SOUR MASH - ISSUE 01

SOURMASH

ISSUE 01

A MUSIC ZINE THAT GOES DOWN SMOOTH

FEATURING: BIG UPS ll GRAFFITI MONSTERS ll RITZ RIOT ll NINE LIVES THE CAT ll EULA ll ANAMANAGUCHI ll AND MORE

THE INAUGURAL ISSUE “THE SOU R M ASH GI RL S S T A R T E D A ZI N E ? !” a new zine brought to you by the makers of the sour mash blog

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NOTES

from the sour mash kids

Wow, It’s done. I really can’t believe it. Hi, for those new to the Sour Mash name I’m Kimmy. I won’t get into the whole The Sour Mash saga just yet. You’ll get a chance to read about it in a bit. For now, again wow. It seems, like with everything else I do, Sour Mash thought up on a random impulse has become real. I’ve never worked on a zine before. This is really my first experience with it. It was, to say the least, quite a juggling act. I’m already quite use to juggling a shit load of things at once so it wasn’t too bad, but it was different. I got to take on directing multiple bands and a team all at once. I think it turned out not too bad. We got to talk to some real awesome bands in this inaugural issue.

Some long time favorites and new found loves. You’ve got your share of inspirational talk, L O L moments and cats. Of course...cats. But again, wow (haha.) For those reading, for all the amazing bands that took part and especially for the amazing team that helped me make this happen... ♥ THANK YOU ♥

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FOUNDER & EDITOR IN CHIEF: Kimmy Grace EDITOR: Johnny Legs ART DIRECTOR: Kimmy Grace WRITERS: Jane Ester Johnny Legs Kimmy Grace Leah Lovecat Shirley Cruz Symphony A Spell

Sour Mash is always looking for new cats to join the pack.

So whether you’re a writer, photographer, band, artist or music enthusiast we want you.

FOR GENERAL INQUIRIES: contact: thesourmashblog@gmail.com FOR PRESS/ADVERTISING INQUIRIES & FREELANCE OPPORTUNITIES: conctact: kimmygracesantos@gmail.com visit us at thesourmashblog.com for more Sour Mash nonsense

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Celebrate the release of Sour Mash’s inaugural issue with us! at the PERSONALITY CRISIS 3 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOW RSVP HERE

JAN 27

Shea Stadium NEWPORT REDS LE RUG THE STATIC JACKS SHAPES DEVIN

Keep your eyes peeled for our interactive links!

Some look a little like this:

SOURMASHINTERACTIVE WAT C H T H I S Cover: JOE GALARRAGA OF BIG UPS at Bowery Poetry Club for CMJ 2011. Photo by Kimmy Grace “This photo was taken during Big Ups’ first CMJ showcase for 2011. I saw them the very next day also, but yes Joe as usual was facedown in the pit, still singing, of course. I have so many photos of Joe in this postion. So many (haha.)”

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performances by

CONTENTS COVER STORY >> 10...The Sour Mash Girls Started a Zine?!

SPECIAL FEATURE >> 18...Big Ups We talk band origins and plans for the new year with these Sour Mash favorites 28...Personality “Fuckin” Crisis The showcase that started it all...

34...Unstoppable Death Machines A look at Brooklyn’s raucous duo Q&A SESSIONS >> 46...EULA 50...Spanish Prisoners 54...Flagland 56...Ritz Riot NEW MUSIC >> 62...Graffiti Monsters A DAY WITH >> 70...Filthy Savage SOUR MASH PICKS >> 75...Newport Reds 76...Juggernut 77...People in Charge 79...Viva Mayday STORYTIME >> 80...And That’s What This Means to Me FEATURED ARTIST >> 82...Anamanaguchi 86...Nine Lives the Cat LISTEN TO THIS >> 92...SHAPES “LEPER” ON THE PROWL “DISCOVER NEW MUSIC” >> 94...A Sound From Pennsylvania Edelweiss BAND CRUSH >> 96...Big Troubles SHOUT ALONGS >> 100...”Shut Your Mouth” & “I’ll be OK”

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PHOTOBOMB the latest release by Brooklyns own RITZ RIOT Available on iTunes!

facebook.com/ritzriot SOURMASH

ritzriot.bandcamp.com

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SOUR MASH>>

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The Sour Mash Girls Started A Zine?!

Kimmy Grace of The Sour Mash talks impulsive beginnings and the driving force behind the fiesty little collective.

WHO KNEW?

PHOTOS BY KIMMY GRACE

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Blogs, zines and all that wonderful nonsense we love...and sometimes hate.

With so many out there I guess you’re wondering why even start a blog and now zine of my own. Simply put, this music thing is a thing that has just always been my thing (ha ha.) How about we just start from the beginning? A little retrospective of sorts on the Sour Mash name and me, Kimmy Grace. I think its only fair that we give you cats a chance to learn a bit about this whole thing, the people behind it and its origins, right? Yeah.

I’m a Jersey girl born and raised. Growing up in New Jersey I spent the majority of my teenage years dabbling within the local music scene out there. The music scene at that time was really something else. The sense of camaraderie and support for the scene as a whole was a beautiful thing. I blame my being raised in this kind of environment for inspiring my set affinity for local music and bands. What we had was amazing, but as time went on the community that I had come to love began to deteriorate.

Kids began to forget exactly what they were supporting and I too had become a bit disheartened. So I stopped dabbling with bands and music completely. It just wasn’t the same. Instead I chose to “grow up” and pursue other things; art school.

A few years later, I found myself pursing a graphic design career. In the back of my head though I pictured myself creating art for up and coming bands. I saw it as being my own way of showing support for these acts. I just couldn’t shake the music thing off I guess, but I was content with that at the time. Eventually though I began to realize my heart wasn’t all there. I was indeed very happy, but something just didn’t feel right. I missed the live shows, I missed the people, I missed the environment and most of all I missed the feeling of being apart of a local music community. So I took time off from school to figure out what was wrong. All I knew was that maybe this graphic design thing wasn’t completely cut out for me.

This is where fate swoops in and lends a hand. >>

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At a local festival my hometown holds I ran into some old faces from high school. These old faces happened to be in a band. They of course invited me to their next show. Now, at this point it had been about two years since I had attended my last local show. It was funny that their invitation come now being I was beginning to entertain the idea of going to some local shows again. I attended that show and thats when it all began to snowball.

Before you knew it, I found myself actively participating within the local Jersey music scene all over again. I was so sucked into discovering new music and helping promote local bands. It was easier this time around too. I mean, when you’re thirteen these boys in bands don’t take you too seriously, you know? It was also at this time that the idea of starting a music blog hit me.

To be honest it was all started on an impulse (on a sunny July

afternoon to be exact.) I was attending shows and working with an array of New Jersey based bands at the time and seeking inspiration from live photography blogs I decided to start my own blog. I would utilize my own live photos, but also include live reviews or what we dubbed at the time “morning after stories.” The idea of doing actual live reviews came to be because the morning after many shows I would run to my friends and give them a play by play of how the night went. My closeness with many of the bands I was seeing usually gave my recollections a nice touch and view on these nights. Not only that, but I noticed my friends were very interested in hearing about these new local acts and many times would become fans themselves. So a light bulb in my head sort of went off and I realized that if my own friends were entertained and interested in these bands perhaps strang-

FROM WEAKEND WARRIORS TO SOUR MASH

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ers would be too. Also, from a more personal standpoint I was interested in seeing more live reviews done from a fellow fan’s perspective. I was done with reviews that were overloaded with critiques. I do like knowing whether or not a band can pull off a good live show, but I just as much love reading about someone’s overall experience and feelings when attending one. Being able to read a live show review and sense the genuine excitement and anticipation is something that sounded good to me. That is how Weakend Warriors, my first music blog, came to be. It was this music blog that set the style and tone for Sour Mash.

I was only doing Weakend Warriors for a few months when a rather random and chance run in with The Static Jacks guitarist, Mikey Sue-Poi, changed up the game...completely. He invited me to come see The Static Jacks play in Brooklyn. They were playing

the monthly showcase Personality Crisis over at Shea Stadium. I had never travelled out to Brooklyn to attend a local show, but I had always been interested in the budding New York music community. So I was sure as hell curious and excited to make the trek over.

Little did I know though that this would be the start of it all; the chaos, the bruises and all the damn hangovers.

I fell madly in love at Personality Crisis. The show was like something out of some corny 80’s movie. I mean that of course, in the best way possible. It was what you imagined and hoped a local New York punk show would be. I knew it was exactly what I had hoped for; the unhinged energy, passion and sense of community. I realized then that it was this sort of budding music community I was longing for and I wanted to do everything I could to support it. So I dug in my boots and decided I was

here to stay. Thats where I got my start covering New York based shows and bands.

In time Weakend Warriors became a blog that was heavy on raunchy live show reviews.

Many nights were spent blacking out, getting bruised up, but always getting the shot and review somehow. It was also around this time that I met bands like Beast Make Bomb, SHAPES and Devin Therriault.

At the time these acts were hardly getting any coverage by major blogs in the area. So I was content that somebody was finally putting these bands I liked so much out there. I was covering shows for about a year through my blog Weakend Warriors before starting The Sour Mash Blog. It was a really fun run, but I had no idea what I was doing or where I was going with it all. I had begun to start working more hands on with some bands in the area and even took part in booking shows of my own. It

was at this point that ideas of PR, management and starting a more serious blog hit me.

Weakend Warriors was messy and put together on an impulse without any real game plan.

So, I ended Weakend Warriors to start anew and fresh. That new fresh start being The Sour Mash Blog.

Now we’re here, present day.

What started off as an impulse has become one of my best adventures yet. I have a better sense of things now. I’ve come to realize that through The Sour Mash Blog I have the chance to promote the bands I want to promote. I can shed light on bands others deem the underdogs and to keep up with the plethora of bands and shows I turned what started off as a one woman show into an amazing team of writers, artists and contributors. In the short time it has been around, the Sour Mash name has grown and morphed into some new creature all its own. With the

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“I knew it was exactly what I had hoped for; the unhinged energy, passion and sense of community.”

I planned, I mean if anything it’s better. We don’t see this as a business. All we know is that we’re supporting what we love by doing what we love. We may just have too much heart, but this day and age isn’t even just a little heart refreshing?

We have many plans and addition of Sour Mash Ent. our projects for The Sour Mash this upcoming year and I canmanagement/booking branch not wait to get started on them. and now Sour Mash the zine This new zine, Sour Mash, we realize we’ve turned into a collective of sorts. A collec- being the first major project of 2012. We’re using the zine tive we’re dubbing The Sour as a chance to put out some of Mash. It’s no longer just a music blog, but a collective of our more in-depth articles and projects. Have no fear though. different creative outlets all aimed at promoting and raising For those who have come to awareness for the local up and love The Sour Mash Blog we coming New York music com- will still be around and relatively active; concentrating munity. It’s not exactly what

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more on band news, smaller reviews, new releases and more of that “of the now” type business.

Looking back at the few short years I’ve been doing all of this I can’t help, but just chuckle and give my head a little shake. I would’ve never guessed I’d be here, right now, talking about all of this “nonsense.” Thinking about all the amazing, talented people I’ve met and unique situations I’ve gotten into I can’t imagine having never done this.

I’m in a good place right now.

