I've never had panic sex, and I don't really want to. It's not really a term that can have many happy endings. There are really only three things I can associate with panic sex: an unwanted pregnancy, an STD, or a dead hooker. Not what I want the outcome of any sexual encounter to be. But now a more positive term can be added to the list: Sleeping Pilot. While maybe not the most creative sex you will have, it certainly isn't the worst, and it will be quite sufficient whenever you're just looking to get your fix.
The first time you see Sleeping Pilot is at a Canadian bar during a weekend vacation to the country. When you walk into the bar, you see that Sleeping Pilot is quite the popular band in Canada. Surrounded by admirers and sporting their recently won Ottawa Express Reader's Poll award, you are intrigued by what they have to offer. You cautiously approach, seeing the shirt the band is wearing features strange artwork and the words Panic Sex printed on the front. Your caution turns to curiosity as you inch closer, the crowd seemingly parting to let you sit down and buy Sleeping Pilot a drink. Immediately you notice that Sleeping Pilot is interested in you. They've experienced the bar and the people inside, and they're ready to move on to the States and beyond, and you provide that perfect opportunity. Suddenly the ball is in your court. You decide to strike up a conversation and see what happens. If you like what you hear, you may very well be going home with Sleeping Pilot.
The beginning of the conversation is just small talk, as Sleeping Pilot introduces themselves with a minute long instrumental starter. As you begin to become more comfortable with each other, Sleeping Pilot begins to open up to you more, suddenly bursting out with a post-hardcore voice that reminds you of Dennis Lyxzén and his friends, although if you recall correctly they didn't really seem like the best of friends. As the conversation progresses, the words being yelled are all intelligent and well thought out, but the way they are being said doesn't change that much. You don't really mind though. You're still interested in Sleeping Pilot, and want to see what else they have to offer. You invite them back to your place, knowing full well a hook-up is about to take place. All you can hope for is for things to get better, or at least for them not to get worse.
When you get home, Sleeping Pilot sings you a song they wrote entitled "Crime Scenery," and it's the best thing you've heard them say up to this point. You get excited and decide it's time to dim the lights and move to the bedroom, hoping the rest of your night lives up to the expectations of what you just heard. You start to do the deed, and everything is going great. Lyrics are being yelled at the top or their lungs (always a good sign), bass and drum work together as one to create an urgent blend of post-hardcore and screamo, and you're enjoying yourself. The only problem is that things don't progress much farther then that. The Panic Sex isn't bad at all, and in all honesty it's pretty good, but things begin to get a bit repetitive. You begin to show a little disinterest, and Sleeping Pilot does their best to spice things up with "Above the Earth, Beneath the Sky, Under the Thumb," incorporating clapping and a dual-vocal chorus to the mix. It's a good final push, but then just like that it's over.
There's nothing wrong with Sleeping Pilot or the Panic Sex they provide. You'll see Sleeping Pilot around a few more times, and you'll remember the time you had and give them a few more spins. They definitely show promise, and you know that if they progress in the future you will definitely be calling them more. Plus, at least you know listening to Panic Sex won't give you herpes.
