Interviews With Chris

This was primarily made to document the interviews I will be doing with local/touring bands I have either seen, performed with, or dig at the moment. Thanks for checking it out.

[interviewswithchrisblog]

Mike Carrasco

(photo: Nikita Seely)

Mike Carrasco is a mixed media artist that hails from Las Cruces, NM. I've known Mike for a good five years or so but it hasn't really been since the past couple of years that I've seen his art and have come to truly appreciate it. His style is difficult to describe since I've seen him work with a variety of mediums but he's definitely got a Tenement/Amos Pitsch, Sacred Bones/Goner Records album art vibe to him. Personally, whenever I pick up a Total Control or Protomartyr record I immediately think of Mike. Regardless, Mike kills it and you'll get a chance to pick up his art on Friday, November 4th at Monarch. In the meantime, Mike gave me some of his time to let me interview him in the second part of this double header interview for his Lenguaje Humano zine release.

Favorite gasoline station snacks?

Pepper sunflower seeds or jerky depending on how much money I want to spend.

IPA's or lagers?

I love both, but if I plan on drinking more than a few I'll stick to lagers.

What would you say are your best physical attributes?

My hairless armpits.

Triangles or circles?

Triangles with tiny circles

Ping pong or pool?

I never get a chance to play ping pong, so I guess pool.

Last time you were seriously afraid for your life?

I went on a camping trip to the Gila Forest a few years ago and the road entering the forest from Silver City is insane with cliff drop offs right on the shoulder of the road. An old friend was driving and was on a mission to scare the fuck out of everyone. He was doing about 80 on this windy single car road and would have to slam on the breaks on every turn. We almost flew of the cliff a few times, everyone in the car was terrified and we all got super car sick. I'll never go on a trip with that guy again.

First question you would ask an alien if you were abducted?

Why?

Personal

What's your earliest memory of creating a piece of art? How old where you and do you remember what you drew?

I remember creating art from an early age. Both my parents were into drawing and painting to a certain extent, so I used to look through their old sketch pads all the time. The first "good" drawing I did was the kitchen of my mom's house. I think I was about 10. She still has it hanging on her fridge. haha.

Who are some of your current favorite artists?

A lot of local artists are completely killing it right now and I could honestly say some are my favorites. But, other artists I really dig are Alex Heir, Amos Pitsch, Jim Plunk, Christina Hunt, Alan Forbes, Mario Torrez, and Anna Haifisch who does this great comic called The Artist.

Who and what are some of the biggest influences on your work?

Early on I was really influenced by Raymond Pettibon. Seeing those iconic punk fliers and Black Flag/SST covers really made me want to do fliers for punk shows. Other things that influence my work are western and sci-fi movies, nature, and of course music.

What's the first flyer that you drew for an event?

I want to say it was back in 07' for a local hardcore show. I drew some shitty picture of a drummer and photoshopped all the band names. No one cared for it, and they never asked me to do anything for them again haha. I didn't really pick up fliers again until 2012 or 13'.

What are some of your all time favorite album covers?

There's a TON! Neil Young S/T and Zuma, The Stooges - Fun House, most of Dinosaur Jr's covers, all of Tenement's covers, Alex G - DSU, Lenguas Largas - Abba Daddy, California X - Knights In The Dark, Chance The Rapper - Acid Rap, Velvet Underground - Loaded, Sin Motivo's covers, Culo's covers, Destruction Unit - Deep Trip, most of Merchandise's covers - just to new a few off the top of my head.

You are heavily involved with the local music scene. What are some of your favorite shows that you've seen so far this year?

Ex Cult/ Power a couple weeks back, Awesome Fest X in San Deigo was exhausting and tons of fun, Holy Wave/Lenguas Largas, Marfa Myths was cool but had so many set backs and problems, we got there late.

Work

What medium do you both usually use?

Mostly ink. But I do a lot of watercolor, oil and collages.

What medium would you like to use more of?

Oil for sure.

Do you have any preferred subjects that you like to draw?

Right now just a lot of abstract stuff, but I do love to draw nature and portraits every now and then.

Mike, you're involved with a print collective called Rio Sangre? This is actually a pretty new collective. Can you tell me more about it?

Rio Sangre came together as a way to promote our art and host shows under one name. The collective consists of Anne Quinones, Matt Garza, Santana Lopez, KT Neely and myself. All of them are amazing artists and people. It's great to be part of a group like that. I'm not really a print maker so it has been really fun to learn and grow with them. Recently we asked Skipp White to join and will be reaching out to a few more LC/EP artists to join. We have a show coming up in November in Las Cruces, and hope to have an El Paso show in the near future. We are in the process of putting together a zine with all the artists on our team as well. Stay tuned!

Best way to end writer's block or shall I say artist's block?

Artist block happens to me all the time. Usually I'll just try to relax and put on a good movie or listen to music. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't and I'll go weeks without creating anything.

What are some of your own personal favorite flyers you have done for shows you have taken part of?

Probably the P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S./Gag flier.

Local band that you haven't done art work for that you would like to do something for?

Ah man, I've done art for most of the local bands I really love. It'd be tight to do something for Slurr, Lunas, Far Corners/Germ House (ex-locals) and any of Joe Ayoub's projects.

Non local band that you would love to create artwork for?

That's hard because a lot of the bands I really like have great imagery already.

How would you describe your work to someone who is completely unfamiliar with you/your art?

It's really hard for me to describe my art because I'm not too great with words. I usually say weird images with aspects of nature and people. I don't think I have an exact style because I'm influenced by so many different things.

Your split zine Lenguaje Humano with Skipp White is coming out soon. Without spilling too many details what can you say about it and the work that you'll be including in it?

First off, I want to say a really big thanks to you for asking me to join up, Chris. My summer has been hectic working on this and other projects. 2016 has been a crazy year with all the politics and just ugliness in general. Which does affect my mindset, and I feel my art kind of reflects that in a way. The funnest part of all of this was getting together with you and Skipp and just hashing it out. The collab page Skipp and I did was tons of fun, but I ended up getting a little too drunk to function at the end haha.

Thanks Mike. Any last words?

Nope

end.

Chris

[interviewswithchrisblog]

Skipp White

Chances are that if you've been to any sort of show in El Paso, TX in the past ten years than you've probably seen Skipp White's art on flyers sprawled across the city or on your most preferred social media site. Guts, skulls, crystals, geometric designs, and phallic symbols are some of the few images you may recall seeing on one of the events he has designed a flyer for. I can't remember the exact time I first met Skipp but I definitely do remember seeing the art he did for various Dozal Bros flyers from way back in the day. It's definitely been cool to see all his flyers, zine collaborations and band art all over the place in the past decade.  As a person who appreciates flyers and overall design/illustration, I have always been drawn to his line work and insane use of color. Hell, besides being a great artist he was also a blistering madman of a frontman. If you were lucky enough to be around, you may have been able to see him play live over 7 years ago. In preparation for his split zine, Lenguaje Humano, with Las Cruces artist, Mike Carrasco, I was able to catch up with Skipp and do an interview before the release at Monarch Bar on Friday, November 4th.

Goofy:

Favorite gasoline station snacks?

Starbucks mocha coffee in a can and a fiji water

IPA's or lagers?

200 minute ipa & boston lager in a can

What would you say are your best physical attributes?

That i'm not a physical pile of garbage

Triangles or circles?

TRIANGLES

Ping pong or pool?

Getting drunk in a ditch

Last time you were seriously afraid for your life?

i can't recall a time feeling "literally" afraid for my safety.... i think more often, my brain is imagining a completely not real situation in which i would be though... does that make sense?

First question you would ask an alien if you were abducted?

Not to get too weird, but i'd probably say "make sure Niko is ok"

Personal

What's your earliest memory of creating a piece of art? How old where you and do you remember what you drew?

elementary school, maybe 2nd grade or something, i drew a dude dunking a basket ball.

Who are some of your current favorite artists?

allison schulnik, patrick kyle, ginette lapalme, lisa hanawalt, neckface, i feel like this list could go on forever... bill conners, mike perry, tetsunori, heather benjamin, probably a thousand more...

Who and what are some of the biggest influences on your work?

Seripop, jesjit gill, dnml, & michael deforge... oh and paul romano and the stuff that florian bertmer was doing for agoraphobic nosebleed...

What's the first flyer that you drew for an event?

it was a flyer for a show for the shock deformity and amputee - a ghost in a suit coming out of a giant neon dick that was coming out of a skull...

What are some of your all time favorite album covers?

mutators/night wounds split, aids wolf's dustin' off the sphynx, gay beast's Second Wave, the honeycomb single by animal collective

You are heavily involved with the local music scene. What are some of your favorite shows that you've seen so far this year?

Full of Hell was fun, Oryx too... any time i see the locals i love is pretty much the best....

Work

What medium do you usually use?

pen and paper...

splatter...

What medium would you like to use more of?

I wish i did more watercolor, or even some thick painting...

Do you have any preferred subjects that you like to draw?

Geometric shapes, slime, goo, intestines, splatter and drips

Best way to end writer's block or shall I say artist's block?

Stay up till 5 am on so much coffee yr afraid yr going to die and just keep drawing garbage till you hate yrself...

What are some of your own personal favorite flyers you have done for shows you have taken part of?

I think the pre flyer from like 10 yrs ago... the tour de funn flyer i did... some of the old Dozal Brothers flyers i did i think are cool...

Local band that you haven't done art work for that you would like to do something for?

ORYX

Non local band that you would love to create artwork for?

I'd love to do some stuff for a PV or heavy grind band... maybe even a sludge/stoner band

How would you describe your work to someone who is completely unfamiliar with you/your art?

Splattered trash

Your split zine Lenguaje Humano is coming out soon. Without spilling too many details what can you say about it?

Mike's stuff is killer!

Thanks Skipp. Any last words?

Thanks Chris for everything...

Check out some of Skipp's artwork at

http://coelacanthart.tumblr.com

end.

Chris

[interviewswithchrisblog]

Jacob Turnbloom - Mrs. Magician

Name: Jacob Turnbloom

Band: Mrs Magician

Duties: Singer/ Rhythm Guitar/ Song Writer

The first time I saw Mrs. Magician was at the Crescent Ballroom on March 28, 2012. I drove out from El Paso, TX to Phoenix, AZ to see Hot Snakes but after seeing Mrs. Magician open up the show, I instantly became a fan. Shortly after watching them, Strange Heaven became a staple in my record collection that I would keep on constant rotation. Catchy melodic tunes that were happy but kind of evil at the same time. Whether it was lyrically or the contrasted happy/dark tone that pulled their songs together, I'd have their songs stuck in my head. Whenever I've been asked to describe what Mrs. Magician sounds like, I usually take the cop out and say that they kind of sound like a modern day Beach Boys but with an evil punk flavor to them. Fast forward four years to when I saw them a couple months ago at Low Brow on their newly released Bermuda tour and their tunes are easily as catchy and addicting as anything else they have previously released. Bermuda is actually one of my favorite albums so far this year so make sure to check it out. Here's my interview with Jacob Turnbloom, the guitarist/vocalist, of Mrs. Magician.

Goofy

What are the thoughts that keep you up at night?

Constant fragments of melodies in my head keep me up, space and time, death, horror stories on the daily news.

Favorite Brian Wilson record?

Smile, favorite song however is “Caroline, No” off Pet Sounds.

Monster trucks or muscle cars?

Could care less

True magic is ________.

Fake.

Last thing you finished watching on Netflix?

I don’t have Netflix

Last time you went for a jog?

I prefer to swim, jogging hurts my knees.

Have you ever seen a celebrity at a Mrs. Magician show? If you could magically place someone at your show who would it be?

Yeah, Keanu Reeves was at the Troubadour once, but I think he was there to see METZ. I’d magically place Steve Coogan & Rob Brydon at one of our shows just so I could drink with them after.

Personal

Are you from San Diego?

Yes

What are some of your most visited hangout spots in San Diego?

M-Theory Records, Luigi’s Pizzeria, Soda Bar, La Mesa Antique Mall, Hoffers Cigar Bar.

What's something or someone that can instantly lift you from having a bad mood?

Most dogs, a good horror film, Coast to Coast.

What band would you say has had the most impact on your life?

Fugazi

What other bands have you played in? Are you currently in any other bands?

First Wave Hello, Ken Andrews, Blessure Grave, The Grave Walks. No, I’m not in any other bands.

When you're not rocking at night what do you do during the day?

I work for the local news, drink too much coffee, listen to records.

What are some of your favorite records so far this year?

Underpass (Red Reflection), Parquet Courts (Human Performance), And The Kids (Friends Share Lovers), also really stoked on that new Angel Olsen single.

Favorite band at the moment?

The High Llamas

Mrs. Magician

How did Mrs. Magician get its name and when did the band officially begin?

I don’t remember how or when I came up with it. The band started officially in 2010 after Tommy & I recorded a 7” together.

Mrs. Magician had a “final show” at the Soda Bar back in December of 2013. What made you all get back together? From what I understand, the break up came as a shock and somewhat abrupt.

We got back together simply because we wanted to continue making records as a band. Tommy moved to NYC for a while and toured doing sound for other bands as well as working on his project Lowlands. I focused on making music videos at the time, and I put out a 7” with Dan Sartain in our project The Grave Walks. Cory recorded an LP in his other project “Hideout” with other members of CULTS, Jordan continued his other band, so I think we were all still so active making music that when Tommy came back to San Diego we just started everything back up again. 

What was it like to have Swami - John Reis produce your new album Bermuda? You guys already have some prior experience with him as he also produced Strange Heaven. Did you guys already have an idea of how you wanted the album to sound or did you let John take the reins and mold it into what it currently sounds like?

It’s always interesting with John. He is a big believer in what we are doing in this band and always carries that into making the band tighter and punchier live. He basically makes us do what bands are supposed to do. Perform songs as tight as possible over and over until you can play them in your sleep. The sonic tonal qualities of the records I’d say are generally discussed beforehand by Tommy, John, and myself. For instance, we would throw out ideas in the beginning like, “we want the drums drier, more 70’s punk or 80’s power pop, think Richard Hell, & Paul Collins”, or “I want to try this type of chorus on this amp, pull back the reverb and lets replace organ with some analog synths”. John would make lots of notes and when we received mixes after tracking we were allowed to shape it a few times before it went off to press.

How did you guys end up on Swami? Did John see you guys at a show and ask y'all to hop on board?

A friend of ours actually gave him a few of our 7”s, he came to see us play a few weeks after that, and then we met up a few times until he eventually offered to put out our records.

You released a song called “Bermuda” on the B-Sides album you put out. Any correlation between the song and naming the new album Bermuda?

Nope

You just recently finished up a month long tour. Are there any areas of the United States that you haven't played yet that you would like to perform?

Collectively we’ve seen the states too many times to count.

From what I saw, you guys mainly played this tour without any backing support. For any other planned future tours, are there any bands you would like to tour with? I would love to tour with The Thermals or Parquet Courts.

Mrs. Magician recently put out a video for a track off the new album - "Eyes All Over Town". Your previous videos “There Is No God” and “The Dead 80's” were animated. Any reason why you guys switched it up and went with actually filming people and having it staged?

The director, Ben Mekler, approached us at a show and wanted to make a video. He told me his idea and I was pumped. I love our old videos that Dusty & Derrick made for us. I just wanted to try something a little different for this record so we don't keep doing the same thing over and over.

Also, any particular reason why you guys referenced Jason Voorhees of Friday the 13?

We needed a generic 80’s slasher. You legally can’t use Jason Voorhees so the character in the video is an homage to Jason. I reference horror themes constantly in this band as a way to reach my fellow geeks. For example, our song Videodrome off Strange Heaven references Phantasm, Friday The 13th, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Poltergeist, Nightmare on Elm Street, The Omen, etc., I get a kick out of it. The label name Thrill Me Records is a reference to Night of the Creeps. It's just a big part of my life and I like to insert it into the band when I can.

You also have your own solo project as a solo artist. Are there any plans for any upcoming releases? Maybe even a LP of solo material?

I’m not sure at the moment, I am writing music but I'm not sure what it's going to be for right now.

As far as Mrs. Magician goes you guys just wrapped up your tour but is there any other news, releases, upcoming tours, projects you guys are currently working on?

We just finished two songs for an upcoming 7” and we are currently working on planning some tours.

That about wraps it up. Any last words?

Fuck Donald Trump

Check out Mrs. Magician at:

https://mrsmagician.bandcamp.com

end.

Chris

[interviewswithchrisblog]

Abbey Apple - Oryx

Name: Abbey Apple

Band: ORYX

Duties: Drummer, plus help with making flyers//booking shows

(photo credit: Eyeworm Photography)

Oryx is a two piece doom/sludge band based out of Denver, CO that originally hails from Las Cruces, NM. This band is the product of it's two driving forces – Tommy Davis (guitarist/vocalist) and Abbey Apple (drummer). I've had the pleasure of seeing Oryx perform plenty of times when they lived in the southwest. Before Oryx was a band, I had seen guitarist/vocalist, Tommy Davis play with his old band Shang-A-Lang countless of times. After the dissolution of Shang-A-Lang, I saw his new band, Oryx, and was honestly blown away by the contrast in music that was being played. It was heavy and crushing and obviously sonically different than what I had last seen with Shang-A-Lang. A wall of sound that was solid, loud and would carve a crater into my chest every time I saw them. And this was coming from only a two piece band! It was also during this time that I first met the drummer of Oryx, Abbey. Impressed by not only the fact that she could keep the rhythm section on lock down but that every moment on the drums was filled with energy whether it was a charged movement or a subtle one. Over the years, besides watching Abbey drum, I have also seen her graphic designs sprawled on flyers for shows around El Paso/Las Cruces/Denver. If you like bands such as The Body, Thou, and Sleep - this sludge duo will fit right into your playlist. Here's my interview with Abbey.

Goofy

Sunflower seeds or peanuts?