I’m certain that not necessarily blogging, but working within the music community is something I’ll be at for a long while. // KG

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SPECIAL FEATURE

>>BIG UPS >>PERSONALITY CRISIS >>UNST OPPABLE DEATH MACHINES

PHOTO BY KIMMY GRACE

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PHOTOS BY KIMMY GRACE

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BIG

UPS

We talk band origins and speak of plans for the new year with these Sour Mash favorites

So I took on the mission of doing a piece with Joe Galarraga of Big Ups. It truly was a mission of sorts trying to get the interview portion of things set up. The world just seemed to be working against us. I mean, if Joe getting locked out of his own place just minutes before our scheduled interview isn’t a sign then I don’t know what is. We persevered though and look, we did it! See Joe, told you I’d mention it. - Kimmy

Being able to do this special feature on Big Ups and nitpick away at the band is something I was really excited about doing. There’s no doubt that I’ve been a big fan of the boys for a bit now; ever since that first night I encountered them: My first run in with Big Ups was over the summer during a rather chaotic backyard show. Friends of mine kept raving about this band Big Ups who was performing that night. Having never seen or heard of the band before I was extremely curious. When Big Ups finally went on though it was a bit of a...shit show. I mean, the band had no microphones to use, none at all.

So I was very curious to see how they were going to pull this all off let alone how they would actually sound. They quickly figured something out though by using a headset as a microphone. A

move I did not at all see coming. They went absolutely apeshit in the usual Big Ups style I’ve now become accustomed to. The music itself, given the circumstances, was really pretty good.

Being able to pull it all together like that last minute and still put on a very fun set, that’s something I’ll always remember. See, I’m big on first impressions and Big Ups had left one hell of an impression on me. Since then I’ve been hooked. From spastic onstage antics to rocket ships full of grilled cheese sandwiches, Big Ups is a band who always delivers with catchy songs infused with a classic punk style and a live performance that just goes hand in hand perfectly, but enough of that. For those new to the band let’s talk Big Ups from the very beginning, future and everything in between. >>

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SOURMASHINTERACTIVE WAT C H B I G U P S P E R F O R M I N G “ S T R E S S E D / P R E S S E D ”

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music theory classes are really apparent (haha). Amar and I had been playing music for a few years before we started this band.

Brendan, Amar and I were in a surf rock band called Aaron and the Burrs right before Big Ups started. Amar and our friend Nick JOE GALARRAGA: That’s hard played guitars, Brendan played drums, and I was the bassist. I to say exactly. We’re based in a met Carlos through a school projpunk rock sound, but there are ect where we re-did all the sound other sounds and styles at play, too. If I could describe the band design for the Cowboy Bebop really basically- Big Ups is loud. movie- real nerdy.

KIMMY GRACE: Ok, so let’s get this started. For the readers out there who have never encountered Big Ups before could you give us a brief introduction?

What kind of band exactly is Big Ups?

KG: What about you Joe, tell us a bit about your role in Big Ups?

KG: I love Cowboy Bebop (haha.) Do you like it out here in New York? Treating you well?

sic scene in New York is much more vague than in Baltimore because it’s a destination for bands to play. So it seems to me that a lot of the all ages venues in New York don’t even really book that many local bands because they want to offer a place for touring bands. It’s kind of a shame because local bands need places to play, too. Without venues, local music can’t prosper.

KG: What was your first release as Big Ups?

JOE: We put demos online first, then this really goofy package of holiday songs last winter, then JOE: I’m the vocalist, and I also JOE: New York’s a strange place. S/T. Now we sorta don’t like S/T write a lot of the songs. that much. We’re all recording I kinda like it, and I kinda hate people so we listen back to S/T it at the same time. I’m lucky KG: What about the other boys and it doesn’t really “rock” as to have good friends here. That in Big Ups? much as we want it to. We took it makes it worth it. I never imagoffline but if people really want ined I’d be living here after I JOE: Brendan plays drums, to hear it just send us an email finished school.

Amar- guitar, and Carlos plays and we’ll send you the songs. bass. Now that we’ve been playKG: Compared to where you ing together a while, we write a KG: ‘s/t’ is an EP that overall grew up how are you liking the lot of the songs together. whole NY music community and seems a bit a lighter compared to some of your newer songs comKG: So how did you guys come its local show atmosphere? ing out. Is it possible that we may up with the name Big Ups exJOE: I grew up in Baltimore, and be seeing a shift musically? actly? was lucky to encounter a bunch of great bands and musicians as JOE: That’s another thing. I like JOE: I came up with the name Big Ups because it’s plural like a I was finishing high school. A lot a lot of the songs on S/T, and we definitely play a lot of them still, lot of band names like ‘The Bea- of these bands made a serious impression on me- not necessar- but there are others that have tles’ or something like that. But ily in terms of sound, but in spirit been left behind. I wrote a lot of it’s not something tangible, it’s more a phrase. I dunno. It’s kind and the ingenuity of the way they those songs in one sitting so they operated. Ponytail, Double Dag- sound really similar. I guess we of stupid haha. ger, Future Islands, Beach House, picked our favorites from S/T and those are the ones we still KG: (Haha.) Where did you boys Dan Deacon, Videohippos, and play (Hi-5, This Place, Stressed/ Ecstatic Sunshine are just a few meet and how exactly did Big Pressed, No Plan). Every once of the bigger bands that come Ups come to be? to mind. Baltimore is a lot more and while we’ll play Calvin and laid-back than New York. It’s an Hobbes, and if we’re channeling JOE: We all went to music school at NYU. I’m sure that our inspiring environment. The mu- Limp Bizkit, we’ll play (Reluc-

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tantly) Break Stuff. They’re fun songs, but I like the direction and sound of the new stuff.

KG: What was the first ever Big Ups show like?

JOE: All four of us spent the evening running extension cords from my apartment onto our roof, putting up lights, etc. It was really fun and it felt good making something like that happen. Flagland played and it was also their first show.

KG: Is it true you guys did that Sum 41 cover? or was it all just silly on stage banter?

JOE: Haha we actually did 2 Sum 41 covers - “Fat Lip” and “Never Wake Up”. We never played them again.

KG: Jokes and Sum 41 aside, Big Ups is a band whom I love seeing perform live. You’ve got that whole little band big sound thing going.

Against the Machine, Nirvana, and The Beastie Boys. We’ve been listening to that stuff since KG: Musical influences? middle school so surely that JOE: Hard to say, exactly. I think works its way into our music.

Brendan and I used to listen to a lot of the more “punk” bands alot of Phish. from the Baltimore warehouse/ art school scene made an impresKG: Favorite venues to perform sion on me- SMARTs, Double Dagger, and Videohippos. I loved at? to go to those shows (especially JOE: Only got to play at the SiDouble Dagger). Unfortunately lent Barn once, but that place all of those bands are no more. was so awesome. The Ding Dong Also bands like The Misfits, The Descendents, Fugazi, Black Lounge Uptown is really great.

Definitely the best bar to play.

Flag, and The Jesus Lizard. All of us like Weezer, Primus, Rage Other than that, we’re not too JOE: Aww! Well, thanks!

picky. We like it when shows are all-ages.

KG: Big Ups, it seems, has some real passionate fans. I’ve seen some kids get really into your live shows.

JOE: Those shows are the best.

We’ve played shows for 5 people before, and while they were fun, they also inherently less energetic.

KG: The band itself, especially you Joe are really quite a sight.

It seems we can often catch you sprawled all over the stage or

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face down in the middle of a pit during a Big Ups set.

JOE: I try to do what I can to make it interesting. Sometimes a little confrontational, sometimes just weird.

KG: I recall CMJ 2011; The Morgan, Joe, under a table. Ha. How about this one: Silent Barn, green slime.

JOE: Well, my best friend was in town and he was thinking a lot about how absurd it was that Nickelodeon used to just slime people all of the time. So we were bored and we went and got a bunch of vanilla pudding and food dye and made slime.

He ended up bringing it to the Silent Barn that night, and Dan from Flagland poured it all over me about 4 songs into our set.

It wasn’t planned or anything, it just happened. I was really cold and kinda pissed actually. I felt really guilty and bummed for the people at Silent Barn that had to clean up.

KG: May I ask what exactly is going through the mind of Mr. Joe Galarraga when you’re performing? I’m actually quite curious now.

JOE: Not much. Sometimes my mind wanders while I’m yelling the lyrics because I don’t really have to think about them at this point. I’ll look into the audience and see my friends having fun and that makes me happy. I’ll see someone fall over or something and hope someone helps them up.

chance to catch you boys twice... back to back actually. Was this a first for you guys? Big Ups taking on CMJ? JOE: Yeah. We were really lucky to get that show at the Bowery Poetry Club. I’d like to thank Alon and Josh for that one.

KG: Looking back at 2011 do you think it was a good year for Big Ups? You boys did a bunch of great shows and even dropped that new EP ‘Wake Up’ JOE: Yeah, 2011 was really fun.

The band started in late 2010, so we probably played like 35 shows in 2011 and only 2 or 3 in 2010. I think we’re all really happy with the way that our new stuff is sounding.

KG: Back to CMJ though, I got a KG: Can we expect another Big

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Ups EP release party in 2012?

The last EP release party Big Ups did was something wasn’t it? I hear stories.

JOE: We’re keeping busy for sure. We have some new recordings that need to be mixed and mastered, and we have plans to work on some more “hardcore” songs that we might put online just for kicks. We want to keep some things under wrap, because everyone loves surprises! Also, Amar’s been playing bass in this amazing folk rock band called Montes Rook. I’m starting another band with some lovely folks.

Brendan’s been writing songs about tickling. Carlos has been cooking a lot.

JOE: We played our release show at our friends’ Charlie and Gary’s place because no venue would book us. It was definitely one of my favorite shows we’ve played.

Our friends in Brutal Nun played that show with us, and their music is so good. We’re figuring out what we’re gonna do when the new EP comes out. We’re pressing 7 inches, so we’ll probably have a big show when we get KG: You think we’ll see a posthem from the factory. sible Big Ups tour in the future?

KG: Other than that what else can we expect from Big Ups this JOE: We really want to! We’ve talked about it a bunch. We’ll see upcoming year? New Projects?

More shows? I haven’t seen you what happens. boys in a foreeever.

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KG: What about 5 years from now? Its kind of weird to even imagine where I’ll be 5 years from now, but ideally, if you had your way where would Big Ups be 5 years from now?

JOE: Haha I really can’t answer that question. We don’t really plan ahead too much. Right now we’re having fun, so that’s all I care about.

KG: So…what are your thoughts on At The Drive-In reuniting finally?

JOE: I was under the impression that Omar and Cedric hated the Sparta dudes? But I guess if the price is right, bands will reunite, huh? Hopefully they will play some affordable shows, because I’d like to go see them. // KG

“ROCKETSHIPS FULL OF GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES”

MORE BIG UPS: BIGUPS.BANDCAMP.COM

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PERSONALITY FUCKIN” CRISIS “

a little about the showcase that started it all...

the chaos, the bruises and all the damn hangovers

FEATURING

FANELLI FANELLI (haha.)

PHOTOS BY KIMMY GRACE

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Personality Crisis is a showcase that holds a very special place in my heart. As mentioned in our cover story, PC is where it all started for The Sour Mash. I’ve met some amazing people since my first PC, had my share of interesting nights and have seen many doors open for me since. Being able to talk in this light with Fanelli, the one who at my very first PC supplied me with my share of drink tickets, is something very nostalgic and almost surreal for me. >> KIMMY GRACE: Who are the masterminds behind Personality Crisis?

FANELLI: Well, quite simply, Mark Fletcher, and I both unintentionally came up with it; we had some help from Crash Mansion (ugh). Our band (SHAPES) was doing ok, but we wanted more, and better shows - not only for us, but for our friends' bands as well - so we messaged a lot of venues. In our message we explained our booking company, wink wink nudge nudge, and how we work with a roster of 12-15 bands regularly, and we can book a solid cohesive bill that will have a great turnout. Kind of the anti don hill's. For anybody who's played there (RIP), you'll know, that what would usually happen is this mega douche (a funny mega douche), Nikki Camp, or whoever did the booking, would book your band maybe your friends, and then some rap metal group, a country cover band, and then some 40+ yr old jazz funk fusion shit

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by me. Personality Crisis, and SHAPES stared as an anomaly with no clearly defined aesthetic or position. We've always been outsiders. So to be losers or outsiders in what is supposedly an underground fringe scene makes perfect sense to me.

