Piss – you made me / skin on linen (Sub Pop) – I didn’t really want to do all this, I just wanted to write romantic novels and she learnt that some people only listen to you when you knees are bleeding.
Most albums that turn up here wanting attention are just thrown on while other things are happening, while writing or painting or doing the washing up or sorting out art administration or whatever needs to be done, and then there are occasional albums that you really are waiting for, that you need to work up to, that you have to pick the right moment for, to clear the decks for. I have properly listened to this album a couple of times now, I am about to go back in again and attempt to put some words down but but but… But really you should skip all this, avoid any thought or opinion, avoid reviews, wait until the whole thing is available and go listen without the words of others informing you, just go listen to Piss, cut… cut to the chase, do not read this, just go find the album and listen to it.
This is not a nice album, it is not easy listening, it album isn’t throwaway pop music or meaningless rock music or just noisy punk music, this is a challenge, it isn’t comfortable, it is powerful, powerful in so many ways, you have to go through the fire (her fire?), it is a brilliant album and and She (yes, capital S) wanted to be a singer but She had to learn to scream, She found people only listen to Her when She learned how to scream properly (I hope that isn’t true, it probably is).
“Hi, here’s the incredible forthcoming debut album from Piss, you made me / skin on linen, due for release on October 30th via Sub Pop” reads the message that came with the advance copy sent here…
Basically, as a starting point to a far more complex thing that this but will allow; Piss are a noisy, genre-bending four-piece band from Vancouver, B.C who “combine punk, poetry, sound collage, performance art, and visual art, the band creates a multidisciplinary body of work that blurs the line between personal and political”
Is there a blurred line, aren’t politics always personal? Piss are brilliant, no point pussyfooting around here, call it as it is, they are a brilliant band, a brilliant creative force, this is not a comfortable album, their noise is never obviously made, and it is very noisy at times, yes, it is something always powered by thoughtful musicianship, yes the album is as intensely energetic as their live performances, and yes they do have “a crystal-clear artistic mission” – or is that missions, there are saying and doing so much and it is rather difficult to play devil’s advocate and offer an alternative point of view to any of the many statements, observations or declarations. This is a brilliant album for so so many reasons all of which you should explore for yourself rather than have me, a middle aged male, pick those reasons out for you (however much I might like to think I am on the right side of things)
The quiet bits feel noisy, the silence a challenge, not a build up to an obvious explosion, far less obvious that that (although it does explode and often), right now there is hardly anything, minimal playing, a quietly sung whisper of a vocal line and yet it is so beautifully powerful, so quietly loud; the final piece, I Keep Trying to Change The Ending.
“Taylor Zantingh’s visceral physicality challenges onlookers to move beyond passive media consumption”, She fronts the band and so much more, it isn’t just Her show though, this feels very much like the work of a band, of a collective; Piss are four people in tune: Taylor Zantingh (vocals), Tyler Paterson (guitar), Gavin Moya (bass), and Garreth Roberts (drums).
Angry shouty feminism? No, this is life, this is everyone’s life, she and they are just saying thing things we surely (should) already know and yes of course there in more than a point is saying it all or shouting it all, in stating it, in nailing it right up there, in confronting us with all these things. These things should be obvious, alas little of it is.
I love this album for so many reasons, It is explosive, the album I mean, the statement, the everything, I doubt they or She needs me to say I agree with every bit of it, who needs my thoughts, I grew up in the 70s, impossible not to grow up back then and be part of the problem how ever hard anyone might try and unfortunately, I don’t see any improvement in those who grew up later or who are growing up right now, and no this doesn’t feel like anyone is guilt tripping anyone, and some of it is about just turning pain into something beautiful, something beautifully powerful. This is a an honest album, I wanted to say beautifully honest, actually I just did but, cut… cut again, and all she does is bleed… will you tell your children bedtime stories… cut… I know, she knows… cut… she knows… some people only listen when you’re screaming, she is a brilliant singer, this is a difficult album, it is a brilliant album, Piss are brilliant band and the music, the music is put together so well, easy to let that past in the storm(s) of what’s being said. This is a brilliant album. (sw)
The album is released on October 30th, I do think you should try and wait and listen to it all on one go rather than bits of it here and there (yes, I know, we’ve posted a couple of tracks in the last few weeks, sorry). Right now on October 7th 2026 there three songs available om the Bandcamp page, I imagine the whole thing will appear later on this month…. Here’s some other links for the album (excellent album cover as well)
Previously…
Next dates…
Wed. Oct. 14 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts*
Thu. Oct. 15 – Brooklyn, NY – Elsewhere – The Hall*
Sat. Oct. 17 – Allston, MA – Brighton Music Hall*
Tue. Oct. 20 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace*
Wed. Oct. 21 – Detroit, MI – Third Man Records – Cass Corridor*
Thu. Oct. 22 – Chicago, IL – The Bottom Lounge*
Sat. Oct. 24 – Saint Paul, MN – Turf Club*
Tue. Oct. 27- Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater*
Wed. Oct. 28 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court*
Fri. Oct. 30 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios*
Sat. Oct. 31 – Vancouver, BC – The Pearl on Granville*
Sun. Nov. 01 – Seattle, WA – Neumos*
Thu. Nov. 05 – Reykjavik, Iceland – Iceland Airwaves
Sat. Nov. 07 – Paris, FR – Pitchfork Paris
Sun. Nov. 08 – Kortrijk, BE – Sonic City
Tue. Nov. 10 – Amsterdam, NE – Paradiso (Small Hall)
Wed. Nov. 11 – Nijmegen, NE – Merleyn
Sat. Nov. 14 – London, UK – Moth Club
*supporting Gilla Band
And if you can’t wait then here’s something from our second favourite radio station and something from one of our favourite old school no messing London music venues…
KEXP.ORG presents Piss performing live in the KEXP studio. Recorded June 25th, 2026.
