Much like Jamie Lee Curtis ‘s fitness instructor and John Travolta’s investigative journalist in the movie Perfect from 1985, pm the EP recently released by Mannequin Pussy also called Perfect (Epitaph Records) the Philly-based band likewise walk a fine line between outrageous provocation and romantic distress and Lycra-sheathed sensuality and moral confrontation and it'll likely hit you just as hard as Ms. Curtis's pelvic thrust routine hits in the movie whatever your thoughts on Travolta’s form-fitting shorts and his overall spotty ‘80s filmography (excepting Blow Out, the Philadelphia-set Brian De Palma classic) culminating with those talking baby movies and don’t even get me started on Battlefield Earth because that's its own ball of wax.

Fortunately, in stark contrast to the big-budget bloat of Mr. Travolta’s L. Ron Hubbard Scientology-flogging space-opera dud, Mannequin Pussy’s Perfect is a far tighter affair. Which is also great news for anyone too lazy to digest their three existing full-length records since the EP successfully distills their most outstanding qualities down to an economical 13 minutes (almost 14 minutes!) with a running order that follows the age old pentatartite structure of extended play records:

Track 1) Melodic power-pop/alt-rock banger alternating between lighter waving and head banging parts; track 2) ferocious punk rock rave-up with verbal dressing down of the enables of oppressive social forces; track 3) melodic power-pop/alt-rock banger alternating between lighter waving and head banging parts; track 4) ferocious punk rock rave-up with verbal dressing down of the enablers of oppressive social forces; and track 5) the unexpectedly wistful, ethereal ballad closing number expressing undying devotion so believably and sweetly that even Karen O may be a little jealous. 

To give one example of impactful brevity you can check out the title track above where the band maintain a face-melting musical escape velocity for a full two minutes as do the Real Punk Rock Housewives of Philadelphia who star in the accompanying music video. Brevity doesn't equal boredom obviously.

And speaking of which if your band is called Mannequin Pussy you better not be boring or ever lose your sense of humor or provocation and the band hasn’t done any of these things by a long shot. It's just that they've taken the prude-provoking attitude of early songs like "Clit Eastwood" and "Pissdrinker" and "Meat Slave 2" and filtered it through a hard won sense of maturity and cumulative life experience so that that now a line like “spit on my tits / tell me I’m perfect” registers with a newfound impact placed in the larger context of the insecurity and masochism encouraged by societal beauty standards and social media and high school class reunions. (Jason Lee)

The quartet of Mannequin Pussy, which is made of Marisa Dabice (guitar & vocals), Athanasios Paul (guitar & keys), Kaleen Reading (drums & percussion), and Colins Rey Regisford (bass, samples & vocals), has returned with its third album. Patience was produced by Will Yip, and is now available via Epitaph.

Aggression and tension melodically converge on the album’s title track. From the initial jarring jumpstart of guitar that sets things in motion, the song lyrically expresses a shift in perspective within a relationship – one that depicts insecurity in the form of possessiveness. “Who told you, that my body was yours to own? Long before you called, it was crawling through the wild.” “Patience” fuses enthusiastic energy, evaluating circumstances, and emerging resilience.

With “Drunk II,” the tone is set by hard-driving rhythms and searing, smooth guitar lines. Marisa Dabice’s vocals cut in a vulnerable, revealing manner. “I’ve been going out almost every night, I’ve been drinking everything I can get my hands on, I pretend I have fun.” A lingering sadness hovers as Dabice describes projecting strength, while internal doubts remain. “And everyone says to me, ‘Missy, you're so strong!’ But what if I don't wanna be? And everyone says to me, ‘Missy, how do you stand it?’ There’s so much that you don't see.” 
 
“Cream” races forward in a raw, frenetic manner, as Dabice expresses, “I was standing in the gates of my hell. I was looking at myself like, ‘Girl, what you did, take a look at yourself right now!” Backed by Kaleen Reading’s tenacious percussion, the moment seems to represent a pivotal point of change, which rips and roars like an inferno. In contrast, “Fear/+/Desire” exhibits a gentler side of the band. The aesthetic is reinforced by the softness of the vocals, which is juxtaposed by the painful dynamic of the relationship. “You beg me to build you a monument, and as it grew, oh so did all my regret. Is this what you wanted? Does holding me down make you feel desire?” Recalling the need to escape an abusive situation, the protagonist concludes that “possession is a demon that I never meant to keep.”