What inspires me to keep going is really the love and affection shown to us by things like The Sour Mash, and the kids who CONTINUALLY come out to support PC, and SHAPES. I really genuinely hope that this event, and my band speaks What inspired you guys to put to, and for you all. I have no qualms in saying that I want this showcase together? to be the loudspeaker for your I guess I kinda answered that voice. I want PC, & SHAPES in the first question "lol", but to be your champion. I'm rejust to make it clear: we didn't like the state of what was going ally over irony, and not giving a fuck. I give a lot of fucks. And I on for bands in our age group.

We're (still) a young band (age think I fuck well. wise, not in terms of how long we've been together), and back What was the first Personality Crisis like? then we were younger. 17-21 FUCKING MASSIVE. It was yr olds. There wasn't much st00pid. Like a line around the that was that great for us out there. Definitely not in Manhat- block. No joke. I am not kidding. That's partially because tan. So we wanted to change Crash Mansion does the same that. We wanted desperately, or i did anyway, to be part of a shit that ass backwards venues like S.O.B.'s does. They think scene. When we saw that that they're some hot fucking night wasn't happening our feelings changed. We wanted to make a club. So they FORCE people to stand in line. It's a dumb scene. We realized we had to.

We had to make our own scene, tactic. But I'll try to not get off on another one of my tangents. and give that to people. I beIt was cool. Mark, and I were lieved in it, and I still do dumbfounded, and we felt rePersonality Crisis, as far as ally great. I know we were both I know, is not in vogue with whoever the fuck the tastemak- really proud, as douchey as CM was, and is, it gave it this ers are in this Brooklyn, NY really professional vibe; that DIY scene. And neither am vibe wasn't ultimately right for I or my band. And that's fine band to close the night. It made no sense.

So Crash Mansion actually got back to us saying they wanted to take our idea and make it a monthly showcase.

Fletch came up with the name.

Stephanie Adamo made the first flyer. Things got douchey there, I drunkenly ran into Alex Levine of The So So Glos one night, and he told me about this magical new place that was opening up called, Shea Stadium... And the rest is history or whatever.

PC, but for the first few, and definitely the first one, it was kind of cool. And it made us all feel special. The bands sucked.

Including us. We were fucking hype, and gave the crowd a show to remember (the room was wall to wall packed for us) but we weren't the band we are now back then. The other bands were fucking wastes of life. I won't mention names. We just didn't know all the excellent bands we know now. Now we are truly blessed to be around some great talents.

When did you guys make the move to Shea Stadium?

Hahaha. I kinda keep answering all your questions. Well, ok. The first Shea Stadium PC happened in July of '09. BUT

we actually had a big Shea gig before that. When Shea first opened up it was in a different venue. It was off the Graham stop on the L train, not the GRAND stop like it is now; it was a lil' harder to navigate to as well. Just a touch, haha.

And I guess that was us testing each other out. Sister Helen played that show as well. Great turnout. After that they moved to the space everyone knows now, and we took up residency on the last Saturday of every month. Now things have changed again. PC is bi-monthly, no longer every month, and we're not always on Saturdays, but we've always been flexible with the day.

Some "major" acts you've

had perform at Personality Crisis?

Sharpless, Porches, Humbert Humbert, Quilty/Speedy Ortiz, Devin, Large Lady, Fucking Cicadas, & of course, Newport Reds.

Thoughts on the evolution of Personality Crisis and where it is now?

Well, I think it has grown, and evolved rather naturally. It's gone through some interesting phases. It started off really innocently, and was pretty chill for all. Some months were better than others. For awhile, i'd say all of '10 pretty much, it was like... a BANGING party.

Things were rowdy, and insane.

Shit got broken, and the no holds barred, all ages, you can

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get away with murder vibe was all pervasive. That shit culminated with the '10 Christmas Spectacular, and the Jan. '11 2 yr anniversary. At the X-mas show i made my own homemade 4 Loko. Which was fucking awesome. I know it upset Adam Reich (the mean behind Shea), but from my perspective (someone who didn't have to assume responsibility for the venue, ha) it was great, and got people talking. I liked how wicked, and wild things were. I felt like Dionysus, or some pied piper of madness. That, however, is not something that is sustainable. For anybody.

I've grown, and so has the party. Thankfully, there is a

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greater importance placed on the concert aspect of things.

But you have to understand... I think quite large. I never wanted to just throw a show together. The bands aren't the only thing that is important to me. I want to create an experience.

An attitude. An atmosphere. I very much think about the production as a whole. I want people to be transported when they step into an event that I have had a hand in. A big pet peeve of mine is not having attention to detail. I love everyone with whom I work to put together PC... but I still hate it when 8pm rolls around, people file in, and fucking Neil Young is playing, and the house lights are

on. There's nobody in particular who comes to mind, and no specific instance. But I'm just trying to make a point. Anybody can put together a show. I want to create an experience.

What future plans have you got for the showcase?

I have no plans. When it comes to the future, or any expectations in regards to myself, or things in which I am involved, I am utterly crestfallen. At this point if things go well it's by accident, fate, or just because.

But not because of plans. // KG V I S I T THESOURMASHBLOG.COM FOR UPDATES ON ANY UPCOMING PC SHOWCASES!

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PHOTOS BY KIMMY GRACE

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UNSTOPPABLE >>DEATH MACHINES

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It feels like it’s raining. I’m almost positive it’s raining, or perhaps it’s the sweat from the dancing fiends around me. Or maybe it actually is raining because I see lightning. That actually may be a strobe light. Yeah, I’m almost positive it’s a strobe light. Oh wait, it’s not any of that, it’s just Unstoppable Death Machines bringing a whole new feeling to the night’s festivities. I’m never quite sure what happens to what I had been feeling before Death Machines go on, but once I hear the bass lumber in and the drum rumble and wail, it’s like a cerebral pivot. Where do I begin to describe Unstoppable Death Machines? >> Brothers, Michael (Mike) and William (Billy) Tucci hail from Flushing, Queens. They’re each other’s only siblings, separated by only two and half years of age; Mike is older. They’ve been making music as Unstoppable Death Machines since 2008, but they’ve had various projects before. The first, Attic’s Noise, was started more than a decade ago by the brothers and was pretty well-received especially for a band consisting of high school students. The Tuccis even played CBGB’s a few times.Apparently one of their tags is still on the vent in John Varvatos, the store that

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now occupies the legendary venue’s location.

Attic’s Noise sounds nothing like the Death Machines, but the talent is undeniable. I know that I would have listened to Attic’s Noise when I was younger, it’s good music, brutally angsty in the sense that any adolescent band is. And then they grew up…

The brothers express the transition into becoming Unstoppable Death Machines as a natural one. They made music with other people, under different names, but Death Machines appears to be their musical masterpiece, a culmination of having figured things out from experience. For instance, their signature, “face mics” came as a result of wanting a free range of movements and not being a slave to a stand. The distorted vocals were influenced by LA industrial rock from late 80’s.

Whatever the origins of Death Machines they are irrefutably dope. Billy’s hands move like fans over one another. They’re graceful and quick like a cheetah. Mike’s bass thumping in other-worldly; his head bobbing can put you in a trance. They’re both so in it--they’re so immersed in the music, that it’s hard for me, and anyone watching to not

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“it’s sort of like a Chooglin’ Boogie Pit*, like an old lady in church, you get happy, and you express it through movement.”

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SOURMASHINTERACTIVE WAT C H U N S T O P PA B L E D E AT H M A C H I N E S “ S LU M L O R D ”

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become equally immersed. I recall trying to keep myself confined to a sofa at my first Death Machines show, but I found myself up and with drum sticks in my hand banging on a drum by the end of their set. The part of their set where they disassemble the drum set and let anyone bang basically symbolizes what Unstoppable Death Machines do with their music. They get people involved and make it interactive by letting people be completely in control of their experience. Just like Billy and Mike, the audience is free to move, and how could you not?

Some of the best mosh pits I’ve ever been a part of have been during Unstoppable Death Machines sets. In those pits, people are not out to harm each other, it’s sort of like a Chooglin’ Boogie Pit*, like an old lady in church, you get happy, and you express it through movement. It’s all very liberating; and as you acknowledge the person next you, just as liberated in motion, there’s a chain reaction of fun and an embrace of music that’s so heavy

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yet hearty that you feel it deep in you.

Their music is persuasive, it’s alluring. Both members have their own allure, in their own way.

Part of what makes watching Unstoppable Death Machines so fun is watching the difference in Mike and Billy despite their similarities. From not so far away, they could pass as twins, but they’ve got two totally different energies, that vibe fraternally. They’re brothers and you can feel that, but an inclusive way.

When you see Death Machines perform, you’re a Tucci too. // SS

*You may have just asked yourself what chooglin’ is? It’s a word that you hear a lot at a Death Machines show. And it’s not a combination of chillin’ and the verb form of the popular online search engine, Google. It means just relaxing, and basically doing your own thing. It comes originates from a Credence Clearwater Revival song, entitled, “Keep on Chooglin’” in which most of the lyrics consist of that phrase.

MORE UNSTOPPABLE DEATH MACHINES WWW.THEUNSTOPPABLEDEATHMACHINES.NET

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QA &

sessions

FEATURING

EULA SPANISH PRISONERS FLAGLAND RITZ RIOT

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EULA

Brooklyn, NY & CT

How did you all meet each other/start out?

Nate, Jeff and I met at music school in New Haven. I’m pretty sure I first met Jeff in my World Music class, and then we both met Nate through mutual friends. I had a lot of material already written, and I had the luxury of a free recording studio on campus. I would record my songs and show them to Nate and Jeff, then it became EULA. We originally started out as a 4-piece (with both Nate and I playing guitar), then it organically downsized to a 3-piece. Organically meaning all of our drummers kept quitting so Nate learned drums in like 2 months.

Where are you from/currently living?

The three of us are originally from CT. We decided to make the move to Brooklyn because we were playing so many goddamn shows here.

And, of course, we love it here. However, Jeff still lives in CT so we feed him copious amounts

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of caffeine so he can make it home at 3am after a show, then off to work at 6am. He’s a trooper.

How do you feel about the music scene you grew up in and where you are now?

We were all raised in suburban CT. Meaning…

3 radio stations to choose from: classic rock, rap, and “alternative” rock. Growing up, we didn’t have awesome internet radio at our disposal. We only had radio stations, zines, MTV, and our parents/siblings musical input. This is it. The older “good” music was covered, but finding “new” music was nearly impossible – we were only exposed to what the radio or mtv exposed us to. I remember when Nate introduced me to early Modest Mouse I was stunned! College was a different story – it was a breath of fresh air. I immediately became a new music DJ on WNHU and got my greedy little hands all over the new releases. It was HEAVEN. In relation to the live

music scene – growing up, it was a desert. I came from a very, very small town and the only places to play were open mics at coffeehouses. You would have to travel 45 minutes to see live music, and it would be a fucking stadium or expensive concert hall. A couple friends and I would try to throw house parties with bands and it would always get busted. Brooklyn AMAZES me because these music lovers & musicians are doing what I envisioned doing as a kid – an all-ages venue where you can do whatever the fuck you want to do, cheap beer, lots of sweat, your own lineup, equal pay out for bands. That’s the biggest reason why I love the Brooklyn music scene so much.

Passion comes before profit. There are so many great outlets for you to do your craft. And everyone listens.

What’s your favorite venue?

We’ve always had a blast at Shea Stadium. Big Snow Buffalo Lodge as well. RIP Monster Island.

What’s your favorite thing about doing what you do?

The excitement of playing a show where people respond enthusiastically goes unparalleled. I get a few notes here and there where people have said that EULA inspires them to write… that is the best feeling in the world. And of course we love meeting so many creative people & amazing minds along the way.

Whats your song writing aesthetic?

