Pylon Reenactment Society Announces Debut Album

Pylon Reenactment Society, an evolutionary offshoot of the fabled Athens, GA, post-punk band Pylon, will release their long-awaited debut, Magnet Factory, on February 9, 2024 on the Strolling Bones Records imprint.

The band — comprised of former Pylon frontwoman Vanessa Briscoe Hay, Jason NeSmith and Kay Stanton of Supercluster and Casper & The Cookies, and Gregory Sanders of Casper & The Cookies — have been active since 2014. But Magnet Factory marks their first studio effort. The 11-song set was produced by NeSmith and Briscoe Hay and was engineered by David Barbe (Deerhunter, Drive-By Truckers) and Tom Ashton (Sisters of Mercy, Clan of Xymox). 

Yet this group doesn’t consider themselves a cover act or tribute act, though Pylon tunes are incorporated into their live sets. They prefer to see the unit as its own distinctive entity.

Jason says, “In order to be faithful to the spirit of Pylon, we had to move on from them. Originally they intended to be around just as long as it took to get on the cover of New York Rocker, so there was a sense of impermanence built into the band.”

“Trying to be Pylon or trying to be a Pylon cover band really goes against the spirit of the band, and I hope that spirit comes through in what we’re doing now,” Vanessa adds. “They say people change their cell structure every seven years, so I’ve totally regenerated several times since we started Pylon 40 years ago. Over the course of your life, you’re going to learn new things. Your mind is going to change and expand. I’m older now, and I can’t be something I’m not anymore. Pylon is our guiding star, but we’re not Pylon. We’re Pylon Reenactment Society.” 

However, in addition to their originals, they also worked up two Pylon deep cuts dating back to 1979: “3 x 3” and “Heaven (In Your Eyes).” Jason, who had become Pylon’s tape archivist during the compilation of Box, rediscovered these songs, encouraged the new group to put their own touches on them, and record them for Magnet Factory.

“If we’re gonna do a cover,” Vanessa laughs, “we might as well cover Pylon.” 

The only fifth person featured on the album, meanwhile, is Kate Pierson of the B-52’s on “Fix It,” a kinetic kicker that closes side one. It marks the first time Vanessa and Kate, friends for over 45 years, have ever collaborated together.

“I’ve been a B-52’s fan since the first time I saw them, which was their third show ever,” says Vanessa. “They were always supportive of Pylon. When I saw their final show in Athens, it struck me that Kate would be perfect for that particular song.” 

The band has so far shared two videos from Magnet Factory: one for “3 x 3,” which was directed by Tony Brazier & Bill Cody (director of the legendary 1986 documentary Athens, GA: Inside/Out and its sequel, Athens Inside-Out 2: Red Turns Into Blue) while “Flowers Everywhere” was directed by Dan Aguar (R.E.M., Widespread Panic). Both clips can be seen below. Additionally, the group also has a fun non-album holiday single, “Christmas Daze,” which premiered earlier today on another site.

Pylon Reenactment Society’s Magnet Factory will be available across digital platforms. Autographed Compact disc and vinyl editions autographed by the members of Pylon Reenactment Society will be available via Independent Retailers and both are available for pre-order via Strolling Bones Records.

 

Track Listing: 

1. Spiral

2. Educate Me

3. Flowers Everywhere

4. Messenger

5. 3 x 3

6. Fix It (ft. Kate Pierson)

7. Boom Boom

8. Heaven (In Your Eyes)

9. No Worries

10. Compression

11. I’ll Let You Know

 

Pylon Reenactment Society Live: 

12/03/23 Hendershots, Athens, GA w/ Secret Monkey Weekend 

01/25/24 SF Sketchfest, Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA w/ Kelley Stoltz 

01/27/24 Moroccan Lounge, Los Angeles, CA 

 

VIDEO: Pylon Reenactment Society “3 x 3” 

 

VIDEO: Pylon Reenactment Society “Flowers Everywhere”