Killer B’s: An Anthology of Pavement’s Best B-Sides

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by: Jordan Bohannon

Who would have guessed that two guys in a basement from Stockton, California would go on to be toted as ‘America’s most interesting band’? When Stephen “SM” Malkmus and Scott “Spiral Stairs” Kannberg started recording music in 1989 with no intention of ever performing live- I would have to assume that they had no idea what they were getting themselves into. Fast-forward 24 years, and here we are in 2013 with Pavement heralded as not only of the best bands of the 90’s, but one of the best independent rock bands ever. Five studio albums, eight EPs, twelve 7” singles, and a few other odds & ends have all accumulated into a one of the most expansive discographies of any band. While those five studio albums are all classics, Pavement’s repertoire was always enhanced with their reputation of having one of the best collections of B-sides around. The sheer might of Pavement’s back catalogue can be rather intimidating for the fan looking to sift through the B-sides, the lost recording sessions, and the contributions to various sound tracks and compilations in search of those legendary gems. So, for all of those out there looking for a guide, here is one man’s ranking of the 15 best Pavement B-sides. 15) “Painted Soldiers” – Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy Soundtrack, (1996) Starting this list is the Spiral Stairs track “Painted Soldiers.” A groovy little number that demonstrates Spiral Stairs chops as a songwriter. The instantly infectious vocal melody and the sing along chorus are a reminder that SM wasn’t the only genius in Pavement. Reminiscent of Wowee Zowee’s “Kennel District,” “Painted Soldiers” is one a textbook end of summer jam.

14) “The Killing Moon” – Major Leagues, (1999)

This one is a real gem. Two years before this Echo & The Bunnymen Classic was used in the opening scene of Donnie Darko and rightfully immortalized, SM, Spiral Stairs, & Co. covered it live during one of their many Peel Sessions. Released on the final Pavement EP, Major Leagues, this cover is a much more somber take than the original and to no surprise it works perfectly. Even though SM was never toted as a ‘great’ singer, his voice is at its prettiest here. “The Killing Moon” finds Pavement at their most lackadaisical and despite managing to sounding like an overcast day, it’s hard not to imagine SM’s ear-to-ear smile as he belts out the chorus. Oh also, did I mention this is live?

13) “Raft” – Range Life, (1995)

“Raft” is a pretty special song. Besides the fact that it is just a rad tune, it serves as a snapshot of Pavement’s musical progress between the Crooked Rain Crooked Rain era and Wowee Zowee era. More so than any other song “Raft” foreshadows the direction that pavement was heading, gone are the classic rock song structures and the pseudo-country single-coiled tones that were present on Crooked Rain Crooked Rain. Instead you hear those classic synth lines, SM’s stoned stream of consciousness flow, the out of left field twists and turns, but most special of all, you see Pavement toying with bringing a song within centimeters of complete chaos, only to come back stronger than ever (a la “Grave Architecture”).

12) “Wanna Mess You Around” – Shady Lane, (1996)

This one is a real-shout-along. The break neck tempo and the screamed refrain of “I WANNA F**K around” puts it in the company of songs like “Unfair” and “Serpentine Pad.” All things put aside, drummer Steve West really steals the show on this one. The shotgun drumming demonstrates Pavement’s krautrock influences more than any other song, and it is impossible not to be impressed with West’s shotgun drumming technique and overall technical ability on this track. Also, dat (subtle) cowbell. The singular swirling synth note also really adds a lot of depth to this short little number.

11) “Baptist Blacktick” – Summer Babe, (1992)

Nothing can be said about Slanted & Enchanted that hasn’t already been said. A true classic and arguably the moment at which post punk turned into alternative rock, Slanted & Enchanted rightfully ranks amongst the most critically acclaimed albums of the 90’s. With that in mind, “Baptist Blacktick” off of the Summer Babe single could have fit in on Slanted & Enchanted flawlessly. Noisy, mean, and undeniably catchy, “Baptist Blacktick” is a perfect of example of why Pavement turned heads early in their career. The lead guitar is prominent but never overwhelming, they rhythm section is groovy and the bass roots the song. Most impressive though is SM’s vocal delivery and the perfect execution of the instrumental chorus.

