ABOUT PMPF...
Part Man Part Fish is a musical act born of joy and anger. Joy at the simple, visceral pleasure of thumping basslines, daft lyrics, various instruments and improvised sounds. Anger at an absurd world of tech bro tossers, toxic politics, digital zombies and the tide of AI and “slop” content that is screwing up our brains. But that's the joy of music... it can turn even bile into magic and renew us. Or at least get our feet tapping while society collapses. Seriously. What were you expecting? Light entertainment?
Music is not so much my hobby as a beautiful yet troubled relationship I can never end. I have tried and failed to let go over many years, playing everything from punk rock to blues, soul and jazz. I am used to rejection. Or polite applause from the three pensioners who still visit the local pub. And I’ve spent years with ideas burning my brain, without knowing quite what to do with them. Until now.
Music, like so many other things in the modern world, tends to end up in the hands of showy people and grifters. Social media rewards them. The sort of people whose self confidence far exceeds their talent. I am that bloke at the back of the gig, who is fed up with it. So here I am. It's my turn.
Why “Part Man Part Fish”?
It’s complicated. Part of this is a nod to my other life. I am a fishing coach and writer by trade (yes, really- think Angling Times rather than the NME- and my real name is Dom Garnett. Look me up if you've nothing better to do).
I am also a fish out of water, naturally drawn to weirdness and rebellion. And pretty much all the other names I thought of were taken! It’s hard to come up with anything that isn't already taken these days.
Lastly, PMPF is also nod to my background, as the son of a science teacher and an actual fish obsessive. We have all evolved from fish, after all. Every one of us. That longing you feel by the sea isn’t an accident- it is a lost connection, a recognition of the beauty, power and harmony we are missing. Even as beings that share most of their genes with fish, we are afraid of going deeper and embracing our inner weirdness.
My ethos: anti-influencer, anti-branding
Since starting Part Man Part Fish, I have been constantly bombarded with online grifters telling me how I should brand and monetise myself. In an age where all the gold is taken, everyone is selling us shovels. To all of this nonsense I wave a dirty middle digit/ fin.
My brand is honesty. My brand is stop consuming slop and make your own art. It is not pretending I am anything other than what I am- a disgruntled, forty-something man with a second hand musical instruments and a bone to pick. Beyond avoiding homelessness, I'm not that fussed about making piles of money. I hate it. If I had a million pounds I would be tempted to burn it. Money ruins everything, especially art. Yes, I am in a privileged position where I can make music, have an ordinary job and don’t have to count pennies (very often). You can download my album or even donate to me to continue my art- but beyond that, it’s for the birds. In the case of the music industry, it would be the birds that eat out of bins and nick your chips when you are at the beach.
Balls to all of that and the corporate seagulls sucking out our brains with a curly straw. I am PART MAN PART FISH