Honey roasted peanuts, yo!

Robocop or Terminator?

Terminator all the way.  

Last movie you saw in theaters?

I saw The Witch; fantastic film! Even though a lot of people hated on that movie, I thought it was a breath of fresh air in the horror genre.

What are the odds that the Colorado Avalanche will make it into the playoffs next year?

Not lookin’ good.

Favorite post-show beverage?

Whiskey.

Last time you went roller blading?

Hmmm… when I was ten years old?! It has been way too long.

Would you rather open up for Black Sabbath or Sleep?

Black Sabbath!!!

Personal

What's the funnest / most memorable show that you have played?

Most memorable show was at Crust in the Dust Fest in 2013. It was a metal/punk/grind fest out in the middle of a forest in Grants, NM. The whole fest ran off of a generator and everyone camped nearby. Metal in the woods…what more could you ask for?

What's the weirdest / most out of place show that you have ever played?

The weirdest show we ever played was in Salt Lake City a couple years back. We show up to the venue and the owner didn’t even remember that we were booked there that night. Also, there was only two bands playing, us and this horrible ska band from Mexico. They ended up playing for over an hour to maybe five people in the audience. It was like watching a train wreck. We felt so out of place! It was one of the shows where you contemplate just leaving and not even playing haha. I think we only played like three songs that night. Definitely a weird experience.

Besides Oryx, have you played in any other bands?

I played in a punk band called Epidemic when I was in high school. We had no idea what the hell we were doing and we sounded terrible, but hey, it was fun! It was my introduction to playing drums. Then fast forward to four years later and I picked up the drums again when Tommy wanted to jam some metal riffs he had been sitting on. After that day, Oryx was born.

Anyone that has seen Oryx knows that you are a loud band. Do you use ear plugs?

I try and use ear plugs when I play, but I could be way better about it.

You and Tommy, the guitarist/vocalist of Oryx, recently moved from Las Cruces to Denver. What are the biggest changes that you have seen after moving?

The biggest changes we have seen have to do with the scene itself. In Cruces/El Paso the metal scene was a tight community, but it was small. Here in Denver, I can’t even count how many metal bands exist, let alone doom metal bands that are similar to us. It’s wild. That means there’s more of a competition to get on the bigger shows and at times it can feel less inclusive than the scene that we were used to in EP. That being said we have met a lot of rad people here already that are in great bands and overall, we love living here. Moving here also meant we would be closer to Colorado Springs, which has one of the coolest venues I’ve ever seen, called the Flux Capacitor. The people involved with the shows there remind us of the DIY community that we love in EP so it’s always a blast to go and play there.

Has the change in altitude affected you in any way?

Not that I’ve noticed.

Favorite drummers in the doom/sludge genre?

Definitely Bill Ward from Black Sabbath. Chiyo from Noothgrush. Beatriz from Holly Hunt. T.J. from Inter Arma. Not necessarily doom or sludge, but Tyler from Yautja/Mutilation Rites is a huge inspiration; the dude rips on the drums!

You create lots of art designs for Oryx / show flyers. Are there any particular artists (musical and design wise) that inspire you?

A lot of my inspiration will come from the bands I’m making the flyers for. Ethan McCarthy’s work is also a huge inspiration when it comes to digital design; he works under the name Bag Man and plays in Primitive Man/Vermin Womb. I like to mess around with different geometric shapes and symbols. I’ve only been working on creating show flyers for about a year now, so I have a lot left to learn, especially when it comes to working with tools on Photoshop. I’m currently working on my first t-shirt design for a band here in Denver! Keep your eyes peeled .

Oryx

When did Oryx begin?

2012.

Why was the band name, Oryx, chosen?

Oryx is a type of antelope that originated in Africa but they were brought to New Mexico for exotic big-game hunting ‘opportunities’. They stick out among the other desert animals and we related to that; we always felt like fish out of water when it came to living in New Mexico. It never truly felt like home. Oh and also they have black and white fur on their faces that kind of look like corpse paint. Metal!

Was the plan to always have it as a two piece with you and just Tommy?

In 2012, we had started out with a bassist, James, but he moved and we decided to try it out as a two piece. We’re still happy with it just being the two of us.

Hypothetically speaking, let's say you were exploring the option of adding a bassist and a frontman and you could get anyone to fill those roles. Who would you choose?

Hmmm, I’d say no one, because we’re stoked on doin’ the two piece thang.

You just released a split with doom metal band Languish from Tuscon, AZ. What is next as far as putting out new material goes? EP, LP, split?

Recording new material in the fall for our next full length LP release!

You guys recorded a cover of “Dios Injusto” by Japanese sludge band, Corrupted, for the Languish split. Any reason as to why you chose this particular song?

It’s one of Tommy’s favorite songs and we decided to cover it. Corrupted is legendary and it was an honor to get their approval on us releasing it.

Are there any other songs that you guys cover or plan to cover?

None that I can think of. We’re just working on writing original material for our next album.

I have multiple questions on the video you guys released for “The Singularity”.

I am not too entirely familiar with witchcraft and dark spirits. What lead to that particular theme? Do the lyrics tie into the plot for the video?

It’s up to interpretation for the viewer ;)

How cold was it out there while playing?

Pretty fucking cold! Haha, that’s why I played in a hoodie. But it was worth it!

Where exactly did you film the video?

Colorado Springs.

Is the end of the video meant to be open-ended or clear cut? Did the guy that was running away live to see another day? Did the witch find some sort of magical object in the bag she was searching for? Sorry for my naivety but again, I don't know much about witchcraft.

We left it mysterious, so that the viewer can make up their own ending. It’s more fun that way!

You had a short run of out of town shows lined up for June. Additionally, you now have a 7 week tour coming up this summer. This tour is called Immune to Light. What dates and where ate you playing? Any other information that you're able to spill?

Yeah, we’re stoked for our upcoming tour. We haven’t toured for two years, so we decided to tour the country and make up for lost time. We’ll be on the road from June 30th – Aug. 22nd.

Here’s a list of our dates!

6/30/2016 Replay Lounge – Lawrence, KS

7/01/2016 PMD – Columbia, MO

7/02/2016 Springwater – Nashville, TN

7/03/2016 TBA – Memphis, TN

7/06/2016 Caledonia Lounge – Athens, GA

7/07/2016 Local 662 – Tampa, FL

7/08/2016 Kreepy Tiki – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

7/09/2016 The Atlantic – Gainesville, FL

7/10/2016 Shantytown – Jacksonville, FL

7/11/2016 Woodshop – Baton Rouge, LA

7/12/2016 Siberia – New Orleans, LA

7/13/2016 Hi-Tones – San Antonio, TX

7/14/2016 The Lost Well – Austin, TX

7/15/2016 Three Links – Dallas, TX

7/16/2016 The Sandbox – El Paso, TX

7/17/2016 Mods Bar – Tijuana, MX

7/18/2016 Merrow Bar – San Diego, CA

7/19/2016 Deth Haus – Las Vegas, NV

7/20/2016 Que Sera – Long Beach, CA

7/21/2016 Golden Bull – Oakland, CA

7/22/2016 Starlite – Sacramento, CA

7/23/2016 Double Treble – Portland, OR

7/24/2016 Highline Bar – Seattle, WA

7/25/2016 Obsidian Bar – Olympia, WA

7/26/2016 Wastelander Studios – Boise, ID

7/27/2016 Mutiny Café- Denver, CO

7/28/2016 Babe House – Laramie, WY

7/29/2016 Spigot – Lincoln, NE

7/30/2016 Wisco Pub – Madison, WI

8/03/2016 Shakespeare’s – Kalamazoo, MI

8/04/2016 New Dodge Lounge – Detroit, MI

8/05/2016 Skeletunes Lounge – Ft. Wayne, IN

8/06/2016 The Mothership- Columbus, OH

8/07/2016 Roboto Project- Pittsburg, PA

8/08/2016 Bug Jar – Rochester, NY

8/09/2016 Alternative Gallery – Allentown, PA

8/12/2016 Shred Shed – Philadelphia, PA

8/14/2016 Test Pattern– Winston Salem, NC

8/15/2016 Fox Manor– Asheville, NC

8/17/2016 The Hideaway – Johnson City, TN

8/18/2016 Highlands Bar – Louisville, KY

8/19/2016 Lost Cross House – Carbondale, IL

8/21/2016 The Elbow Room – Wichita, KS

This about wraps it up Abbey. Any last words?

Thanks for a great interview, Chris! Come visit Denver again soon!

Check out Oryx at:

https://oryx.bandcamp.com

end.

Chris

[interviewswithchrisblog]

Danny Alcantar - Sluur

Name: Danny Alcantar

Band: Sluur

Duties: Bass

(photo credit: happy Disney tourist) 

Danny Alcantar is the bassist of Sluur. Sluur plays darkwave / shoegaze filled jams that have finally filled the void of not having such a band play that vein of music in El Paso, TX. If you like bands such as The Chameleons and Joy Division then they'll fit perfectly in your playlist. When I first heard them, they instantly reminded me of a mashup of Echo and the Bunnymen, Magazine, and The Cure. The fluidity, the intensity, and the overall melodic nature of their songs is what initially captivated me. After seeing them multiple times, their consistency is what latched me on and is the reason why I continue to listen to them. I've actually personally known Danny for quite a long time. One of my first memories of him was when I was in college and I bought a record off him in the hallway after finishing one of my undergraduate classes. This must have been around 09' or so. As the years have passed, we still continue to ask each other what our favorite albums of the year are and ask each other what shows we look forward to. Another random and funny thing is that we usually get told that we kind of look like each other. For instance, last night I saw Sluur and I told one of the members of the touring band that they had a great performance. That person then told me I did a great job of playing. Funny thing is that I didn't play so either that person thought I was Danny or simply wanted me to screw off. Either way, this is Chris interviewing Danny and not the other way around.

Goofy

Favorite zoo animal?

Komodo dragon. Closest thing I’ll get to seeing an actual dinosaur.

Fruit roll ups or granola bars?

Fruit Roll-Ups. Especially the ones that have shapes in them that you can cut out.

When you order a burrito what do you normally get?

Chile relleno burrito with beans and guacamole.

Would you rather wear a Sublime shirt for the rest of your life or get a Sublime tattoo on the back of your neck? You can't cover up either one.

You’re an asshole for this question but I’m gonna go with the neck tattoo because at least when I look in the mirror I won't have to see that awful logo.

You used to work at a bowling alley. Do you like to bowl and are you any good?

I like bowling but I do not like putting used shoes on. I don't bowl enough to buy my own though. Also I am terrible and usually bowl games of 100 or less.

Posers are _________________.

Everywhere

If a Sluur was an alcoholic drink what would it consist of?

It’d be scotch on the rocks. Specifically Lagavulin 16. Love that smoky taste.

Personal

When did you start playing shows? What got you into wanting to play music?

Don’t exactly remember my first show but I've been playing for around 8 years now. Always been into listening to all kinds of stuff. My brother got me into a few bands and I set off from there. Picked up a guitar first, then bass, and just went for it.

What bands are you currently in? What other bands have you been in?

Right now just Sluur. Been in around 4 or 5 other bands. Most notably though XSM (which technically we never broke up. Our singer, Marc, just moved out of El Paso because he’s a poser). XSM was self proclaimed as “stupid man hardcore” haha. I was also in Urban Struggles when I lived in Phoenix and this other short lived hardcore band called Spite. Members of those bands were/are in Avon Ladies/Destruction Unit/Biocidio and just about every other good punk band in the Phoenix area.

You work at Monarch and generally get to see a good amount of shows. What type of bands or music genres would you like to see more of in El Paso?

I think we’ve been getting some decent shows as of late. Sometimes there can be a dry spell but the few dedicated people that bring stuff here do a good job. It would be cool for more darkwave/minimal wave kind of shows to happen here though.

Favorite pizza place in El Paso?

Tough one, but I'm gonna have to go with Peter Piper. Large three cheese but it needs to be fresh. It’s not nearly as good the next day.

Besides music, what other passions or hobbies do you have?

Other than collecting records or booking the occasional show, I enjoy making drinks (don’t call me a mixologist though haha) and doing lots of reading. Sometimes I’ll just read a random wikipedia article and get lost all day learning about useless shit. If you ever wanna talk random facts on ancient civilizations I'm the guy to ask.

What are some of your most prized vinyl records?

I don’t have anything worth thousands but these records mean a lot to me: Samhain - Initium lp (first press) and all my other original Misfits records I own, Gauze - Equalizing Distort lp, Poison Idea - Pick Your King on blue vinyl, Neanderthal - Fighting Music 7”, Crossed Out - s/t 7”. Those last three 7”s got me into hardcore and are all worth about $100 each.

What’s your DJ name? This is serious since I know you actually spin records and don’t wave your hands in the air with an iPod on shuffle. What type of music do you like to spin mostly?

Been going with Slurmz for a while but seriously thinking of changing it to Danny Yankee. If I'm going with a certain theme that night I’ll stick to genres related to each other but it usually ends up being lots of post punk/synth pop/cold wave kind of stuff. I’ve died with a laptop once or twice before but I feel like that’s cheating since you can just download anything you want. I always try to do vinyl at least.

What are some of your favorite record releases so far this year?

Haven’t kept up too much. Some stuff that I’ve enjoyed and purchased include: Repos - Poser (album title of the year), Rixe -  Les Nerfs A Vif (great current French Oi), Lust for Youth - Compassion, Lumpy and the Dumpers - Huff My Sack (La Vida es Un Mus keeps on killing it), Blazing Eye - Lonely Corpse 7”, Iggy Pop - Post Pop Depression (Iggy still sounds great, i’m a sucker for anything he does), Mind Spiders - Prothesis, Gag - America’s Greatest Hits, Tim Hecker - Love Streams. Definitely a few more but this year is only half way done so far. I need to spend some time listening to a lot of other stuff.

Best hardcore bands at the moment?

Dawn of Humans/Hank Wood and the Hammerheads, Rixe, La Misma, Green Beret, Repos (they still got it), & Gag.

Sluur

How did Sluur get it’s name?

I honestly have no clue about that haha. You’d have to ask the other members. I do know it was originally Slurr then it got changed to Sluur.

From what I understand, you’re actually not one of the original members of Sluur. When ex-bassist, Steven Madrid (Lake of Fire) left the band, how exactly were you brought into the equation? Had you been wanting to play this type of music before becoming a part of the band?

When Steve left, they were looking for a replacement. I think Jorge, the singer, asked me and I gave it a quick jam. Ended up picking up the songs pretty fast and even writing a few new ones. The sound has definitely changed a bit since I started playing. I definitely dug them before I joined. I had seen them a few times and liked the sound.

Sluur recently put out an EP that will later be coming out on a tape at some point. Can you give some insight on the recording process? Did Miguel Valdez (drummer of Sluur) record the EP?

The tape should hopefully be out before the end of this summer. Miggs (Miguel) has a pretty neat practice spot near central El Paso that we did the recordings at. We spent many late and drunken nights practicing and getting the sound right. Mattox practices and records there as well. This EP would not sound nearly as good if it wasn't for Miggs and his recording techniques. He has tons of awesome gear. We owe a lot to him.

Was there a particular sound you were going for? Were there any particular albums/bands that you guys used as reference points for the new album?

We didn’t exactly want to “force” a certain sound. Some tracks sound shoegazey, others sound kind of psych but our new sound is definitely being inspired by more 80′s goth and death rock bands like Christian Death.

Who did the artwork for the Sluur – Choice EP? Did you guys have the design in mind or did the artist have free reign on the artwork?

We got our friend Malicia Dominguez to do it. She's a great artist and has done artwork for XSM, Nalgadas and countless other bands. We knew her style already but told her we kind of wanted something 80's and abstract and she came up with the current design. We tweaked it slightly but the original image is hers.

Does Sluur cover any songs? If not, what bands/songs would you like to cover?

As of right now we don’t, but I would love to do a Wipers cover or some Sisters of Mercy.

Sluur has a sound akin to bands like The Chameleons, The Cure, Joy Division, Echo & the Bunnymen and other bands of a similar nature. What bands would you say directly influence your style of play in Sluur?

Those are all pretty spot on and some of my favorite bands. I’d probably just add Christian Death (Rozz Williams era), Sisters of Mercy (best bass lines in goth), and Crisis.

What are Sluur’s future plans? Any forthcoming tours/new recorded material?

Gonna put this current tape out in physical form. Once that is done we are gonna try to record another set of 7-8 songs. Hopefully even put out a 7”. I’d like to do a west coast tour or even Texas soon but gotta sit down with everyone and figure out our schedules. Definitely plan on playing out of town a few times before the end of the year.

What are Sluur's next upcoming shows?

Next show is June 11th with Holy Wave (Austin, TX), Whispering Wires (Tucson, NM), Lenguas Largas (Tucson, NM) and Life Stinks (San Francisco, CA) at Monarch.

That wraps it up. Any last words?

Nothing much to add other than I enjoyed answering your questions. If someone asked me who wrote out all these questions I’d probably know it was Chris Trian due to your unique and great humor. Haha. Thanks for interviewing me! Wouldn’t mind interviewing you next.

Check out Sluur's new EP – Choice at:

https://sluurmusic.bandcamp.com/releases

end.

