Trackback: Unrest

Washington, D.C. area indie rock act, Unrest, were a band I first heard about in my teenage years from the inevitable source that most teens in my situation discovered interesting music, MTV’s 120 minutes. Today, that station holds about as much worth as the steamy pile of warm shit I pick up off the sidewalk every morning after my dog generously leaves it there for me. But, back then, it played a significant part in what I listened to, kinda like how everyone gets a big veiny hard-on every time a Pitchfork staffer graces a record with a number greater than eight. I’m not sure if it was during Matt Pinfield’s or Lewis Largent’s reign on 120 Minutes in the early 90s when I first saw the video for Unrest’s catchy pop song “Make Out Club” (I’m assuming it’s the latter).

Like most of my favorites from that time, I caught onto the group while they were on their way out, but perhaps at their best. Although “Make Out Club” was a minor MTV hit in 1993, I didn’t pick up their Simon Le Bon (don’t even say it Theo) produced album Perfect Teeth until some years down the road. Started by Teenbeat main man Mark Robinson and drummer Phil Krauth, Unrest began in 1985 as a noisy-punk improv band while they were still in high-school in Arlington, Virginia. During recording and practice the group had agreed to never play the same thing twice. Always experimentalists, Unrest’s released a slew of avant-garde (sometimes barely listenable) albums from 1985-90 including 1990’s Kustom Karnal Blaxploitation (say that fast three times), which was highlighted by their interpretation of the anthemic “Teenage Suicide” from the 80s favorite flick Heathers.

A few of Kustom’s soft and shimmering tracks hinted at the direction the band would take on its next two records, Imperial f.f.r.r. and Perfect Teeth, which also marked the arrival of bassist Bridget Cross (Velocity Girl). Imperial, the trio’s debut LP with Cross as a permanent member, mixed Unrest’s pop and experimental sensibilities into an infectious indie pop gem. Perfect Teeth, released in 1993 with its lushly crafted pop songs, light dosage of experimental tinkering, Cross’ bright and throbbing Peter Hook-inspired bass, and beautiful packaging brought the band’s sound and Robinson’s regard for British imprint Factory Records full circle.

Unrest split in 1994, but re-formed in 2005 for a one off performance at Washington, D.C.’s Black Cat for Teenbeat’s 20th Anniversary Showcase. Bridget Cross, now living in Alaska has a self-titled record out on Teenbeat under the moniker Maybe It’s Reno. Both Krauth and Robinson make appearances on the release, as well as significant other George Kuhar.

Grab “Light Command” and check out the video of “Make Out Club” (both from Perfect Teeth) below.

[MP3]: Unrest  ”Light Command”
Perfect Teeth, Teenbeat; 1993

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