 A fiery riff is complemented by raging percussion on “Drunk I,” as a limit is reached. “What kind of woman would you rather I be? Docile and waiting to breed? I’d rather be that. My heart is racing, wrapped up, and no, I’m not afraid.” Keeping things short, and not so sweet. A solemn, haunting instrumental opening develops the mood of “High Horse”. Painting an exit scene from a tumultuous setting, the instruments gradually swell, developing tension before momentously spilling over and crashing down. “Someone who wouldn’t treat me like you do, I fucked up. How many times will you beg me to? Your worlds on fire, as I watch up from my high horse. Your worlds on fire, and I walk away.”

“Who You Are” embraces the current moment, while describing self-acceptance. “If I were you, there’s not a thing I would restart. I love who you are.” Then, about halfway through, the tempo accelerates establishing a sense of urgency. “I felt the earth move, in your eyes. I get excited by your side. I know they want to get you to be the kind of person they’d rather see, but you don’t have to change.” There’s a high-speed intensity that exudes a cathartic control.

On “Clams,” Dabice trades verses with Regisford, as heavy percussion forge a combative sound seen through a financial scope. “I fought, but I did not win…I just want my money.” “F.U.C.A.W” captures an uncompromising in your face moment, as the guitar cuts and the drums bash. “What did you say to me boy? Come on and spit it in my face.” 

“In Love Again” closes the record on an optimistic note. Keys mingle while the other instruments establish a bright bounce. Then, everything drops back isolating and highlighting the thoughts and vocals. “Oh, it keeps getting better. I cried out, and fell out the center. I’m so high; I want this forever.” When the instruments re-enter, a joyous blitz ensues.

Patience shines in its candid openness, exploring personal struggles, demonstrating the strength to break through and remain optimistic about what the future has in store. –Michael Colavita

Mannequin Pussy just dropped their third full-length and the band's first album on Epitaph Records. With Patience, the quartet's diverse songwriting capabilities are on full display, allowing one to more easily envision the group's leap from DIY spaces to much larger stages. Their latest LP was produced by Will Yip at Studio 4 in Conshohocken, PA. All digital proceeds from Bandcamp will be donated to The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth, and if you choose to "name your price," Epitaph will match your amount. Starting in August, Mannequin Pussy are set to go on a month-long, national, headlining tour in support of the new release, and they'll be closing things out with a welcome home celebration on Thursday, September 19 at the First Unitarian Church, with tourmates Destroy Boys & Ellis.

Subdued, coarse-around-the-edges, melodic strolls statically sticking in one’s head, there’s a reverberating simplicity in the music of Permanent Body. It comforts in catchy, personal monologues that stretch and escalates into heavier, heady destinations. Tonight, at the First Unitarian Church, they’ll be joined by the raw release of emotion that erupts in fierce, aggressive, contagious catharsis, otherwise known as Mannequin Pussy. Brutal, chaotic noise expressively spills out in sugary pop-inflected glory. On the billing, you will also find the uproarious, stirring intensity of Chicago’s Slow Mass and the surging, reunited fuzz of Ovlov, who will be closing out the proceedings, with their new album Tru (Expoding In Sound) on the horizon. (Mannequin Pussy Photo by David Brandon Geeting) – Michael Colavita 

Other places where you can purge this weekend…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N Frankford Ave.) FRI Ill Doots, SAT Carroll

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI FRI Bel Heir, SAT Former Belle

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Something Like A Monument, Big Stall/I Am Not The Universe/DJ Deejay, SAT Timeshares/DJ Matthew Law, Mr. Sonny James 

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Dean and Company

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) SAT Queen of Jeans

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) DJ RL

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI John Vettese/Tulpa, SAT The Jayplayers, Jason McGovern and the Describers, Matthew Rinee

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Forever Vista, Brick Nova, The Cluster Flies, SAT Mauled By A Bear, Misfit Holiday, Ämnivór, Broke Body, Midlife Crisis, SUN Menace of the Canvas, 4th QTR, Frogg

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT Riverside Odds

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Lenina Crowne, Water Temple, SAT St. James and The Apostles, RunHideFight, SUN Whalewolf, Whackbat

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Behind Deadlines, SAT Instant Smile, Jukebox Zeros/Tigerbeats

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Kyle Sparkman, Emily Drinker 

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bo Bliz, DJ Lean Wit It, SAT DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) SAT The Blessed Muthas, The Action Party

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI DJ Mighty Mike Saga, Elijvh Vrms

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT Lean Wit It, SUN Michael Thompson

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Saint Wilde, Tough Guy Soda, Ruffy Tuffy & The Big Brutes, Frog, SAT Rollin Loaded, Apple Juice Jones