I get inspired to write by the people I meet, the experiences I have, the shit other people go through… it runs the gamut. Most often I will write a song, or Nate will write a song, I’ll record it on my 4-track, and show it to the band. We’ll chill at our practice space for several hours and put drums and bass to it. It is the love of my life.

We seldom write songs off of a jam or at practice, but it has happened in the past.

What show or band do you think impacted you the most growing up?

My mother is a Costume Designer so I always Favorite show to date? tagged along with her to the shows she worked We played a collaborative art event called Art Pussy: Born Into This in December of 2011. All on, as early as 5 years old – operas, ballets, musiin one glorious night there were poetry readings, cals, etc. My love was the Ballet – Debussy, Erik boxing matches, live music, performance art, free Satie, Ravel, it was beautiful music to my ears.

I ate that shit up. Plus the regiment of a profesfood, open bar, the WORKS. It was an amazing experience to be surrounded by so many art- sional ballet dancer always floors me. But I will never forget sitting in my sister’s room when I ists, doing their thang. I spent 18 hours making was 12 years old, and I popped on the tv. MTV 3 LED-lit bodysuits for EULA to wear. It went was playing old videos from the vault and “Manover well I think.

Size” by PJ Harvey was on. I was FLOORED. Here was this vulnerable looking girl in her unFavorite bands to perform with?

Whenever we play with a band we love – we be- derwear shouting and rocking out. It was so pure & resonant to me, I was hooked on rock music. come steadfast friends so how can you choose your favorite friend? Can’t do it.

Touring anytime soon?

We are always playing shows around Brooklyn, Any up and coming projects?

We just released our first LP Maurice Narcisse in and during the upcoming months we’ll be doing May of 2011. The move to Brooklyn has made us little mini weekend tours up and down the east writing machines (plus we don’t sleep) so we are coast. hitting the studio again soon, most likely a new Favorite bar?

EP by the middle of 2012.

I’d have to say Lucky Dog in Williamsburg. It’s

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“If it’s a pleasure for you, never feel guilty.” a dog-centric bar. I love dogs, I love booze, it’s a beautiful combination on a hot summer day.

However I do feel a little voyeuristic since I don’t own a dog, but hopefully the owners don’t mind.

Favorite drunk munchies?

For me its 5 large bowls of cereal, for Nate it is BBQ Potato Chips (a close second for me), and Jeff loves those cellophane-wrapped apple croissant thingies that are probably 4 months old at your local Bodega.

Biggest pet peeve?

Pretension and insincerity. Oh, and when you get to a venue and a dude from a band you’ve never played with before says, “Hey guys can we use your entire drum set and both of your guitars?”

Guilty pleasure?

If it’s a pleasure for you, never feel guilty.

Did you go through an awkward teen phase (bad hair cut choices etc)?

When I was in 4th grade I picked out these big, bright red frames for my eyeglasses. All of my teachers kept calling me Sally Jessy Raphael and I had no idea what the fuck they were talking about. So I told my Mom and she showed me a picture of Sally. I felt like an idiot but still rocked the glasses.

What do you want out of 2012?

I hope 2012 brings us on a tour to Europe. What a dream. Or tagging along on a tour across America would be great too. // SC for more on the band

eulamusic.com eula.bandcamp.com

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SOURMASHINTERACTIVE WAT C H E U L A “ M AU R I C E N A R C I S S E ”

PHOTO BY KIMMY GRACE

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SPANISH PRISONERS Brooklyn, NY

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So why don't we touch on the basics first? Who currently makes up the band Spanish Prisoners?

The band is four people: myself (Leo), Mike, Amberly, and James. All of us play several instruments and write. We also all enjoy coffee.

A lot of the lyrics are inspired by a long stretch where I worked in this dreary nightclub.

It’s one of the biggest places in New York and I was witness to all sorts of skeezy stuff happening around me all the time. I often fell into the background and just watched people interact as if there was no one else there, For those who have never encountered Spanish even though they were in a crowded Prisoners before, how would you nightclub at four in the morning. So I started writing describe your sound? a lot about these characters that I We describe it as “tremolo-haze headphone sympho- imagined who had very little self-awareness during nies” but that is sort of tongue-inthese times. I like writing from the cheek. It has electronic elements, it has real instruviewpoint of a sort of confused narrator who might ments, it has a lot of different vocals, not know exactly what he or she and it’s pretty carefully produced, as we are obwants or needs. sessed with sonics.

Being a band based out of New York what are What was the writing process like for your last some of your favorite venues in the area release “Gold Fools”? to perform at?

The writing process was interwoven with the record- We like performing at venues where the sound guy ing process. We basically spent two actually cares! That’s a nice touch, years chiseling away at these songs till we had as we have a lot of stuff going on live and we need something we were proud of. A lot of the to be able to really hear it in order for songs went through several different iterations and things to click. Lately we’ve been playing a lot at versions. Some songs we recorded Pianos and always having a great time. many times. Mike and I wrote most of the songs in our respective apartments and did a Any interesting live show experiences? lot of passing back and forth of files. There was a lot I feel like every show we play is different, even of g-chatting and emailing. You though we’ve been playing the same set could say our record was the result of a lot of typing. for a few months now. We will all talk about the show immediately afterwards and we What were some of Spanish Prisoners major mu- usually have four vastly different opinions, which is sical influences when putting always hysterical. It’s almost like together "Gold Fools"? we’re playing in four different bands up there. The We’ve got a huge range of influences- I think all most “interesting” show experience four of us are coming from different we’ve had recently was a show we did during CMJ places musically. Personally I’m in love with Spoon, where we borrowed a keyboard Broadcast, Animal Collective, stand from another band. However in the middle of Caribou, the Flaming Lips, Echo and the Bunnyour set, they decided they needed it men, and Deerhunter. I don’t know how back and we were shocked they would be that rude. much our album really sounds like any of those We had to completely stop, put our though. keyboard on two bar stools, and give them their stand back. Pretty absurd.

"Gold Fools" is such a dreamy little piece musically and lyrically, any stories or specific Who are some of your favorite bands to perform inspirations behind it? with? We love hearing about different

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acts in the area so just throw them at us.

We’ve played with Crinkles a few times in the past few weeks and we love those dudes.

Great band, great songs.

about. It’s going to look gorgeous. We’re also working on a few remixes, which has been a fun exercise for us. And we’ve just started getting back into writing and recording, which we are now trying to do more as a band and less individually. So we’ll see Touching on New York again what can we expect where that takes us. I’m really excited about the new material. We finished Gold Fools a while ago now the cats of Spanish Prisoners to be doing during their off time? so I’ve been itching to be creative again and write.

Well, we are all pretty obsessed with coffee. Amberly works in a great little coffee shop that we hang Kittens or puppies or both and why? Yes, we do notice the photos of cats and puppies out in sometimes. We usually have our band meetyou guys post up. ings in various cafes around the city. Our practice space is right near this hummus place that used to be Puppies! Puppies all the way. // KG called Yummus Hummus- it just recently changed owners so we don’t go there as much anymore, but we would go there every week. Especially Mike.

Half of his life was spent there.

What new projects can we expect from Spanish Prisoners this new year?

We’re finalizing a video for our song “Know No Violence,” which I’m really excited

for more on the band

spanishprisoners.com spanishprisoners.bandcamp.com

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FLAGLAND New York City & NJ

How did you all meet each other/start out?

Dan, our bassist, and I grew up down the street from each other in New Jersey; I was friends with his brother.

One day a couple years ago he contacted me out of the blue and said: "I just listened to your myspace and it's pretty cool, let's play together!" So originally Flagland was Dan, his brother and I. We kind of kicked his brother out and Dan thought Nick would be a good drummer for us (they went to NYU together), and he was/is!

all his moving-out money on our last album!

Favorite show to date?

We played a couple shows How do you feel about the in Vermont that were a lot of music scene you grew up in fun. Everyone was so and where you are now? psyched and into the music There really was no music even though they basically scene where we grew up; ev- had no idea who we were. eryone listened to Red Hot It's almost the opposite of Chili Peppers and Sublime NYC, where everyone stands and thought they could play with their arms folded like, funk guitar with their wah"Show me something, bitch." wah pedals. Dan is guilty of On the other hand, NYC is our this as much as anyone, but he home, and our music was purhad enough talent and posely engineered for creativity to bust out of that its grumpy, apathetic citizens. purgatory. All those other My favorite show we ever white-boy funkers are still played here was our record wasting away in dirty Jers, release at Greenpoint Gallery.

Where are you from/curfucked up on downers. Who's Everyone was so awesome to rently living? "most likely to succeed us and made us feel so As I mentioned, Dan and I now", bitches! loved that we were all high grew up together in northern on love afterwards. GET US New Jersey; Nick is from a What's your favorite venue? HIGH ON LOVE EVERYsmall town in Vermont near The Bell House, in Gowanus. TIME!!!

Burlington.

Every show I've seen there has I'm currently oating around been cool, and Steve Favorite bands to perform Brooklyn; Nick lives on the Albini told me it was the best with?

Lower East Side; Dan still venue in the tri-state area. I BIG UPS, Ritz Riot and Skuzlives with his dad in the same believe anything you say, zards. We're not as punk as house he grew up in. He spent Steve! any of those groups, but

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they're more fun to play with “Who’s “most likely and bring an awesome atmoto succeed sphere. I like it when people in the audience go now”, bitches!” crazy…unless they hit my mic think impacted you the most stand! Watch where you're growing up? goin, motherfuckers!

I had a lot of trouble answering this, but I have to be honAny up and coming projest with myself and go with ects? the first band that popped Our second album, Tireda into my head, no matter how Fightin, should be coming out much it may offend people soon. We recorded at an or make us look bad: Korn! awesome studio called Excello When I heard their first alin Williamsburg with a great bum, it scared the shit out of guy named Hugh Pool. I me, but I was fascinated at highly recommend it for any the same time. I couldn't beband if you've got the loot! lieve they were singing about Next up is Love Hard: our such fucked up subject matalbum of love songs! Also we ter. Most importantly though, might lay down a few tracks I was blown away by the way for a split 7" with our Jonathan Davis sang with so buds BIG UPS. Keep your much emotion that he seemed eyes peeled! hysterical or insane. It was almost disgusting! That was my What's your favorite thing first exposure to that about doing what you do ? kind of vocal style, and I People applaud me for yelling strive for a similar kind of at them. What more could one emotional candidness in evask for? erything I do.

Whats your song writing aesthetic?

It varies quite a bit, but usually I just have a phrase that I think would be a good name for a song or a refrain, then I sing it in my head until it sounds alright. That's how such hits of ours as "I Need It" and "Asshole Boyfriend" were written. Besides that I'll strum some bullshit and start singing, then record it.

What show or band do you

Touring anytime soon?

No, but we might be playing sxsw!

Favorite bar?

I generally don't go to bars because I have social anxiety issues, but the Double Windsor is chill and has good food.

Favorite drunk munchies?

I can't remember…anything buffaloed!

Biggest pet peeve?

Sound guys who act like little diva cunts. I don't care how miserable you are, do your fucking job…and no reverb!

Guilty pleasure?

I like to lick people -- especially in the face, and especially while fucking.

Did you go through and awkward teen phase ( bad hair cut choices etc)?

Yes! I did my hair up once to look like Head from Korn, rubber bands in my hair and shit. I walked into school and it was like a scene from a movie: everyone stopped talking and laughed at me all at once. That was in 8th grade.

In high school I tried to commit suicide; how's that for awkward teen phase?

HIGH SCHOOL RULES!!!

If Gary Busey, Nicholas Cage, and Charlie Sheen were running for the next election which one had have your vote?

I wanna say Gary Busey, but he has that metal plate in his head, so…Nick Cage. He has a trustworthy face!

What do you want out of 2012?

