Powerpoint Inc. – Mission Statement

For many, hardcore has always been about finding the most explosive possibilities for expressing internal frustration.  Contempt for the stresses of modern society fuels much of the genre’s biggest acts, and serves as a rallying cry to hoards of rabid fans.  Most of the time these bands exist around broad political themes, but as I recently discovered with New York/Denver/San Francisco’s Powerpoint Inc, a narrow focus can work just as well – if not, even better.

The suit sporting four piece subscribes to what they call “office-core,” and as the name implies, the band bases their frustrations around business culture.  As the band makes clear, the corporate world can be an unforgiving mistress, and those consumed in its mundane daily rituals have much to scream about.  But Powerpoint Inc takes it further; they don’t just vent, they become.

The premise is ridiculous, but surprisingly effective.  The band speaks fluent corporate and bases each track of their aptly titled Mission Statement EP on a separate aspect of business life.  Tracks like “Corporate Consulting” detail the cutthroat world of upper management, “Sexual Harassment” scolds like a workplace policy video, and “One Click Away” serves as a testament to the depressing depths of corporate life.  My personal favourite, “Microsoft Outlook” walks listeners through one hell of a slide show, complete with bar graphs, statistics, and various other forms of data manipulation.  “That’s my Microsoft Outlook!” they scream, as they detail how email causes work to flood into one’s personal life away from the office. I don’t find myself snickering at hardcore often, but moments like these are just too smart to pass up.

From a musical standpoint, Powerpoint Inc also holds up quite well.  If you’re familiar with Outbreak or No Friends, then Mission Statement’s scratchy production treads familiar ground.  The band’s lead vocalist belts a mean lyric, furiously speeding though lines in a visceral coating of thrashy, punky, rage. Admittedly, a lyric book might make following along easier, but the important parts still come across clearly.

Powerpoint Inc really embraces its novelty.  It’s smart, witty, and decidedly unique.  Admittedly, without the novelty of the twelve-minute EP I probably wouldn’t have taken so fondly to the project – after all, they aren’t exactly pushing any musical bound here.  Even so, it’s hard not to love Mission Statement for what it is.

At one point the band borrows a quote from Alec Baldwin’s performance in Glengarry Glen Ross in which he gives the salesman’s manta, “Always Be Closing.”  As far as I’m concerned, with Mission Statement the boys have closed their first big career deal.   With quarterly results this encouraging, these young executives should have no problem expanding their brand into a commercially viable franchise.