One word: experimental. Piss Piss Piss Moan Moan Moan from Chicago are no electro-pop party band. Most of their songs do not even contain lyrics. Their instruments? Try just about any electronic gadget that creates what science calls random sounds overlapping all at once or “noise”. PPPMMM is made up of Alejandro, 34, from Puerto Rico and Nicole, 30, from Wisconsin who describe their music as “candling your ears”. Two years ago, Nicole and Alejandro sparked something other than love, they started “just jamming.” It should be noted that Nicole confessed that eating Kinder Chocolates (Belgian manufactured chocolates) is what starts the two off at the beginning of every practice. “Kinder Bueno” is their latest fix. PPPMMM is definetly worth checking out. But for hearing sensitive peeps, bring some plugs because PPPMMM don’t mess around. Wait, au contraire! They do.
ЯE: How did you guys start PPPMMM?
Nicole: Alejandro’s other band were using our apartment as practice space and Alejandro and I kind of just started jamming together. We wanted to share it with others and it just grew from there.
Alejandro: Yeah, It pretty much took two years of jamming until September of last year we started to have shows.
ЯE: What would you say your music sounds like to those who’ve never heard it before?
A: I would say it’s more about the mood the sounds create. We’re interested in experimental sounds and music. Sometimes it gets really primitive. Sometimes there’s a lot of drone, disonance and, off course, latin percussion.
N: Sometimes it really depends on the mood of the audience. When we do live improv, the vibe can really change depending on the audience.
ЯE: What kinds of instruments do you use?
N: I played a circuit board, but it broke and I haven’t fixed it yet (laughs lightly). But I also play Korg instruments and I put effects on them so it sounds more crazy. I also play the theremin.
A: Drums, 80’s electronic Casio SK-1 keyboard, outdated drum machines. We do some live circuit bending so what you’re hearing is electricity rolling around, being manipulated by us. That is usually where the hissing sounds come from.
ЯE: Do any of your songs have lyrics to them? If not, why not?
N: I mean we’re working on some chanting but no lyrics.
A: There is some screaming. But it’s just the way it progressed-with no lyrics. I’m the kind of person that if you get to know me, I’ll talk your ear off but I really prefer not to put that in my music.
ЯE: Who or what are your influences to create something like Piss Piss Piss Moan Moan Moan?
N: It’s just about the music and having fun. I mean we do have our opinions and our beliefs but that’s something else.
A: The titles of the songs come from personal experiences and they sometimes carry a political story, but the title of the song is just to have a thought. The songs are really open ended and the music isn’t really about anything specific.
ЯE: What is the meaning behind the title of your band, “Piss Piss Piss Moan Moan Moan”?
N: We thought it was a funny name and people might remember our name easily (laughs).
A: We hang out with a lot of power electronic bands, but we’re more light hearted and it goes hand in hand with hearing us and letting the sounds take you away. So, when people hear “Piss Piss Piss Moan Moan Moan” they think that we are an angry band, but it’s more about release and going wherever the sounds take you.