Chris

[interviewswithchrisblog]

Isaac Reyes - Lenguas Largas

Name: My name is Isaac Reyes

Band: My band is Lenguas Largas

Duties: I sing and play guitar in the band

Lenguas Largas of Tucson, AZ. Where do I begin? It's hard to describe Lenguas Largas because I feel that they pull from so many genres and creative outlets. Rhythmic, experimental punk with some psych/garage inclinations? Not sure, but to me I'd compare listening to them to getting put in a trance while holding a lit stick of dynamite. Soothing one moment then explosive in the other. Call it whatever you want, but more than likely you haven't heard a band like them. The style of music that Lenguas Largas plays also lends itself to the way that the band operates. Whether it's a change of lineups or releasing a new song off a previously recorded album - it's ever evolving and about what feels right at the moment. Lenguas Largas has steadily put out some of my favorite releases, especially the Come On In LP in 2014. Its an easy choice when you're constantly listening to releases from their ex-bands/side projects like Swing Ding Amigos, Shark Pants, and Free Machines. They're all so damn good and I highly recommend them all. I had the opportunity to see Lengus Largas live at Monarch in August 2014 and I remember being pumped to see them perform tracks off Come On In. The live dynamics were a sight to see. I mean how many times do you see three drummers in a band? I think I saw at least 7 members play in the band that night. Each performing their roles but adding their own flavor to the mix. I don't know what to expect when they go out on tour for their freshly released Abba Daddy LP but I know it'll be great. El Pasoans will get a chance to see Lenguas Largas with Built to Spill at Tricky Falls on June 2nd and at Monarch on June 11th. In the meantime, here's an interview I did with Isaac Reyes, the guitarist/vocalist of Lenguas Largas.

Goofy

Favorite hot sauce?

My favorite hot sauce is Salsa Huichol. It's great on everything.

Enchiladas or tortas?

Tortas de jamon over enchiladas any day.

Mind control is _____________.

Mind control is something my girlfriend has mastered over me.

Have you ever experienced any paranormal activity?

Yes, I have experienced paranormal activity. The last time we played Chattanooga, Tennessee I had a terrifying experience in the house of a friend we ended up staying with. I got to sleep in a bed, and while I was on the verge of falling asleep, I saw a shadow sphere forming on the ceiling. Getting bigger as it came closer to my head, I tried to move and yell but I was paralyzed. As it got closer to me, I could see a face forming in it and it laughed at me. As it got closer to me, the laughing got louder. I could hear my band mates partying outside the window but couldn't communicate with them. Once the shadow had reached me, I felt like something had gotten on the bed with me. I was laying on my side, not being able to move and felt as if someone started spooning me. It was so weird. It felt like the spirit started humping me. It was scary as shit! After a few seconds, I managed to wake myself up out of it and sat up in the bed. I looked around in the darkness and saw nothing. I remember thinking, "What should I do? Should I run out and tell everyone partying outside that we should get the hell out of there?" But then after realizing that I got dry humped by a ghost, there probably wasn't anything worse it could do to me so I closed my eyes and went back to sleep.

Whiskey or tequila?

I learned to respect tequila. I like how it makes me feel high instead of drunk. I prefer it over whiskey. But I still like whiskey too.

Last fast food restaurant you ate at?

Last fast food place I ate at was In n Out Burger. Double double is delicious.

I read in another interview that your favorite album is Guns N' Roses – Appetite for Destruction. Which member of the Guns N' Roses crew would you like to hang out with the most?

Guns N Roses' Appetite for Destruction is one of my all time favorites. It was the first cassette I ever bought. I played it so much I had to buy it 3 times cause I kept wearing it out. I don't know which member I'd rather party with. They're probably all assholes so I'll say none of them. I don't like to hang out with assholes.

Can you roll your R's?

I was born in Nogales, Arizona. Spanish was my first language. Can I roll my R's? A huevo.

Describe your current environment as you are answering this interview.

I am sitting in bed, trying not to let my farts wake up my girlfriend as I do this interview.

One of the first things that pops up in a search engine when you type Lenguas Largas is Vicente Fernandez' song – No Me Se Rajar. Have you ever listened to the song?

Yes I've heard Vicente Fernandez's "No me se rajar". It's like the Mexican pledge of allegiance. At least to me it is.

Personal

What made you want to pick up a guitar and start writing songs?

I've always wanted to be in a rock band ever since I can remember. My brother and I would strum on brooms at my grandmother's house when we were little pretending they were guitars. MTV use to play videos back in the day. That was very influential on me. The first time I saw the video for "Welcome To The Jungle".

Favorite album that has come out so far this year?

My favorite album that came out this year is probably the new Far Corners record. My friend Justin sent it to me a couple of weeks ago. I can't stop playing it.

Who are some of your favorite bands that reside in the southwest?

There are a bunch of good bands in the southwest right now. Locally, pretty much every band all of my band members are in are really good. Everyone is in at least 2 or 3 bands. Our drummer Brian is in 4 of the best bands in Tucson. Lenguas Largas, Whispering Wires, Free Machines, and Carbon Canyon. There is also The Resonars, Freezing Hands, Sea Wren. In Phoenix we have friends in a bunch of great bands too. Destruction Unit, Man Hands, Detached Objects. Too many to list. Out of state, I love Nalgadas from El Paso. My friends Justin and Tara Hubbard who recently relocated to the east coast had Germ House and Far Corners. We've done a little touring with them as well.

When you're not rocking at night what are you doing by day?

My day job is doing service and installation for a sign company. When I'm not doing music, I'm fixing neon, drilling holes in walls, and cleaning dead birds and bird shit out of old signs while restoring them to their original glory.

Can you list all the bands that you've been in?

Before I started Lenguas Largas with my homie Ricky Shimo, I was in Swing Ding Amigos, Shark Pants, Dickless Torso, Digital Leather, and The Resonars.

I have to ask. How did the name Swing Ding Amigos come about?

The name Swing Ding Amigos came from my friend and band mate at the time Jimmy Teyechea. The band was him, my brother Levi Reyes and me. He got the name from an old Speedy Gonzales cartoon. Jimmy is the main dude in Free Machines. Check them out.

What about the name Lenguas Largas? That term in Spanish means shit-talker to an extent if I'm not mistaken.

The name Lenguas Largas means shit talker. I'm really good at it.

Are you originally from Tucson? How long have you lived there?

I am originally from Nogales, AZ. Not from Tucson. I grew up half a block from the Mexican border and I got my chops setting up shows and playing in Mexico. There was no scene happening on the American side. I moved up to Tucson with my brother in 99' after high school to form Swing Ding Amigos. We were friends with a band called The Weird Lovemakers who at the time were on Empty Records. They helped us get a lot of shows when we first moved up here. SDA later became the backing band for Dickless Torso, which was Sean Foree's thing before he started Digital Leather. Ryan Rouseau from Destruction Unit was also in the band.

What's your favorite restaurant in Tucson?

Right now my favorite restaurant in Tucson is a place called Graze Burger. It’s so fucking delicious! And Tacos Porfis.

Lenguas Largas

When did Lenguas Largas begin and what changes have you seen since the inception of the band?

LL began around 2009. I had a bunch of songs I had recorded while I was in Shark Pants that didn't really fit the band. I started getting into recording more and preferred it over playing live. I joined forces with Ricky Shimo (LL Guitar), and we started experimenting with song writing processes. Basically we would get high as fuck and record everything we played. That's pretty much how it started. I made a myspace page for us and with that we got an offer from Tic Tac Totally Records in Chicago to do a release. After that we decided to form the band. We added a drummer and another guitar player. Played out for a bit, added a baritone guitar player, lost a drummer, added a drummer, added a drummer. You get the picture. It was never meant to be a 6,7 member band. We just had too many badass people wanting to play with us.

You sort of did a split with Mind Spiders in the sense that you both released 7”s on Razorcake's Sister Series and they were both kind of meant for each other in a way despite them being two separate 7”s. Each band covered each other's songs and if you put the 7”s next to each other you ended up with combined artwork. Have you thought of doing any sort of formal 7” split with another band? If so, who would be your frontrunners?

I've thought about doing other split releases like we did with Mind Spiders. There are so many bands I would love to do that with. But right now, I'm just concentrating on writing more material. We had a lot of stuff we recorded that we've slowly been releasing the better parts of. I feel like we need to restock some hits to keep moving. But it would be cool to do some split releases with some of the other bands our guys are in.

When playing in areas that do not speak spanish, do people ask what Lenguas Largas means? How do you respond?

I knew from the beginning that having a name in Spanish that was difficult to pronounce in English would get us asked a lot of questions. But it doesn't matter. I love the name and what it means to me. We get it misspelled on flyers all the time. It' s cool. After they see us play they'll remember our name and not forget it.

What areas of the United States would you like to play that you haven't played yet?

I would like to play the east coast. We don't get a lot of time off work to tour so we haven't been able to do the east coast yet. We love touring the south and midwest though.

A UK/Europe tour is slated for November of this year. Have you ever played over there with Lenguas Largas. How has the reception been overseas?

We will be touring Europe in the fall for the first time. I've toured out there in other bands but never with Lenguas Largas. It should be good. We have a couple of records on European labels now so it'll be easier for people over there to access our music.

Any reason why you have rerecorded songs off previous albums you've released? Do you feel that they still haven't been done justice or perhaps it's just a new twist on an old song?

The reason that we rerecord songs for different releases is because we make the rules. We have the versions that I record with Ricky and then we take those songs and figure out how to play them as a full band. Then we record them as a band. It's cool to hear the differences in the versions. Sometimes the songs change a lot. But the main reason we do it is because its our art and we can do what ever the hell we want. When we make an album, we think of the flow. The sequencing is very important. For example, on the Abba Daddy record, we had a bunch of songs we were trying to fit in the record, but it didn't feel like it flowed right. That's why we ended up putting in versions of 2 songs we released on the last record. It felt right. It sounded right. We put a lot of work making our songs the best they can be. We do the same with the records we release.

You have a song called Kawasaki Dream that was released on Come On In and rereleased on Abba Daddy. What's the song about? Have you ever owned a Kawasaki motorcycle?

Kawasaki Dream is a song I wrote about being depressed. Its subconsciously about the movie "The Legend of Billie Jean". I wrote it from a distorted mental photograph. I don't own a motorcycle. I'd probably kill myself if I did. But its kind of a tribute to that movie except that she rides a Honda scooter in the movie, not a Kawasaki. But the song is about escape. The idea of riding off in a Kawasaki. Away from everything, but there is no escape. There never is.

Explain the creating/recording process of Abba Daddy? Was there any particular sound you were going for? Were you listening to any particular albums at the time for inspiration?

The creative process for our songs hasn't changed much since the band started. I still try to get as primal as I can in my own mind when I'm creating. I don't want reason or good judgement to get in the way of my rock n roll. I listen to mostly old stuff. I like to get inspired by the masters, not necessarily the modern copy cats of certain genres or styles. Early The Cure, Kinks, T Rex, Velvet Underground, Wire, Love, Tronics, The Gories, Oblivians. That's what gives my creativity a boner. And weed. Lots of weed.

Why did you name the album Abba Daddy?

The Abba Daddy title is an inside joke. We were in Memphis playing Gonerfest a few years back, and the guy who runs Red Lounge Records who put out Abba Daddy was telling us a story. You have to know that he is from Germany. So he's telling us a story about how his friend works for a company that cleans out homes after people die. Kind of like a salvation army thrift store pick up and sell type of place. Anyways, his friend is clearing out a house and finds a bunch of old Abba memorabilia. Including a baby picture of one of the Abba girls with her father in an SS nazi uniform. So my friend takes the picture and memorabilia to the historic society in his city that he is a part of. And they tell him that they don't want the stuff. They don't want to bring attention to it. The funny thing to us was him telling the story to us. And how he kept repeating the phrase Abba Daddy in a german accent. So I wrote a song called Abba Daddy and then decided to call the record that. It seems fitting, that he released the record.

Does this album have the same lineup as Come On In?

This record is not a full band recording like the last one. I like to change it up. It doesn't have the "studio" sound. But it has a good feel to it and I'm very proud and happy of how it turned out. My friend, Jason Willis, did an amazing job with the artwork too. Turning the gatefold cover into a board game is genius!

Lenguas Largas is coming on down to El Paso in a couple of weeks. How do you like El Paso? 

Looking forward to not only play El Paso with Built To Spill, but also to play the Monarch on the way back home. Leo and the crew treat us very good!

That wraps it up. Any last words?

I hope I didn't forget anything. Thanks again for reaching out. See you in a couple weeks.

Check out Lenguas Largas at:

https://lenguaslargas.bandcamp.com

end.

Chris

[interviewswithchrisblog]

Kelley Williams - Back of a Car

Name: Kelley Williams

Band: Back of a Car

Duties: Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist    

(photo: Joe Suarez)

I first heard Back of a Car when my band Dubois played a showed with Kelley last year at Haphazard Hall in Las Cruces. I had seen Kelley at other shows conversing with friends but up until that point I hadn't heard his music. At the time, he was manning the BOAC ship entirely and it was just him performing solo. I was blown away by his guitar playing and songwriting. I enjoyed it, I really did but I always thought adding a drummer would aid the rhythmic and driving elements of BOAC. Fast forward a half year or so and after my work shift I came home and heard my roommate/band mate Farshid drumming to new material on his headphones. That music turned out to be Back of a Car. Shortly after, Kelley and Farsh joined forces and recorded at Brainville. At the time, I actually used to live at Brainville so throughout the duration of the recording I was able to not only listen to the material but see how thorough and committed Kelley was to running BOAC. It was truly the equivalent of a mad scientist in his lab trying to perfect his craft. I was actually at the release for Unconditional Loathe at Art Obscura in Las Cruces a couple weeks back and the energy in the room was electrifying. It was as if every note that Kelley was playing was lassoing in the crowd. Making them want more. Loud but not exactly crushing my ears to the point of wanting to leave the room. It just felt and sounded right. It was solid and they executed what they worked so hard for flawlessly. For those that haven't heard Back of a Car (as a full band) I personally think its somewhat of an amalgam of American Football's melodies, My Blood Valentine's chaos, somewhat of a Tera Melos quirky explosive vibe right under the threshold of pure insanity, jammed with the vibes of a 90's Tooth & Nail band. But none of that matters so go take a listen for yourself. Thanks to Kelley for taking his time in answering these questions. Enjoy.

Goofy

Tang or Hershey's?

To tell you the truth, I hadn’t had Tang since I was a kid until Farshid made me a glass whilst recording at Brainville. I didn’t enjoy it at all. So I’ll go with Hershey’s, even though I don’t like it THAT much.

Billy Madison or Happy Gilmore?

I’m gonna choose the lesser of two evils here: Billy Madison.

Gumballs or chiclets?

Chiclets. Gumballs hurt my sensitive teeth.

The Southwestern United States is _____________?

…at once a place of immense suffering and a place of rest.

Favorite movie featuring Nicolas Cage?

Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

You have told me that you personally do not like sports. If you had to participate in one of the following which do you think you would do better in? Hockey goalie or football punter?

I used to play a lot of street hockey when I was a kid so I think I’d definitely be better as a hockey goalie.

New band name - Back of a RV or Back of an Ice Cream Truck?

Back of a RV. Ice cream is great but I have really sensitive teeth.

Personal

Typical breakfast?

I usually don’t talk about my diet.

Typical dinner?

My wife and I make tortellini a lot. And I always eat jalapenos with almost every meal. But I find these questions weird because, once again, I don’t really like to talk about my diet too much.

You grew up in Hobbs, NM. Has growing up there influenced your writing style in any way?

Growing up in Hobbs has definitely had an impact on my writing. When I grew up in Hobbs, the  local economy was depressed due to lack of work in the oil fields. That was Hobbs’ primary industry at the time. Any time a town endures economic conditions such as these, certain physical aspects like parks, roads, buildings etc are neglected. So I grew up around all of these abandoned buildings, unkempt parks; a lot of neglect in general. I should also mention that Hobbs was very isolated. The closest interstate was a few hours away. As a kid, none of this was overly apparent to me. Before I was a teenager, I didn’t make it out of my hometown too much to ever really notice stark differences between Hobbs and other places. A big trip for us was to Lubbock or Midland, TX. I mean, Albuquerque was a 7 hour drive! But as I got older and was fortunate enough to go to bigger places like Albuquerque or Dallas even, I began to notice all the big differences between those places and my tiny, depressed town. So by the time I was a teenager, reflecting on the desperation of the place became pretty important to me. It was around this time that I also began to play the guitar. So it was only natural that I wrote from a place of anger and desperation. I’ve never really been able to let go of that.

You come to El Paso very often to practice and play shows. Do you have any preference between playing music in El Paso versus Las Cruces?

I really love playing shows in both places and practicing in both places as well. I have only lived in this area for a few years so I have only been making trips to El Paso regularly for a short time El Paso still feels pretty unfamiliar to me. I like that.

Last book/last album you purchased?

The last book I purchased was Mainlines, Blood Feasts and Bad Taste: A Lester Bangs Reader and the last album I purchased was Van Dale’s self-titled record.

Favorite hardcore punk band?

This is a really hard question for me to answer succinctly. There are so many bands in this genre that I really love. Some of my favorites are: SSD, Minor Threat, Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits, Black Flag, Husker Du, Dag Nasty. A lot of bands from the D.C. scene.

Any pre-rituals before playing a show?

I do some vocal warm ups. I sing Paul Baribeau’s song “Tablecloth”. I try to talk to Farshid about something mundane.

At times, your guitar playing has a bit of a math-y feel to it. Are there any guitarists along the vein of jazz/math rock that you like or perhaps you would say contribute to your sound?

Yamazaki Hirokazu and Mino Takaaki of toe have been highly influential on me. That entire band has heavily influenced me. Guitarists like Mike Kinsella and Tim Kinsella have been an influence on me as well. I really love American Football and Joan of Arc. I would also say that Johnny Marr is a notable influence too. Anna Waronker of That Dog is another guitarist whose sound I love. She taught me vicariously how to use a fuzz pedal. Belinda Butcher of My Bloody Valentine can burst your eardrums with her guitar sound and you love her for it. There’s a lot of other guitarists who’ve had an impact on me but I’ll leave you with those.

The end of “Your Heart is an Atlas” features a sound clip from the show, My So-Called Life. Why did you choose that clip?

