At NPR Music’s 2014 SXSW Showcase, Perfect Pussy performed a raucous show for an audience of thousands at Stubb’s BBQ while simultaneously making their national broadcast debut. The five-piece group from Syracuse commanded the audience’s undivided attention and interest during the entirety of their hard-hitting, dynamic 20-minute set that was mostly comprised of songs from their recent full-length release. Guitarist Ray McAndrew, bassist Greg Ambler, drummer Garrett Koloski, and keyboardist Shaun Sutkus provided the tumultuous sonic texture through which magnetic frontwoman Meredith Graves screamed her striking, vulnerable lyrics, burying her voice into the cacophonous music and almost out of the listeners’ perception.

Also among the seven short, intense shows that Perfect Pussy played during SXSW was an unofficial, late-night show that took place on Austin’s South Lamar Pedestrian Bridge. Completely surrounded by the audience, the band’s energy was pushed to a new level; the show ended with their bassist Greg Ambler throwing his instrument over the railing and into the water. Greg explained the motivation behind his actions, and his take on playing the festival, during an interview with Wondering Sound.

The band’s first full-length album Say Yes To Love is an 8-track, 23-minute long unfiltered rejection of society’s expectations for femininity. Called “savagely awesome” in a 4-star review by Rolling Stone and named “Best New Music” by Pitchfork, the LP was released on March 18 and is available on iTunes and in stores now.