At the 2014 SXSW showcase presented by NPR Music, a moment before Syracuse noise-punk band Perfect Pussy played a single note, frontwoman Meredith Graves took to the microphone in front of a packed crowd at Stubb’s BBQ and addressed the audience with a candid statement: “We’re Perfect Pussy. We’re terrified.”
It was a surprising admission, given the confidence that would soon flood the venue. Listening to Say Yes to Love, the band’s eight-song, 23-minute blitz of raw punk energy, fear feels like an alien concept. From the band’s audacious name — a deliberate provocation designed to spark reaction — to their chaotic, often unintelligible lyrics, Perfect Pussy has always embraced boldness. Their confrontational style, paired with their visceral, face-melting performances, leaves little room for doubt or hesitation. The name itself, Graves has said, was intended to challenge their detractors to find something positive to say about them, regardless of their criticisms.
When the music begins, any trace of pre-show nerves quickly vanishes. What follows is a relentless barrage of noise-punk, a swift, chest-caving set that barely takes a breath. Each track feels like a visceral punch, delivered with unfiltered aggression and intensity. This is rock ‘n’ roll stripped of pretense, the kind of performance that is deliberately raw and confrontational, yet it never completely spirals into chaos. Perfect Pussy is aggressive, but controlled in their execution.
By the end of their 20-minute set, the crowd was fully immersed in the energy of it all. The opening nerves had long been forgotten, replaced by a collective sense of exhilaration that only a band like Perfect Pussy can generate. The intensity and power of their performance were undeniable, making it clear that, despite any initial anxiety, they were in complete command of the moment.
Set List:
- “Big Stars” – 0:20
- “Bells” – 2:15
- “Driver” – 4:00
- “Work” – 6:40
- “Interference Fits” – 9:20
- “Dig” – 12:43
- “I” – 14:15
- “IV” – 16:08
By the end of the performance, Perfect Pussy had turned any doubts into a footnote, leaving a lasting impression of unrelenting energy and raw power.