Indie Rock Hit Parade Live Session: Filthy Friends

Filthy Friends | Photo by Makena Duffy for XPN

Joining us in the studio for this Indie Rock Hit Parade live session is a band whose members represent a multiple generations’ worth of music history. Led by Sleater-Kinney’s Corin Tucker and R.E.M.’s Peter Buck, Filthy Friends essentially formed around just that: a collection of longtime friends who love making music together. Joining Tucker and Buck are bassist Scott McCaughey, guitarist Kurt Bloch and drummer Linda Pitmon; each of whom have also played in various iterations of The Minus 5. While on tour in support of their second album, Emerald Valley, Filthy Friends (and tourmates Dressy Bessy) stopped by our studio to effortlessly charge through a set of new songs.

Within the first few notes of the opening song, “Only Lovers Are Broken,” you’ll ask yourself how it took so long for these icons to form a band together. Buck’s bright, instantly recognizable guitar chimes and Tucker’s impassioned vocals guide the propulsive anthem. Next is “One Flew East,” a pensive track that has Tucker joining Buck and Bloch on guitar, creating a richly textured performance. The haunted “Pipeline” is next, built around a shifting rhythm by Pitmon and harmonies from McCaughey. Finally there’s “Break Me,” another chiming workout for the entire crew.

Listen to Filthy Friends’ Indie Rock Hit Parade session below, see Makena Duffy and John Vettese’s photos from the studio and stay tuned for video of the performance. Tour-wise, the Filthy Friends have gone their separate ways (for now), but Corin will return to Philly with Sleater-Kinney in October.

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