Pohgoh Secret Club

Pohgoh share song off first LP in 20 years, touring (NYC w/ Caithlin of Rainer Maria)

Pohgoh
photo by Lucy Pearl

Before initially breaking up, ’90s emo vets Pohgoh released just one album, 1998’s In Memory of Bab, and a few EPs/singles/splits (including one with Braid and one with Allison Mosshart’s ’90s band Discount). They’ve reunited since, including in 2009 for the 15th anniversary of New Granada Records, and in 2014 they released a three-song EP with new recordings of songs they had written and arranged in 1994. Earlier this month, they gave an expanded 20th anniversary reissue to In Memory of Bab, and today they announced their first new album in 20 years, Secret Club. It comes out on September 7 via New Granada.

The album was recorded with Jawbox’s J Robbins, and according to a press release, it “consists of 11 tracks detailing the band’s life as a unit after being apart for two decades and vocalist/guitarist Susie Ulrey’s 15+-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis.” Lead single “Business Mode” came out today, and here’s what Susie told The FADER about it:

Business Mode’ explores the falls I’ve taken over the years as my MS diagnosis continues to progress and life becomes more dangerous. My husband is also my care partner and that is a particular kind of heartbreak. There have been moments of sheer panic we’ve endured together over the years. I am scared of being a burden and I hate that my diagnosis forced him into this role. It’s complicated.

The song sounds like classic Pohgoh, but maybe just a little cleaned-up and matured (in a good way). If you’re a longtime fan, you probably already clicked play, but if you’re unfamiliar, you should check this out if you’re fan of Pohgoh’s old pals like Braid and Rainer Maria, or newer bands that keep this sound alive like Into It Over It and Waxahatchee.

Pohgoh are also playing Athens Popfest in August, The Fest in October, and touring in between.

The tour includes a NYC show on September 19 at Mercury Lounge with Flower and Rainer Maria singer Caithlin De Marrais. Tickets for that show are on Citi presale now and the public on-sale starts Friday (6/22) at noon. All dates are listed below.

Pohgoh Secret Club

Tracklist
Business Mode
With A Smile
Try Harder
Reprise
Super Secret Club
Blood Of The Sun
Bunch
Digging
Who’s The You
Unfortunate Face
Easterberg

Pohgoh — 2018 Tour Dates
08/10 – Athens, GA – Athens PopFest
09/14 – Tampa, FL – Crowbar
09/15 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
09/16 – Winston-Salem, NC – Monstercade
09/17 – Arlington, VA – Galaxy Hut
09/18 – Baltimore, MD – Metro Gallery
09/19 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
09/20 – Philadelphia, PA – Everybody Hits
09/21 – Richmond, VA – The Camel
09/22 – Roanoke, VA – The Spot On Kirk
09/23 – Savannah, GA – Graveface Records
10/27 – Gainesville, FL – The Fest