I want people to like our love songs! Also, I think it's about time we all got famous, don't you? // SC for more on the band

flaglandmusic.com

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RITZ RIOT Brooklyn, NY

PHOTOS BY KIMMY GRACE

One band we Sour Mashers hold near and dear to our hearts are the NYC based punk/shoegaze/ new wavers, Ritz Riot. Having just released their EP, 'Photobomb', Ritz Riot make music that will put you in a chokehold. With Shirley Cruz' whiskey soaked vocals along with raw guitars and fanatical drumming, you find yourself eagerly awaiting every second of each and every song. I want nothing more than to share their music with you just so that you can get a taste of these piercing sounds they are making. I had the pleasure of asking them some questions about their music, band relationship and injuries that have occurred during their live shows. As we all know, an injury is the sign of a job well done.

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Introduce yourselves, who is in the band and what do you play?

We got Shirley Cruz on Vocals, Taylor Bowen on Guitar and additional vocals, Alex Capraro on Drums and Bacon Strips, and Xe Davis on Bass

Xe joined in because we needed some damn bass.

Was the formation of the band a natural process?

What were the first practice sessions like?

Chaotic but alot of fun. We had to work on transforming Where did you all meet? our old songs that were origRitz Riot was originally a inally written for an acoussolo act by Taylor Bowen. In tic set into an electric set. It 2009 through mutual friends, was Alex's first time playShirley and Taylor got ing drums so we were basibooked on the same show. cally starting from scratch.

After that, we both decided But it helped because we all to make music together unlearned from each other der the name Ritz Riot. after a year of playing as an What do you write your acoustic duo they figured it songs about? Who writes was time to get things a bit the lyrics? more energetic and met Alex Some have to do with the through a friend. Recently gentrification of NYC. Since

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we are all native New Yorkers we have seen a lot of changes of the years. Shirley's style of writing is a bit different. She was a musical theater major . The way she writes her songs are quite manic. She may write out an entire monologue or scrap up various pieces of scrap paper, newspaper clips in her notebook and drafts saved in her phone and just merge them together. Most of her writing is inspired of off plays, films, books ,various forms of art, and current political events and pop culture. She usually edits her lyrics at least 5 times before she is finally happy with them. She takes much pride in them because she truly wants to impact people with her words. Shirley at her worst is when she has writers block aka locking herself in her room and being completely anti social . Most of her songs were written at work on slow days .

takes that we kept making and having everyone get REALLY impatient with us.

There were some songs that took almost 20 takes to get right. Good fun.

What are your live shows like? Do you like going into the crowd, seeing what they smell like?

High Energy and mayhem.

We love playing on the floor face to face with the audience. The stage can feel so confining at times, and it takes away from the relationship we have with the crowd.

We think its key to make your presence known when your playing. Its never fun to watch a band who stands in the same spot for their entire set.CONFETTI, LIGHTS, SILLY STRING OH MY!

Snow, they have a great atmosphere.

This may seem like a cynical question but have any of you been injured while playing a show?

Shirley once had a cymbal fall straight on her head.

There was blood everywhere.

Yet we still finished our set.

We have fallen off drumsets, people have fallen on us, it can be a real shit show. Also during our first show in NJ someone charged at her and threw her into the drum set.

Taylor also is prone to falling into the drums. But that's what makes it fun.

What do you have planned for 2012? Are there any shows or tours that you are specifically looking forward to playing?

We have A LOT planned.

How would you describe At the moment were setting your band relationship? up our first tour for SXSW, Are you all close with we’re in the works of getting eachother? a van and writing new music, We all get along quite well. and playing as many shows We all live under the same You have just released your roof so we are all very close. as possible. we are very exnew EP, where did you recited. Summer tour perhaps “CONFETTI, LIGHTS, and definitely putting out as cord it?

We Recorded it with James much new music as possible.

SILLY STRING OH Bentley of "The Fort" in // LL MY!” Brooklyn. It was Mixed By What have been some of Rob Hinder and Nine Lives the Cat, and Mastered by Mi- your favorite venues to play at? chael Tucci of Unstoppable Our Favorite place was the Death Machines Silent Barn but that's sadly gone. New Jersey is actuWhat was your favorite ally a lot of fun. Recently part about the recording for more on the band we have been doing shows process? myspace.com/riotritz at a new venue called Big ritzriot.bandcamp.com All the fuck ups and mis-

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The Sour Mash is a collective of varied creative outlets all aimed at promoting and raising awareness for the local up and coming New York music community The driving force behind The Sour Mash are kids just like you For the kids by the kids, ya know? hop the new wave kitties for all inquiries email us at thesourmashblog@gmail.com

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NEW MUSIC >>

Flores (drums) & James Clark (bass).

Mark continues, "We want to play hard fast chipcore and chipmetal.Jon wants to call it h8bit" Having at one time been a freak folk band and even pop punk band its great to see a band like Graffiti Monsters be able to make such a transition and pull it off so well.

Recorded at spots like Shea Stadiwe talk with frontman MARK DENARDO um to their own homes "Fox Grapes" and discuss the band’s latest release “Fox looks to be a solid release from the boys. Having previewed the release Grapes” theres no doubt in my mind that "Fox Brooklyn's very own Graffiti MonGrapes" is loud, absolute pure high sters will be dropping their newenergy, unhinged chaos. The 7" feaest release entitled "Fox Grapes" on tures two new Graffiti tracks; the title February 2. "I always had the intentrack "Fox Grapes" which speaks of a tion of going in a harder direction" fable about wanting and loss of somesays frontman Mark DeNardo regardthing you never had and what Mark ing “Fox Grapes”. This is a direction says "fox spirits in the woods fucking that is obvious when listening to this with your head" and the second track new release compared to the band's "Polar Bear" a song about "dwindling past work. Graffiti Monsters having resources and fighting over them in gone through their fair share of roster complete futility. It's also about eating changes sees a clearer idea now with and dying. The circle of life." their current incarnation; the band's We ask Mark what kind of inspiraline-up being made up of Mark Detions he looked to when creating these Nardo (vocals, guitar, Game Boy) Jon songs, he goes on to drop names like

GRAFFITI MONSTERS

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SOURMASHINTERACTIVE R E A D O U R F U L L I N T E RV I E W W I T H M A R K > > H E R E

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Black Flag, Bad Brains and Norwegian metal such as Mayhem. He then goes on to mention other subjects, “I like fables and mythology and eastern mysticism. Typical weirdo shit. When I was a kid I enjoyed reading about Thor and comics that had mythology influenced characters.” When it came to the actual writing process for the new songs he says "I had written the Game Boy parts of these songs when I was working with Luke Silas from Anamanaguchi back in 2010" and continues with “Jon Flores and James Clark joined the band in August 2011, we decided on going full on in the chip hardcore/metal direction. After learning a couple songs and rehearsing as a band, James and I started writing guitar and bass parts quickly. It’s always easier to go in the guitar to Gameboy direction. That thing makes weird music. Because it’s on a grid, I’ve had to take LSDJ and really try to break the whole 4/4 to the floor vibe that is often associated with the tool.”

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With the release of "Fox Grapes" we're left eager and wanting more from the boys in Graffiti Monsters. Its a solid release bound to get your blood pumping and feet stomping. Can we expect more releases from the boys this new year though? When asked about 2012 and Graffiti Monsters’ future plans Mark’s answer was this, "We’re doing a tour with Honor Code in February and touring in March with NT. Both are short tours of the East Coast.

We have plans to tour California Spring 2012 with Kool Skull who is also associated with Datathrash Recordings, the label we are currently on." he then ends with "We plan to ride on the back of Quetzalcoatl as he devours the sun."

We're not completely sure what this bit means, but it sounds like a good thing(?) and good things are all we want, hope and predict for this band in the new year. // KG MORE GRAFFITI MONSTERS

graffitimonsters.com

SOURMASHINTERACTIVE R S V P G R A F F I T I M O N S T E R S ’ E P R E L E A S E S H OW > > H E R E

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A Day

With >>

FILTHY SAVAGE

How do I write about Filthy Savage without making them seem like the most dysfunctional family you’ve ever encountered? I can’t, because they are the most dysfunctional family you will ever encounter. The first band practice that I attended to document, I was overwhelmed as soon as I entered the room and guitarist Geo said to drummer Vanessa, “Hey, Vanne, you’re looking good; your boobs look bigger.”

It wasn’t in perverted way; it was a real gesture of approval.

It was a funny one, so everyone laughed. Rudy Savage, the vocalist of the ensemble was working on his artwork, diligently, but took time to look up from his work to ask where

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Frank, the band’s other guitarist, was. Frank, was later than everyone else but still managed to be on time. Despite showing up on time for practice, Frank still was mocked for everything else he did.

He’s treated like Jan Brady, but he’s stoic, their incessant mocking means nothing to him. Once practice actually started, it only managed to become more of a mess, Rudy’s like Jay-Z in the studio, his lyrics come straight from the dome, and they had completely forgotten a song that they had come up with the previous week. As they shuffled around, I decided to leave and let them continue to make each other angry.

They weren’t being charming. I needed them to be charming so I could frame them in a charming light. But

they’re Filthy Savage, they’re not going to be framed in any light but an honest one. And honestly, there’s nothing glamorous about Filthy Savage and that’s what makes them completely endearing.

The next practice I went to, I understood this time. I understood that each member of Filthy Savage is dedicated

to the band and to each other.

And from the outside, their fighting seems futile and unhealthy but that’s what makes their interactions unique. Geo, Vanessa, Frank and Rudy are all extremely charismatic in such different ways. They’re bound to clash. But they spin those differences to create a platform for music with origins from every direction.

Watching Filthy Savage create a song initially seems like chaos because they’re all coming from angles that are nothing alike. But they meet at a point and succeed. They live these busy lives, but at the end of the day they’re still a band and they’re going to be because they love each other. They’re not trying to prove anything besides the fact that they like what they’re doing and sometimes they like each other.

Whether they’re urging Geo to play a song that he wasn’t there to make,or they’re singing Biz Markie, or if they’re yelling at Frank for not putting forth enough effort, it’s easy to see that Filthy Savage is a bushel of nutcases who would take a punch for each other.

Their dysfunction works in their favor. So you can try and compare Filthy Savage to any other band, but in the end, it doesn’t matter. And to quote Vanessa, “why question it if it feels right?” // SS

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Sour Mash

>>Picks

a look at new bands on the Sour Mash radar FEATURING

NEWPORT REDS JUGGERNUT PEOPLE IN CHARGE VIVA MAYDAY

PHOTO BY KIMMY GRACE

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NEWPORT REDS Tivoli, NY

PHOTO BY KIMMY GRACE

With influences such as Richard Hell, The Replacements and Jay Reatard, Newport Reds are here to shake you up. Hailing from both New York and New Jersey, Newport Reds are made up of the following: Mark Fletcher, Eamon Wagner, Freedom and Nate Smallwood. They have known each other for quite some time, Eamon and Mark having met back in 2003 when Marks band Sham-Poo played at Eamons school and in 2008/9 Mark, Nate and Freedom met in Keen North in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. Describing their music as ugly pop/punk/shitgaze, it's an understatement when I say they are unlike any band currently playing in New York. "I don't think we sound much like any other band" says Fletcher, "which is only a result of my inability to really write songs. I kind of just sit down to record something and do it, then it's brought to the band and totally changed for the live show."

With their 'we're going nowhere fast and we like it that way' attitude, Newport Reds are simply interested in making music and playing it for you.

Where they end up a few months down the line, a year, five years is not really the point. They of course hope to head down some path but for now they are content with playing shows and releasing

music. Newport Reds are fans of the NYC/BK DIY music scene, listing their favorite venues as Shea Stadium, Death By Audio and SMOG and having recently teamed up with Andrew Prieto to play the Fresh Arrest party in Bushwick. There is something strangely warm about playing DIY venues and I think Newport Reds are only going to fuel the fire.