I chose that clip because I love the dynamic between those two characters in that scene. In the scene from the show, there’s a lot more dialogue included by members of Angela Chase’s family to juxtapose how light hearted everything was around them while they were having this argument that was clearly so meaningful to both of them. When I recorded the clip from my TV for the song, I decided to cut everything out from the scene except Angela’s and Brian’s lines. It turned out sounding much more serious and dramatic than it does in the show which I think lends itself to the song well. That song is about guarding yourself so I think that clip is a good fit.

Do you have any TV drama series that you enjoy that you'd recommend?

No.

Back of a Car

When did Back of a Car begin? Can you elaborate a little bit on the origin of the band?

Back of a Car started in 2014. For the previous few years, I was writing and performing under my own name but I got tired of that real quick so I decided to write a bunch more songs and call it Back of a Car.

For someone that has never listened to Back of a Car, how would you describe it musically?

I personally think we sound like Morella’s Forest and Don Caballero as one band. Of course we have many more influences and sounds going on but Farshid’s drumming with my playing definitely has a Don Caballero vibe to it. I think so at least.

I'm guessing that the name, Back of a Car, derived from the Big Star song. Is Big Star an influence of yours? What other artists would you say influence Back of a Car the most?

Actually, the band name does not come from the Big Star song. I love that band and song but the name comes from somewhere else. But Big Star is a great band that I love to listen to. I don’t think they’re much of an influence on me but I love that band. Since I write the bands’ songs I would say that the artists that influence me most are, obviously, the ones that influence BOAC the most. I’ve mentioned a lot of them in previous questions so for the sake of brevity, I’ll leave it at that.

Back of a Car is currently you and Farshid Farrokhnia on drums. From what I understand, you have always been a one piece minus a short stint with another drummer. How did you get to this point and do you see Back of a Car evolving into a full band at any time?

Farshid and I met at a Dubois show at Haphazard Hall in Las Cruces one night. He came to a few of my shows after meeting him and we’d converse whenever we saw each other. Dubois had another show at Tricky Falls in December of last year and after your guys’ set I walked up to talk to Farshid. At this point with Back of a Car, I had studio time booked at Brainville and was supposed to begin rehearsals with another drummer rather soon. However, that drummer decided to move and I was left without a drummer. When I mentioned all this to Farshid, he said he’d like to drum for me. We began rehearsing the next week and we were able to get the songs down together pretty quick. And then we recorded “Unconditional Loathe”. It’s been really great playing with him. I think we work together very well.

You recently released a new album called “Unconditional Loathe”. What's the meaning behind naming it that?

“Unconditional Loathe” means a complete and total hopelessness. The funny thing about a feeling like that is just how certain it feels, even though, by definition, hopelessness can’t be certain. That phrase is almost illogical, but it feels right.

Where were you at emotionally / in your life while creating Neverending versus Unconditional Loathe?

I recorded “Neverending” just under a year ago so I’d say I’m in a pretty similar place emotionally now. I wrote all of the songs on “Neverending” in 2014 and the songs on “Unconditional Loathe” were written in 2014 and 2015, respectively. I see “Neverending” and “Unconditional Loathe” as companion records even though sonically they’re very different.

You recorded Unconditional Loathe with Ross Ingram at Brainville. Was there a particular sound that you were going for when making this album?

Going into the record, I had a very clear idea of what I wanted the record to sound like. I had worked out these sonic ideas in the months prior because I only have so much time and money to record a full length record. We recorded the record in 4 days and it was mixed the following 3 days so I really think Ross, Farshid and I were able to create a space where we were all thinking in the same sonic terms. We definitely wanted the record to have extremely loud qualities but still retain a sense of musical articulation. We also wanted a sense of prettiness and beauty when the guitars cleaned up and weren’t fuzzy and overdriven. We wanted the vocals to be distant so you really have to search for meaning, like a person does when they feel hopeless. I personally think we achieved these stated ends but I feel it’s better for an audience to create a narrative as opposed to thrusting one on them. So we’ll see!

What's next for Back of a Car?

I would like to include a bass player and a few more guitarists in the future so everyone is welcome to send in their audition tapes.

This wraps it up. Any other last words?

I liked your questions. You should do more interviews.

Check out Unconditional Loathe at: https://backofacar.bandcamp.com

end.

Chris

[interviewswithchrisblog]

Eric Reed - Alabama Deathwalk

Name: Eric Reed

Band: Alabama Deathwalk

Duties: Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist

  (Photo: Garrett Stout)

A combination of boredom and sleepiness is usually my response when listening to acoustic songwriters. I mean, either I think it’s damn good or it does nothing to captivate my interest. In retrospect, I’ll admit that it applies to all genres but a vocally out of tune, E,A,G chord strumming folk singer makes me want to shoot lasers out of my eyes. Sure, I’ll stick around and bob my head but I most likely won’t buy a record or search for the artist’s music in the future. When I first saw Eric Reed perform, I held the same expectations as before but ended up with a different outcome. I was genuinely impressed and I thoroughly enjoyed his performance. The conviction in his voice and the rhythm of his guitar had me instantly hooked. In the past year or so, I’ve had the pleasure of playing some shows with him and watching him perform multiple times. I look forward to it every time. Recently, I had a chance to ask Eric some questions about his project, Alabama Deathwalk, before he heads out on some Texas dates. Here they are.

Goofy

How do you say, “If I don’t eat 10 tacos and drink a gallon of grape soda, my stomach is going to explode?” in Spanish? No, you cannot use Google Translate. 

Oh gosh… “comer un diez tacos y un grande soda de grape, o mi stomach tiene un explosion”?

Who were the 2012 MLB World Series Champions? Rockies, definitely the Rockies…

Favorite reptile?

Lizard (specifically Curt Connors from Spiderman).

The last regret you had?

Not knowing more Spanish for the first question.

How do you like your steak cooked?

Medium.

Do you have nicknames for your guitars? You know, like “Betty” or “Warbird” or something like that.

When I first got the acoustic guitar I use now I named it Benjamin, but I don’t ever call it that.

Forgiveness is ___________?

Something I need and need to give more.

Personal

Eric Reed. Is that your legal name?

Yep.

You currently live in Las Cruces, NM. Where are you from originally?

I grew up in El Paso, TX.

I have a pretty decent memory. Ironically, I believe that I first met you at a Converge show at the Pan American Center in the fall of 2009. Did you go or am I crazy? If that was you, do you still dig heavy music?

Yea! I remember that show. It was weird because I just went to see Converge, but they were the opening act for this huge production of a metal show. I left right after Converge played I think, haha. I do still dig heavy music, but I don’t listen to those bands nearly as much as I used to. I do think there is similar emotional release I get from singer-songwriters like Rocky Votolato and Noah Gundersen and heavy bands like Some Girls or Ceremony. I played in heavy bands when I was younger and sometimes I really miss the feeling you get after playing a super loud, aggressive set of songs.

You are currently in college. What is your major/field of study?

I am studying Civil Engineering with a focus on Structures, but I graduate in three weeks so I don’t have much left.

We recently spoke about our connection to the Carolinas. You go to North Carolina annually. Any particular reason?

I go to New Mexico State University, but I did a one year National Student Exchange program at North Carolina State University a few years back and I still have some really great friends in the Raleigh area. I know I have a tendency to lose touch with old friends, so I try to fly back each year to spend time with them. I really love Raleigh as a city/community too.

You have a song on your split with KT Neely called “X-Men”. Who is your favorite X-Men?  You kind strike me as an Angel type of guy.

Angel is cool, but I think he is too squeaky clean for me. I really like Nightcrawler. He has a really interesting origin story.

You have also done a cover of Modest Mouse’s  “Blame it on the Tetons”. What’s your favorite Modest Mouse record?

I really enjoy the album with “Blame It On The Tetons” on it (Good News for People Who Love Bad News). I also like the album This is a Long Drive…, especially the song “Dramamine”.

Do you have any plans of collaborating with other artists or starting any other bands?

Although Alabama Deathwalk is a moniker I use for my songs, I have friends help pretty often at shows and in every Alabama Deathwalk recording project I have done so far. I love playing music with my friends and I try my best to make that happen pretty often.  I think Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) once said something like this: “The music scene is like the wild west… the dudes with the biggest posse are the ones that last”.

Aside from music, are there any other hobbies that you partake in? Legal or illegal.

I really enjoy bouldering, which is rock climbing with crash pads, but no ropes. I also enjoy riding bicycles with my friends here in Las Cruces; big shout out my Skid Sunday boyz.

Alabama Deathwalk

What inspired you to start writing as a solo artist?

I played in some thrashy metal and grindcore bands towards the end of high school and I enjoyed playing that music a lot, but I went through a combination of being burnt out on shows and getting turned on to some singer-songwriters like Ryan Adams and Rocky Votolato that just turned my world on its side. After that shift, I started making a serious effort to write good songs with an acoustic guitar and I soon left the band I was currently in. I didn’t play shows as a solo artist for probably a year after that though…

Are there any other artists that you would say have helped mold your sound?

Early on (like 7 years ago), I was listening to Ryan Adams, Rocky Votolato, Manchester Orchestra, Right Away, Great Captain!, Bright Eyes, Neutral Milk Hotel, AA Bondy, Wilco, Sufjan Stevens, mewithoutYou, The Snake The Cross The Crown, As Cities Burn, and Whiskeytown. I still listen to most of these pretty regularly…

Why did you choose a moniker instead of going by your name, Eric Reed?

When I was younger and the bands I was in would break up I would be really bummed out that we had to leave behind those songs we loved. When I started writing these solo songs that were even more personal to me, I really needed a way to perform them in a sustainable way. Having a moniker frees me to let as many friends as I want help on songs, but also play solo shows with no change to the name. It also allows me to play shows as often or rarely as I want to without worrying about a band breakup or letting anyone down if I didn’t want to play any shows for a few months. Alabama Deathwalk is just me at its core, but it’s actually bigger than me most of the time (both metaphorically and literally).

Why did you choose the name, Alabama Deathwalk? I have a feeling it has nothing to do with the Trail of Tears or the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

Haha, you’re right about it not having to do with Native Americans. It’s more of an imagery thing than any event, either in my life or in early Euro-American history. I was beginning to write these really personal songs and I needed a name to put them under. “Deathwalk” came from being interested in writing about things that were truly important to me; things that you might think about on a walk into the wilderness with no intension of coming back. And I really like the image of this walk happening with the backdrop of the deep, green south (“Alabama”).

Have you ever thought of doing a full electric rendition of Alabama Deathwalk?

I actually have done that in the past. If I know I’ll be playing a show at a loud bar or something like that, I will sometimes just bring my electric rig and play my songs with some sustained, distorted, sometimes drone-y guitar stuff. I really enjoy the feeling of digging into an electric guitar with a bunch of gain and singing over it. I have also played a few times with friends helping me out with a full drum set and other electric instruments.

About a week ago at The Trainyard in Las Cruces, you told me that you were working on an album called “Graduation”. Tell me about it

Yea! I’m really excited about it. I graduate from college in a few weeks and that’s obviously a huge transition period in my life. I am leaving behind close friends, a strong music scene, and my day-to-day routine here at school. Knowing this has been pretty heavy on my mind and heart the last few months and I have been working some of that out through a few new songs that have a pretty similar feel and theme. I’ m also excited because this is the first recording project where I’ve recruited a team of friends to help me with recording AND working out additional parts on the songs. KT Neely (who is an amazing songwriter here in Las Cruces), Robert Watkins, and Simeon Beardsley (another great songwriter who just played his first show here in Cruces and blew everyone away) are going to help me breath some extra life into 4 songs for an album called “The Graduation EP”. I’m hoping to have it out sometime in early January. The songs are almost done and I’ve played most of them live at least once. I’m really excited to see how these friends will put their own fingerprints on the songs when we record them. It takes a lot of trust for me to hand over some creative control, but I really do trust these guys and I know they care about this music.

When writing songs, do your songs typically drift back and forth for you to refine them or is it a pretty straightforward of finishing a song in one sitting?

I don’t think I have ever finished a song in one sitting. Sometimes it’s frustrating, but I think the song ends up stronger because of the time that I put into it over a longer period. I sometimes over-edit though, and then the song will get put into a huge folder with other songs that I couldn’t seal the deal with. I have dozens of them…

I know that you are a Christian. Some people like keeping their faith separate from the tunes they play but I suppose that intrinsically a person’s faith seems to shine through regardless. How prevalent would you say that your Christianity is in your songwriting/lyricism?

I think on my best days Christianity is an overarching belief in the way everything works, more than a weekend ritual or a tool to get me through hard times. If I really believe that a God exists and he made an effort to love us and show us who he was though Jesus… I mean if I REALLY believed that was true, I think it would be a hard thing to keep out of the lyrics I write. I don’t always write about my faith well (which probably points to the doubt that any honest Christian will tell you they struggle with sometimes), but I think my faith comes through in my lyrics because it is the lens I see the world through, and it’s also in some ways the world that I see through that lens.

“Paul” and “James” are both songs on your album “Oh to Trade Nothing for Everything” . Paul and James were both apostles. Coincidence or just random?

Good eye, Chris! Not random. Earlier this year I was really interested in how different Paul’s letters and James’s letters feel when you read them. Upon just reading a few popular verses out of context, it is easy to think that James cares most about “being good” and Paul is really into just accepting grace and mercy as free gifts. After reading through the books a bit more though, and getting some information from people smarter than me, I realized that Paul and James don’t conflict at all. I won’t go into much more detail here, but I believe James is saying that “being good” is EVIDENCE of faith, but not a replacement for faith. Anyway, I was very interested in this topic so I wrote those songs with that in mind, most notably in “James”.

“The Unspoken Heart”.  Man that song is a tearjerker.

My sister actually wrote those lyrics, originally in a poem she did in high school. I really liked it so she let me turn it into a song.

“Confessions (Infinity Love)”.  That song has a bit of a different vibe then the rest of the songs on your album. More ambience, the absence of an acoustic, and a stronger presence in the electric guitar department. Is that kind of a one off song or can listeners expect to hear songs of a similar nature in the future?

That was a really fun song to record. Writing that song felt very different than any other song on that record. I’m not sure if there will be a song like that on The Graduation EP, but I’d like to do a song like that again sometime. It seemed like the best way to end that group of songs at that time in my life.

If I last recall, you said you were going to do a string of dates in Texas. When and where exactly?

Yea, I’m going on a road trip with KT Neely later this week for a few shows in Texas. We’re calling it the Tiny Texas Tour and we’ll be playing Austin on Thursday, Denton on Saturday, and Lubbock on Monday.  Details for those shows will be posted on each of our facebook pages. I’m excited to see some old friends, as well as make some new ones. We really like doing these out of town shows.

Any other news in the life of Eric Reed / Alabama Deathwalk?

I think we covered most of it. Thanks for listening to me ramble, Chris. Take care!

end.

You can check out Alabama Deathwalk at:

http://alabamadeathwalk.bandcamp.com/

Chris.

[interviewswithchrisblog]

Tristan Jemsek - Dogbreth

Name: Tristan Jemsek          

Band: Dogbreth

Duties: Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist

  Photo: Ben Balusek  (Tristan/left & me/right)

Saying that your friend’s band rules can sometimes be an overused and hollow statement but in the case of Tristan’s band, Dogbreth, they 100% totally rule. I met Tristan in the summer of 2010 when he helped me book a Phoenix date for one of my old band’s tours. We didn’t get to spend much time together during our initial meeting but throughout the years we’ve been able to catch up and see how our bands have changed, progressed, and everything else that comes with being in a band. Earlier this year in January, I was in Phoenix and I was able to get my hands on Dogbreth’s 7” Get Out. Now I always find myself constantly putting on that record. It’s a great feeling when music is able to get you through the day and it’s even cooler when those particular tunes are being made by a friend that you know really submerges himself into his or her music. I guess that I would group Dogbreth  into the “pop punk” category and while I strongly dislike that term,  they bring it with happy sing alongs that make you smile but can immediately wipe it off with their aggressive power pop riffs. I was able to play a couple of shows with Dogbreth and Diners (Tristan also plays in this band) last month and they absolutely killed it. There’s a line in one of Dogbreth’s songs “Autopilot” that kind of made me have a personal revelation of sorts when I first heard it - “I don’t want to live my life, I don’t want to live my life on autopilot….autopilot” So there ya go. Get out there, meet new people, do new things, and check out Dogbreth and Diners.

Goofy

How do you like your coffee?

I like drip coffee best, like from a coffee maker. Working at coffee shops for years actually really turned me off to fancy coffee. I like it as simple as possible. I’ll take a little cream or similar substance if I’m drinking it on an empty stomach, but otherwise “black as midnight on a moonless night”

(Love the Twin Peaks reference)

What was the last thing that truly scared the living shit out of you?

Probably the last (and only) time I was on a rollercoaster like 6 or 7 years ago. Space Mountain in Disneyland. “Not that bad” according to most people I talk to, but to me it was just terrifying.

Favorite dog breed?

I love all dogs but I definitely get extra mushy around Black Labs, Pitbulls, Bassett Hounds and Westies.

What’s the first song or band that comes to mind if you were on a mission to become a professional weight lifter and you needed some body building jams?

“What’s Love Got To Do With It” by Tina Turner.

Supposedly “Tristan” was one of the Knights of the Round Table. The Cornish/Welsh roots of your name supposedly indicate that your name may mean “clanking swords” in the medieval sense. If you were an Arthurian legend, what would you choose as your battle weapon?

Probably a battle axe. When I was younger I was part of a medieval reenactment group and I actually have a battle axe somewhere, I think it’s at my Mom’s house.

Physically/geographically, where are you currently located as you answer this interview?

In bed, in my (soon to be) old house in the Coronado neighborhood of Phoenix.

What’s the square root of 1500? (Don’t use a calculator)

23

The answer is actually 38.7

Hollywood is going to do a movie based on your life. Who would you rather have depict you – Sylvester Stallone or Jack Nicholson?

Jack Nicholson

Fear is _____________ .

