PMMA

ALL THEY REALLY WANTED AND THEN SOME

Rarely does a band break into the local scene instantly, let alone grace the likes of an international record label, but PMMA has pummelled their way through the ranks. These boys are on a roll and shows no signs of backing off. Barreling through the obstacles inevitably presented to local up-and-comers, PMMA makes this shit look easy.

I had the chance to sit down for a few words and beers with some of the members right before they slid out to see Needles//Pins at the Commonwealth. Stoked on some pre-show Pilsners and their new EP release, Mike Grant, Ryan Kostel (a.k.a. Noodles) and Garrett Lidkea dove into the makings of what I would deem a Calgary miracle.

For those of you who have zero clue, let me fill you in. PMMA is the hybrid fusion of musicians from prior local acts like Mossleigh, Point Break, The Folsoms and Teenage Rampage. They bring something else to the table: a refreshing sound unlike anything currently available in the city. They label themselves as “brain melting space punk,” which is nothing short of spot on. PMMA oozes the influence of bands like The Damned and early Misfits, creating a sound reminiscent of the late great Cryptomaniacs. The four-piece presents a canon of vocals from multiple members that hail praise and rage to the subject matter considered all to familiar within our local scene. Their nihilistic underbelly presents perspectives obviously shared but rarely ever vocalized with such truth — in short, these boys have the backbone and scorn that many local acts lack. They give a much-needed poetic substance to a city full of seemingly cookie-cutter acts. This band is a breath of recycled air revamped to fit the modern world.

How did they even get signed to the first record label they approached? Bass player Grant’s girlfriend, Becky, randomly sent their cassette self-titled demo to some pals in the Montreal punk band, Proxy. Upon hearing the demo, the good word was passed on and, days later, the band was signed to Proxy’s U.K. label, Imminent Destruction. Although I’m sure the call was a no-brainer, you must concur that Grant has one great lady.

“It was really out of nowhere,” keyboardist/vocalist Kostel professes.

“It’s pretty much like Becky sent it and then, the next day, the dude wanted to put it out,” Grant beams with pride. “So, that was really insane. We weren’t expecting that. Yeah, just randomly she sent it to Proxy and they were already on the label. So they sent it to Imminent Destruction and literally the next day he wanted to put our shit out.”

“It’s tight, because they’re really rad to work with,” Kostel quickly adds.

The boys are already planning a full circle American tour this June. “It’s just an EP release,” confesses Kostel. “But, we’re probably going to tour in June. We’re going to do all of the States. The whole circle. It’s pretty rad, for Philly (Imminent Destruction), living in the U.K., he has a bunch of connections for the West Coast. He’s getting a ton of shows for us. The girlfriend of Proxy’s singer, Janik, is helping us with the East Coast. So, compared to when we did Point Break, this tour is way easier. We’re hoping to start the tour around June 5th.”

“Wade’s (frontman for Calgary’s late NRB’s) putting a show on for us in New York. We’re going to be in New York hopefully for the 4th of July. He’s going to do a house show for us,” Grant says excitedly. “We’ve gotta get a show from Wade.

“We just kind of did it ourselves with Point Break. We did Canada three times and the States only once.”

“Well, this is my first tour,” Grant admits.

“He also just had his first period!” guitarist Lidkea exclaims like a proud father.

If these boys play their cards right they just might get what they always wanted: an international response to one of the best 7″s this city has released in years. Make sure to catch them at the Palomino because, Calgary, there really is no excuse not to. These boys rule everything they touch.

PMMA are set to release All She Wanted at the Palomino on March 7.

By Robyn Condon