By: Joel Chico
Image: Leia Jospe

On August 1st 2008, be your own PET posted the following message on their myspace blog:

“BYOP Final Tour!

To all of our fans,

We are sad to bring you the news that our upcoming shows in the UK (dates below) are going to be our last as a band. We thank you for all your love and support these past few years - it’s been a blast but the time has come for the 4 of us to go our separate ways.”

This marked the loss of one of the most energetic, high-spirited, rocket-fueled bands of the past three years. When they came onto the scene in 2005, be your own PET electrocuted their way into the minds of the youth of today. The explosion of raw energy and emotion in their music and live performances placed these Nashville teens on the map of the indie scene.

Just out of high school, (with ages now ranging from 18 to 20) be your own PET established themselves as the most distinct and individual band to come into the music scene; delivering music at their own pace: fast, very fast. The garage riffs of guitarist Jonas Stein and bassist Nathan Vasquez contrast perfectly with the uplifting tempos of drummer John Eatherly, whose fast paced style would impress Keith Moon. Yet the band would not be complete without the highly dynamic vocals of Jemina Pearl Abegg, whose shrill, gut-fueled mentalities bring the band full-circle.  With songs no longer than three minutes, and lyrics ranging anywhere between films like Robocop and Return of the Living Dead, bicycles, parasols and fire trucks, be your own PET’s music was ultimately what they were: fun. Their youth oriented psyche’s came out in their sound, and this is what made them so enjoyable and worth paying attention to.

The first time I heard the band’s single, “Damn Damn Leash” I was thrown into the beautiful world of rhythm and ferocious freedom. The fact that the band released several EP’s before the release of their self-titled debut proved that they did not need to be on the mainstream circuit to be appreciated. I was lucky enough to see them play their second show in Toronto.  On June 7th, 2006, be your own PET took the stage of the Mod Club and exploded into a set so mind blowing, that the audience craved for more. It was like no regular performance I’ve seen, when this band plays, they put everything into it and go all out. I recall guitarist Jonas Stein coming off stage while playing “Bog” and moshing with the crowd, all the while staying in time with the song’s intensity. After seeing a show like that, it is hard to see a band so full of prospect and potential end their journey so early.

After the recent release and success of their second album “Get Awkward”, be your own PET was a force to be wrecking with. But it seemed as though the sudden exposure and popularity got the best of them. The band emerged at such a young age that the overwhelming demand must have taken its toll. Although upsetting, this was not the first of problems to affect the band. The departure of founding member and drummer Jamin Orrall posed a problem as the band lost that wild intensity that Orrall had contributed. As well, the band experienced the wrath and power of major record labels. They had switched from Thurston Moore’s Ecstatic Peace indie label to Universal Records and had three of their songs removed from the US release, deeming the songs “too violent” in context. Although this angered the band, the release of “Get Damaged EP” featured these banned songs, and gave the fans what they had missed.

To me be your PET will always be an indie band despite their record success. They, like all other bands that start their careers saw the opportunity to take the world by storm, but eventually saw the responsibilities and effort it takes to continue fueling this train of conformity. On a certain level I understand their perspective: the lengths it takes to make a dent into the music world becomes a long and difficult process. As much as you put into the machine, it will always end up taking more from you. As much as anyone else who knew them, I will miss be your own PET, not only for their originality and talent, but for the struggle and energy that they placed into each show, the inspiration to write songs about having fun, and the things that matter most in one’s life, and finally for being yourself and enjoying youth for what it is, a time for exploration and growth. As I see be your own PET reaching that goal of finding themselves and taking their separate paths as individuals, they will surely be missed, but damn, it was still one hell of a ride.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 11th, 2008 at 8:38 pm.