Saudi Arabia: The Unlikely Duo

You know how Batman and Robin have the same sense of style, same hatred of crime, and are always on the same page?  Well the indie band Saudi Arabia is nothing like that.  In the world of duos, Josh Pannepacker and Bob Bauers are an unlikely one.  Josh, a 26-year-old from Cherry Hill, NJ, and Bob, a (lets just say, old enough to be his father) have the super power to create music that can fill a room with just their two instruments.

At first glance you may just see an older man in a Hawaiian shirt and a subtly attractive young kid in a plain -T and jeans, but then again Bruce Wayne was not who he appeared to be either.  Under those disguises reside a drum master and a guitar hero, who together shatter the status quo image of indie rockers and spread awesomeness wherever they venture.

You might be wondering ‘How did this unlikely duo come to be?’  Well, it’s not a story of heroic proportions, but instead one of beer.

When their previous drummer left the band to pursue his own music career, or as Bob puts it “because he’s dumb,” Bob was the temporary replacement. Bob suggested that Josh find someone his own age to play with, instead of his dad’s best friend. However, the free beer and Bob’s flawless drumming proved too much to resist.

“He kept bringing a case of beer over and we never let him go,” says Josh.

Bob has been playing drums for way longer than Josh has been alive. In fact, he played in a band with Josh’s father before Josh was in diapers.  Bob’s unique style and complex beats perfectly complement Josh’s fanatical song styling.  When Bob is hitting the drums, it can be felt through the floor and resonates through your bones.

If Bob’s super power is wicked fast drumming then Josh’s powers are most certainly his soulful guitar playing, unsuspecting rock n’ roll vocals and angst-ridden, witty lyrics.  His calm and collected demeanor is shed when he steps up to the microphone.  Batman has his bat-mobile and Josh Pannepacker has his voice.

Saudi Arabia has its place not only in the Middle East, but also in the Philadelphia indie rock scene.

“The group America was already taken,” jokes Josh.

Pg-13, Saudi’s newest album, has a mixture of catchy songs, poppy riffs and dissonant instrumentation with satirical lyrics.  Pg-13, with only four tracks, covers a wide spectrum of rock ‘n roll as does the first album, $200,000.

Although Saudi Arabia is able to produce great sound with solely two instruments, they are always looking to expand their sound with new people and instruments.  ”… we’re very open to having more people come play with us in our band.  It doesn’t matter what they play: banjo, piano, weird instruments, or a keytar..well, it would be tough to convince us.”  Their eclectic sound and openness to experiment are what make Saudi Arabia one of the more exciting up-and-coming indie bands.  And rightfully so.

It is apparent, that like Batman’s six-pack, Saudi Arabia has strength and talent.  Their music is unlike anything out there today. Watching Bob the blacksmith, and Josh, a music production staff member, unmask their rock alter egos to become Saudi Arabia is quite a show indeed.

All photos by Steve Davis

Saudi Arabia News

*10.24 Trocadero Balcony w/TJ Kong and his atomic bomb/ Conversations with enemies/ Daniel Pujol

*Origivation Magazine interview in November issue

*Saudi Arabia will be working on recording new songs in November for an up-coming release!

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