Cold Hands album cover
Cold Hands

Boss Hog

1990
Amphetamine Reptile Records

Cristina Martinez left Pussy Galore after their first few EPs, but she married Jon Spencer, and in 1989 the two worked together again, forming Boss Hog with a noise all-star crew that included members of PG, Unsane, and the Honeymoon Killers. Their first full-length included guest appearances from saxophonist Kurt Hoffman of the Ordinaires and guitarist Santiago Durango, formerly of Big Black, but the core band had a strong voice already. Heavier and bluesier than Pussy Galore, the songs had a stomping backbeat courtesy of Unsane drummer Charlie Ondras and layers of bent guitar from Jerry Teel, Kurt Wolf, and Spencer. The back-and-forth lead vocals of the front couple were the main attraction, and Martinez quickly revealed herself as a compelling counterpart to her husband’s already germinating rockabilly-loverman persona; her shouts, murmurs and coos were seductive and sardonic at once, sticking pins in every balloon at the party.

Phil Freeman

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