“Panic Switch” by Silversun Pickups, Wednesday, April 20, 2022, [partial repost]

Shoegaze is a sub-genre of rock music that employs heavy distorted guitars to create what is called a "wall of sound." Shoegaze came out of psychedelic rock and often creates a hypnotic effect. Not every group that uses "the wall of sound" is necessarily a shoegazer act, but some bands that have famously used this effect are Oasis, The Verve, and the Smashing Pumpkins. The etymology of  "shoegazing" is said to be a description of the guitarists of these bands because they mostly stared at their shoes. While music critics don't often place Silversun Pickups in the subgenre of Shoegaze, what else would you classify their 2009 hypnotic hit "Panic Switch"?

IT'S NEVER WORTH MY TIME. Silversun Pickups topped the Alternative Rock chart with this song. Released in 2009, in a time when I was devouring different kinds of music, Silversun Pickups' sophomore album Swoon challenged my 2001 Corolla's stereo in all the right ways between home and school. The band drew controversy when they were nominated for a Grammy for Best New Artist, despite the fact that their first album Carnavas had garnered a lot of attention. Swoon, however, was their breakout album. Swoon was released on the edge of a transition in the music industry. It was a time when the deeper register voices and post-grunge rock was on a decline and Alternative was implementing new ideas about style. Silversun Pickups' following records dropped the "wall of sound" for poppier, electronic elements. But songs like "Panic Switch" and "The Royal We" are fun reminder of the kinds of aggressive rock that used to top the charts.

WHEN YOU SEE YOURSELF IN A CROWDED ROOM. "Panic Switch" is a song about anxiety, panic, insomnia, and paranoia--all triggering the noradrenaline receptors in a panicked response. The four-piece band have impeccable chemistry, playing rhythmically and filling in the sound completely. Interestingly, although the band's sound has evolved to less hard-rock-driven music, the original line up has remained together until their latest EP, Toy Soldiers,  in 2020, with the exception of a year long hiatus by bassist Nikki Monniger.  The band's biggest hit, "Panic Switch" is driven by bassist Nikki Monniger who also contributes subtle backing vocals. Lead singer Brian Aubert contributes most of the lead vocals for the band, but occasionally Monniger gives a female-perspective to the mostly male-centered alternative rock scene of early '10s. The guitar in "Panic Switch" frenetically drones and creates feedback that helps to create the wall of sound. Also contributing to that wall is the keys, played by Joe Lester-- a faint organ and something else to create an anxious/ominous mood. Finally, Chris Guanlao makes the song a panic attack at nearly 200 beats per minute, tearing up his drum set. Certainly not a chill song for 4/20, but paranoia, check!

Read “Panic Switch” by Silversun Pickups on Genius