“what the lizards want”

Personal

Your last name is Jemsek. Do you have any knowledge of where your last name originates or where it comes from?

It’s a mistake! From what I understand, when my great, great, great grandparents immigrated here from Russia the people at Ellis Island wrote the name down wrong. Their original name was Demchuk. 

Besides music, what makes you happy?

I’m pretty social, so hanging with friends. Drinking soda. My partner Erin and our dog Quark are awesome and make me happy every day. And movies! I really love watching movies either at home (on VHS) or in the theater.

Back home, when you’re not playing music, what do your days typically consist of?

Sometimes I work at my friends’ restaurant, other times I lay in bed and watch wrestling on You Tube.

Are there any professions you would have liked to pursue or that you would currently like to pursue?

Professional Wrestler.

Name some artists that people would be surprised to know that you enjoy.

This is kind of a hard one because I’m not sure what people would assume I don’t like. I don’t believe in “guilty pleasures” or “liking it ironically” and am pretty open about the music I listen to. But I can imagine someone that knows me just casually being surprised by my love for Pantera.

While on tour, how do you pass the time during long drives on the road?

Well I’m working on kicking the habit but I have a pretty big Craigslist problem. I’ll use my smart phone to obsessively check the Craigslists of all the different cities we’re playing for cool guitar pedals and whatever other stuff.

You currently live in Phoenix. Do you have any favorite local bands?

Yeah there are so many great bands here. And I’m lucky enough to be able to play supporting roles in a lot of them (I play in around 10 bands) like Diners, Hiccups, Liam and the Ladies, Blanche Beach, Drainbow, Hug of War, Nu Metal Boyfriend, The GemSeekers, Bohemian Club, and Thrill of it All. And there are also a lot of bands that I love that I DON’T play in, like Skinny Shamans, Amadou’s Qrew, JJCNV, Mr Atomm’s Bombs, Treasure MammaL Andrew Jackson Jihad and Rumspringer, just to name a few.

Name some albums that are currently ruling your stereo at the moment.

“Georgia” by Werewolves , “Food Shelter Water” by Ok Vancouver Ok, “Something Wild” by Radiator Hospital and the new Joyride! LP are currently in heavy rotation.

Dogbreth

When did Dogbreth start?

2010

How did the name Dogbreth come about?

Just from trying to think of a name I liked that wasn’t a cultural reference like every other name I gave my songwriting projects. Some people ask if it’s a Replacements reference, because Dogbreath was their original name, but it is not. I didn’t know I liked the Replacements until after starting this project and going on tour with my friends iji and Mega Bog. They played me “Tim” and that changed everything.

How many lineups has the band gone through so far?

Probably 3 or 4 at least.

Out of the Dogbreth discography, do you have any favorite material that you have done or is it pretty equal across the board?

Generally speaking I always like the most recent songs best I guess, because they’re the easiest for me to feel connected to. But I like a lot of the old songs too, different ones kind of come in and out of favor with me.

Do your songs have a common lyrical theme or would you say each album is a bit different?

Yeah well since I, you know, write songs about my feelings there are definitely some common themes that pop up. But my feelings tend to change often so I don’t think I’ve been repeating myself too much so far. And Erin has started contributing lyrics as well. So that helps mix it up.

Are there any songs that are tough for you to play due to any type of emotional attachment or meaning?

Yeah, definitely.

You’re currently on tour with a band called Diners. Tell me a little about them.

Yeah Diners is the project of Tyler Broderick, who I met on Myspace when he was 16. He’s one of the best, hardest working songwriters I know. He lives his life with songs in his head. Getting to be around him and play music with him has been really inspiring to me.

How long has the tour been so far? (I did this interview while Tristan was on tour)

Well we’re actually home now because I took forever to finish this interview but it was a 5 week tour!

I read an interview that you did 2 years ago where you said that one of your worst shows was in Austin and that metal heads started throwing beers cans and throwing folded lawn chairs at you guys.  Jokingly, you said to the audience that you had once been pulled over and you said you had a Morbid Angel CD in your car and got you off the hook. Any weird/hostile shows since then?

Only one really comes to mind. We’ve been pretty lucky with having great shows on tour. But yeah there was one in Escondido, CA that went for way too long. There was something like 6 or 7 bands on it. And the vibe was weird because there weren’t many people there, and the kid doing sound with the “poop” backpack and the skateboard pumped mall-style metal-core super loud over the PA between bands. Oh and the venue had weird club lighting. We were second to last, and during our set a dude who was waiting patiently all night to see his friend’s band just couldn’t take it any longer and started yelling rude things at us and chanting the name of his friend’s band. It was funny though, because during his friend’s set he just sat and watched Jurassic Park on the TV behind the bar. 

Does the band have any favorite cities to play?

I’m usually really excited about every place we go to. There’s usually something special about every city, whether it’s a cool soda you can only get there, or a special restaurant, or a nearby river or something. But we’ve recently been pretty infatuated with the punx in Vancouver, BC. And Seattle is always the best. And Bloomington, IN too.

Any plans on writing or recording any time soon?

Yeah we just finished a new full-length that will hopefully be available in October. And I just finished writing some songs for an EP that we’ll start working on soon.

Do you have any questions or last comments?

Hey sorry it took me so long to finish this, dude! Hope this works for you.

end.

You can check out Dogbreth and Diners at:

http://dogbreth.bandcamp.com/

http://diners.bandcamp.com/

Chris.

[interviewswithchrisblog]

John Oltmanns - Bad Antics

Name: John Oltmanns

Band: Bad Antics

Duties: Bass/ Back up vocals

(Photo: Jazmin Meza / barba-q)

My first interactions with Bad Antics were when I had the chance to play with them in Las Cruces at The Trainyard on January 3, 2012 and in El Paso at Lips on January 8, 2012. I knew nothing about the band except that when I asked what the details of the show were it was something akin to that I was going to play with a “high energy skate punk band”. Genres typically consist of some sort of close-minded generalization so right off the bat I wasn’t going to assume that the dudes in the band wore Thrasher mag shirts, liked bands like JFA, and were all skaters themselves. Regardless of what genre they were classified as, when I first saw them they blew me away. The blistering solos, fast paced movements that came to a sudden halt, the classic rock vibe that intertwined punk/hardcore, the vocalist engaging the audience…I loved it all.  If I can describe the band in one word it would definitely be “energy”. If you’re able to catch these guys expect to see some hair flying and a good amount of head banging. Earlier this year, Bad Antics came back into town before embarking on their tour with Negative Approach and I asked the bassist, John, if he’d be willing to do an interview. Here it is.

Goofy

What’s the last prank you remember pulling on someone?

I honestly can’t remember. Whatever it was, it probably wasn’t too elaborate or good.

You’re a pretty tall guy. How tall are you?

6’ 2”

Are you any good at basketball?

Not too great. I’ve been asked that a lot.

Favorite sports team?

LA Kings

Favorite skater?

I really don’t know who I would want to put as my favorite skater so either Andrew Reynolds or Bob Burnquist.

Have you ever broken any bones? If so, how many?

Yea, I have broken my left wrist twice, both times from skateboarding. One of the times was when I was about 16 or 17, my friends and I weren’t old enough to sign permission slips to get into the skate park, so when the dude in the front wasn’t looking we snuck past and into the park. Within 10 minutes of skating the bowl I fell in the corner and broke my left wrist for the second time. Still fucks with me from time to time when playing.

Soup or salad?

Baked potato soup and chicken salads are pretty equal in my book.

Technology is _________.

The future.

Personal

When you’re in a bad mood, what are some things that instantly brighten up your day?

Usually listening to some music or playing an instrument and smoking weed.

Besides playing in Bad Antics, what else does your day typically consist of?

Usually working, I work at two pizza places, Two Saucy Broads and Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut sucks but I can usually get away with just smoking weed and listening to music. Other than that I’m usually playing music in some way, hanging out with friends or my girlfriend, having some beers, or if I’m not too lazy I might skate.

Have any of your childhood dreams come true?

Funny/ sadly enough I always thought it would be rad to be a pizza guy and now I have two jobs doing that very thing.

How would you describe your town – Fullerton, CA?

Average city in Orange County. There are a few cool things here and some cool people but it’s also full of a lot of yuppie and trendy shops and bro douche bags. Take the good with the bad I guess.

The Adolescents were also from Fullerton. Did they influence you in any way when you were growing up?

They were definitely a huge influence on the band even starting. That was probably the band we were trying to emulate the most growing up because they were the most relatable band and we loved their sound. Rikk’s octave riffs are amazing.

NorCal vs SoCal – which scene do you prefer?

The bay area has a rad scene. Some of the best shows we have ever played were up there. We have had great shows and times here at home too so that’s hard for me to be subjective.

What would you like to personally see more of in the scene in your hometown?

Just better turn outs to shows and better treatment of bands playing places that are making a lot of money off them and not paying.

Have you ever had a bad trip while playing a show?

Not that I can think of. I have taken acid while playing a show. That was pretty wild.

On “On My Way” you have a pretty blazing bass solo midway through the song.  Hell, on “Boredom” there’s a pretty tasty riff that’s kind of solo-ish. Who are some bassists that have heavy influenced your style of playing?

Geezer Butler and John Paul Jones were two bassists that blew my mind when learning the stuff they did. It made a huge impact on how I play and I get a lot of my style from them. Also players like Stanley Clark and Jaco Pastorios are who made me venture into learning more than just pentatonic riffs and more technical stuff.

I’m taking a stab at it, but I’m also guessing that you play guitar?

I can play guitar but I started on bass. I can jam on it but I’m not a very prolific guitarist.

Bad Antics

How did Bad Antics get its name?

When we were 15 or 16 we just kept google searching band names we thought would be cool and eventually one of the few that weren’t taken was Bad Antics. We thought it fit us and it stuck.

How and when did the band begin?

The band began in Januray 2005 with Zack, Jenn Agnew, Tony and myself in my garage under a few random names before we stuck with Bad Antics. Zack and I have known each other since 1st grade and he pretty much got me started and taught me to play an instrument, so we always kinda jammed. When we met Jenn and she said she was down to play drums we went from there to add Tony, our current singer, on second guitar, but since he didn’t have a guitar or amp we all decided he should sing. Then Jenn said we should add Red on 2nd guitar around 2006 which eventually turned into her leaving the band and Red jumping on drums late 2007/ early 2008 and that is our current lineup.

What are some bands that you guys are normally compared to?

We have heard a weird mix of a lot of different bands. We have heard that the vocals sound like Suicidal Tendencies, Government Warning and Cro Mags and that we have songs that are exactly like a Bane song (which is ridiculous since not a single one of us listens to or likes that band).

Which do you prefer more, recording or playing live?

I like playing live a lot more than recording. I always feel like recording is more tense in the way you have to play the song perfectly one set way. When we play live, we all know what to do and what we can do, so we always play a song a little differently each time. Maybe it’s a different drum part on a song or a different guitar solo but it will always come back to the song.

As far as the songwriting process goes, would you say that your songs are in a constant state of being worked on or is it more of a straightforward process?

The songs are always being worked on. Until it’s recorded all of us are always playing stuff a little differently, jamming things out. Playing the song live really helps with figuring out how you want it to sound.

A little while back, Bad Antics had a string of dates with what was supposed to be OFF! & Negative Approach that just ended up with Negative Approach. How did that go?

It was awesome, best time and shows we have gotten to do with one of our favorite bands. They were all awesome dudes. We got to play right before them each night which was rad and it was a great opportunity for us to get to play in front of their fans at some awesome venues.

What are the pros/cons between supporting other well-known bands versus setting up your own tours?

The pros are great exposure, free beers and food backstage, playing bigger venues and having guaranteed pay. Cons are that not everyone wants to hang around for the band opening for the band they wanna see so it’s generally always more packed after you play but they were still some of the best shows we have gotten to do. Doing your own tours have a lot more hassle and stress involved as opposed to some booking agent already worked everything out for you.

What do you guys typically like to do when you guys have some downtime/ a day off on tour? 

Mostly, we just use it to drive to the next show but on the rare occasion we have a day off or time we hit up breweries, try and skate somewhere or hang out with our friends in the area.

What has been the weirdest gig that you guys have ever played?

We once played at a biker club house in Houston.  That was pretty wild.

You guys are on Burger Records. Who are some of your favorite Burger artists?

Our favorites are our good friends Audacity , White Night, and Culture Kids. If you haven’t heard of those bands yet you should definitely check them out!

Are there any current plans for touring / writing in the works for new material?

Right now we are working on our plan to make it over to Europe by next year and have a good batch of new songs that we are either going to be doing a 7” EP or another full length. We also just recorded a track for a comp coming out on FYBS records in Sacramento, CA.

That wraps it up for me. Any last commentary you would like to include?

Take care man. Hopefully we make it back out to your neck of the woods again soon and thanks for letting me waste peoples time with my thoughts.

end.

There you have it. Put on your dad’s Sabbath shirt, whip out your board, grow out your hair, and check out Bad Antics.

http://badantics.bandcamp.com/

See y’all soon.

Chris. 

[interviewswithchrisblog]

Jason Joachim - OLD and ILL

Name: Jason Joachim      

Band: OLD and ILL   

Duties: BASS/Vox

  (Jason - only guy not wearing a Black Sabbath shirt)

OLD and ILL is a 3 piece doom band that currently resides in Austin, TX and is originally from Las Cruces, NM. I capitalized the band name for the sake of people not thinking that the band name is Old and “ the roman numeral 3”. I don’t have much of an extensive history knowing Jason but I’ve known the guitarist, Jamus, for quite a while through mutual friends and playing shows. It’s funny because I first saw Jason ages ago in El Paso with his old band The Answer Lies just like I did when I first saw Chris Mason (ex-Shangalang/Low Culture – I’ve done interviews with those bands as well) who also played in that band. I guess the main difference is that when I first saw Jason, he had long dreads and played in a fast-paced punk band. Now years later he has no dreads and plays in a heavy doom band. I like heavy bone crushing music that has guttural lows that will make your bowels implode but I honestly have a pretty limited knowledge of doom/sludge. All I know is that I like what I hear when it comes to this band. I’ve seen them multiple times and the tone and tightness are something I admire. Any band can be heavy. Tune low and crank your amps. Unfortunately, most of the time it sucks. The muddiness drowns everyone out and all the listener gets is loud low notes with a bunch of bearded dudes head banging with a wall of amps behind them. I got their Live Slow Die Old tape when they played in El Paso about half a year ago or so. I’ve played it a good amount and one thing I like in particular is the rawness of the sound. It doesn’t sound over-engineered and it sounds just the way it should in my opinion. Sounds like something that was recorded decades ago with an analog mindset rather than an over refined digital one. If you’re in the Austin area, I highly recommend that you check out this band. Just take ear plugs and be prepared to have a stiff sore neck the next day.

Goofy

Bleu cheese or ranch?

Blue cheese, the more aromatic, the better

What was the last thing that pissed you off?

My inability to control every outcome the way I see fit

Favorite animal?

Wolf

What’s a smell that makes you feel nostalgic about a particular event, person, or object?

Beer soaked wooden floors - Makes me nostalgic for spending any afternoon drinking at any comfortably dirty watering hole whether it be a dive bar or the University House.

What’s your signature motto?

Live Slow, Die Old

Favorite horror movie?

Im very non committal when it comes to naming a favorite, but I would have to say the top six that come to mind are

The Devil Rides Out

Vampyres

The Beyond

Stage Fright

Fascination by Jean Rollin

Tombs of the Blind Dead series

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

My next meal

Which city do you drink more in - Austin or Las Cruces?

Probably Las Cruces. 

Personal

Describe your daily routine.

When I’m working

I wake up at 3pm, shower, eat breakfast, make food for later, and spend a moment with my girlfriend Rachel and my dog Nola. If I have time, I will do some recording on my synth.

At 630 pm, I leave for work.

1 am - Eat lunch

7am - Leave work, take Nola for a walk and then go to bed.

On my off weeks  (I work 7 days on and 7 days off), my schedule is a lot more unpredictable. I typically wake up around noon, eat breakfast then spend the rest of the time either practicing with the other guys, playing shows, running errands, shipping out orders, taking the dog to the dog park, and spending money at End of an Ear records. My strongest motivators are my appetite and mealtime. My stomach has more control over my day than anything else.

Do you have any weird talents?

Ummmm, I am loose jointed and can contort my feet around 360 degrees and lock my thumbs behind my knuckles.

What bands are you currently stoked on and that you can’t get enough of?

Umberto, Spettro Family, Neu!, Los Dug Dugs

When did you start playing bass?

1999

Who are some of your favorite bassists?

Lemmy, Al Cisneros, Dixie from Weedeater

Do you miss your dreads?

No.  They started creeping me out after 7 years.

Since leaving Las Cruces and moving to Austin, what do you miss the most about Las Cruces?

Posole, mountains, and some good folks

I remember at the farewell Old and Ill / Answer Lies reunion show some dude vomited on you. You decked him in the stomach with your bass. I think that’s what happened. Ever have any other weird live gig altercations with people?

One time playing the Lost Cross house in Carbondale, IL,  Jason Tanner read my mind and yelled, “Shit the Bed!” It was the most intense clairvoyant experience I ever had.

After playing in bands such as The Answer Lies that was fast paced punk, what made you want to be in a more dynamic doom/sludge band?

I always wanted to be in a Doom band.  Although I thoroughly enjoyed playing fast punk, I find that doom allows for the potential for the participant to enter a meditative/reflective state and is typically more physically enjoyable.

What would you say is the biggest difference in being in a band such as The Answer Lies versus Old and Ill?

Gear. I firmly believe that the desired effect can only be achieved with adequate equipment. Load in for an Answer Lies show was way easier on the back.

I was looking through the Answer Lies myspace and I saw that you guys once played in diapers (minus Chris). Can you explain that situation?

Chris was unable to liberate himself from the social mores that dictate that you must exhibit modesty. That and we only had 2 diapers.