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Darla, SAT  Chill Moody, Mic Stew, Voss

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Cellar Fox, Mesen Around  / Port Arthur, The Stammer, SAT A Day Without Love

First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) FRI Mannequin Pussy, Permanent Body

The Sound Hole (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Taiwan Housing Project, SUN Sammus

Messina Club (1533 S. 10th St.) FRI Bella Reed Pitbull Rescue Benefit: Roger Harvey, Augusta Koch, Bobby Barnett, Ben Pierce, Dan Zimmerman

The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) FRI Shimmer, Eel Tank, Body Meat, Deep Couch

Clark Park (4300 Baltimore Ave.) SAT Clark Park Music and Arts Festival: Grandchildren, TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb, EDO, Gleasons Drift, Chocolate Mess, The KMX Band, The PLIBmen, The Towering Pine, Unidos da Filadelfia Samba School, Bosom Band

Lizard Lounge 215 (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Chloe Likes Olivia, Sandboxing, The Retinas, Americanadian, Tessellations

All Nite Diner (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Shannen Moser, Punk Hands

Get Better Fest 5 will be bringing the positive vibes to the basement of the First Unitarian Church. Benefitting Black & Pink, Morris Home, and Project SAFE, kind locals will be donating their time and talents, to raise money and awareness for these multitude of good, important causes. A beautiful bluntness bangs on the sonic doors when listening to Soul Glo. Unabashedly in your face and unwavering, their bombarding instrumentation pushes against the barriers at high velocity. Hovering between hushed and heavy tones, caught between the noise-induced blitz and relatively subdued melodies, there’s a cathartic intensity found in the music of Mannequin Pussy. Blank Spell stirs in the shadows, creeping out in quick bursts of menace. You’ll also come across the precise attack of Control Top’s punk/dance hybrid, while the noise-speckled glow of Empath rounds out this small sampling of the loaded, all-day lineup. – Michael Colavita

More local sounds for this weekend…

First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) FRI The Obsessives, SAT Get Better Fest 5: Mannequin Pussy, Big Nothing, Soul Glo, Control Top, Kilamanzego, Blank Spell, Empath

LAVA Space (4134 Lancaster Ave.) FRI Get Better Fest 5: August Koch, Solarized, Strawberry Runners

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Agent Zero, GoldenSpiral (Dual Album Release), Jackie & Jesse, Lotits, SUN Heavy Temple

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Marah

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Bryan William Myers/DJ Deejay, SAT A Black Celebration: DJ Baby Berlin and Jem, SUN All This Huxley, Adventure Lost, Petty Vandal

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SUN (Balcony) The 1940’s, Adam Travis & The Soul, Silver Autumn, Fauxtron

TLA (334 South St.) SAT The Parsnip Revolt

The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) SAT Kur

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) John Vettese/Conjunto, SAT (Upstairs) Philadelphia School of Rock/Don McAvoy & the Great Whatever, Germany Hill/(Downstairs) Beyond The Bars Benefit Show: The Districts, Hardwork Movement, Ill Fated Natives

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Malcolm Culleton (Album Release), Bern and the Bastards, Anna Dausman, SAT Anomie, Great Neck, Sunset Negative, Necrosexual

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Hellings, SAT Ryan Tennis

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Better Ducks, Cookie Rabinowitz, SAT Taiwan Housing Project, Dirt Queen, SUN Luminous Fins, The Justines

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT Darla

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Morning River Band, The Miners, Red Means Run, SAT De Tierra Caliente (CD Release)

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT James Pace Band, SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Drug Bust, 7^th Victim, Bunny Savage & The Plibmen, SAT Seeing Snakes, Atomic Cretins

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) SAT Murda P, SUN Atomic Cretins, Rubbish

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SAT Ed Christof

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI The Low Bottom Boys, Overcoming Gravity, This Kills Me, SAT Apple Juice Jones, Mercury Retrograde

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Big Mind, On Wa, SAT Hezekiah Jones, Chestnut Grove, Black Horse Motel

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Mahatma X, Stoops, A Virgin, Pithair / Daniel Levine, Mochi Robinson, Brushstroke, SAT Randle Patrick McNuthing, SUN Starwood & David Fantasy & Adult Content

West Kensington Ministry (2140 N. Hancock St.) FRI Bardo Pond

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Rebecca Zimmerman, Dominy

Planet Phitness (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Boosegumps, Walte Young

The Sound Hole (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Death’s Dynamic Shroud, Vincent Remember, Phteven Universe

Tundra Dome (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Hermit Thrushes, Sour Spirit