Posts Tagged ‘Pearl Harbor’

Sightings: Puro Instinct Cover Leland

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

I don’t know anything about Leland — the artist who originally wrote “I’ve Got Some Happiness”– but I do know a few things about L.A.’s Puro Instinct, although I have no idea why they changed their name. Oh well. Let’s talk about what I do know. Puro Instinct’s take on “I’ve Got Some Happiness” is just right, adding a bit of murkiness to the mix with some synthy flourishes and a touch of vocal reverb. But the guitar riffs, bass lines, and solos are all kept relatively intact. The overall outcome is just enough to bring Leland’s summer jam into the 21st century and showcase Puro Instinct’s talent for tight and concise arrangements. It’s 100 degrees, but I’ve got this song and about 5000 BTU’s worth of happiness.

Puro Instinct, “I’ve Got Some Happiness” (Leland) (Puro Instinct, Gloriette Records)

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Words: Marc Picciolo

Puro Instinct’s self-titled EP will be out sometime in July on Gloriette Records. You can stream it now here.

VR Vimeo: Puro Instinct Take Us On a Faerie-Lit Sea Voyage

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Puro Instinct- “Can’t Take You Anywhere”- Live- 6/19/10- Showcave- Los Angeles, CA from Samantha Cornwell on Vimeo.

When I first became aware of Puro Instinct, they were still called Pearl Harbor. It seems that this name change came to fruition very recently, because all the posters for the show where I shot this video still referred to them as Pearl Harbor. I guess it doesn’t matter what they call themselves as long as they keep making intoxicating new wave jams with a subtle undertone of Gothic rock. While editing this video, I took a break to watch the music video for “Brass in Pocket.” Something about Puro Instinct’s sound is really evocative of golden age Pretenders, and it probably has a lot to do with frontwoman Piper’s vocal stylings. Much like Chrissie Hynde, Piper’s voice has a quality that is both very feminine and very bad-ass. She’s the sort of lead singer who makes strong-willed little girls dream of starting bands when they grow up. In the very near future, Puro Instinct will be traversing the United States on a stacked bill that includes Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti and Magic Kids. Check them out if they come through your town, and keep an eye on them in general. I sense something special brewing here.
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