10) “Strings of Nashville” – Gold Soundz, (1994)

This one is really left field, even for Pavement, and not in the way you’d expect. The first word that comes to mind is heartbreaking. You can feel the pain in SM’s broken delivery and the instrumentation that buries the vocal track is mesmerizingly beautiful. SM’s lyrics paint a pathetically knowing picture, “I know, you got a lot of special things to do, but me I’m through, I know, it’s alright.” SM is uncharacteristically transparent here, but it never feels forced. The heartbreak is real on this one and as a result, you get one hell of a song.

9) “Frontwards” – Watery, Domestic, (1992)

The Watery, Domestic EP was the immediate follow up to 1992’s all-time classic Slanted & Enchanted. For anyone who is unclear, that’s a lot of pressure. In addition to following up one of the most critically acclaimed albums ever, Watery, Domestic also would be the last time Pavement recorded with Drummer Gary Young as well as the first time Pavement would record with Bob Nastanovich (that weird guy who yells a lot) and Mark Ibold on Bass. “Frontwards” is an excellent indicator of Pavement in transition. “Frontwards” is the best song on the EP, and beneath the fuzz, it is a fantastic pop song. Drawing heavily from The Clean’s “I Wait Around,” “Frontwards” has a killer lead, is ridiculously catchy, and for one of the first times (save “here”) SM’s lyrics are allowed to shine through the noise. Also, for Los Campensinos fans, they do a pretty fantastic cover of it.

8) “Unseen Power of the Picket Fence” – No Alternative, (1993)

“Some bands I’d like to name check, and one of them is REM,” sings SM in the first line of this fan favorite and 90’s classic. The monumental compilation No Alternative featured tracks from Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Patti Smith, The Breeders, The Beastie Boys, and that other band SM would name check, The Smashing Pumpkins. Pavement’s addition to this compilation was a four-minute tribute to the history of REM. A fuzzy, noisy, and honest homage to one of their favorite bands, “The Unseen Power Of The Picket Fence” is an insight into the minds of a few guys who play instruments. When presented with an opportunity to be on a genre encompassing compilation such as No Alternative, not many bands would contribute a goofy song about their favorite band instead of something more immediately appealing- and that says a whole lot about who Pavement is.

7) “All My Friends” – Random Falls NYC Sessions, (1993)

Pavement were always fans of the distinct parts within songs- but no where was it executed as well as in the Crooked Rain Crooked Rain outtake, “All My Friends.” This track, like many others on Crooked Rain Crooked Rain, showcase the emotional maturity and songwriting chops of the Pavement boys. The song very easily could have ended at SM’s realization that “Tonight, all my friends are strangers,” but if it had, that would have been boring and easy. Instead they slow it down, and keep going, until the cathartic return of that riff, lyrical madness, and one hell of a solo.

Perhaps one of the more heavy Pavement songs, it never feels contrived or forced. The song delves into the pains of being lonely, the pains of hating the people that surround you, the pains of feeling as though “tonight, all my friends are strangers.” SM has the unique ability to convey emotion through every possible means in order to make the listener feel what he feels; to take a universal feeling and turn into sound.

6) “Debris Slide” – Perfect Sound Forever, (1990)

Pre-Slanted & Enchanted Pavement was a grab bag of noise, distortion, some more noise, shouting, and some fantastic pop songs. “Debris Slide” was one of those tracks like “Box Elder” and “Forklift” that indicated that there were great things to come from. Nestled deep in the track lists of early 7”s and EPs, these songs showcased the ear for melody and the sheer musical genius of SM and Spiral Stairs. By no means are the other songs from those early Drag City releases not good, but songs like “Debris Slide” still hold there own against an entire catalogue’s worth of material.

