Cold Hands

Cristina Martinez left Pussy Galore after their first few EPs, but she married Jon Spencer, and in 1989 the two worked together again, forming Boss Hog with a noise all-star crew that included members of PG, Unsane, and the Honeymoon Killers. Their first full-length included guest appearances from saxophonist Kurt Hoffman of the Ordinaires and guitarist Santiago Durango, formerly of Big Black, but the core band had a strong voice already. Heavier and bluesier than Pussy Galore, the songs had a stomping backbeat courtesy of Unsane drummer Charlie Ondras and layers of bent guitar from Jerry Teel, Kurt Wolf, and Spencer. The back-and-forth lead vocals of the front couple were the main attraction, and Martinez quickly revealed herself as a compelling counterpart to her husband’s already germinating rockabilly-loverman persona; her shouts, murmurs and coos were seductive and sardonic at once, sticking pins in every balloon at the party.