“Rediscovering the Hidden Gem of Dance Punk: Professor Murder Rides the Subway”

I recently unearthed my old CDs and started ripping them again, and among the hidden treasures, the Professor Murder Rides the Subway EP stands out. Back in the mid-2000s in NYC, it felt like every indie band was all about letting loose, dancing like nobody was watching, and just having a blast. Few captured that spirit quite like the New York dance punk outfit, Professor Murder.

While LCD Soundsystem and The Rapture were the heavyweights of the dance punk revival, there were also bands like Rahim, Liars, Dan Deacon, and a slew of lesser-known acts on DFA that you could catch on any weekend in the city. I spent countless nights in those venues, dancing my heart out to all of them.

Professor Murder’s unique mix of punchy synths, shouted vocal hooks, intricate percussion, and driving bass perfectly encapsulates the NYC music scene of 2006. The tracks on this 16-minute EP revolve around a straightforward disco beat, with the exception of the brief a cappella moment in “Pedigree.” They’re layered with cowbell and other percussion elements that add depth without overshadowing the groove.

While some of their peers, like LCD Soundsystem, were exploring richer, more melodic sounds, Professor Murder leaned into minimalist arrangements where the drums often take center stage. There are catchy hooks and melodies, such as the fuzzy bass line in “Camron’s New Color (Part 3),” but they always sit a bit lower in the mix.

The EP kicks off and wraps up with two tracks that epitomize 2000s dance punk: “Champion” and “Free Stress Test.” If there’s any fairness in the world, the latter should have propelled the band to at least the same level of fame as The Rapture. I challenge you to resist bobbing your head to the rhythm.

Professor Murder Rides the Subway is available on Bandcamp and most major streaming platforms, including Apple Music, YouTube Music, Spotify, Deezer, and Qobuz.