5) “Gangsters and Pranksters” – Pacific Trim, (1996)

Fun, short, and weird, The Pacific Trim EP is a victory lap in the form of a 100-meter sprint for Pavement. Released shortly after Wowee Zowee the EP shows Pavement in full stride. This is the sweet spot of their discography. Everything great about Pavement comes together during the Wowee Zowee era- simultaneously goofy and highbrow, Pavement had defined their sound. “Gangster’s and Pranksters” is amongst the cream of the crop of Pavement’s discography. SM’s word play is at its finest, and the track is as groovy as it is short. SM’s cry of “I’ve got so much harbored LSD, who would anyone f**k me?” sums up Wowee Zowee era pavement: equal parts tripped out & confidently self-aware.

4) “Harness Your Hopes” – Spit on A Stranger Single, (1999)

It’s hard not to smile during this one. Of all the great lyrics SM has ever written, the lyrics for “Harness Your Hopes” have to be amongst the best. SM is at the top of his game here, line after line, verse after verse, he doesn’t let up. “Harness Your Hopes” also showcases Pavement’s incredible sense of restraint. The song really needs nothing more than SM’s strummed riff and vocals, so that all it gets. No elaborate solos, no breakdowns, no shouting are on this one, everyone just steps back and lets a genius do his job.

3) “Winner of The” – Stereo, (1997)

I’m going to go out on a limb here and call this the best Spiral Stairs song there is. Spiral’s vocal delivery is near flawless, and the lyrics are introspective and relatable. The call and response verses really work here, and it doesn’t stop there, the chorus is one of the bands strongest. However, SM will never let Spiral Stairs take the spotlight for too long. SM’s guitar work here is one of the few times he lets it all hang out. Pulling out more than one Mascis-esque solos; SM tries his hardest to take back the spot light.

2) “I Love Perth” – Pacific Trim, (1996)

SM’s lyrics on the Pacific Trim standout track “I Love Perth” are amongst the most heartwarming of his career. “I Love Perth” is the original SM narcissistic love song, a pattern that 1999’s “Spit on a Stranger” would follow. Everything about this track is perfect from the strummed guitars and the light percussion to the playful melody. This tune is really something special and is a definite inclusion for that next mix-tape you are planning for that special someone in your life.

1) “For Sale! The Preston School of Industry” – “A Lesson in Songwriting” from VPRO Dutch TV, (1997)

Recorded live on Dutch TV, with only a few hours to prepare and write the song, “For Sale! The Preston School of Industry” is the song that showcases the sheer prowess of Pavement as a band. The vocal melody that starts the song is immediately mesmerizing and is second only to the legendary ohh’s of “Cut Your Hair.” Everything that makes a great pavement song is here, the genius melodies and hooks, the effortlessly tight instrumentation, the simultaneously poignant and nonsensical lyrics, but above all the playful exchange [read: tension] between SM and Spiral Stairs is showcased in an unparalleled sense. Even though Spiral takes the reigns on this track, the song is made when SM shouts out “annndd Arch-i-tecture” (a throw back to the Wowee Zowee highlight “Grave Architecture”) and then proceeds to chime in for the rest of the verse. This is the quintessential Pavement song- and perhaps not only one of the best B-sides/Rarities, but also one of the best Pavement songs ever.

Even though the exchange between the band’s founders was always ostensibly playful, the attentive Pavement enthusiast will take note that perhaps more than ever the tension was palpable. Even though Spiral Stairs gets singing duties on this one, SM chimes in and takes over the second verse, much to the probable dismay of Spiral. Also SM gets the first and last words on this recording, typically pushing Spiral Stairs into the background. By this time, Pavement was dissolving. A few years later, a handful of EPs, and one studio album later, Pavement would be non-existent and Spiral Stairs would start his first solo project- The Preston School of Industry.