Shoegaze legends Moose to start the week. Considered by many to be the quintessential underrated group, Moose was credited to having coined (or been the source of) the term Shoegaze.
Even if they did nothing else, to be associated with one of the more interesting genres, begun in the 90s, is more than ample cause to celebrate.
With Moose came a slew of “shoegaze” bands – some gladly embracing the moniker, others giving lip service while denying vehemently. Still, Shoegaze (for want of a better description) really did offer that Wall Of Sound everyone seemed to be looking for since Phil Spector discovered it in the 60s, and they are still (in some sectors) giving homage to it now – that’s a good thing for those of us who like to dive head-first into our music.
Sadly, Moose went into a form of oblivion when they called it quits in 2000, after surfacing from an extended hiatus in 1995, a little while after this second appearance on the Black Sessions from RFI in Paris was recorded.
However, when former Lush founder Miki Berenyi announced the formation of Piroshka in 2018, a certain K.J. McKillop appeared in the lineup and it sent lightbulbs going off in heads all over Europe. K.J. “Moose” McKillop, not only being Miki Berenyi’s Significant Other was also a founding member of Moose – so the story more or less comes full circle.
Needless to say, Moose were an unjustly neglected band at the time – they often say “Them with the best Press Agent wins” – and in this case, it may very well have proven to be true, because there was no other explanation which could justify the treatment – one thing to play to enthusiastic crowds, it’s another to let the outside world know what those enthusiastic crowds were all about. It’s only worse now. At least we have social media and fan pages.
All that said, if you’re not familiar with Moose and their significant contribution to the world of Music, it’s time to do so. It’s Monday – you have the whole week ahead of you – gonna be an insane week and you need something to turn to for comfort. My suggestion is head up to the player, press play and dive in.
You can thank me later – but grab Piroshka’s albums in the meantime – just sayin’.
