Killer Of Sheep

     I listen to a lot of records and go to see my fair share of bands play.  I am by no means an expert or a musicologist but I like what I like and treat music with more sincerity than I probably should.
     That's why, back in 2013, when I first heard “Pawns” and a cover of Half Life's “Never Give In,” I knew there was something special about Killer Of Sheep.  That single came out as part of the Mind Cure single of the month series so after grilling Mind Cure Mike for more information, I tracked down a copy of their EP Out Of Time.  I played those 45s so many times that I damn near wore them out.

     The first time that I saw Killer Of Sheep live was at the dreaded Stage AE.  They were opening for one of the dueling Black Flag reunion bands and quite easily had the set of the night.

     I had heard rumblings that a full length was in the works and couldn't wait for it to come out.  In 2017, Scorned assaulted my turntable and it has been an almost daily listen for me ever since.  Given the lineup of the band it is not surprising that they are as good as they are.

     Killer Of Sheep's pedigree goes down to the bedrock of punk rock in Pittsburgh with guitar player Oyo Ellis and drummer Greg Mairs.  Back in the early 80s, they were both in a band called Battered Citizens.

     The bass player, Trip, has got to be one of the hardest working musicians in town.  He's in multiple bands and sometimes ends up playing multiple shows in one night.  And Ollie, the singer, approaches the mic in a way that reminds me of early DC punk bands that I have been drawn to since the first time I figured out what a Minor Threat was.

     Killer Of Sheep was one of the main reasons that I started to get off of the couch and head out to shows again.  I will take as many opportunities to see that band play as I possibly can.  This fandom has led to me lugging gear, taking pictures and lending a hand in any way that I can.

     This PR sounding bit of writing hopefully serves as a reminder for this town not to take Killer Of Sheep for granted.  As we were clearing out after their set at Skull Fest, someone made a comment along the lines of no one in Pittsburgh caring about the band because of the lack of response from the crowd and the equally lackluster showing at the merch table.

     Whether the comment was made in jest or not I'm not certain but I can see the good old fashioned Pittsburgh apathy that has swallowed so many other great bands grab hold of Killer Of Sheep.  Being relegated to the dust bin of Pittsburgh punk rock history is not something that should not happen to a band this good.

     When I used to frequent record stores on a regular basis, there was always the navel gazing, record nerd conversations that centered on “Whatever happened to that band?”  Nobody came to the shows or made it worthwhile for such and such a band to continue.  That's what happened to that band and then everyone thinks they're cool because they remember an obscure band that broke up.

     That is one of my many frustrations with music, in Pittsburgh.  There is a widespread epidemic of “I'll catch them next time” when it comes to bands in this town.  Next thing you know that band is gone.

     I like to take a different approach and appreciate a band while I can still stand in a room and watch them play.  And then I'll see them again and again as much as I hate being around people.  I'll pick up t-shirts and records to help keep gas tanks and bellies full.  I have purchased multiple copies of Scorned because I keep giving them away to people in order to spread the good word.

     Killer Of Sheep is currently working on a new EP and I am twitching with sweaty palms to hear it because the new songs sound amazing in a live setting.  Hopefully it grabs everyone by the ears and opens their eyes to the monster of a band that is located in their back yard and they'll start to pay attention.

     For some reason, I doubt that will happen.  After all, this is the same town that once crowned a party band that played cover songs as saviors of punk in Pittsburgh.  And most recently, in one of the local alt-weeklies, voted the musical equivalent of Carrot Top as the best punk band in town.  Good grief.

Killer Of Sheep on Bandcamp