Klovis Gaynor & The Urinal Cakes present their debut album, “SAVE ME 4 THE SPANK BANK,” a compilation of songs that are themselves an explosion of raw emotions and a confrontation with society's taboos. Each of the album's 13 songs serves as a heartbreaking introspection, a celebration of the grotesque and the vulnerability of humanity. Released on March 14th, the album is already sparking conversation among friends and strangers alike.
From the first song, “PETER THE RABBIT,” the album draws listeners into a musical atmosphere that oscillates between chaotic distortion and the delicacy of a broken piano. Klovis Gaynor, with his brittle yet persuasive voice, guides the listener through a labyrinth of confessions that explore sexuality, queer identity, pain, and pleasure in all their forms.
One thing is certain: the themes are uncomfortable, yes. But they are also necessary, as they are raw conversations that expose the lowest and most primitive aspects of human beings. Gaynor isn't afraid to address what many keep quiet: the cravings for substances, the fascination with the forbidden, toxic relationships with closeted men, and the search for redemption amidst chaos.
"SAVE ME 4 THE SPANK BANK" is an emotional rollercoaster. One moment, you find yourself enveloped in the distorted fury of guitars that scream like a primal scream in "MYSOPHILIAC," and the next, you're immersed in the raw and heartbreaking delicacy of a ballad that speaks to a turbulent relationship with one's mother and the search for unconditional love in "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM."
The band, comprised of Brayden Baird, Dane Bundschuh, Josh Hausman, and Larah Helayne, demonstrates great chemistry and cohesion, achieving a sound that feels as chaotic as it is consistent.
This album is both therapy and a confessional diary. “I approach depravity with reverence, perversion with excellence. I share a deep & total honesty rarely heard; exalting topics often too licentious to even discuss. I celebrate substance cravings, I beg for more piss, I detail past rapes, I contemplate my relationships with my mother, with DL men, & of course, with myselves. I created a record of honesty, hope, healing & love. Something so singular & new yet seemingly so ancient, so experienced, so human,” the artist said.
“SAVE ME 4 THE SPANK BANK” is not an easy album to digest at all, but that is precisely what makes it so powerful. Klovis Gaynor & The Urinal Cakes don't seek to please; they seek to confront, challenge, and ultimately heal their own themes. It's an album that demands to be listened to carefully and with a mind willing to explore the darkest corners of the human experience.
This album is far away from manufactured and closer to human reflection. It's an album that hurts, makes you uncomfortable, and, at the same time, liberates. When appreciated for what it is, it might be seen as a catharsis, a desperate cry for salvation, a public confession, and a piece of art that will resonate with those who dare to listen.