Having released an EP titled 'I Don't Eat People', Newport Reds plan on releasing another EP called 'QUORCKI'. They of course plan on writing and recording a full length album as well, but that won't be ready until further into the year. Since Newport Reds are a relatively new band, they are still making their way through the scene. With an upcoming show at Shea Stadium for the 3 year anniversary of Personality Crisis, it's very exciting to see them playing shows that are just as unique and straightforward as they are. Their introduction is something Sour Mash is very proud to be a part of. They don't beat around the bush.

They give it to you straight and we like it that way. // LL

visit: newportreds.bandcamp.com

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PICKSPICK >>

PHOTO BY KIMMY GRACE

Juggernut is a band that we at The Sour Mash hold very near and dear to our hearts.

I would love to tell you that I’m just exaggerating and bullshitting...but we really are crazy for Juggernut! Juggernut is not just a band...they’re an experience (haha.) From having hotdog filled condoms stuffed down your shirt to chicken feet flying at you a Juggernut show is a show not easily forgotten. Having attended my share of Juggernut shows and even booking them on my own gigs I can tell you that they are just as down-to-Earth as they look. I mean, you’ve got Johnny Bizarre (one of 15(?) Jugger-nut members) who “hammers nails into his urethra”. Really. Being the mysterious cats they are we had trouble hunting them down for questions, but! we did find their official bio, check it out >>

JUGGERNUT New York , NY

nal of gut-busting songs and comics, spreading the image of Jugger-nut throughout downtown Manhattan and Williamsburg, and performing live at dive-bars, strip joints, poetry clubs, and birthday parties. The sound was electro-punk, the laughs were sexual, and the scene was crazed. One man, one keyboard, ONE NUT. In 2007 he was propositioned by Cliff Kaplan, a young maverick recording engineer working out of Bushwick, Brooklyn. Jugger-nut was growing and by the end of the year Down But Nut Out, the first Jugger-nut EP, was finished.

Donning a handmade nut-suit, Cliff joined Aric on stage for the first time in the fall of ’07: unapologetically over-energized and profoundly incoherent. Sharing the bill with punk rock and performance art alike, Jugger-nut steals the “Aric Shunneson left Denver in 1990. He trav- show, smashes the beer, and electrocutes the elled the world for thirteen years until finally audience at every opportunity.” // KG landing in a flophouse on New York City’s Bowery in 2003. It was here that Jugger-nut blasted through Aric’s mind, igniting an arsevisit: juggernut.net

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PEOPLE IN CHARGE New Brunswick, NJ

PHOTO BY MAVY ENT

The first time I encountered People in Charge, a self-proclaimed experimental indie folk punk shoe-gaze outfit from Jersey, was a cold spring afternoon at an empty amphitheatre at Montclair State University back in 2010. Providence would have it that I wore my Titus Andronicus t-shirt to the show, because even before the band hit their first note, I anticipated the similarities between the two - a bearded front man with a large guitar surrounded by his band mates, real flipster looking folks with an undeniable New Jersey air, amps strewn about the stage in a manner not unlike a basement rehearsal space. Needless to say, I was waiting to hear some lesser, rip-off version of Jersey’s beloved Titus. Much to my surprise, however, I found myself pleasantly tapping my toes and awaiting each well-placed chord change and yell from high atop the terraced hillside. Job well done, boys. People in Charge, from that day on, were a-okay in my book.

The next run-in I had with red-bearded leader of the group Sean House was (sure enough) at a Titus Andronicus show in a central

Jersey VFW, not quite a year after first seeing People in Charge. It was in the parking lot where I had a chance to speak with House a little more about his band. Things seemed to be slow for the group, whom at the time were coping with line-up changes, college, and what-have-you. In between drags of his all-natural Nat Sherman cigarettes, he voiced frustration with the inactivity of the group. We exchanged amiable conversation as we smoked, talking about the unfortunate addictive side effects of painkillers and nicotine. I would later see him in a push-pit, dripping with sweat and screaming out lyrics of the band I knew he had come to see.

A few months later in the Fall of 2011, I happened upon People in Charge playing at Jersey’s iconic Meatlocker. It was at this show where I really figured out what the band was all about. It seemed as though they had honed their style, putting a spin on the folk-punk genre in a way that couldn’t be mistaken for anybody else around. The band managed to a deliver a kick-ass raw show that fit perfectly in the dingy, over-van-

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dalized basement venue. People in Charge were hitting their stride, and it was obvious in House’s performance that he was happy to be where he was, in all respects.

Maybe it’s the bleak, rocky, and rural suburban atmosphere that makes Sean House have such similar sensibilities to fellow North Jerseyans such as Patrick Stickles of Titus Andronicus.

As House puts it, the “songs really come from a disdain for growing up…where there is nothing to do, no existence of creativity, and certainly no tolerance for anything other than Christian morality.” It is this contempt that can be found in nearly all of People in Charges songs. Angry, fed-up, and

PHOTO BY MAVY ENT

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all together disinterested is the best way I could describe House’s lyrics, and the songs are written in a manner to suit. So do yourself a favor, throw on your filthiest flannel and get to a People in Charge show.

Expect a new EP from the band sometime this Spring, but in the meantime, make your way over to www.peopleincharge.bandcamp.com and listen to their most recent EP, “Postmodern Garbage.” // JE

visit: peopleincharge.bandcamp.com

VIVA MAYDAY PHOTO BY MAVY ENT

Viva Mayday are a reggae/rock band hailing from the Upper West Side of New York City. With the original line-up having met in high school, Viva Mayday has gone through only slight lineup changes over the years. The band is currently made up of Jafe Paulino (guitar and lead vocals), Gian Stone (drums and backing vocals) and Sasha Krackoff (bass). You can hear the culture of the city flowing through their music, "Growing up in NYC has made me feel more like a world citizen than anything else", says Paulino. It's definitely an advantage to be able to breathe in inspiration but Viva Mayday aren't the type to take advantage of this. Jafe recalls growing up playing Afro-Dominican music, in particular a rhythm called Palo. He can relate this to being responsible for any musical talents he currently possesses. He continues, "There's an intense high when I get to play some loud music; my mind is blank, I'm thinking about nothing else in this damned world we live in: not love, not hate, not war, not peace. Just music." To hear those words echo out is something fantastic.

Seeing Viva Mayday perform live is where you get to see these words get put into action. Everything around you comes together, you form a bond with those around you and you feel an honest emotion growing within you. Having in the past played with bands such as SHAPES, Kink Ador, Beast Make Bomb and S'natra, Mayday certainly surround themselves with good company. These bands have a strong sense of camaraderie and when they

New York , NY

come together to play a show, you see the energy bouncing from band to band.

With a full length LP, "Consuela", on the way and having already released two singles from the unreleased LP, I am itching at it's release. Having recorded the album in Gians bedroom (aside from the drums being recorded at Ben Rice's Newkirk Studios in Brooklyn), the band count this project as their best to date. The entire process from writing to recording took a year and a half to complete and they are more than ready for it to get released into the wild. Having opened up their minds to different sounds and artists, Viva Mayday feel their sound now pays homage to "the roots and history of music". "I thank Gian a lot for that, he's put me on to so much music I didn't even know was out there", says Jafe, "our sound now pays homage to the roots and history of music, while at the same time blending them with the current world around us in an attempt to create something new. Hopefully we're succeeding." With a video on the way for their song "Demonic Woman" as well as awaiting the release of "Consuela", Viva Mayday are giving us much to look forward to in the year to come.

If you do find yourself attending a Viva show, do us one little favor, don't feed Jafe before the show.

Apparently this is a band rule and unless you want to see him puking his brains out on stage, you don't want to be sneaking him any snacks. // LL visit: vivamayday.com

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STORYTIME >>

…And That’sMeans WhattoThis Me what’s your story...

PHOTO BY KIMMY GRACE

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For a black girl into punk—growing up in Connecticut was more than difficult. I was like the Red-Nosed Reindeer of South Central Connecticut. Punk meant rock and rock was supposedly for white people. People like me just weren’t supposed to exist. Nobody knew how to relate to me.

At shows, I’d stand on the against the wall, with my arm up bracing myself against the baseball clad bros far too weary to come to close—to enter my sphere of uncertainty—an outcast amongst outcasts amongst outcasts. I was in it on my own.

I was in my own world, but a world with a population of one is hardly a world at all.

Sometime in my Junior year of high school, I stumbled upon a Ninjasonik video…Somebody Gonna Get Pregnant. It pushed boundaries, smooshed worlds—sure the quirky gentleman, I soon learned was dubbed Jah Jah, was rapping… but this wasn’t straight up hip hop…it was nothing like the hip hop my classmates hollered in the streets and the hallways. There was something else up with it, something that I could relate to.

As I dove in youtube’s rabbit hole of Brooklyn music, it became clear that the labels used to marginalize me, and construct a sense of invisibilities were easily disposable…I wasn’t invisible because I was no longer alone. The Death Set, Japanther, Team Robespierre all occupied the intersection of so many genres and worlds, so much so that implications attached to a particular one dissolved in a sense of community reliant on everybody having a good time. My whole life, I had people telling me that I wasn’t enough anything to be considered anything, I wasn’t black enough, I wasn’t punk enough. After finding that community that seemed so far away, it was plain to see that I didn’t have to be enough anything, it’s dope to just be me.

So a couple of years later, when I found myself in New York it only seemed appropriate to emerge myself in everything that I had admired for years. I thought, how could a community so seemingly solid and complete welcome someone like me? I was sure there was nothing I could contribute, so I cautious for months. When I finally gathered the courage to stumble into a venue on my own, it was evident that this meant

just as much to me as it did to the bands, the fans and anyone else in it. I was greeted humbly, nobody really cared that they had never seen me before. No matter where I went, someone would make eye contact with me and just smile. As if they were letting me they had nothing against me.

They weren’t trying to impress me, but get me involved. Nobody was out to prove that they were harder-core than I was, everyone was having fun and if you weren’t having fun someone was going to make you.

So here I am now, about a year later. There aren’t sheisty worldly expectations from any of my peers. Unlike other scenes, this isn’t a reflection of the world but an escape from it.

There are so many regulations in life, and people seem to think in a line, right to the to the right and left to the left, black is up and white is down, but look at us—we just are, neither here nor there, this or that…we’re all over the fucking galaxy, accommodating any space we can get a mangy fingers on. I’m not claiming that we are without flaw; this is not a naïve claim of perfection and being above theinfluence of the world. But we offer each other a temporary means of escape through a manner of connection based on genuineness and talent—something that the people forget exists. The world’s got two poles, people who don’t fit into either are in this area of ambiguity, and we are proudly staking our claim in that vast space. We engage in each other ambiguities just so we each know that the other exists. Let’s be honest, the world’s not out to make us feel welcome. If it were up to the majority of people, we would remain in an inferior mindset that so many of us have successfully escaped from.

So what if you perceive us as a bunch of reckless emerging adults. Us misfit toys are creating meaningful connections bracing ourselves against the world that is obviously crumbling around us.

So father, auntie, grandpa---judge us for having dye in our hair, drugs in our system and 40s in our hands, but please do realize that we’re gonna love your kid more than you could ever comprehend. //

SS

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SOURMASH FEATUREDARTIST >>

ANAMANAGUCHI The vivacious Anamanaguchi can easily be labled a staple Sour Mash band.

From raucous nights at Brooklyn venue Silent Barn (R.I.P) to Scott Pilgrim this is a band that we just love love...

PHOTO BY ETHAN SAKS

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To start things off for our readers who aren’t familiar with Anamanaguchi, how would you describe your music and how did you guys become a band?

Caffeinated electronic rock mixed with some punk and NES vibes How did you get involved in the chiptune scene?

