SSM Preview

SSM
Empty Bottle, Chicago
Thursday, June 22, 2006

SSM. Sweaty Sex Magic? Satan’s Simple Muse, maybe? Sweet Supple Mangos, perhaps?

Turns out the abbreviation for the band SSM is nothing thought provoking, or interesting for that matter. The letters just stand for the trio of musicians in the group: Szymanski (John, singer/keyboardist), Shettler (Dave, drummer), and Morris (Marty, singer/guitarist). L-A-M-E! The group is Detroit garage rock supergroup of sorts because all three players have done time in well-known-within-the-Motor City acts like the Hentchmen, The Sights, and Cyril Lords to name a few. Great, another Detroit garage rock outfit, right? It’s hard to argue against the notion the city’s rock movement has become over exposed, or at least less creative during the past few years, and SSM seem to know that. The rough-and-tumble fuzzy riffing of “The Fourth” is distinctive garage grit, but the (intentionally) cheesy drum-machine beats and kooky analog keyboard effects of “Put Me In” are certainly not. It’s songs like “Put Me In” from the band’s self-titled full-length debut (Alive), plus the CD’s cover art of a space craft surrounded by busty, nude women with parakeet heads, that show SSM are at least trying to break the mold.

Now they just need to do something about that name. Stinky Slimey Mongoloid?

SSM, along with Bottles Of Wine, open for The Bellrays.

— Trevor Fisher

Click here to download SSM’s “2012.”

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly