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Not many bands last as long as two decades, and those who do have often had to compromise something at some point in their careers to make it the distance. Bands are often broken by conflicting egos, ‘artistic differences’ or by the strains inflicted upon them by demanding recording contracts. Pinhead Gunpowder are not one of those bands. The East Bay ‘supergroup’ have consistently and almost habitually shunned not only the spotlight, but also any perceived notion of ‘commitment.’ Pinhead Gunpowder are on a constant hiatus, but not a hiatus that is self-enforced. The band are simply always in a state of stasis, coming together only when it suits each member -- which is not, it would appear, very often. For this reason alone, fans of the ‘Gunpowder have long since acquired patience as a core virtue, and have learned to enjoy and to savour the group’s precious output whenever it erratically arrives. This time, that arrival comes in the form of a ‘greatest hits’ compilation, Kick Over the Traces.

For a band who have never had a ‘hit,’ at least not in any kind of objective sense, Kick Over the Traces is a strange concept -- yet in reality it is a convenient and long overdue release that serves as a reminder (as if we needed one) that this band has repeatedly churned out songs that transcend the realms of brilliance with fascinating consistency. Containing songs that span the duration of the band’s career to date -- including all three from 2008’s self-titled 7-inch -- the compilation is largely predictable and none of the ‘classics’ are omitted: “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Second Street,” “Life During Wartime” and “Mahogany” all feature while songs like “MPLS Song” and “Kathleen” still have the power to inspire sheer awe. One often forgets the band’s earliest material, often characterised by departed lead vocalist Mike Kirsch’s harsh growl; Mike is today gone but not forgotten, making a welcome return from the depths of Jump Salty on “Future Daydream” and “Keeping Warm in the Night Time."

As the CD reaches its conclusion, one wonders why the band never took the opportunity to simply release a double-disc, anthology type affair -- a chronological ‘best of’ of their back catalogue, perhaps. Songs such as “Letter from AOF,” “Black Mountain, PT.3,” “27,” “Homesick Hopes” and “Song of the Returning” among others would all be worthy additions. Ultimately, though, regardless of this greedy gripe and despite the distinct lack of any brand new or unreleased material this time round, the nostalgic high alone is surely enough to keep Pinhead Gunpowder junkies worldwide sedated, at least for now, before they return to that familiar state of patience, of waiting, of anticipating.



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    Posted by TraumaSponge on 2009-07-09 14:58:14

    Their newest 7" had one of their best songs yet on it. West Side Highway.

    Also, how cool is it that they lifted the vocal melody from I'm A Boy by The Who for Kathleen?

    Posted by thatsyouth on 2009-07-08 18:17:09

    I need to buy this.

    Posted by baldsteve on 2009-07-08 14:08:27

    Mike is and has been involved in a shit ton of projects:

    Torches to Rome
    Colbum
    John Henry West
    Please Inform the Captain, this is a Hijack
    Bullets*In

    That is barely the tip of the iceberg. I love everything he touches.

    Posted by SloaneDaley on 2009-07-08 11:31:42

    I always felt Fuel sounded more like Fugazi's 13 Songs than HWM was trying to do. HWM sounded more like Split Lip to me.

    Posted by Cos on 2009-07-07 23:15:35

    I mean is Mike doing anything musically NOW?

    Posted by oskorei on 2009-07-07 20:32:38

    i bet this collection is awesome. I can't think of 1 Pinhead Gunpowder song that I don't like. Some are just standard pop punk songs but I can't think of any that I skip over when listening to the albums.

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-07-07 14:47:07
    My Score:

    Sure these are great songs but I dunno if a collection is worth a close to perfect score.

    The music is fantastic.

    Posted by lostandclowned on 2009-07-07 14:01:03

    I believe Mike left the band due to conflict with Billie Joe, but that could be wrong.

    Posted by Cos on 2009-07-07 12:59:42

    whatever happened to Mike Kirsch? That Fuel anthology was pretty great, and made me realize how much of a rip-off Hot Water Music was (though I still love them too)

    Posted by lostandclowned on 2009-07-07 12:55:51

    Uhh...his name is Wilhelm Fink, not Billie Joe.

    Posted by kevgren on 2009-07-07 12:52:59

    Agreed on Mike's vocals. The mix of his and Billie's stuff on Jump Salty was perfect.

    Posted by Deadpan on 2009-07-07 12:49:39

    Jump Salty is all I ever had by these guys. I used to hate it because of Mike's vocals. Then I grew up and realised they were awesome.

    Posted by MrStylson on 2009-07-07 12:22:41
    My Score:

    Fantastic collection. I would've liked to see "Crazy Horse" make the list, along with the Replacements cover, but if we played those games we'd all end up with one release of a complete discography.

    Posted by baldsteve on 2009-07-07 11:55:49
    My Score:

    Score is for Mike Kirsch. I goddamn love that guy.

    Posted by kevgren on 2009-07-07 11:43:14
    My Score:

    Being that it's made entirely of previously released material, I'd say it's a lot like their other stuff!

    Seriously, this is a fantastic collection of songs.

    Posted by kevgren on 2009-07-07 11:43:13
    My Score:

    Being that it's made entirely of previously released material, I'd say it's a lot like their other stuff!

    Seriously, this is a fantastic collection of songs.

    Posted by xshoutoutx on 2009-07-07 11:08:41
    My Score:

    "I'm impressed you wrote this review with not a single poke at a certain rock star member."

    ...backed. Good review, great band. Hell, I didn't even know they were releasing anything, but if it is anything like their prior releases, should be great. Score is for the band.

    Posted by ilovepie on 2009-07-07 11:06:01
    My Score:

    everyone complaining about the new Green Day album being terrible earlier should just get this album and pretend it's 21st century breakdown.

    Posted by drewshaw on 2009-07-07 05:31:14

    "I'm impressed you wrote this review with not a single poke at a certain rock star member."

    haha i liked that as well

    Posted by R3vengeTherapy on 2009-07-07 00:52:01

    Pinhead Gunpowder is absolutely classic. Shoot the Moon is still so good, as is Jump Salty. Actually, there's nothing that this band has done that I'd call weak.

    I'm impressed you wrote this review with not a single poke at a certain rock star member.

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