What’s the #1 thing that touring and playing music has taught you about yourself?

That you can do more with less and be happier.

Old and Ill

How did the band get its name?

I read the phrase in a book and it jumped out at me. Rather than picturing something or someone weak and past its prime, OLD and ILL symbolizes to me something strong, resilient and lingering, something or someone unwilling to give in to destructive forces.

Do you ever feel old and ill?

Typically after overindulgence in drink.

Old and Ill originated in Las Cruces, NM. Why did you and Jamus move the band to Austin, TX?

I had a job opportunity here and both of us felt a strong desire to try something new.

Was the decision a difficult one to make?

No, I don’t want to speak for Jamus, but I think it would have been more difficult to stay in Las Cruces, although I still love it there.

Has the location change affected the band as far as the creative/song writing process goes or how the band is run?

Well, not so much in the way we tackle the songwriting, but more in the fact that we have to do so now in a by the hour rehearsal space, rather than our own spot. We have to be much more efficient when it comes to time since we have less time to convene as a group. Personally I am having to do more work on my own time as far as writing goes.

I am assuming that you write the lyrics to the songs since you are the sole vocalist. Do your songs have any type of lyrical motif?

I’m typically inspired by the occult, psychic phenomena, internal struggle, and the unseen forces that affect our daily lives. I predict that Jamus will contribute vocals/lyrics on the next album.

In “Throat Feast”, your lyrics include a section with the word “orgone” and verbs that rhyme with “ate” such as “accumulate”, “distillate”, and “manipulate”. I decided to google the words, orgone accumulate, and I found a device called an orgone accumulator. I also looked up the word “exsanguinate” and that means “to drain blood”. Have you ever used an orgone accumulator or have you ever drained someone’s blood before and what made you include those two things in your song? 

I have never used an Orgone Accumulator, but I do know that William S. Burroughs was reported to have one. As far as bleeding goes, I’ve never intentionally caused any bleeding on anyone, although I definitely have considered it.

What is the structure of an Old and Ill song typically like? Do one of you bring a riff to the table and it slowly begins to unravel itself into a full blown song?

Typically Jamus or I will bring a riff or two to the rest of the band and then collectively structure the song. We have thrown out at least 3x more songs and riffs than we currently play live, and since we have had 3 drummers, some of those songs we still play have undergone significant changes since we first started playing them.

What tuning do you guys use?

Drob B

For fans of Old and Ill and doom/sludge in general, what other bands would you recommend that they listen to?

Saturnalia Temple, Mala Suerte, Hooded Menace, True Widow

Bands not in the Doom genre:

White Hills, Midnight, Neu!, Expo 70, Fabio Frizzi, Absu

Any plans to write/record/tour any time soon?

Absolutely. We are currently writing new stuff and plan to head in to the studio this year. We will probably do some touring later on in the year, but for right now, my focus is my upcoming wedding in May and writing new material.

This concludes my interview. Any other last comments you would like to include?

Thanks a lot for your support and your interest in what we do! We look forward to coming back to El Paso and Las Cruces as soon as possible and hanging with old friends and meeting new ones.

end.

Give the Live Slow Die Old tape a listen at http://oldandill.bandcamp.com/album/live-slow-die-old-demo. If you are interested in supporting the band in a monetary manner then go to http://oldandill.bigcartel.com/. Do it.

Enjoy.

Chris. 

[interviewswithchrisblog]

Sarah Hibner - Future Loves Past

Name: Sarah Hibner

Band: Future Loves Past

Duties: Back up vocals, percussion, keys

  (Photo: Sara K. Dalton)

Sometimes you never know what a person is about even throughout many years of friendship. I met Sarah in high school, but from what I remember we never really hung out. We just had random classes here and there and had a bunch of mutual friends. One thing I do remember is that she was the high school soccer goalie and she would totally go berserk and spray opponents with her green mini Gatorade bottle when someone scored.  One time she incessantly started banging her head against the post. Just kidding, I never went to a single Lady T-Birds soccer game but she was in fact a goalie. Anyways, onto something more true.  Over the years, it seems that she has developed the gift of rock and she now plays in a band called Future Loves Past that hails from Tempe, AZ. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing them and was very impressed.  This is my first interview that doesn’t deal with punk/hardcore/anything with someone yelling, so as I write this blob of words, I’m listening to their S/T EP on vinyl and I’m trying to synopsize their sound to the reader….and do them some justice since people usually take comparisons very lightly. They remind me of something along the lines of Arcade Fire, Yeasayer, Wilco, Pink Floyd, and even Neil Young at times. So I guess if I could capture the essence of what the band was and if someone asked me what they sounded like I would say a revival of classic rock jams mixed with dreamy pop. That’s only a scant description so go out and check them out at The Sail Inn on December 29th as they unveil their Our Solar System concept show. 

Goofy:

Favorite dinosaur?

Triceratops! Raptors come in a close second.

Have you ever headbanged?

Yep, but it’s been awhile. I haven’t been to many headbanging-worthy shows lately.

Have you ever flown First Class on an airplane?

You know, now that I think of it, I don’t suppose I ever have. There might’ve been one time when I was 12 and the airport chaperones forgot about me for a little while and upgraded my flight, but that could have just been to a nicer plane. Anyway, no, I guess I haven’t. I don’t really see the point.

Checkers or Chess?

Chess all the way!  Growing up, I always saw my dad and various uncles engaged in intense chess matches, and they showed me how to play. It taught me a lot about strategy, critical thinking, and a lot of other stuff that has served me way better than 75% of what I learned in school.

Sabbath, Floyd, or Zepellin? Depending on your answer we are still friends.

This is a tough one… but I’m going with Floyd. I was recently introduced to The Piper at the Gates of Dawn album, which I’d never listened to before, and I really, really enjoyed it. It was somewhat different from most of what I’d heard by them, thanks in large part to Syd Barrett, but it worked for me in its own weird, experimental way. It’s a crazy debut album, and I think it’s especially valuable within the context of what the band later released – interesting to see where they started, and amazing to see how good they were from the beginning. Still, it was a hard decision to make.  We better still be friends, Chris!

(Floyd was my #1, but I love them all. Good job Sarah)

What phobias do you have?

Bacteria that can cause necrosis.

If you were a Viking, what would your Nordic explorer name be?

Ingibjorg Holmgeirdottir

Charles Barkley or Gene Simmons?

Charles Barkley, basketball great.

How much money do you spend on shampoo a month?

$4 every few months.

The Mexican food in Arizona is ____________.

Adequate. There’s a lot more Mexican fast food in Phoenix than I ever saw in El Paso, but there are also some really cool interpretations of Mexican food here, from authentic to gourmet and a bunch of random stuff in between.

Diamondbacks, Suns, or Coyotes?

Suns, mainly because I don’t care at all about baseball or hockey, and because I only have a minimal interest in basketball.

Personal:

I never knew you played music until I was on tour a couple years ago and you housed my band. Somehow we got into the topic that you began rocking out. How exactly did you get into playing music?

A group of my friends formed a band to fill a last-minute slot, and invited me to give it a try, no pressure, because it was only going to be a one-time thing. We had one week to learn seven songs. I started off just singing really simple harmonies and playing around with percussion, and essentially learned as I went. That first show was so well-received that we decided to continue playing shows, and over the past two and a half years, we’ve just kept gaining momentum. Since then, I’ve been learning how to play keys, and I’ve become a lot better at harmonizing and at playing rhythm.

Give me some quick tips on how a person can instantly improve their fashion sense.

Go for silhouettes and fabrics that work with your body shape instead of working against it. I’ve been heavy my whole life and I’ve realized it’s really not that difficult to find cheap, cool clothes if you take the time to consider what fits right and more importantly, why it fits right, because then you know the characteristics to look for in other clothes.

What was your major in college?

I majored in graphic design.

Have you designed any artwork for the band?

Nope. All the artwork is designed by Eric, our frontman, who I coincidentally met while we were both studying graphic design at ASU. He has a very clear idea of what he wants the band artwork and identity to look like, so I’ve decided to leave the visuals to him, and to just focus on becoming a better musician within the context of the band.

What do you miss about your hometown of El Paso?

MY FRIENDS! Nothing can really replace the bonds that I’ve forged with those lovely people, and the longer I go without seeing them, the more I realize how irreplaceable they are.

What inspires you the most?

Riding my bike - it’s like meditating, exercising, and reconnecting with nature all at once!

What frustrates you the most?

Right now, I’m most frustrated by people whose first instinct when facing a problem is to look to someone else to solve it for them.

Name a couple of bands/artists that you’re currently hooked on?

Tame Impala, Here We Go Magic, Givers, the Dodos, Fleet Foxes and lots of random classical music.

What are you currently reading?

Tropic of Capricorn by Henry Miller (He’s one of my all-time favorite authors – I love his vulgarity, his rambling, and the huge amount of sense he somehow still manages to make).

Name a couple things that you have learned from being in a band that you would have not learned anywhere else.

I’ve learned that after you spend enough time playing two to three shows a week, the term ‘weekend’ starts to lose its meaning because every other day feels like one. I’ve learned that ‘sleeping arrangements’ can mean anything from sharing a bed with numerous people to ‘sleeping optional’ when you’re on the road. I’ve learned that you can get away with making A LOT of noise inside of a house as long as you have enough sound padding up on the walls.

What were your best/worst memories of 2012?

The second week of March 2012 was a really bad time. Our band house was robbed while we were out on the road on our first mini-tour, and my computer, which as a graphic designer is pretty much my lifeblood, was stolen along with other valuables. In between our van breaking down and some lackluster shows, the tour itself also felt like a disappointment. Looking back on that time now, though, I don’t think I would have appreciated the good things that have happened to me since then quite as much if it hadn’t been for that crappiness. I’d have to say some of my best memories of 2012 involve the many crazy hotel after-parties I attended after some of our shows. By that time of night or early morning, everyone’s basking in a potent cocktail of alcohol, sweat, drugs and adrenaline, and the adventures and conversations you have with people you already thought you knew are truly eye-opening.

Future Loves Past:

How did Future Loves Past get its name?

The name comes from a lyric from one of Eric’s older songs, “The future’s in love with the past”, and it’s supposed to mean ‘now’. He always said he was saving that name for a band with potential. The band was originally called ‘Head Shoulders Knees and Toes’, and after we realized we all wanted to keep making music together, he decided the ‘Future Loves Past’ name fit better.

How long has the band been around?

We’ve been together for a little over two years now.

Can you give a brief summary of the discography of the band?

As of right now we’ve released a 4-song, self-titled EP, and we’ve released two singles off our Solar System concept album. We have a whole lot more in the pipeline for the coming year.

When did you join the mix?

I’ve been with the band since the beginning, September 2010.

Being the only female in the band, were you hesitant to be in a band with all males/were they hesitant to have you in the band?

Not at all! I definitely had no qualms about joining a band full of guys – I’ve usually gotten along really well with guys, and two of my best friends are in the band, so it really wasn’t an intimidating prospect at all. It was also comforting to know that my friends would be the ones helping me learn the ins and outs of playing music. I don’t know if my bandmates were at all hesitant to have me in the band, given that when we first started playing together it was such a laid back situation. I doubt any of us expected the ‘one-time show’ we signed up for to spawn as much craziness as it did.

What is it like to live with the majority of your band? Are you guys always in a constant mental mode of creating music or do you guys have a good ample amount of downtime so you guys don’t burn yourselves out?

I’ve lived in the band house for a little over a year now, and while I don’t regret moving in, I’m definitely ready to move on. Living there was really convenient from a band standpoint because showing up to practice involved walking downstairs, but it has also had its downsides. You get to a point where you feel obligated to spend any and all downtime you have on band-related stuff, and you start to feel guilty if you don’t, which I don’t think is healthy. You need to have some semblance of balance.

What is the song writing process like for the band? Do you all write songs together or does someone usually bring some type of riff or hook to practice and you guys work off that?

The majority of our songs were written by Eric, and then expounded upon by Sean, Tristan and Mike, but the songs are always evolving. There are songs we’ve been playing for two years (including three off our EP) that are STILL being rewritten and tweaked.

I am assuming that your “Our Solar System” album is classified as a concept album? Can you describe the whole theme behind the solar system that your album revolves around?

The album consists of 13 songs that each represents a celestial body within our Solar System, mainly including the planets and some of their moons. The band researched the mythology behind each of the planets and tied those themes into the lyrics and the feel of each song. It was a way to change up the writing process while also challenging ourselves.

How did you guys even develop that theme? 

The idea for the Solar System concept album actually emerged from the shit-show we experienced in March when our house got robbed, our van broke down, etc. Before we went on the road, one of our astrology-buff friends mentioned that Mercury was in retrograde, and that we should watch out for any traveling delays or problems. It turns out that we probably should have heeded her advice a little more. We only remembered it after returning home, and decided to write a tribute to the celestial bodies that many people believe control our destinies (a.k.a. astrology).

Were you all sober?

Not the entire time. Tee hee.

From what I have read/seen, each member is portraying a unit of the solar system. I may be wrong. If I am right, which planet are you?

We’re going to have body-painted models at our show, and each of them is going to represent a celestial body in the Solar System, so no, unfortunately none of us will be dressed up as a planet. If I were to dress up as one, though, I would want to be Neptune!

Is Pluto involved?

YES! –coughencorecough-

The show seems like it is going to be pretty theatrical. What can an audience member expect to see at your show on December 29th at The Sail Inn?

They can expect to see a production, to put it simply. We’ve involved local artists, models, fashionistas, prop-makers, and more to help us put together a visually spectacular event that compliments the music without distracting from it. We’ve also invited attendees to wear their best space costumes, so it might also feel like a space-nerd convention, which I’m totally excited for!

What would you do if your band had unintentionally summoned a bunch of aliens to your show and you all got abducted?

I’d be stoked! We’re all really big on conspiracy theories in the band, so it would probably be like Christmas all over again.

Do you guys plan on hitting the road anytime soon?

Yes, we’ll be doing a three day mini-tour through El Paso during the second week of February 2013. Other than that we don’t have any big plans for the road right now because we have two albums to release within the next year, and that’s taken up all of our time and energy. After that, who knows!

I’m done. Any final remarks?

You’re the best at the ‘Would you rather…’ game. That is all.

end.

I’ve always said that music has strengthened my bonds with the people around me and has helped me find the closest of friends that I have today. In this case, it has given me some common ground to talk about with Sarah and to converse about our bands when we are in each other’s cities. I hope to see her rock out soon.

Check out Future Loves Past at futurelovespast.bandcamp.com and make sure to catch one of their shows.

Chris

[interviewswithchrisblog]

Justin Pearson - Retox

Name: JP

Band(s): (currently) Retox

Duty in the band(s): Words, complaints, intern

The first time I had the pleasure of seeing one of Justin’s bands was when I saw The Locust on April 27, 2007 along with Cattle Decapitation and Daughters.  The show was at The H.O.R.R Bar, a bar inside a run-down junkie filled motel called The Coronado Motel. The motel was closed a couple years later. Vandals and homeless people continued to live in it until the property was demolished. I can still remember certain details about the show such as Gabe giving haircuts to people and having an incessant ringing in my ears for days because I was right next to the stage-left monitor. I first got into The Locust when one of my best friends showed me them in 05’ and while everyone I introduced their music to was thinking “what the hell is this”, “this is not music” ….I could only think of where in the world I could listen to more of this spastic noise that made my ears feel a bit more at home.  From then on I found out about JP’s label, 31G, and I was able to find out about more bands in the “noise” realm as well as other bands JP had been in.  As the years passed, I was able to see some of JP’s other bands and at one of his All Leather shows I purchased his autobiography, From The Graveyard of the Arousal Industry. A couple of days later I finished the book. Besides having an insight to JP’s life and some wild adventures, it showed me that an artist never has to be limited to one medium to express him or herself. Enough of the chatter, here’s some Q&A with label owner, author, and member of a bunch of killer bands – Justin Pearson.

Goofy

How is the presidential race going to end?

I’m not able to tell the future.

Describe your perfect dinner.

Non-GMO, organic, local.

Who is your favorite modern day actor?

With reality TV there is no need for actors.

Name a couple bands that you would like to wipe off the face of the earth.

I would rather be positive, therefore go right ahead and pick two, I’m sure I will agree with you.

What websites do you frequent the most?

Gmail and YouTube.

Have you ever had a stalker?

Yes.

Have you ever been mugged?

Yes.

Describe your surroundings at this very moment.

A snoring dog, audio, dark, peppermint, uncomfortable couch.

Personal:

What is the last book that you read that you would strongly recommend?

Tour: Smart

You call San Diego home but if you had to live somewhere else, where would it be?

Berlin or Oakland.

Who is your all-time favorite band that hails from San Diego?

Drive Like Jehu.

Any bands you’re currently stoked on/rotating on repeat on your system?

Paper Mice, Kill The Capulets, Wet Witch

Favorite Devo album?

Are We Not Men? We Are Devo!

What is your least favorite part about being a well –known musician?

I’m not well known.

Do you prefer being purely a front man or a bassist/vocalist?

I enjoy both singing and playing bass. I also refrain from being called a “front”.

You have toured extensively. Any locations that you haven’t performed at that you would like to experience?

China, Brazil, Alaska, Russia.

Describe the worst show you have ever played where everything just went absolutely wrong.

There are a lot of worst shows. The absolute worst was when someone died during The Locust’s set in NY once. That made things that “go wrong” seem irrelevant when put into perspective.

With having played in so many bands, I’m sure you have had some incredible on-stage experiences, but which show or couple of shows stand out as landmark shows that you have played?

Off the top of my head, Some Girls starting a riot in Sydney.  Also at a Retox show recently somewhere in Canada I punched out part of the ceiling and climbed up into it, finishing the song and as I went onto the second floor.

What record labels do you enjoy and currently purchase from?

Manimal, Mute, Hipster Death, Anti, Ipecac. 

