PIMMER is a Boston-based rock band established in 2024 by Sanford Schaffer (a.k.a. SST), the sole proprietor responsible for writing, performing and producing duties for the brand of crystal-crunch-noise-pop-with-a-tinge-of-Dylan-&-Petty. Sanford has also worked on local joint-ventures over the years, most notably BARN–an alt-country project which garnered consistently high praise back in the 2000s. After the foreclosure and demolition of the Russo “rehearsal” Building in 2007, recording studios became the only available place to call home. Thanks to a great fan and friend, David “Ducky” Powell (a 3-time Grammy Award-winning engineer), his particular studio was the one to become a very economic and productive home. In-large-part due to Ducky’s generosity and support, Sanford became a ‘studio rat’ and was able to maintain a consistent output of recorded music--as well as develop music production skills; improve writing, arranging and performing various instruments, and develop an ear for mixing.
How did the band form and what does the band name mean?
The band was established in April 2024 by Sanford Schaffer (a.k.a. SST) one week after signing with an indie label. Pimmer (a.k.a PMR) was a fabricated word I learned as a freshman in college. At that time, it referred - rather slyly - to any particularly attractive person on campus.
Previous musical projects? How'd you first get into music?
Previously, I led the hardcore outfit, BLAUZUR, a hysterical thrash punk band, followed by the far more pacific, alt-country band, BARN–until all personnel were released in 2006.
Music was pretty much indoctrinated from birth. Dad was a singer and guitar player, and he taught me to sing a variety of folk and pop songs while I was still a toddler (Dylan, Guthrie, Cash, Beatles, etc). So, pretty much from the ripe old age of 2, I was hooked.
First concert that you ever went to?
Mission Of Burma (The Paradise, Boston)
Pat Metheny Group (Boston Common)
The Police (Boston Garden)
What's your writing process like?
Most songs begin on the acoustic or electric guitar while others may be triggered by a newspaper headline or a quote from a movie. There are no rules; it can be a truly random experience, but however it comes to light, nothing is as satisfying as finally getting a promising song ‘up on the lift…’ Regardless of the genesis, chord progressions will emerge and cure-up, while a proper groove trots alongside–in my head. If the inspiration is lyrical, I can fasten them together on the front-end and that puts things ahead of schedule. If the inspiration is purely musical, then the repetitive revision of melody, theory and groove inevitably leads to lyrical ideas or phrases. Particular attention is paid to “meter and groove,” since I tend to get bored of most songs without a real heartbeat or pulse. Songs don’t take long to write, some may be completed in one afternoon or evening–others may also take several days or weeks to really reel-in, along with refinement and arranging. Each one is an original experience. Arranging song structure for maximum impact is the only way anything goes to tape; and if it feels like the song is taking “too much” effort it will be abandoned, without concern. For those, they merely become pieces of clean scrap metal very likely to resurface in different contexts down the road.
What other artists or songs inspire your music?
Brahms, The Beatles, Cheap Trick, The Clash, Dinosaur Jr, Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, Husker Du, The Jam, Tom Petty, The Police, Uncle Tupelo, XTC, etc.
What's the live experience like and your philosophy on playing live? Do you think the music live should be identical to the recorded version or should it be its own thing?
No one knows–this band has not played live yet. But when we do, I’m confident the energy and positive vibes will be noticeable. I’m kind of addicted to energy. Live performances should not strive to be identical to studio performances; I think it was Lou Reed who said, ‘every performance is just a snapshot of a song’, and oftentimes those can become a nice departure from what was originally intended.
Has the band toured? What has the touring experience been, best shows?worst shows?
Way back when we did, and it was tough. Traveling by rental van, no hotels, hours of driving, very little money. Colleges were always the best gigs–well-attended, and always seemed to pay well. Out-of-town clubs could be dicey—very hard to get people in the door, and sometimes we wouldn’t get paid one red cent.
What's up next for the band?
Going to release the first single on Mint400 Records, coming up in May. This will establish an initial social media blast and presence. Next, get some local shows lined-up–and some press lined-up; and meet some of the other artists on the label. After that, the plan is to keep writing, recording and releasing the best music possible, and managing the aforementioned social media presence.
https://www.instagram.com/pimmertheband/