. (Here and elsewhere, she can be overwrought with the obligatory garage-punk declamations.) “Apathetic” takes a similar route, as Feather sings, “You can stand there, with your emo hair, staring blankly at the wall.” Guitarist Dillon White wants none of it, unleashing searing leads over punchy drums.
Variety is an asset here: “My Roommate (Took Away My Date)” pays a country-rock homage to The Ramones’ “The KKK Took My Baby Away,” while thundering rave-up “Business 40” funnels its road rage into a full-throttle throw-down. The refrain”onramp, offramp, Business 40″starts to feel like the score of a vehicular slasher flick; guitars combust into pyres all around. The call-and-response backing vocals on “I Don’t Wanna Talk To You” sport the panache of ’60s girl groups.
Though Feather’s singing is rough at points, the ideas and their execution are strong, with good lyrics and plenty of muscle, especially from White. It’s all pitched at a certain intensity, but there are hints of even greater eclecticism and enough promise to tickle anticipation.
