Pontiacs’ new single “Cold Finger Girl”

Today, I test-drove Pontiacs’ new single “Cold Finger Girl.” From the intentionally aged filter full of noise and grain applied to the music video to the throwback, roots sound of of the band’s rock trio set up, there’s a lot to like about Pontiacs. Here is a band in love with leather jackets and thick, black sunglasses; a band that remembers rock ‘n’ roll means a middle finger right to the face of authority.

Pontiacs formed in November of last year. While they haven’t been rockin’ very long collectively, the members are no novices. Kenichi Asai (vocals and guitar) and Toshiyuki Terui (bass) were two thirds of Blankey Jet City; a rockabilly outfit from Tokyo active from 1990 to 2000. Pontiacs drummer Masuo Arimatsu has lent his sticks to a few bands including most notably, Mass of the Fermenting Dregs.

“Cold Finger Girl” fully realizes this musical pedigree with an insidiously catchy melody complete with ear injection of anti-establishment attitude. It’s good. It’s just not as good as the original version performed by Chiaki Kuriyama; the mace-wielding psychopath you last saw hell-bent on putting an end to Beatrix Kiddo’s attempt at assassinating O-Ren Ishii in Kill Bill Vol. 1.

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