Pet Sounds #86: Black Heart Procession Leader’s Love for His Cats Can’t Be Beat
The Black Heart Procession was the most funereal, and one of the most entrancing, bands on revered Chicago indie-rock label Touch and Go Records’ roster during its heyday in the 1990s. That they fell under the umbrella of “indie rock” was evidence that the term didn’t really signify a sound as much as an ethos, that being the prioritization of art in song craft and the value of musicians’ creative freedom over corporate control.
Founded and led by Pall Jenkins – who could’ve used “Bearer” as his stage surname had he wanted to put a fine point on his aesthetic – the band’s recorded material was as darkly contemplative and emotionally wrought as that of Nick Cave. At The Black Heart Procession’s live performances, Jenkins often dressed in all black but wore a battery-powered beating red heart as a corsage-like flourish to his attire.
Befitting the artist and his music project to a T, Jenkins – who revived The Black Heart Procession in 2016 after a three-year break – is the proud owner of four cats, three of them black. (For those keeping score, Jenkins’ other principal project, Three Mile Pilot, is also still active and currently celebrating its 35th year as a band.)
It was Jenkins’ love of his cats and not a penchant for blabbering that he agreed to participate in The Bad Penny‘s ongoing series, Pet Sounds. He communicated with us this week much as he does to audiences at his bands’ concerts, using as few words as necessary to get his points across.
“Franny, our old cat, passed away, and Mister and Pia – our two main black cats – were born where she lived in her previous home on the same day as her birthday,” he told us at one point in our exchanges. “It was kinda meant to be. My wife called asking if she could bring home a cat, and I said, ‘Only if you bring two.’ “
What follows is how the rest of our conversation ensued.
How did each cat enter your life?
The first two are brother and sister, and came from a friend as kitties. The other we adopted after my wife’s father passed. The half-kitty is our neighbor’s but spends half her time here.
The other two not mentioned, one is the third black cat whom we adopted after my wife’s father passed. The fourth is our neighbor’s cat. “Half-kitty” is what we like to call her, as she is our part-time roommate and spends half her time here and eats all of the kitty snacks.
Did you plan on getting four cats or was it happenstance?
It was all just by chance. They definitely find us.
How would you describe each cat’s personality?
Mister is happy, very vocal and loves affection, whereas Pia is shy and doesn’t like most people touching her – except she snuggles with my wife. Black Kitty, who is our adopted cat, mostly keeps to herself and sleeps under the bed. Missy, our half-cat, is always up to no good, eating other cats’ food and hopping up on the counters trying to eat our food. They are all indoor/outdoor.
Do they all get along?
Yes, they get along for the most part. Every now and again, Mister will put Missy in her place.
What’s the craziest scene/anecdote you can recall involving one or more of your cats?
We gave the twins flea medicine, and after they unknowingly licked it off each other, both instantly freaked out and tried to claw through the windows. My wife had to take one cat at a time into the shower being clawed while I called poison control. Needless to say, we never used that medicine again.
Which cat does the most damage to your home?
Missy, for sure. She’s always getting into things. Mister likes to scratch the sofa.
Have any of your cats made appearances in your music, whether it be sound clips or in your lyrics?
Not that I can think of.
Have you woken up in bed to discover that one of your cats is trying to steal your breath?
No, but they do like to bring in birds or lizards, sometimes dead and sometimes alive. Luckily not to bed, mostly the bathroom floor.
Is the expression “like herding cats” accurate in terms of its implication – or is it not terribly hard to corral them.
That is accurate. Sometimes they take off all day and night, and come walking back the next day like it was no big deal. My wife has better luck than me.
What advice would you give someone who is considering getting a pet?
They are always worth the effort, but make sure it fits your lifestyle and you have a good, loving home for them to live in.
Gorge yourself on more editions of Pet Sounds on its hub page.
If you enjoyed The Black Heart Procession’s installment, don’t miss the editions featuring their Solid Brass Records label mates Nuzzle, NORMANS, Saetia and Products Band.
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