Pete got involved back in 2003 from a friend of ours who was messing around with the software (who eventually formed a band called "The Depreciation Guild"), and it was a solo thing for him for a bit. We went to highschool together and had each played in punk / rock bands so he had asked to me to play bass. I was immediately intrigued by the technical and musical side of the NES that I had previously only used for gaming.

From there the band went through a couple lineup changes over the years, but became more 'serious' around 2008 when we met Ary at NYU (we all studied music technology together) and Luke at a house show in LA. What are you guys listening to right now?

Collectively: Zomby, Dedication TEETH, Whatever, Delicate Steve, Wondervisions, Diarrhea Planet, Loose Jewels ,Youth Lagoon, The Year of Hibernation, Tim Hecker, Ravedeath, 1972 Hella, Tripper Com Truise, Galactic Melt George & Jonathan, Beautiful Lifestyle, Britney Spears, Femme Fatale

It'll be good. I promise. Still have a lot of work to do so that's about all to say right now.

So what is your song writing process like? How late or early do you start thinking about the NES or game boy parts?

Pete does the majority of the writing, so that usually comes from him writing simultaneously between the electronic and guitar parts. Then we get together as a band and add/change/reorganize or whatever else needs to happen.

Scoring the Scott Pilgrim video game was a big deal to your fans as well as it was to you guys, how have things changed since then?

Aside from the obvious great exposure that it gave us, it also helped us really fine tune our songwriting and recording. The cues were written with strict deadlines so we became very efficient in all aspects of the writing/recording process. The Summer singles we recorded in 2010 are a direct result from that.

Would you guys ever be interested in scoring another video game if you had the chance?

If it's fitting, yeah, at some point in the future. But for now, we're super focused on working on our own stuff.

Sour Mash is all about New York so our readers would love to know, what do you guys do and where do you go when you’re not being AnamaYour fans know that your influences extend beyond naguchi? the video game sphere, but are there any specific I work part-time at an awesome hobbyist electronvideo game soundtracks that you personally love ics company (www.adafruit.com). Food & beer is and have drawn from? pretty awesome too. Tacos Morales food cart is a The Megaman games all have really great go to quick meal, also Vanessa's dumplings (just soundtracks, as does Silver Surfer for NES (though not the Union Sq one). Shea Stadium in Bushwick that game is horrendously awful & difficult). and Glasslands in Williamsburg are also great places to see live music and have a drink.

Fans should be happy to hear that according to you guys, there’s a new album in the works. How With 2012 officially in full swing may we ask would you describe what its sounding like so far? what we can expect from Anamanaguchi this The most obvious thing is that we're not limityear? ing ourselves to just a NES or Gameboy, and are A new album, and a lot more shows (once we're messing around with other tracking software/ done working on the album of course). // JL synths. Each song will have a different feel to it. visit: anamanaguchi.com

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SOURMASHINTERACTIVE WAT C H A NA M A NA G U C H I AT B L I P F E S T 2 0 1 1 PHOTO BY MARJORIE BECKER

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NINE LIVES THE CAT

On Jan 16th after much effort being that he was in Australia a day a head in time I interviewed Dan Walker aka Ninelivesthecat also of The Death Set via skype. We talked about what his plans were for 2012 and obviously cats! >>

PHOTOS BY SCOTT LOWE

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How did it all start out ?

NineLivesThe Cat started out in late 2004 while I was living in Brighton UK. It was my response to leaving Australia long term. A new era and such.

Where are you from/currently living?

I was born in the western suburbs of Sydney Australia in this shithole called Blacktown and then I grew up for the most part outside the burbs in this place called the Hawkesbury district. Now after much moving about the world I’m based here in Brooklyn.

How did you come up with your name?

I was sitting in a studio in Brighton working on some track and it kinda came out of nowhere. The project prior to NineLives The Cat was The Beat Traffikers with my old friend Beau Velasco (part founding Death Set member). His name in that project was Catfood. So in hindsight it made sense in that it was also a salute to him and all the fun and ridiculous projects we had worked on in the past before we both split to different countries.

so I could listen to them in the car. Also going to shows to see bands and DJs was a way to check out artists. I’d do a punk show one weekend then go and rave to techno for 3 days straight the following. It was all rad.

I recall Rob showing me a recording of your first band. Would there ever be a possible reunion show?

Ha! My first band "Nucous", hardcore band. A reunion show!? I don't think so. It was difficult enough trying to do shows when the band was together.

We actually played through the set 2 years ago like after 15 years apart. Pretty surprised we remembered most of it. We def had a spark between us, it just never went further then our hometown.

What's your favorite venue or weirdest city ?

Playng in a 6000 cap airplane hanger in Renne, France for Transmusicales. I also DJ’d and emceed on this enormous old boat on the Danube in Budapest, Hungary. It was bonkers you could feel the whole ship rocking under your feet, kids were goin craze!! This boat was fucking big to be moving like Tell me about Beat Traffikers. How have you it was. It was a mad party! The weirdest city ever evolved and how does it still influences you? played I don't remember the name but it was out The Beat Traffikers was myself and Beau. it was born out of this mutual love of turntables, hiphop, in the French countryside somewhere. It was like a school fete and we (as The Death Set at the time) bigbeat and ghettofunk. We DJ'd like new and were playing on this huge stage while all these old party hits, 4 decks and then we'd rap over alot of stuff and Beau had a sampler. It was a dj families were sitting around having dinner on foldgig but it was also pretty live. I still release mash- out tressel tables. Then we went and partied in this abandoned police station and ended up crashing up party tracks from time to time. Boogie Boutique, Manmade and Roca have put a few pieces in what turned out to be some boarding house for out over the years. So its still in my system to a de- juvenile offenders. They were all out on weekend release apparently…it was fucking weird gree. its a very British sound thats come from the Skint Records/Big Beat Boutique days of old. FatFavorite show to date?

Boy Slim, Bentley Rhythm Ace etc. but at its roots the whole style was originally influenced from the First proper show i saw in Sydney as a kid, Fugazi and Shellac. Always stuck with me. Fugazi were sampling of old school US hiphop and funk. So fucking amaze. Also seeing Iggy Pop play last when I first started djing like over 10 years ago now, I grew up listening to and mixing all that stuff year in France was fucking awesome and Atari Teenage Riot played the same festival. They absoso I’ll always have a soft spot for it and yeah it comes through in my writing occasionally. Depends lutely destroyed!!! Shouts CX!!! what project I’m working on. I have a ton of influFavorite bands to perform with? ences so where the Traffikers came from initially really is just one instance amongst many that have The New More Switchblades tour down to SXSW like 08?? I think it was or 09. It was us (Death Set), shaped the way I write and produce today.

Ninja Sonik, Team Robespierre, Totally Michael Over the last decade the way how music is shared and Cerebral Ballzy breaking in their first tour!!

Superchief mob in tow as well. It was super fun. has evolved it's a lot easier to share your music to the masses. When you started out how did you love playing rad shows with friends bands!!! share music and discover new artists?

Any advice on touring (about to go on my first one Before file sharing I remember making a lot of mixtapes on cassette recorded from underground in March)? and off the radar radio stations. Cassette to cas- Giving you any advice about touring would be futile and hypocritical of me because what I’d sette copies and sharing with friends that way. I grew up as a kid with tape and vinyl. Then even- tell you not to do, I generally do on tour all the time…. if i could offer any one thing though it tually CDs came along. id copy them to cassette

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Yeah I had a under cut way back when, I was so into it hahaha!! I was kinda shy and awkward, but I rocked the Oakley frogskins, vision fanny pack, original DV8s, flipped caps, band shirts and the Any up and coming projects? checkered flannels. Riding around on Alva skates Yeah NineLives The Cat is shooting the first video and Gullwings with the big fatty wheels. This is for the track "LaLaLa" at the end of Jan. The single is being re-released by Boogie Boutique with like early 90's. funny shit I had a kid come up to me when I first moved to new york saying "hey you a XXXChange remix and an exclusive Ninelives remix alongside the video and working on the live wearing your cap flipped" implying kinda subtly show too. ZAP! POW! DIE! has a new single "Caro- that maybe id never seen it done before, but really!? I was flipping caps back when this kid was lina" finalized with remixes from Surekut Kids , Gainsborough and Prosper. Waiting on a release learning to tie shoe laces and that time frame is date and also a ZAP! POW! DIE! remix of a XXX- probably very real haha! but you know the States has always had a big influence fashion wise and I Change track is in the works and me and Johnny was definitely influenced by all the rad styles haphave started a new project called "The Post Rikpening back then and still now. Everything is cyclic. ers Rapp Starrs". The first single "Rikers Theme" So yeah, if i was rocking today what I was wearis coming out soon on Designer Drugs label "Sex ing back then I’d be looking mad hipster even Cult" alongside a bunch of rad remixes. Also more so then I do now hahaha! My awkward cool working on a live show for the Rikers racket. teenage phase has come full circle and turned into and from now The Death Set is just chillin for the awesome cool adult phase, but you know rad shit minute until we start writing again.. is timeless so whatever motivates you.

Your favorite thing about doing what you do ? ….is that I love doing what I do. Even when it sucks What's the deal with vegimite?

Its basically used brewers yeast. Its fucking gross, its still amazing but I do have to admit that it has grown on me over time (the flavor that is, not the fucking yeast) Whats your song writing aesthetic ? and now I eat it occasionally if I’m back home, but - beats - bassline - everything else - structure vocals - heavy edits. For straight studio stuff this is rarely. Its a super savory shitty colored looking the general route. Otherwise I’ll write songs on the spread that is an icon of Australian popular culture. Its very name and relevance to the countries guitar now and again or the keys and then take history. Many Australians will defend to the death, them into the studio to build on them. but the product is actually owned by an American company. So go figure would be this…PACE YOURSELF. I’m laughing at myself while I write this

How do you deal with writers block?

I don't!! maybe now im a little more relaxed about it though if theres nothing there I wont stress as hard as i used to. The block runs its course eventually so now I’ll just try and do something else thats still productive but not necessarily music. In time you come back to it at your own pace when your ready. Could be a day, could be a month. I’m just impatient and want every single thing done right now and in the best possible way.

That probably stresses me more than a block but its all relevant in feeling part way insane from lack of creativity Touring anytime soon? fuck no….

Biggest pet peeve?

The state of the human race and pictures of your food on facebook. Eat that shit already…I don't care.

Did you go through and awkward teen phase ( bad hair cut choices etc) (lol)?

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What do you like to cook and what is your favorite book?

BBQ chicken, passed down family recipe. Its moorish…and no I don't have any pictures. Favorite book? I remember when i first read Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka it made me so emotional. I may have been partying for days before reading it I can’t quite remember, but I always remember that short story hit a nerve ending. I really enjoy Kafka’s angle and I really enjoy Burroughs. For his time he was a pretty revolutionary writer in confronting the system the way he did at that particular point in the last century and Brett Easton Ellis for dark and twisted. Like watching a car wreck. you wanna stop looking but you can’t. Sinister shit.

Whats up with all the cat love ?

Cats are great cause they don’t give a fuck for much except the essentials and I can respect that, its straight up survival and no amount of your time fussing over them can ever match or placate that basic urge. You can tell yourself all day long that they love you but put that cat out there on its own to fend for itself and its forgotten your ass in a

second guaranteed. You can see the people that either love that quality or are incredibly offended by it. Cats are a good multi purpose psych device in determining peoples true nature and quirks‌‌ they are also cute, soft, fun and nice to pat.

Whats your favorite cat and what would you name them?

My favourite cat is a big grey cat I used to own called Clive Thorax back when I was living in Austalia. He was awesome but he eventually ran away to live at the gas station up on the highway cause they had air-conditioning and fresh hams.

What do you want out of 2012?

