Pity Sex
Background information
OriginAnn Arbor, Michigan
Genres
Years active2011–2016,[2] 2022
LabelsForward, Run for Cover
Past membersSean St. Charles
Brennan Greaves
Britty Drake
Michael Cesario
Brandan Pierce
Michael Politowicz
Anthony Heubel

Pity Sex were an American alternative rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan.[3] The band formed in 2011, and released two studio albums – Feast of Love (2013) and White Hot Moon (2016) – prior to their split. The band combined elements of indie rock, shoegaze, dream pop and noise rock in their music, and were described by Pitchfork as "post-coital pop-punk".[4] The band announced its reunion in 2022, as part of the Sound & Fury festival line-up.

Pity Sex has cited several bands as influences, including My Bloody Valentine, Pixies, Pavement, Dinosaur Jr.,[5] and Yo La Tengo.[6]

History

Formation, split demo, and debut EP (2011–2012)

Having formed and recorded a demo in 2011, eventually releasing it as a split cassette with Brave Bird, Pity Sex would go on to release their debut EP, Dark World a year later on Forward Records to positive reviews.[7][8] [9]

Feast of Love (2012–2015)

In 2013 the band released their debut album, Feast of Love, on Run For Cover Records.[10] Following the band signing to Run For Cover Records the Dark World EP would also be re-released through Run For Cover Records. 2014 saw them touring with labelmates Adventures, Basement, and Tigers Jaw, among others. In September of that year, the band also toured Australia for the first time. In October 2014, the band released a split EP with Adventures, with each band's side featuring one original song and one cover. Pity Sex chose to cover the Pixies' "Gigantic". Guitarist Brennan Greaves helped to create the artwork, in collaboration with Kimi Hanauer of Adventures. In the summer of 2015, the band completed a US tour with punk rock band Ceremony. It was around this time that recording for their next album would be completed.

White Hot Moon (2015–2016)

On September 28, 2015, the band released a new digital single, entitled "What Might Soothe You?", through NPR.[11] The single was released alongside a statement announcing the impending release of their new album "White Hot Moon." The album was released in the spring of 2016, and was preceded by a vinyl edition of "What Might Soothe You?".

In August 2016, it was announced that vocalist/guitarist Britty Drake was to leave the band after a final show supporting Best Coast. The band completed their remaining tour dates in Japan and Australia with Greaves taking on full lead vocal duties and Anthony Heubel joining the band on lead guitar. Following the conclusion of their tour, the band announced an indefinite hiatus in October 2016. The band released their final single and video, "Burden You," created by Playlab, in conjunction with the announcement as a parting gift of sorts.[2]

Other projects and reunion (2016–present)

The members of Pity Sex largely ceased playing music following the end of the band. Greaves formed a new band, Goodyhead, in 2018; they released their debut EP Proof of Life in July 2021. Heubel formed a solo project, Anthony Heubel & The High Lonesome, which released an EP entitled Tell Me What You Find in February 2021.

On May 5, 2022, Pity Sex made an announcement on their Twitter and Instagram page that they were playing Sound and Fury in Los Angeles, California in July.[12] Greaves, Drake and St. Charles all participated in the reunion, with Drake's husband Michael Cesario joining on bass.

In June 2023, the band announced an anniversary vinyl reissue of Feast of Love.[13]

Members

  • Sean St. Charles – drums (2011–2016, 2022)
  • Brennan Greaves – guitar, vocals (2011–2016, 2022)
  • Britty Drake – guitar, vocals (2011–2016, 2022)
  • Brandan Pierce – bass (2011–2016)
  • Michael Politowicz – bass (2015; UK tour)
  • Anthony Heubel – guitar (2016; Japan/Australia tour)
  • Michael Cesario – bass (2022)

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Splits

Music videos

Year Title Director
2013 "Wind Up" Alex Henery
2015 "What Might Soothe You?" Joel Rakowski
2016 "Burden You" Daniel Antebi

References

  1. ↑ Enis, Eli. "A Glaring Lack of Grunge in the Grunge Revival". Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Pity Sex - Timeline on Facebook". Facebook. October 26, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  3. ↑ Pity Sex Archived 2014-07-14 at the Wayback Machine, Run For Cover Records
  4. ↑ Cohen, Ian. "Pity Sex: Feast of Love". Pitchfork. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  5. ↑ Nattress, Katrina (August 8, 2013). "Pity Sex's Sean St. Charles Discusses The Band's New Album, '90s Pop, And Biker Bars". besnewbands.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2023. There's a definite shoegaze influence on the record, but that isn't something we set out to do specifically – we just wanted to write lush songs. We've always been interested in doing a lot with guitar tone and texture. The whole gamut of '80s/'90s alternative music figured into our writing process. My Bloody Valentine, sure, but the Pixies and Pavement and Dinosaur Jr. too.
  6. ↑ McDermott, Emily (February 29, 2016). "Pity Sex's Unconventional Pop". interviewmagazine.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  7. ↑ Garland, Emma. "ATP! Album Review: Pity Sex - Dark World EP". alterthepress.com. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  8. ↑ meanmedianmoge. "Pity Sex - Dark World". absolutepunk.net. Retrieved 2013-07-13.
  9. ↑ Bohn, John (30 May 2013). "John Bohn: How Ann Arbor's emo revival influenced my college years (continued)". Michigan Daily. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  10. ↑ Albeson, Jon. "Pity Sex Announce Debut Album "Feast Of Love"". alterthepress.com. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  11. ↑ Katzif, Mike. "Songs We Love: Pity Sex, 'What Might Soothe You?'". npr.org. Retrieved 2015-09-28.
  12. ↑ Deville, Chris (6 May 2022). "LA's Insanely Rad Sound And Fury Festival Has A Pity Sex Reunion, One Of Gulch's Final Sets, & Much More". Stereogum. Stereogum Media. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  13. ↑ "Pity Sex Feast of Love (10 Year Anniversary Edition)". Run For Cover Records. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
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