The carnivorous visuals for new Sailor Poon single “Be My Dog” follow three abiding principles: “Blood, bones, and babes is the general concept,” explains local director By Meredith.
Trippy, meaty imagery matches a relentless track inspired by bassist Mariah Stevens-Ross’ obsession with Sixties krautrockers the Monks’ “Higgle Dy Piggle Dy.” The song evolved to flip the script on the Stooges’ “I Wanna Be Your Dog,” naturally infused with shout-along Sailor Poon spunk. The local crew’s edition lyrically dominates:
“Sit, Stay, Come, Roll Over!”
Between sax solos, frontwoman Billie Buck dines on a table of Flintstones-sized animal innards. Two triangular pork chops construct her bikini top. The iconic meat bra originated as part of the Austin garage-punks’ stage attire.
“The rest of the band had on powdered judge wigs,” remembers Buck. “I was almost late to the show, because I had never cooked a pork chop before, and I wanted to make sure it was suitable for human consumption. Y’know, just in case.”
The singer says “Be Your Dog” was the first track penned following the addition of guitarist Madison Whitaker years ago. The single lands on the band’s upcoming LP, out next month and aptly named Sailor Poon’s First Album. The group recorded with formerly local engineer Paul Millar (Pataphysics, Ariel Pink) at his analog studio, Bug Sound, in New York City.
“It was a wonderful, amazing experience – except that we never arranged a place to sleep,” recalls Buck. “So, we either spent the nights hiding and catching zzz’s in the vocal booth, which had a mattress in it for some reason, or huddled together on the one adjacent studio couch, or not sleeping and hanging out in an empty box car parked in front.”
View the spoils of Sailor Poon’s sleepless nights here.
This article appears in April 17 • 2020.