Definitely concentrating on producing artists and engineering, building up my studio and clientele this year. Focusing on NineLives and Post Rikers writing and live acts. Traveling in perfect holiday mode. Big internal change and the fucking off of general madnesses and psychological ills. love, health, wealth and happiness in all its great abundance!!! and generally just looking to GET AMONGST IT!!!! // SC

visit: myspace.com/ninelivesthecat

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SOURMASH LISTENTOTHIS >>

“LEPER”

>>SHAPES

Fast, ballsy punk rock to get drunk and dance with your friends to. Kick a hole in your wall if you feel so inclined.

tracklisting: SOME FOLK SONG IN D (NEVERMIND) HI, PLEASE LEPER

>>STREAM “LEPER” HERE

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SOURMASH ONTHEPROWL >>

DISCOVER NEW MUSIC

A Sound from Pennsylvania

>>EDELWEISS

Its not everyday that a band will come along who will completely blow you away. It almost seems you have heard everything that could possibly be out there. I easily tire of hearing what seems to be the same thing over and over again. One thing I wasn’t expecting was solace to come out of Pennsylvania. It seems that I have overlooked something so close, as if I have been blinded to the fact that there is music creeping out of the walls in places other than NYC. So it is my absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to introduce a band to you who have what it seems this scene has been lacking.

Edelweiss are a fresh, young, self-described gypsy punk band from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Made up of 5 members (Coby Porlier, Thomas Vitale, Niko Porlier, Donald Young and Jupiter Cashman) they write songs that are well beyond their years and have some of the most energetic live shows you’ll have the honor of attending. With each band member under the age of 20, Edelweiss can easily be considered as a band who will shake things up in the year to come. Personally, I know nothing about the music scene in Pennsylvania, so I was very intrigued when I heard the sounds Edelweiss are making. Their songs are fueled by danceworthy

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beats and electric rhythm. You listen to them and are completely stunned. Having already released their debut EP, ‘Pre-Columbians’, they have proved that they have what it takes to stick around. With standout tracks such as ‘Icarus’ and ‘Witches and Vampires’, Edelweiss make you drool over their voltaic arrangements. One can only wish that they release more tunes for our crying ears.

Since they are such a young band, to think about the hard work they must put into their music is truly commendable. Juggling school, writing music and touring can’t be easy. Its something that even some of the most seasoned bands have trouble balancing. Putting all of this into consideration, you have got to hand it to these boys. This is obviously what they want to do and they are taking the rights steps to make it happen. Having recently played the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn and the Surprise Attack! CMJ Showcase, Edelweiss are quickly emerging themselves in the NYC music scene and they are flourishing.

With so much interest surrounding them, I wanted to delve deep into the different elements that make up the band. Drummer, Coby Porlier, was able to indulge my interest and answer my questions. >>

LL: How did you decide on naming the band Edelweiss?

Coby: We chose our band name back when Niko and I were the only ones playing together, because we’re brothers. We were on a cross country road trip with our family and my dad actually came up with the name for us and decided to stick with it.

about the band/band members? You’re an interesting bunch, I’m sure you can think of something.

Coby: Tommy has never played bass before he came over to my house to play covers with us. Jupiter is really Shane’s middle name.

Donald is in ridiculously advanced classes in school. And Niko is the only one in the band with a girlfriend.

LL: You’re a young group, are your families supportive of your decision to play in a band? LL: What is the music scene like in PA? Coby: Our families are very supportive of the band. They go to a lot of our shows and are completely okay with the idea of us going on the road as a band.

Coby: The music scene around us is pretty lame. No bands that are really known anywhere besides here.

LL: What is your touring schedule like? Do you like to stick to playing on the weekends?

Coby: We used to play around here a lot during our first few months together, but since then we’ve slowed it down to almost every 6 or 7 months. We’d like to do another before our school year ends, sometime in the spring.

LL: Can you recall some of your first shows?

LL: You’re from PA but you have played many shows in NYC, just curious, how does touring Coby Porlier-The first show we played was a work for you? battle of the bands at Tommy’s high school and that was back when it was just Tommy, Coby: Well this kind of leads back to the last Niko, and me. question. When we have shows anywhere, my dad (our tour manager) drives us and the LL: Do you often play in or around Stroudsgear to them, no matter where it is. burg?

Coby: We prefer playing shows on the weekends so we can stay for the whole show and hang out, not be stressed over trying to get out of there. But we also do a lot of week day LL: What do you write your songs about? shows in the city and those are of course fun as well.

Coby: Our songs are really not about anything. If you were to read through our lyrics, it LL: Describe the feeling of playing a live would sound like we’re putting sentences in show? random order because that’s basically what we do.

Coby: Playing a live show is one of the best feelings ever. It really gets the adrenaline LL: To date, what has been your biggest live flowing and is a lot of fun. We feed off of the show? crowd’s energy, so when the crowd is really getting into the music, it makes us enjoy the Coby: Definitely one of our hometown shows show more and we go more crazy than previ- at the Sherman Theater. One of them was in ously. It’s pretty awesome. the 800’s. That was a good one.

LL: Pre-Columbians was your first EP. What was LL: Do you hope to incorporate other instruthe whole process and schedule like? ments into your music? Play around with different sounds?

Coby: Well, we only spent 5 days recording the entire EP. First two days were in late Coby: We probably won’t end up putting December of 2010, the next three were in more instruments into our music. I think we’re April of 2011. But on the contrary, the EP took all pretty satisfactory with our current set up months to write. and don’t want to tamper with it. We kind of just write whatever we can produce and LL: What have been some major milestones in it’s usually spanning the same general sound Edelweiss’ career? we’ve previously created.

Coby: Playing New York, releasing the EP, playing live on radio. I’m not sure what else really.

LL: Do you plan to release any more singles, EP’s, a full length album?

Coby: We definitely plan on releasing a full length sometime in the near future and possibly a single or even another EP in the even nearer future.

LL: What random facts can you give me

LL: Where do you see the band headed or where would you like to see the band headed in the next few years? I know its a loaded question.

Coby: In the next few years we would like to tour, release a full length album. Touring with one of our favorite bands would be pretty sweet too. Another one is playing Terminal 5 in New York. We dream big. // LL

visit: edelweissofficial.bandcamp.com

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BANDCRUSH >>

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Sour Mash

BAND CRUSH Big Troubles Ridgewood, NJ

Members: Alex Craig, Ian Drennan, Sam Franklin and Luka Usmiani

When you listen to the band Big Troubles you don't immediatly think that they are an American band. They have what sounds like a British influence but don't be fooled, Big Troubles are a shoegaze band out of Ridgewood, New Jersey. The band is made up of 4 main members: Alex Craig, Ian Drennan, Sam Franklin and Luka Usmiani. Having been influenced by mid-90's garage rock and of course, shoegaze, they are that type of band who you listen to and absolutely fall in love with.

Their songs are catchy, something you sway back and forth to, gin and tonic in hand. Listening to Big Troubles will make your eyes starry, there is a vulnerable feeling that echoes through your speak-

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ers, especially on tracks such as 'She Smiles For Pictures' and 'Misery', two songs off their recently released sophomore album 'Romantic Comedy'. As you listen to the album you quickly feel like you can relate to the songs of heartache, it's an attachment you don't soon want to break.One thing that I like about this album is that it only contains 6 tracks, it doesn't overpower your senses but leaves you thirsty for more. We can only hope for some more releases off Big Troubles but for now I'll settle for listening to them serenade me through my headphones. // LL MORE BIG TROUBLES

bigtroubles.bandcamp.com

We manage bands. We take photos. We book shows.

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SHOUT ALONGS

L e a r n t h e l y r i c s, g o t o s h ow s a n d s i n g a l o n g t o s o m e o f S o u r M a s h ’s fa vo r i t e s o n g s

BIG UPS - SHUT YOUR MOUTH

I just wanna say, yeah i really wanna say shut your mouth, shut your mouth never ever thinking, no not thinking what comes out, what comes out why are you talking? you just go on and on talk about nothing for so long, for so long chorusdo you think that you could please be more boring?

I think II'm going to fall asleep cuz it's the same old thing It's the same old thing cuz you're so boring would you please just shut your mouth?

I don't wanna hear it, no I don't wanna hear it your thought has lost its train cuz when you open your mouth, you open your mouth I shut off my brain, I shut off my brain everything you say, every little thing you say I find to be so inane cuz you're so damn loud and you're so damn proud and sometimes I just can't contain myself chorusyou'll never learn gotta wait your turn you'll never learn just wait your turn

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R I T Z R I OT - I ’ L L B E O K AY

Too many nights I’ve spent trying to sleep wake up with mysetry bruises all over me guess I’m as klutzy as can be this is just for now I’ll be ok chorusfuck the negative thinking when your drinking good times and good friends thats where I wanna be too young to die stop asking why always stay fly our names are on your walls we run the streets tonight won’t let my days turn into nights wont go binge drinking waste my night snorting lines no aspartame friends by my side artificially sweet wont be decieved by cancerous company chorusfuck the negative thinking when your drinking good times and good friends thats where I wanna be too young to die stop asking why always stay fly our names are on your walls we run the streets tonight my mind is left untamed as I settle under covers too quick to grasp I’m strapped for cash thought bubbles left to plunder I hold 6 shots of booze and pain to plastic wrap my leaking brain I’ve go no more time left for me chorusfuck the negative thinking when your drinking good times and good friends thats where I wanna be too young to die stop asking why always stay fly our names are on your walls we run the streets tonight

SOURMASHINTERACTIVE L I S T E N T O : “ S h u t Yo u r M o u t h ” by B I G U P S > > H E R E L I S T E N T O : “ I ’l l B e O K ” by R I T Z R I OT > > H E R E

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HELLO!

ARE YOU IN A BAND INTERESTED IN BEING FEATURED IN FUTURE SOUR MASH ISSUES? PERHAPS YOU KNOW A BAND YOU THINK SHOULD BE FEAUTRED? CONTACT US AT THESOURMASHBLOG@GMAIL.COM SUBJECT LINE “BAND FEATURE [BAND NAME]” Many of the live photos featured in Sour Mash are taken by the zine’s very own Kimmy Grace. If you’re interested in having us shoot your band at your next show please email Kimmy at: kimmygracesantos@gmail.com Subject line “Photo Request [Live Shows]”

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THANK YOU SO

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fuckin (oops.)

MUCH

CREDITS

Cover Story >> The Sour Mash Girls Started a Zine?! WORDS BY KIMMY GRACE SPECIAL FEATURE >> BIG UPS WORDS BY KIMMY GRACE SPECIAL FEATURE >> Personality “Fuckin” Crisis WORDS BY KIMMY GRACE SPECIAL FEATURE >> Unstoppable Death Machines WORDS BY SYMPHONY A SPELL Q&A SESSIONS >> EULA INTERVIEWED BY SHIRLEY CRUZ Q&A SESSIONS >> SPANISH PRISONERS INTERVIEWED BY KIMMY GRACE Q&A SESSIONS >> Flagland INTERVIEWED BY SHIRLEY CRUZ Q&A SESSIONS >> Ritz Riot INTERVIEWED BY LEAH LOVECAT NEW MUSIC >> Graffiti Monsters WORDS BY KIMMY GRACE A DAY WITH >> Filthy Savage WORDS BY SYMPHONY A SPELL SOUR MASH PICKS >> Newport Reds WORDS BY LEAH LOVECAT SOUR MASH PICKS >> Juggernut WORDS BY KIMMY GRACE SOUR MASH PICKS >> People in Charge WORDS BY JANE ESTER SOUR MASH PICKS >> Viva Mayday WORDS BY LEAH LOVECAT STORYTIME >> ...And That’s What This Means to Me WORDS BY SYMPHONY A SPELL FEATURED ARTIST >> Nine Lives the Cat INTERVIEWED BY SHIRLEY CRUZ FEATURED ARTIST >> Anamanaguchi INTERVIEWED BY JOHNNY LEGS ON THE PROWL >> Edelweiss WORDS BY LEAH LOVECAT BAND CRUSH >> Big Troubles WORDS BY LEAH LOVECAT

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