If you’ve been following along for a little while now, you’ll understand that I’ve got a fairly weird cross-section of musical taste. I don’t particularly like to play favorites because there is just so much amazing musical talent out there in the world. And from what you may have been hearing here I’m sure you can tell that a very large percentage of it deserves to have been heard by many more ears than it ever did or possibly will. This blog is my little way to hopefully help it reach many more ears and hope to make the artists that grace this blog a few more fans. Here is one such artist that really deserved so much more… Doug Pinnick is the mastermind behind Poundhound; He is also the driving force in another band King’s X.
You may not have been living under a rock for the past 10 years, but I’m willing to bet that you’ve never heard of Doug or either of his projects – unless your really into Christian music (which King’s X was classified as – no I’m not religious, I loved the music). I was turned onto King’s X by a school buddy of mine who was a massive fan. Once I heard “It’s Love” I ended up going and buying everything they’d ever done. Think The Beatles done in a Hard Rock / Metal style – but with only three lads instead of four. Doug is certainly one of my main inspirations for amazing singing. Well, him and another guy known as Freddy Mercury – Queen anyone?
I can say that I’ve had the pleasure of seeing King’s X numerous times. So when Doug released a solo project called Poundhound, of course I bought it without thinking twice. It’s a bit more raw than King’s X, yet it is still very powerful. I got to see Poundhound once and of course I had to drag a friend out to the show. Chris, my friend, was very impressed. Actually I dragged Chris out to a Chris Whitley show too – that’s another story.
The thing about Doug is that he has an insane knack for creating massive grooves that move the soul. Another thing is that live he always looks like he’s about to explode when he’s singing. Veins pop out of his neck and forehead. Actually he gets so worked up and intense that his veins everywhere look like they just want to jump off his body. It’s crazy. Now add to the mix these high pitched squeals from his vocal chords that to this day, I still have no idea how he does it, and you’ve got one mind blowing musical extravaganza.
As far as my singing goes, I have had more than one musician who is familiar with Doug’s voice compare my singing to his. Which to me is utterly flattering. Personally I don’t hear it, but I’m very aware that I’ve been influenced by him. I suppose one reason that it’s so flattering is that he’s also black. Obviously in the graces of amazing singing many people tend to look to black people for their intense and uncanny ability to sing from the heart and soul.
This song is the epitome of groove as interpreted by Doug Pinnick. Lyrically, I’ve often been very lost in most of his songs because I never get the true meaning of the words. Here in Jangle I have the feeling that its more a means to an end for the melody and much less about the actual words themselves. Except for the line ‘Something to believe in’. That line is exactly what I want you to do, believe in the music. Let Doug invade your soul. Check out the rest of Poundhound, and most definitely seek out King’s X (Ear Candy is my favorite of their CD’s). As always support the artist by buying the music. Also, keep an eye out for Poundhound or King’s X live. I truly believe you won’t be disappointed.