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P.E.E., occasionally short for Potentially Egregious Error and also known as Pee, was a math rock band from San Francisco, California. Active from 1993 to 1999, they released two albums, Now, More Charm and More Tender in 1996 and The Roaring Mechanism in 1999. The band disbanded after guitarist/vocalist Jim Stanley and guitarist/co-vocalist Kelly Green, who were dating during the band's duration, broke up.

History

In 1993, Jim Stanley and Kelly Green, both guitarists and vocalists, established a band. Prior to their first performance, the duo realized that the group did not have a name. They ultimately decided on the name "Pee" spontaneously. The two later recruited Andee Connors of J Church and A Minor Forest to play drums. They cycled through several bassists before settling on Tiber Scheer of Lowercase. This formation would stay the same throughout the rest of the band's time together.

The band played with several rock bands in the California area. For example, they played with emo bands like Boys Life and Jimmy Eat World, as well as opening for bands like Cheap Trick and Neutral Milk Hotel.

In 1996, the band released their debut album, Now, More Charm and More Tender, on March Records. It was reviewed well upon release and received comparisons to Velocity Girl and Archers of Loaf. However, it faced some criticism about how short the songs were; many of the songs were under a minute and a half.

The band mostly regretted naming themselves "Pee" and almost changed their name to "Miracle Research Center Staff", a name that Connors created, but ultimately chose not to. Despite this, they did release an EP with that name through Honey Bear Records. The release was received with positive reviews, with notes that it sounded more like songs from Now, More Charm with more texture and different tunings. It was around the time of this release that the band changed their name to P.E.E., short for Potentially Egregious Error.

In 1999, The Roaring Mechanism, the band's second and final album, was released on Absolutely Kosher Records. It received mixed reviews on release, with criticism towards the band's emphasis on experimentation and a focus on prog rock-style rhythmic shifts. The same year, Jim and Kelly's relationship ended. The band gradually disbanded while maintaining an amicable relationship, as they became preoccupied with personal commitments. Their final release was a limited-edition split with indie rock band Fuck in 2000, released exclusively through the Cool Beans! zine.

The group reunited in 2009 for Tiber and his wife Kim's 10th anniversary. The following year, they reunited again to play at the 2010 Noise Pop Festival in San Francisco, which regained the members' interest in playing again. This led to the formation of ImPeRiLs, a collaboration between Stanley, Connors, and Allan Moon. They released a sole self-titled album in 2013, but later became inactive.

In 2017, the band self-released Box Demo #2, an album of demos recorded in 1995 before Now, More Charm and More Tender. It was reissued in 2022 on streaming services and cassettes by Deathbomb Arc as i win me over. The band would later release another demo release, Box Demo #1, in 2023. The demo release was recorded in 1994, from the same session their first single was from.

In 2023, YouTuber 108 Mics made a mini-documentary named "A Band Called Pee". It included an interview with the group. The video, including the growing interest from music websites like Rate Your Music, helped the band become more well-known and appreciated. The album is the fourth-highest rated math pop release on the site.

Style

While the band has stated they never believed that they were midwest emo, they considered themselves "mathy" in sense. Stanley has called them "grind pop", as many of their songs, especially from Now More Charm, were short in length and "all have a million different parts", while The Roaring Mechanism’s songs were longer and focused more on prog rock-inspired rhythmic sections.

Members

Final line-up

• Jim Stanley (guitar, vocals)
• Kelly Green (guitar, vocals)
• Andee Connors (drums)
• Tiber Scheer (bass, 1996-99)

Former members

• Jason Michaud (bass, 1993)
• Bob Albert (bass, 1994-96)

Discography

Albums

• Now, More Charm and More Tender (1996, March)
• The Roaring Mechanism (1999, Absolutely Kosher)
• Gar Box Sessions #2 (2017, recorded in 1995, reissued as i win me over. by Deathbomb Arc in 2022)

EPs

• Miracle Research Center Staff (1997, Honey Bear)

Singles

• "Jonah and the Whale"/"Transplant City" (1994)
• "Salt Garden"/"Icarus the Flat-Footed Pond Bird" (1994)
• "Egghead Billy"/"Turn Key One" (1995)
• Split with Fuck (2000)
• Box Demo #1 (2023, recorded in 1994)

References

1. "The Chemistry of P.E.E." East Bay Express | Oakland, Berkeley & Alameda. 2001-07-04. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
2. ^ 108 Mics (2023-09-30). A Band Called Pee (mini doc). Retrieved 2024-06-18 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
3. "Pee". Retrieved 2024-06-18.
4. ^ 108 Mics (2023-10-06). P.E.E. Interview. Retrieved 2024-06-18 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
5. Maximum Rocknroll 158 (1996 July). 1996.
6. Now! More Charm & More Tender - Pee | Album | AllMusic, retrieved 2024-06-21
7. Maximum Rocknroll 176 (1998 Jan). 1998.
8. HUNTER, NIKK (2018-04-08). "100 great math rock albums you've never heard". Fecking Bahamas. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
9. ^ Lowery, Matt Mair (1998). "P.E.E.:The Roaring Mechanism". Tape Op Magazine. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
10. "Fuck / P.E.E. - Cool Beans! Subscriber Only 7" (2000, Vinyl)". Discogs. May 26, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
11. Noel Morrison (2009-10-31). 2009 P.E.E. Reunion Show. Retrieved 2024-10-22 – via YouTube.
12. Vaziri, Aidin (February 21, 2010). "The complete music lineup for Noise Pop 2010". SFGate. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
13. "ImPeRiLs, by ImPeRiLs". ImPeRiLs. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
14. ^ "box demo #2, by Pee". Pee. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
15. "i win me over., by P.E.E." Deathbomb Arc. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
16. ^ "box demo #1, by Pee". Pee. Retrieved 2024-06-21.

• Musical groups from San Francisco
• Math rock musicians
• Musical groups established in 1993
• Musical groups disestablished in 1999