The divine cohesion of Pile
Words by Jordan Martich Rick Maguire, guitarist and singer from the Boston-based band Pile, has made many transformations away from the acoustic solo project he started 10 years ago. They've remained your favorite band's favorite band because excited accounts of their incredible live shows and by exercising command a sound that's tough to pin down. They're pop without pop formula, rock without rock structure, and heavy without being heavy. Elements of the band seem constantly to be at odds with one another, but their cohesion can be divine. On their latest album, A Hairshirt of Purpose, Pile weaves their most [...]
Pile (Boston) playing four Bay Area shows this week
Boston hometown heroes Pile are sliding through California with four Bay Area shows this week, the second of which takes place tonight at San Francisco's Hemlock Tavern with local support from Couches, Wag, and Friends w/o Benefits. The post-punk four-piece (Matt Becker, Matt Connery, Kris Kuss, Rick Maguire) recently embarked on a rigorous tour itinerary following the release of their Exploding In Sound breakthrough You're Better Than This, including an extended stretch in Austin for SXSW. Pile just played four consecutive nights in LA, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and San Jose. Taking zero breaks, they'll play two additional Oakland gigs [...]