Pas/Cal - Dear Sir [2006]

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PAS/CAL are an indie pop band from Detroit, Michigan who formed in 2002 and released three EPs and two 12" inch split singles over the next four years. The band spent late 2006 and much of 2007 writing and recording their debut LP, I Was Raised On Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura.

The spark that ignited PAS/CAL's pop flame was provided by Gene Corduroy's dubious dare to the group: improvise a pop song with the wit, charm and craft of a masterwork that had been labored over for months. The challenge proved fruitful and rewarding, spurring on more efforts to create smart pop pieces for the subversive set. Thus was planted the seed that germinated into the phenomenon we know today.

In late 2002, PAS/CAL's debut EP The Handbag Memoirs met critical success with attention to finely tuned detail, clever lyrical references and an upbeat yet melancholic pop polish. Track number one, The Bronze Beached Boys (Come On Let's Go), eventually found its way to television through a Saturn commercial.

Another EP entitled Oh Honey, We're Ridiculous followed in early 2004. The band doubles in size & equally ups its musical ante at its newly-constructed garage workshoppe. From this deeply-receded fortress the band pieced together five songs, each replete with complex movements, melodies that haunt the heart & arrangements that would turn George Martin's head. 'What Happened To The Sands' rocks & bounces along with great aggression & equal tenderness; 'Poor Maude' details the titular character's dying wish for, well, death; 'What Do The American Girls Have On Jennifer Jo Jo?' warns our young heroine of the terrible facts of living in a cold, uncaring world.

Since its inception PAS/CAL has sought to spread the word according to its peculiar pop gospel. Two EPs on Le Grand Magistery, two 12" spit singles on their own Romantic Air label and a handful of appearances on compilations have showcased to the world the band's mixture of sinister and sweet, perversity and prudence - all dressed up in deceptively catchy and meticulously arranged tunes with hooks that would make Johnny Marr jealous and turn Serge Gainsbourg's head. Accompany this with a penchant for colorful outfits and unique stage performances known to include actors, props and special effects and you have the complete PAS/CAL picture.

The final chapter of the EP Trilogy, 'Dear Sir', was released on November 7, 2006. 'Dear Sir' was the 40th release by the Le Grand Magistery label.

April of 2008 will finally see the release of the debut LP entitled I Was Raised On Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura. In the intervening months and years, band members have gone on to form other musical projects, including {links-->} Zoos Of Berlin, Hidden Ghost Balloon Ship, and Computer Perfection.