Puddin’ Tang performs at Matchless tonight (details here)

Searching for the ideal sound for the lazy urban heat? Flowing as relaxed and twangy as the Velvet Underground’s Loaded hits like “Cool It Down” and “Train Round the Bend”? Syncopated, strutty, and riff-based a’la Jonathan Fire*Eater/the Stones? Sweaty and swamp-assed as Tony Joe White? With the asymmetrical rhythmic pattern-making of the early Fall’s Americana-ish numbers? Fused together around the choruses with a wad of Tommy James’ bubblegum? But all coming from an unassuming classic indie rock perspective that could belong only to seasoned vets? If this makes your mouth water, you’re gonna love the way Puddin’ Tang rolls – a fanboat with steamboat dignity gliding across the black shadows and moon reflections of muddy Newton Creek, past the many rusty marvels of 20th Century industry.

Despite all of these references, perhaps Puddin’ Tang’s best asset is how they feel natural to the point of inevitability. Comprised longtime friends from around the way, the trio sounds exactly like the totality of the unique personalities within – a rare honesty in a genre typically defined by inauthentic personas (r’n’r you lunkhead!). Upfront, one of Brooklyn’s most charming, handsome, and stylish couples, guitarist Oakley Munson, of the Rondelles, Witnesses, etc., and his bass thumpin’ partner Kristen, share the vocal duties – spending most of their time on the higher end of the pitch and harmonizing rural as cracklin’ bread in a cast-iron skillet. In the back, Jamison Balvin, a keyboardist from a number of bands over the years, dating back at least as far as Tarot Bolero, effortlessly switches over to the drums with surprising ability and taste.

Can you feel it? The answer of course is that Puddin’ Tang time is indeed summer nights like this one. You can find me leanin’ against the wall in the back room near the A/C with a cold one…

http://myspace.com/puddintangtime