Their Black Cat show isn't until december.
Haha! Goes to show how much I've paid attention to their calendar. I thought it was last Monday, or the week before.
I've been staying away from this simply because of the blog hype (9.5/10 blog-hyped albums turn out to be lackluster run-of-the-mill indie-rock and we already have too much of that). People have called SSPU shoegaze? That's funny. They're as much a shoegaze band as the Smashing Pumpkins.
Fully agree with you on all points except that I've forced myself to step out of my usual listening mode so I had some idea of what's going on in the massive world of the mainstream. Kind of an educational venture, so to speak.
And yes, I've often heard or read of others referring to the Pickups as being Shoegaze. Short of a couple songs, no fucking way! My thoughts are exactly the same regarding the Smashing Pumpkins whom I've never liked either, though most Gazers do. To be honest, HFS over playing them for so many years has a whole lot to do with why I can't handle the Pumpkins. As far as the Pickups are concerned, other than a couple songs, I just don't think they are that good. At least not up to all the hype.
Next up, 'my' cup of tea.
Mint JulepSongs About SnowAbsolutely gorgeous! Very soft, clean and pretty.