Worst day job you have ever held? 

I've had plenty of bad ones but I just realize that it could always be worse. I'm always grateful that I am not unemployed or a prick with a trust fund.  

Who are a couple of bassists and vocalists that have influenced you over the years? 

Bassists: Rob Wright, Rika Hamamoto, and Tracey Pew. Vocalists: Lux Interior, Brian Schroeder, Sam McPheeters. 

What spurred on your idea of making a fake skit and getting on Jerry Springer?

Andy Kaufman.

If you weren’t involved in music, what type of life path do you think you would have chosen?

Crime.

Ever thought of having a career in politics?

I am not a fan of bureaucracy. 

If you could have a face-to-face conversation with anyone dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Probably my dad. I’d like to figure a few things out that I didn’t understand as a kid, when he was alive.

Bands/31G/Book/Stuff

When, where and why did you create 31G?

1994. San Diego. Because I wanted to do better than some of the labels that I was working with or that were offering deals to the bands I was playing in at the time.

Did the name 31G come from the song “Warsaw” from Joy Division?

Yes.

Did you have any other names for the label?

No.

You always seem to find yourself playing in a bunch of bands so I have to ask, which bands are you currently in?

Currently my only active band is Retox. I am still in The Locust but we are on a hiatus.

For people that are fans of your previous work and don’t know exactly about Retox, what would you say differentiates this band from your other musical projects?

Different people and hopefully an entirely different sound. To some, like my mom, it all sounds the same. But in my opinion it’s much different. Especially the new Retox LP we just recorded.

The Locust “Molecular Genetics From The Gold Standard Labs” was recently put out on Anti Records. Any word or hints as to when you guys plan on perhaps playing a live show or putting out new material?

I have no idea. If you want to, try to track down Gabe and Joey and see when they want to play again. I think Bobby and I are ready to go.

You have collaborated with well-know musicians over the years. Some of those people include Karen-O and Nick Zinner from The Yeah Yeah Yeahs to Wesley Eisold of ex American Nightmare and Cold Cave fame to Jordan Blilie and Cody Votolato of The Blood Brothers. Who else would you like to collaborate with if the opportunity presented itself to you?

I have been talking with Martin Atkins about doing something, with would be cool. Honestly, there is a huge list of people that I would love to work with. But some of it would never work out, or I could not get in touch with them, and so on.

In the past couple years you have submerged yourself into writing books. What got you into inking all of your memoirs/experiences and publishing them?

Free time in the van got me to start on writing and a push from John Waters suggesting to write a book was what got me to solidify things. As far as getting them published, I am still a bit confused as to how I pulled that off.

Over the years, the way music is being sold has evolved substantially. What do you believe are the pros/cons of the more grassroots way of selling merchandise when kids had to go to shows or go to a record store to pick up a record they wanted versus nowadays that the internet and techy gadgets have played a huge role in sales and everything can be easily purchased through the click of a button?

I think to some extent people have become lazy and have little regard for financial stability of independent artists. There is oversaturation thanks to social media. But at the same time, it’s easier to get the word out about things and certainly much faster and cheaper. My only real issue is that things are no longer special as they were in the past. When you had to seek out a rare 7” from a band or hear about show that was word of mouth, that made things way more personable, which I wish all art had more of.

Touching on the last question, tapes and vinyl have been making a comeback where as CD’s are dropping out and making an exit. What music format do you think will be king in the foreseeable future?

Beats me. As far as I can tell, nothing sells. I’m thankful for my day job, which is technically a night job.

Many people look up to you and admire your work. Being a multi-faceted individual that has engaged himself in many various aspects of the art realm, what advice would you give to others who would like to live a similar lifestyle as yours?

Take risks.

Retox is about to do a short tour with Regents (ex-Frodus, Sleepytime Trio, Combat Wounded Veteran) through Texas and Arizona. Any other tours in the works?

Once our new LP, “YPLL” comes out, we will be touring extensively on that.

Do you have any questions or comments for me?

Nothing that I can think of at this juncture.

Thanks! See ya November 1 with Red Fang, Black Tusk, and Lord Dying at Tricky Falls.

Thank you! See you soon.

end.

It’s always rad to talk to a musician you look up to. In my freshman year of college, Justin helped me out on a research paper I was writing that revolved around music piracy. I’ve always leaned towards kind and humble musicians and it’s way cool that JP has made the time to do this type of stuff. Check out his tour schedule to catch him at a show and check out his label to buy some records and other related goods. 

Chris

[interviewswithchrisblog]

Joe Ayoub - Low Culture

Name: Joe Ayoub

Band: Low Culture

Duty in the band: Guitar, some singin', some writin'

(I hate every picture of me, so put pictures of Ace Frehley and say its me)

I definitely can’t say that Joe Ayoub and I go way back being buds nor do we ever party, but his connection to El Paso /Las Cruces and various parts of Texas have been with me for a good while since I started playing music back in my freshman high school days. I’ve enjoyed hearing his bands on my record player years before I personally knew him, watching shows he’s played, and being able to play quite a good amount of shows alongside his bands. Joe’s been in a plethora of bands. Some you’ve probably heard about and if you haven’t heard of any then get to it. As someone who crosses the state line often to see/play shows, I know the trek from El Paso to Las Cruces and vice versa is a pain especially if you have early morning work/school, but I wish I saw more people go out because it’s a damn blast and there is always an abundance of touring acts to see.  And a good amount of partying  (if that’s your thing). Exciting things are happening for Joe’s band, Low Culture, so read ahead and check his band out.

Goofy:

Clam chowder or egg drop soup?

I like most soup so it’s a draw, but bad clam chowder is way worse than bad egg drop soup.

Puppies or kittens? 

Kittens!!!

If you had the power to bring back someone from the dead, who would it be? 

My friends.

Favorite smell? 

Pizza.

If you had your own Ben & Jerry’s flavor what would the ingredients consist of?

Caramel, chocolate, pretzels, Heath bar, Reese’s peanut butter cups, almonds, and bacon.

The presidential race of 2012 is _____?

DUMB

What cheers you up the most on a shitty day?

Booze and playing music.

Name some of your top guilty pleasures.

Lifehouse, 70's pop hits, and current pop hits.

If you were chosen to be on MTV’s Real World reality show, what type of character would people perceive you as? 

The non-gay gay dude that’s really sensitive and girls just want to be friends with him. He’s always in the friend zone and is bitter.

Which career would look more promising for you: being a DJ or a rapper?  

A DJ, because they are mysterious.

If you were a vehicle what would you be?

A jet plane.

Personal:

Last book you read?

It was a graphic novel, the Alcoholic

I know you love Kiss so I have a couple questions dedicated to just that.

Favorite Kiss member?

Ace Frehley and Peter Criss -  tie!

How many times have you seen Kiss?

Only once in real life, many times in my dreams.

If you can purchase/attain any single piece of Kiss memorabilia, what would it be?

Peter Criss, ohhh burn!  I would love an Ace guitar.

What was the first instrument you learned to play and how old were you?

I was 12 or 13 when I started playing bass, and I am fully aware that it does not show now.

Your history in playing with bands is very extensive. Can you briefly go over all the bands you’ve been in? 

Briefly…..I think I was first in a band called Ground although we never called ourselves that for real, then Ellington Blue which was a band for a couple of shows that turned into another band called Sidkister, then Liz n' Chuy.  Those were all in El Paso.  Then in Denton, I was in Whips and Furs, the Marked Men, Sugar Bears (one show), The Gash, Jojo and the Jetts, Swedish Teens, Potential John's(toured with them), Vacation (Two Shows), Shang-a-lang, Rats and Birds, Pretty Kitty Committee  (that is my name, don’t steal it), a no name band for a show, Gypsy, Hot Times (never had a show), and Low Culture.

If I’m not mistaken you’ve had 3 main geographic bases where you have formed bands and wrote music. Those being El Paso, Denton, and Las Cruces. Can you say that you prefer any of the 3? How was each one different from one another?

I was 18 when I was in El Paso and I knew nothing about song writing. I loved it because of the innocence of it all.  Looking back I didn’t write very good songs, but  it was a great time for me though.  Denton was great in a lot of ways. I was in that area for 9 years.  I was able to grow a lot and I had great friends who influenced me and taught me how to write songs.  Las Cruces is like a mixture of El Paso and Denton. There is some innocence left but my song writing has improved a lot.  I think being in Las Cruces has helped me open up my song writing and willingness to try things out.  I think that makes sense.  I think in Cruces I have some people who are really like minded with what I want to do right now too.

If you weren’t living in Las Cruces, where would you see yourself at?

Somewhere with a beach, LA, who knows, El Paso

Over the years you’ve played a ton of shows but has there ever been a show where you have opened for a favorite band/a band you thought you’d never have the opportunity to play with?

I think when I started playing shows with Todd C.'s bands like URTC, Toys that Kill, etc.  That was a cool moment.  I always loved FYP so that was a big deal.  I have been lucky, I mostly have just played with friends bands that I think are amazing.  Shang-a-lang played Gilman one time and that was amazing to me, although the show wasn’t that good!  However doing that was awesome!  I have played shows with most of my favorite bands, and that is the best feeling in the world.

Are there any tours that stand out in your mind as the most fun, most horrific, most boring, most (whatever you can think of)?

My first tour was terrible.  I was in a street punk band called Whips and Furs. I actually loved the people who were in the band with me and our roadie, Drew.  Tour was so new to me and it was poorly set up and sort of a train wreck.  In hindsight it was still amazing that we did it though.  We played some really stupid shows in California - one was a backyard where the cops came, and then I think in San Diego where someone got stabbed?  Some tours stand out more than others, but that one will always stand out the most.

Has there ever been a point in your life where you wanted to call it quits in regards to playing music? 

No never, never ever, if anything I want to do it more.

Best/worst thing about being in a band?

Having a jobby job is both the best and worst. Best because I have money, worst because of the lack of time.

Favorite record label when you were growing up?

I didn’t really have one. I think I liked Fat Wreck Chords for a while, but no label really stuck out to me.

Any records you’re currently stoked on/you’re blasting nonstop? 

I was listening a lot to the first two songs on the Dead Dog Lp - Don't Touch Me.  I have a short attention span so I go through phases.  I like hippie stuff as well as punk stuff and hardcore, now it is warm, so hardcore!

Last book you read?

I am trying to read more, but I mostly read graphic novels. I’m currently reading  Black Hole by Charles Burns. The last book I read was the Alcoholic.

Is there any part of the DIY scene that you can say ticks you off?

I am in my 30's and I hate it all.  Joking of course, but mostly true.

Low Culture:

How did Low Culture get its name?

Ask Chris, I think it’s the opposite of High Culture.

How exactly did Low Culture come about?

I know it was during a time Shang-a-Lang was nearing the end.

Was Low Culture the new outlet for you and Chris to still play together?

I quit Shang-a-lang, and moved,. At the same time, Chris started a band called Total Jock with Cade, Sam, and James.  James moved, and Chris, Cade and Sam started practicing. I moved back and asked to be in the band….done.  Played our first show the same night Shang-a-lang played its last show, circle of life.

How would you describe the band musically? Internally?

I think we all have a vision, especially Chris and I.  We are pretty particular about things, and that is what is great about this band.  I think we are on the same page, and if we are not we can talk about it and figure some things out.  It is an easy band to be with -  great people , great musicians, everyone is pretty easy to please.

Do you resort to only seeing your band members during practice/shows or do you hang out with them on a regular basis? 

We hang out.  I probably hang out with Chris more, but if I played D and D (Dungeons and Dragons) I would probably hang out with Cade and Sam more.

Last time I spoke to you guys, you said you recorded in Phoenix, AZ. How did that go? Would you say you prefer recording in a studio or doing it yourself on a 4/8 track, tape recorder, etc? 

Recording was great. I like the studio thing actually, it sounds great.  I love the 4/8 track thing too though. Some things we have recorded sound great on the 4/8 track. We decided to go to the studio mostly because we wanted something  that sounded better for us.  In Shang-a-Lang especially, some of the songs suffered due to the recordings, which in some ways add to their charm, but for the Low Culture stuff we wanted to do things different and try something else out.  It was cool to go out of town and record as well. Recording is always different and I know very little about it.  It is not something I geek out about, but I am happy when the final product sounds good.

Are any of the songs that the band recorded the same ones on the demo?

Yeah 2 of them, Georgia and Travel Song.

What’s the music writing process like? Would you say that you all write collectively or is it segmented into members writing riffs and bringing them to practice? 

Chris at this point is the main song writer, but Cade and I also contribute.  It is a process, someone brings in a song, we learn it, and then try to make it better or change it up.  Very few songs are brought and not changed at all. I think we try to challenge ourselves at times with song writing.  I’m really picky about song writing. I just never want things to sound silly or generic.  I think we are all honest and try to add things to songs or switch things up at times.  I am notorious for bringing a song to practice, everyone learning it, then scrapping it because I hate it.

What’s next for Low Culture? Supposedly you guys are coming out with a 7” sometime soon?

We try to not play a lot, but we totally do.  We are playing different things and that's awesome, we have played El Paso a few times now, we are playing Way out West fest in Tucson, an East Coast tour with Iron Chic that will end up in Ottawa for Ottawa Explosion Festival, recording hopefully in Fort Worth, and Awesome Fest in September…. A lot!

What’s your drunk/sober percentage when playing live?

I have to concentrate when playing guitar, but I am learning to play more drunk. That sounds terrible but I would rather play kind of drunk.

So Low Culture is doing some dates with Iron Chic up in Canada. Excited? Ever played in Canada?  

Marked Men played Toronto and Montreal before. I’m super excited for it all. I really cannot say enough great things about what is going on with that tour.  When Marked Men played Montreal it was weird because everyone spoke French and we felt really dumb.  We were super loud that night, and the cops came and gave the bar a ticket for the noise.  This guy that worked at the bar came up to me and was yelling at me for the noise and said we can't be so loud.  I was super confused because we were done playing; I apologized and then told the guy we were done. He just looked at me then asked to buy a shirt.

If Low Culture had the opportunity to play overseas, where would you like to perform?

Anywhere

What bands would you like to tour with in the future? 

Any of Todd C.'s bands, the Bananas, Mind Spiders, our friends mostly.

I’m out of questions. If you have any questions for me/shoots, go for it.

What are you doing later?

end!

Check out the Low Culture tracks that will be on their new 7” via Dirt Cult Records  at http://dirtcultrecords.bandcamp.com/album/low-culture-s-t-7.

Chris

[interviewswithchrisblog]

Eric Romero - Clarity

Name: Eric Romero

Band: Clarity

Duty in the band: Guitarist

Eric Romero is one of the guitarists of Clarity. Ironically, I chose to interview the member of the band I know the least. I’ve known Jacob, Jesse, and Rene since about 8 years ago when their grind days were in full effect and bulging girl pants and haircuts scooped to the side was the thing (hahaha). As for Chris, I’ve known him for a couple years through the scene and members of one of his old bands turned out to be members of a couple of my current bands. I guess I can say we’ve been a huge jolly family filled with music. While I know Eric the least, it’s rad to say we’ve become friends through playing shows together, having lunch dates on campus in between classes, talking about music, and him notifying me of vinyl clearances at the shop he works at! No bullshit, Eric is one of my favorite local guitarists. His riffs can go from screaming aggression, to being slow and sensual, to I don’t even know! I definitely respect musicians who have a varied taste in music and his musicianship parallels that. Since the birth of his band, I constantly see improvement and I’m always stoked to see what this band is coming up with. Their demo EP, Winter, was released about a year ago and if you are reading this….check it out. Clarity consists of a bunch of great dudes and great musicians that offer lots for the scene and are helping put El Paso on the map. Take a listen to their tunes and stay updated. Here is Eric.

Goofy

Would you rather gouge out one of your eyeballs with a blunt spoon or turn into Yogi bear…for life and no the sandwiches aren’t as amazing as you think?

Yogi Bear, easily!

Favorite authors?

Raymond Carver, Claudio Sanchez, and the great Roald Dahl

The Jedi or the Sith?

The Sith. Red lightsabers look like they hurt more.

Pocahontas or The Little Mermaid?

The Little Mermaid

Grape, strawberry, or orange marmalade?

Strawberry

If you joined Avenged Sevenfold would you rather be coined Eric Omen or ummmm Eric Crypt?

Eric Omen sounds so much smoother.

What do you normally eat for breakfast?

Gummy bears and gummy worms.

Gummy bears or Gummy worms?

Gummy bears. I bite their heads off first, then eat the rest.

Pet peeves?

Listening to other people eat.

Favorite video game as a child?

I had a couple, but Donkey Kong was up there. The SNES version, not the Mario/Donkey Kong game.

Dumbest prank you’ve ever pulled on anyone?

I suck at this question Chris!

What would your reaction  be if you pulled an all nighter from studying, you went to go shower, and Charles Manson was on your toilet reading the newspaper?

I’d probably shoot the shit with him. Pun intended.

Personal

What was your first instrument and when did you first start playing?

Trombone, in the 6th grade. I sometimes miss it, to be honest.

What made you want to play music?

At the time, I joined band because it was a requirement. It was either that, or Orchestra. I first started a band my Freshman year in high school, so my friends and I could pass the time.

5 albums you can say have changed your life until now?

Pollyanna, by Northstar

The Underground Is A Dying Breed, by Hot Rod Circuit

Building a Better _______ , by Park

Hell Is Empty, by RUINER

Fractures, by Killing the Dream

Each of these albums is extraordinarily important to me. It’s for every time I’ve picked up the guitar, and said to myself “I want to be in a band like this”, as awful as that may sound. They are consistently played from beginning to end, and I don’t ever see that changing.  I’m sure anyone would wish they could choose more than five, though. Narrowing down the number of albums that has changed my life is just too much of a challenge.

First album you can recall ever owning?

My dad gave me a bunch a long time ago. He gave me a Led Zeppelin boxset, and I remember playing the shit out of Physical Graffiti.

