I recently rediscovered my collection of CDs and began the process of ripping them again. Among the treasures I unearthed, none resonated more deeply than the succinct EP Professor Murder Rides the Subway. During the mid-2000s in New York City, it felt like every indie band was urging audiences to let go, dance freely, and simply enjoy life. Few captured that spirit quite like the dance punk group Professor Murder.
While LCD Soundsystem and The Rapture dominated the dance punk scene, there were also other noteworthy acts, such as Rahim, Liars, Dan Deacon, along with many lesser-known bands on the DFA label that could be found performing in various venues across NYC. I spent countless weekends enthusiastically dancing to their infectious sounds.
Professor Murder’s unique combination of energetic synths, intense vocal shouts, intricate percussion, and driving bass perfectly encapsulates the NYC music vibe of 2006. The tracks on their 16-minute EP revolve around a straightforward disco rhythm, aside from a brief a cappella feature in “Pedigree.” They incorporate elements like cowbells and tuned percussion to enhance the songs without overshadowing the overall groove.
In contrast to peers like LCD Soundsystem, who were exploring richer melodic textures, Professor Murder focused on simpler compositions where the drums often took center stage. Although there are hooks and memorable melodies—such as the gritty bassline in “Camron’s New Color (Part 3)”—these elements remain subtle within the mix.
The EP begins and ends with tracks that embody the essence of 2000s dance punk: “Champion” and “Free Stress Test.” If there were any fairness in the music world, the latter should have propelled the band to at least a similar success as The Rapture. I challenge anyone to resist the urge to move their head to the infectious beat.
