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May 22, 2009

Silversun Pickups Flip The "Panic Switch" At Spinner

thumbnail icon: Silversun Pickups Flip The "Panic Switch" At Spinner

Folks have seemingly taken to Los Angeles quartet Silversun Pickups' "Panic Switch." Actually, judging from the positive comments when we posted a link to a stream of their second album Swoon, your love of early '90s Smashing Pumpkins-style alterna-rock runs deep. The last time we saw the band they were at the Glass House in Pomona. This time they've stopped by Spinner to offer up a private studio show. We have the old favorite "Panic Switch" along with fellow Swoon song "The Royal We."

"Panic Switch"

"The Royal We"

If you want more, head to Spinner for "Growing Old Is Getting Old," the very Pumpkins-esque "Sort Of," and Q&A.

Swoon is out via Dangerbird.

Posted at 2:35 PM by brandon in
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26 Comments

They sound great, when the singer is not singing. They would be better off finding a better vocalist to fit the music, like......... hmmmm.....Billy Corgan?

Posted by: Brian at 05/22/09 3:38 PM  | Reply
Score = -21 Vote up Vote down

wow this is really good

Posted by: jim at 05/22/09 3:43 PM  | Reply
Score = 6 Vote up Vote down

I can't say enough good things about this band. When they first came out, it was listening to the music I love without knowing I loved it and ever since, I've been hooked.

Great performances too. Swoon is easily in my top 3 albums of the year so far. Can't wait to see them at All Points West!

Posted by: jaychuck profile link at 05/22/09 3:43 PM  | Reply
Score = 6 Vote up Vote down

Is that Billy Corgan wearing a really bad rug?

Posted by: J Mascis at 05/22/09 3:44 PM  | Reply
Score = -5 Vote up Vote down

Best mainstream alternative rock band of this decade, hands down.

Posted by: Elvis vs. Shark profile link at 05/22/09 4:01 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

Uggh, "mainstream alternative rock band"? we're gonna need a bigger : (

Posted by: Liam  in reply to Elvis vs. Shark's comment at 05/26/09 12:24 AM  | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

This is a fantastic album, it will probably be my top album of the year.

Posted by: Patrick at 05/22/09 4:09 PM  | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

where did all these silversun pickups fans come from? I don't get all the praise for swoon because it seems like its the same thing that carnavas was, a mediocre album with 1 really great single. I'm seeing this weekend so maybe i'll change my mind but i doubt it

Posted by: Cliff at 05/22/09 4:59 PM  | Reply
Score = -2 Vote up Vote down

dude's voice sounds nothing like billy corgan's & aside from that...what ? they use fuzz pedals?
there are way too many comparisons to the smashing pumpkins surrounding this band.
maybe its just really easy.

Posted by: Terry's Chocolate Orange at 05/22/09 7:53 PM  | Reply
Score = 5 Vote up Vote down

WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO TOUR

i'm serious stereogum, there one of the few bands out there who've released an album this spring who've yet to announce a summer tour save for a few festival dates. WTF is goin' on?

Posted by: Deceiver profile link at 05/22/09 8:07 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

It seems to me that the Silversun Pickups are a great example of the eclectic music being made in Silver Lake. Whether it is the new Benji Hughes, Rilo Kiley, or Beck..that neighborhood in LA seems to produce an incredible scope of sound, and the Silversun Pickups appear to be the next from the neighborhood to gain some serious success.

Posted by: jpfmack at 05/22/09 9:22 PM  | Reply
Score = 4 Vote up Vote down

goddamn I want a sheraton so badly.

Posted by: dafs profile link at 05/22/09 9:38 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

erm, @ ^^ Benji Hughes is from charlotte, NC and he's hardly new. check out his older (and highly underrated band) muscadine. and yes, sspu's are the best thing out there at the moment.

Posted by: redboy at 05/23/09 3:25 AM  | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

Is it just me, or is he cross eyed?

Posted by: morenone at 05/23/09 10:15 AM  | Reply
Score = 5 Vote up Vote down

Probably a lazy eye.

Posted by: Robert profile link  in reply to morenone's comment at 05/23/09 7:27 PM  | Reply
Score = 19 Vote up Vote down

Too bad they've only been a disappointment each time I've seen them live. =/

Posted by: Dan at 05/23/09 3:01 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Swoon is the perfect example of a sophomore slump album. It's in every way inferior to the first album.

Posted by: Ted Tedson at 05/23/09 11:47 PM  | Reply
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What's not to like? Great music, great guitars, great performance.
Yeah, they sound like the Pumpkins but at least they don't sound like a bad 80's tribute band.

Posted by: Charbarred at 05/24/09 4:02 AM  | Reply
Score = -4 Vote up Vote down

A 90's tribute band is cooler?

Posted by: Paper Werewolf profile link  in reply to Charbarred's comment at 05/24/09 4:55 AM  | Reply
Score = 5 Vote up Vote down

yes.

Posted by: mt0000 at 05/24/09 1:07 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Um, wrong. Swoon is their third album, not their second. Good try though.

Posted by: OldManIndiKid at 05/25/09 10:29 AM  | Reply
Score = -10 Vote up Vote down

Swoon is album #2. Pikul was released in 2005 as an EP. An EP is not an album, in the parlance of our times.

Posted by: Ginger Ball Z profile link  in reply to OldManIndiKid's comment at 05/25/09 12:18 PM  | Reply
Score = 10 Vote up Vote down

I find them superior to the Smashing pumpkins. Here's why I think so:
- The Silversun Pickups seem to function like a real band. You know, everybody's equal, it's not just about the singer, which is more than I could say for The Billy Corgan Show. There's a reason why he's the only original Pumpkin left. Just ask Axl Rose.
-The lead singer (Brian Aubert) is a WAY better vocalist than Billy. Brian has an androgynous, but still cool voice suited for rock. He really surprised me with this performance (and it was a good surprise). Billy, on the other hand, sounds like a cat who got his tail stepped on. I'll give him credit for his guitar work, though.
-Their music is just plain better than the Pumpkins. I'm not saying the Pumpkins sucked, they did make some good music, but nothing that's out-of-this-world special. They were just at the right place at the right time. Anybody notice when the early 90s alternative-grunge movement died, so did the Pumpkins' relevance? And their legacy is being killed by Billy. He's replacing everyone like they're broken Christmas tree ornaments. Don't be surprised if he announces work on a new album called North Korean Democracy, and it doesn't come out 'til 17 years later...

Posted by: Fly at 05/25/09 11:41 PM  | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

Well said all the way around, but I had to reply because your last paragraph was just freakin' funny.

Posted by: James Tyree  in reply to Fly's comment at 05/30/09 8:48 AM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

Pumpkins pumpkins pumpkins smashing pumpkins breeders pumpkins smashing pumpkins.

Posted by: internet gangsta at 05/26/09 4:20 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Wow, pretty good live performance. I'd probably bone their bassist because she's kinda pretty and shes the only girl in the band.

Posted by: bigfoot FLOWs profile link at 05/29/09 2:36 PM  | Reply
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