If You Like: David Bowie, The Velvet Underground, TV Preist
It’s not often you see a famous actor make the successful transition to music. The biggest switch that comes to mind is Donald Glover, from Community to genre-defining singer. It takes talent and a very hard work ethic to maintain that artistic level. Many actors have a passion for both creative paths which lead them to form bands. Still, it’s hard to find time to carve out a little bit of escape in their already busy lives. In Michael C. Hall’s case, his passion far outweighs the stress and overall impact on his psyche.
For the uncultured, Micheal C. Hall is an actor and best known for his work as the serial killer Dexter Morgan on the Showtime drama Dexter. Aside from Dexter, Micheal C. Hall has appeared in various Broadway shows like Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Macbeth, and Cabaret. It’s safe to say Hall is well versed in all aspects of performance art. It’s something that Micheal C. Hall brings to Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum.
Much like Micheal C. Hall (lead singer), PGBM is very hard to place in terms of musical era and sound. It’s where we get to see Hall in all his glory. Along with Matthew Jeremy Katz-Bohen (guitarist) and Peter Yanowitz (drummer), PGBM is a bridge between all that’s old and new. Nestled between the notes of their experimental indie rock, you can pick up on hints of classic rock tones. In their defense, two-thirds of the band come from very iconic 90s alt-rock bands (Katz-Bohen with Blondie, Yanowitz with The Wallflowers). It’s the sounds that make PGBM such a force to be reckoned with.
Their debut album, Thanks For Coming, gives a glimpse into this very talented band. Released this year, it’s a project that doesn’t seem to garner a lot of attention. It’s full of raw emotion graced with Micheal C. Hall’s signature voice harmonizing. Like the characters Hall played on television, the project is full of dark and stormy production. Don’t let it fool you, the lyrics are all about looking inward and escaping oneself. Tracks like, “Airhead” and “Bombed Out Sites” are some of the ones that make the project. Each member of the band holds a very important role in the success of Thanks For Coming.
The overall tone and sound of the album switches from indie rock to experimental electric. You’ll be hard press trying to nail down their sound, I know I did. Parts of the album remind me of 80s late somber classic rock while other parts bring me into the future of a futuristic age of infused rock and 80s dance. Bands with such a well-established actor tend to fade as their acting career tends to bring them back down to reality. I say, in the most selfish way imaginable, I hope that never happens. Take a trip and marvel as the Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum.