How many tattoos do you have and what are they?

Just two. Keywork “Heaven’s Fence” (Coheed and Cambria), and the Killing the Dream “Fractures” cover.

If you could improve any aspect of your musicianship, what would it be?

I wanna bring the shred. To this day, I can’t do a pinch harmonic to save my life. Seriously though, I think I would improve everything, always. There’s still so much to learn, and if ever I become satisfied with what I know so far, I know I’ll get bored.

Best band to listen to when you’re feeling down in the dumps?

Giants, Explosions in the Sky, Gifts from Enola, El Ten Eleven, etc. I like taking vocals out of the equation sometimes,  so I can focus more on what’s bothering me.

Name a couple guitarists that have influenced your style?

Dave Knudson of Minus the Bear

Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio

Matthew Embree of RX Bandits

I know you said a couple, but I just couldn’t help myself. These were the dudes I looked up to while I was playing out of a Crate combo amp. They’re all phenomenal guitarists, in my opinion.

If you could be on any record label, what would it be?

Back then, Drive-Thru Records would have been sweet. Now, I have to say TopShelf. I know it’s a bit far fetched, but I love every band on their roster.

Where did we first meet? At the Naylair? I’m not saying I forgot or anything….I’d just like a little refresher.

It was at the Therefore I Am show the second time around. Don’t you remember we took a group picture?! THERE’S EVIDENCE CHRIS!

When are we going to improve our lunch date schedule?

Probably when we’re dead.

Your thoughts on the local music scene here in El Paso?

If you’re talking about the alternative country that has been cool for a while, or the quantum physics/algorithm metal or whatever, you would have to ask one of those guys, if you can catch them whenever they aren’t signing autographs.

If you’re talking about my friends, it’s one of the best things I’ve ever known. I’m so fortunate to have met and become buddies with so many awesome people because of it.

Bands you can’t stand?

Iron Maiden, Nirvana. There’s more. Oh is there more.

Toughest thing about being in a band?

Getting everyone together for practice. Shit’s tough.

Favorite show you’ve ever played?

The Mike Bird benefit show. Everyone coming together for someone they didn’t even know on a personal basis. Amazing.

Favorite show you’ve ever seen?

There are two. The first, RUINER, the second time around last spring. They played almost everything off Hell Is Empty. The second, Barbarian at their Heart Failure CD release show.

Clarity

How and when did Clarity exactly start?

Naynay hadn’t known I listened to post-hardcore, older emo bands, post-rock, and so on. I remember talking to him outside the Hideaway Lounge after a show, and he was telling me he wanted to jam with me. So the next time I went over, it was Nay, Jacob and I, and we wrote our first song (Untitled). A little later, we decided to pull Jesse in to play bass, since he was already in bands with Nay and Jake at the time. After that was set, Chris came in to one of our practices and started writing. That was last summer. Shit just worked from then on.

Had you ever played with any of the other members in Clarity in any previous bands?

Nope. I always talked to Hoover (one of our mutual friends) about joining Highways when Mark moved, but they probably hated me at the time.

When I first saw you guys, I instantly was reminded of a mash up between a meaner Jimmy Eat World and a more modern sounding Daylight. Kind of like a Jimmy Eat World, Daylight chunky smoothie with whip cream on the top. What other bands have you guys been compared to?

Daylight is one. I’ve heard B&C, Texas Is the Reason, and Title Fight too. We change our sound so much, though.

I remember when you all started, Rene (other guitarist) asked me what I thought about the band name, Clarity. I instantly thought of Jimmy Eat World’s third album and he said that’s where you all got it from. Why the name Clarity?

I think we all came to an agreement because it’s so simple. That’s what we wanted anyway. But yeah, that album rules.

Which Jimmy Eat World album is your favorite? I myself am a Static Prevails/Bleed American boy.

Clarity. Goodbye Sky Harbor, that’s all I have to say.

Were there any other band name options?

We thought about continuing as Terminal. I’m sure we all dig Clarity a lot more.

Who do you argue with the most in the band!

I don’t really argue with anyone. I’ve gotten along with everyone since the start. Some of the other dudes have had their scraps, but I think we’ve all been pretty civilized about it and that’s what I like most. We can just all get together and talk about what the fuck is wrong with one another.

What’s the Clarity writing process like? Do you normally write riffs by yourself and bring them to the table, or do you all write together during practice?

I usually come to practice with an opening riff and then we all work from there. I don’t like writing out whole songs and spoon-feeding parts. Nay is a great guitarist. Chris, an amazing writer and Jacob was practically born with sticks in his hands. And then there’s Jesse. Just kidding, he rules too. The most important part of being in a band, to me, is being able to put so much of yourself into it, and when I get carried away with a song, Nay will tell me.

Why was the Clarity EP called “Winter”?

Because it was released in December, and we lacked the creativity to think of a name for a 4 song demo burned on Jacob’s computer with CD-Rs.

Do you have any favorite songs to play live?

Treading Water. I go nuts with delay at the end. For newer stuff, though, I think I like Chalk the most.

I’ve listened to the tracks that Joey Garibay did for you guys. They sound great! What’s next?

Our split with Barbarian. We’re gonna get crazeee.

Any future touring plans?

You know it! Summer of 2020.

What are Clarity’s upcoming plans for 2012?

Hopefully after the split, we can go on to a full length, and then tour the shit out of it for the rest of our lives.

Eric. It’s over. At least this interview is. Any questions you have / last statements?

You better love me down for this. It took so long, Chris!

Thanks dude!

end? kidding.

You can check out their demo at  http://www.mediafire.com/?9zkaa72z9sormf7. I know some people can have a biased opinion on a band when they are such good friends, but I’d like this band even if I hated all of their guts. Good job boys.

[interviewswithchrisblog]

Michael Roeslein - Caravels

Name: Michael Roeslein

Band: Caravels

Duty in the band: Vocals

Caravels is a post-hardcore band from Henderson, NV. They’re about twenty minutes out of Las Vegas so I’ll just say they’re from America’s casino city. I’m sure there are other gambling cities, but you catch my drift. I’ve had the pleasure of playing with them twice. My first encounter with this band was when I played a show with them on June 26, 2010. I had to play in a suit because I remember it being my cousin’s wedding party that night. That was a first! After speeding to the other side of the city I only was able to catch the last few songs of their set, but from what I heard I instantly fell in love with their dynamic and unorthodox hardcore sound. By unorthodox I guess I’m trying to just say that the experimental groove accompanied with unexpected tempo changes and onslaught of heaviness is what got me hooked. Not only was the music poetic and soothing to me, but like with most hardcore it let me release the rage/pissed off emotions inside of me. The second time they came around was March 20, 2011 at The Naylair. I remember being super sleepy and sifting in and out of sleep on the couches at the house but also remembering Caravels killed it and that they were only getting tighter and tighter. I had already purchased their new S/T 7” and thought it was killer…so seeing them in the flesh again at my favorite house/place to play was a special treat. Unfortunately I was supposed to play with them another time here in El Paso on October 19, 2011 but their van busted on them in Gallup, NM. Anyone that knows what it’s like to break down in the middle of nowhere knows that it is no fun. While their van is fixed and I believe they just got done with the Fest if anyone wants to donate so that they can recover from their expenses you can send whatever you got at [email protected]. Or instead, just buy their albums and see them at a show because….well they rule. Anyways here is the interview I did with Mike of Caravels. I drafted it in May and it was answered in early October so the goofy questions are kind of similar to Matt’s of Joyce Manor. Whoooopsies. Enjoy.

Goofy  

Favorite holiday? 

Going to have to say Halloween. Always a blast. Who doesn't look forward to Halloween? I also enjoy the weather shift that usually accompanies Halloween.

Best costume you’ve ever worn for Halloween?

My favorite will always be the detectives the Beastie Boys played in their music video for "Sabotage." Classic. 

High school was ________ ?

...instrumental in preparing me for the transition into adulthood. Yeah, right. What a hoot. 

Las Vegas is pretty notorious for pawn shops. Ever had any sweet finds or traumatic experiences pawning anything?

One time Cory had his bass stolen from our practice space. That was a pretty big bummer. Fortunately though, it was recovered in a pawn shop a short time later. Two other guitars were stolen as well, and were never seen again. No fun. 

Favorite Sylvester Stallone movie?

Loved him in Demolition Man. Wait, Cliffhanger. 

Have you ever had a celebrity crush?

I've got a thing for Scarlett Johansson that just won't stop.

While growing up, whose music did you relate to more: Nirvana or Metallica?

Can't say Metallica ever struck a chord with me. Nirvana, on the other hand, was one of my favorite bands as kid, and remain so.

Legos or Hot Wheels?

Legos for sure! Still play with these at work all the time. I love to build the biggest cube I can using only the Lego blocks of one color. It's literally the most boring thing you can do with Legos. A giant block of blocks. It's hilarious because all of the kids I work with get so angry with me for taking all the blocks of one color and building something so boring. 

Based on the “Beer Pressure” patch, I’m assuming you guys enjoy drinking. Do you have any favorite types of beers?

Nary a night when we're not having at least a few drinks together. You might commonly see us wielding something from New Belgium or Rogue. 

Would you rather run full speed into a cactus or get smacked in the face with a bag of heavy gold coins?

Going to have to say the bag of coins, at least I am making some sort of monetary gain out of this terrible, terrible predicament I find myself in. 

Pool or ping pong

Pool. We play this pretty frequently, as of late.

Mac or Windows

Windows personally, the rest of the band are pretty big fans of Apple.

Personal

What made you want to play music and pursue the life of a touring musician?

Music for me was always a means to hang out with my best friends and express myself creatively. It was a way of killing two birds with one stone, so to speak. 

If you weren’t playing music, what other passion would be conquering your life?

If I wasn't pursuing music, I suspect I would be chasing some sort of teaching degree. 

What’s the sketchiest thing about living in Las Vegas?

I'm always a little wary of being on the road on any major holiday. A lot of folks vacation here and do stupid things like drive after consuming copious amounts of alcohol. 

What records are you currently blasting?

I have been jamming Follow The Rattle Of The Afghan Guitar from Weatherbox, Proper from Into It. Over It., Distal from Crash Of Rhinos, and the newly released split from The World Is A Beautiful Place and Deer Leap.

How is the scene in Las Vegas? Anything you would like to change about it? 

A few more places to play wouldn't hurt. We're extremely limited when it comes to spaces to host a show. I'd love to have a couple more reliable places to hold an all-ages show. 

Do you remember the first show you ever went to?  What was it?

I'm pretty sure it was an Incubus show. Also, coincidentally, probably the first time I ever smelled weed. I still love Morning View. That's a great album.

When you aren’t touring, what do you occupy most of your time with? School, work, any other activities?

We've been getting together and riding our bikes a lot lately. When the sun goes down and there is a cool breeze, we love to pedal our way around the city. 

Do you or does anybody in the band enjoy gambling?

A few of us have probably lost a dollar or two or eighty-three on roulette. 

I remember I was talking to Matt about eating on the road and he said you guys had eaten at Whataburger (TX  Burger Chain – Triangular Roofs/Orange Buildings). I told him that the food had been recalled and that 5 people had recently died from consuming their food. He freaked out!! Haha. We also talked about Mexican food and how we have run down spots like Chico’s Tacos (Legendary El Paso tacos soaked in tomato water that have a love/hate reputation). He said that you guys have a place called Roberto’s in Vegas that’s similar. Do you have any preference for the type of food you eat on tour? How about at home? What would your ideal meal consist of?

We try to stop at grocery stores as much as possible. I love being able to bypass fast food, it's such a drag. I feel terrible eating Taco Bell more than once a month, but sometimes when you're in the middle of nowhere and aren't afforded many options. Anyway, yeah, grocery stores are great. It's always great to be able to pick up some pasta and sauce and frozen veggies and cook them up after a show. Tortillas are also another great option. They are like edible plates. 

Caravels

How did Caravels get its name?

I was in World History class and I think I stumbled upon it in a textbook. That's about the most unexciting thing I can think of. Sorry!

How long has the band been around?

3 - 5 years, depending on who you ask. 

Which bands have influenced Caravels the most?

We all agree that At The Drive-In, Bear Vs Shark, and Fugazi have had important roles in shaping our music.

Has Caravels ever thought about relocating to another city?

We once fell in love with the idea of calling Portland home. Still would very much like to, one day, when the time is right. 

Any favorite cities/states when you guys are on tour?

When it comes to states, Texas has always been extremely kind to us. Also, Florida, aside from their god-awful humidity. As far as particular cities, I'm fairly partial to San Diego. The food there is unreal. It's not uncommon for me to base my entire feelings toward a city on whether or not I have enjoyed an exceptional meal there. 

Is there any part of the United States that you haven’t played that you want to tour through?

I don't think we've ever had the opportunity to play in the Northern (central) part of the country, around North Dakota, Montana, etc. From what I understand, not much goes on there, but we'd love to go pass through there if we could find some bands to get in touch with. I'd love to spend some more time in the Northeast and Northwest. Those are easily my two favorite regions of the country, and I wish we could spend a million billion years touring through each. 

Can you describe the worst Caravels show you’ve ever experienced?

Roseburg, Oregon comes to mind. Was one of our first shows on our first tour and was a pretty big buzzkill. I don't really care for stages at all, and we played on a pretty formidable stage for a few people at like one o'clock in the afternoon. I think it was a festival? Who knows. Sorry Roseburg. 

I read an article on the Las Vegas Sun about when you guys were on a previous tour, your van broke down…..and well the band was on the verge of basically seizing to exist. I bet it’s something that you guys want to forget, but what exactly happened and how did you get over it?

We were a few days into a three-week tour when our brand new van suddenly refused to drive any further. It had been purchased with money that we had saved up for quite some time. So tour was cancelled, we were out a few thousand dollars, and we had to be rescued from the middle of nowhere. Man, that was bogus. We don't like thinking about that. 

What would you say has been the biggest change for the band from the transition of Floorboards to the new S/T?

Nothing too drastic, just a refinement of our sound. I think we understand what we want to do as a band a tad more.

Random…like the majority of my other questions, but which buildings are on the cover of the S/T - 7”?

Unfortunately I couldn't tell you their names precisely, but I can tell you the photograph was taken by Cory in Central Park while we had a day off in New York. 

In regards to the S/T release, what are the meaning behind the song titles “Dream Beaver” and “Girth Impression”?  With “Dream Beaver”, I sense a hint of a metaphor of using a beaver and perhaps relating it to rebuilding a home. As for “Girth Impression” all I could tie in were words likes “swollen”, “size and shape” haha. But really, are there any particular messages behind the titles?

Strangely enough, not too much meaning. Our song titles are almost always silly inside jokes among the members of the band. I'd be too embarrassed to divulge their origins.  

Can you talk a little about the lyrical content of the songs and perhaps what they mean? The way that I’ve interpreted the lyrics, I gather that the content derives from some sort of motivational direction. Lines such as, “It was a mess but it was ours.  It wasn’t emptiness. It was a mess but it was ours. It was ours to fix.” What I got from this was that people should be held accountable for their actions, and if it is their “mess” then he/she should step it up and resolve it themselves.

Dream Beaver is about my family and my parents deciding to separate after 25 years. It really shook the foundation of what I thought I knew about marriage. Because, ya know, growing up, parents have such a colossal influence on their children. I don't think that's news to anybody. Having a household that fosters those kind of values, it's crucial and they were definitely instilled in me. I grew up hopeful, wanting to emulate what they had. But of course, it ended, and I no longer know what I am supposed to feel. I don't know, I guess that song's just about being confused. 

Girth Impression is about a few different things, mainly the ruts I tend to fall into, and I suppose a lot of other people as well. I get dragged down by petty things and have to remind myself that it's temporary and entirely inconsequential in the long run. Also, the idea of a crisis of youth was always very interesting to me. The idea that we are all young and full of potential, there are so many different paths to take and how I sometimes feel like I'm being torn in ten different directions. It's a struggle to figure out which path is the best one for me. And I guess the end of the song is about not forgetting to live in the here and now, to be thankful for the endless nights I spend with my friends, and that I should learn to not worry about things so much. It's not healthy. 

In general, the lyrics are meant to be open-ended in a lot of ways. I'm not a fan of concrete lyrics, in the sense that I don't like having something so specific and firm and narrow that it can only be interpreted in one way. I hate it when I listen to a band and feel alienated by the words. So I try and make a conscious effort to convey whatever it is I'm trying to say in a way that invites interpretation. I wrote what those songs mean to me, but if you had read the lyrics and felt something entirely different, then I would be thrilled. 

Also to pile on more questions about lyrics… when writing these lyrics did you have a predetermined direction or feel you were striving for when writing the lyrics? Or did you just write the lyrics after the vibe of the instrumental portions of the songs were completed?

The instrumental skeleton of the song is almost always arranged first and foremost. Once we feel comfortable with the song, we will record a demo of it, and I will loop the song over and over and write whatever comes to mind. The music definitely inspires the words. 

After the Naylair show in El Paso, I asked if you had any shows/tours lined up for the near future and you guys said you were going to take a break and start writing. Can you elaborate a little on that? Any plans for a full LP?

You are correct, sir. Currently a few songs into our first full-length. We hope to have it finished sometime next year. Very excited. 

As I understand, you guys are all fairly young individuals in your low 20’s. What would you suggest to bands that are in the same boat as you once were in and want to break through?

Start bands with your friends, play music that you love, commit to what you're doing and the rest should follow.

That wraps it up! Thanks!  If you have any shout outs or questions feel free to spill your guts out.

Thank you for the interview Chris, it was my pleasure. And thank you to everyone who took the time to read this. 

end.

Support Caravels. Buy their merch. Drink a few beers with some close buddies and spin their records at the same time. Enjoy.

Chris

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UPDATES

Caravels interview up in a couple of hours and I'm also going to make a facebook for this thing because well....well I just am.