The Patsys - On The 13th Kick
Anyway Records 062
Release: March 14, 2005

On March 14, Anyway Records and Revolver USA will release On The 13th Kick, a compilation CD featuring all The Patsys Umbrella Records’ singles, plus three previously unreleased tracks.

So who are The Patsys? The band and I alike appreciate your cooperation here as we make the requisite introductions. They hail from Columbus, Ohio, and number four: Tutti Jackson on vocals and bass, Stewart Nicol on guitar, Jeff Regensburger on drums, and John Stickley on vocals and guitar. Before the Patsys’ formation in the spring of 2002, the four of them performed in various other bands, the most notable being Gaunt (Regensburger) Action Family (Jackson) and The Boy Scout Love Triangle (Stickley). Hyper-alert readers might also recognize Tutti Jackson’s name from the credits on Liz Phair’s Exile in Guyville. She provided backing vocals for “Soap Star Joe”.

While The Patsys sound is rooted in their love of 60’s garage, pop, and soul music, they’re hardly revivalists. Don’t get me wrong, matching denim jackets and haircuts are fine for other bands, it’s just that it all looks a bit contrived when The Patsys try it. And that’s fine. There’s enough three-chord stomping, blues-based caterwauling and guitar savagery to more than make up for any negligence regarding image. Critics will appreciate the shared male/female vocals courtesy of Mr. Stickley and Ms. Jackson (see also John and Exene, Nancy and Lee, Mama and Papa). While those are fair comparisons, be forewarned that The Patsys version of the duet can often rise to the intensity of a hard fought shouting match (Hide the ashtrays.) Perhaps things aren’t so rosy in Ohio.

Perhaps they never were.