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Checkered Past
AH
Having moved to Cincinnati ten years ago, I have fond memories of squeezing into Ass Ponys shows at Sudsy's, the now defunct Clifton institution. Bethel's favorite sons spun odd stories of backwoods dysfunction set to alternately bouncy and ominous countrified rock.
While making their third record, Electric Rock Music, they got mixed up in an inexplicable major label deal. Everyone knew that it would be a bust, but they toured with American Music Club, singer Chuck Cleaver got a spiffy new guitar, and we all wished them well. The Universe righted itself and the Ass Ponys lost their deal, taking a break before producing more music. The worst was feared. Did the experience sour them? Had Cleaver been able to pay off that guitar before getting the pink slip? We wanted the Ponys back. Happily, the Ass Ponys have at last returned on the more appropriate Checkered Past label (home of the Silos) with Some Stupid with a Flare Gun seemingly stronger than ever.
While the best characteristics of Ass Ponys' work is present - the off-center narratives, Cleaver's distinctive falsetto, the crafty musicianship - Flare Gun finds the band stretching to avoid some of their previous paths. It helps that the Ponys have ventured out of Cincinnati's Ultraseude studios to work with producer Brad Jones in Nashville. Sonically, the record displays a new depth and a host of fresh guitar sounds. There are plenty of highlights on the uncharacteristically upbeat record. "Swallow You Down" is one of the catchiest things the band has done in some time, blending a Morricone guitar figure with a great stomping chorus. The Ponys also rumble through "X-Tra Nipple," a Stooges-like rave-up, "Astronaut," a fine blend of straight Americana and freak-out noise, and the odd robot phobic "Magnus."
Despite the preponderance of rock on the record, Cleaver still gets a chance to unravel more complex tales on a few trademark slow-burners. Perhaps the best track on Flare Gun is "Casper's Coming Home," which features simple, sparse verses and an amazingly hooky chorus. It's a common formula, but the Ass Ponys manage to conjure goose bumps nonetheless as Cleaver initiates the chorus with "And rest assured/ that you don't have to worry/ I can face your ghost alone." In this one song, the Ponys display just about everything they have refined over the years. It makes one wonder. If this song had been on either of their major label records, would they still be on the A&M payroll today?
Probably not. But it's great to have the Ass Ponys back.