Poor But Sexy

Poor But Sexy is:

David Brown: Vocals, Guitar
Jason Caddell: Guitar, Recording and Mixing
David Durst: Keyboards, Vocals
Bruce Falconer: Drums, Vocals
Brandon Kalber: Bass

Biography

With a constellation of influences that calls to mind a sci-fi remake of "Yacht Rock," Washington DC's Poor But Sexy (PBS) sounds like R. Kelly traveled back in time to become Steely Dan's front man circa 1977. If that sounds a little too smooth for your taste, consider that the time machine is an MPC operated by ?uestlove, and that a young Elvis Costello makes a cameo as a pirate who hijacks the yacht and sets course for choppier waters.

PBS is more interested in making you sweat than making you feel cool. Their sound can be polarizing, either you love it, or you hate it. That's ok, the band wouldn't have it any other way.

It is five veterans of Washington DC's post-punk scene that have chosen this voyage. Singer David Brown and bassist Brandon Kalber met playing in the punk-funk band Travis Morrison Hellfighters. Guitarist and producer Jason Caddell brought the noise for 10 years as the guitarist in the Dismemberment Plan, a DC group that earned an international cult following for incorporating samples and dance grooves into punk rock long before it was de rigueur for indie bands. Keyboardist David Durst composes for the punk-chamber music collective Anti-Social Music when he's not working out his Stevie Wonder licks in PBS. Like a lot of DC bands, PBS also includes an investigative journalist, drummer Bruce Falconer.

Poor But Sexy played its first show in May 2008 and has released a self-titled debut EP and a full-length album, Let's Move in Together in 2011. They are semi-retired, with limited availabilty for select weddings and bar mitzvahs.

Reviews

Lead singer David Brown's exuberant Usher-esque vocals and insane nonstop dancing (a visually compelling hybrid of James Brown and Jarvis Cocker), as well as the band's elastic, neo-soul grooves, have been earning DC's Poor But Sexy some great word of mouth. PBS's debut album, Let's Move In Together, drops today and is a mercilessly brilliant funky soul dance party. It's shameless fun, with a post-punk twist.
Hitfix.com, February 15, 2011

How can anyone resist a band who look like Asexuals Anonymous call themselves Poor But Sexy and have a song called Hotter Than A Poptart? Then they go and make it sound like Prince on Viagra with someone's tongue in his cheek. Irresistible.
The Devil has the Best Tuna, January 13, 2011

If you would have told me in 1997 that two members of The Dismemberment Plan would eventually make insanely catchy Morris Day and the Time-esque semi-funk, I would have shit my pants. I'm still surprised by this development in 2011, but less so. Good times.
Citizen Dick, January 8, 2011

The driving "Cherry Delicious" and a fertile stretch in the second half find Poor But Sexy firing on all cylinders and pushing themselves beyond a simple genre exercise. Fun, funky, and possibly even groovealicious.
PopMatters, February 22, 2011

...one of the most cleverly calculated and manipulative albums that I have heard in a long time!...
Striker Bill, February 18, 2011

...super-tight funk and R&B...The funky "Cut That Hair" sounds like a 30th-century Vampire Weekend, and the relatively minimal arrangement on "Dance Alone" allows the short keyboard/guitar riffs and Motown-inspired background vocals to resonate.
Alternative Press, February 15, 2011

Incorporating everything from Yacht rock, to blue-eyed soul and go-go, Poor But Sexy make an interesting mix for fans of Eli Paperboy Reed and Francis and the Lights...Truly they are one of the most fun bands I've seen live.
The New Gay, January 24, 2011