Monday, July 11, 2011

2011 UMS band Interviews #3

Twist and Shout has asked some bands performing at the UMS to answer a few questions for us- check out these bands July21st-July24 at the UMS.



Achille Lauro:
Where and when are you playing at the UMS? 
we have the distinct pleasure of playing the skylark friday night at 11:55 pm.  going to be an excellent way to cap off day two of the Denver Post Underground Music Showcase.

Do you have your cd for sale at Twist and Shout? 
indeed we do have last years release, "Indiscretions", in the vinyl section at twist and shout. VINYAL ONLY BABY.    we also released our own scented candle (with a download code good for the two newest tracks we recorded earlier this year) and it will be available soon at twist and shout.  but you can always go to http://hotcongressrecords.com/ and pick one up online.

How long has your band been together? 
we have been playing together for about six years.  but only two years with the current lineup.
What was your band's first live show/ performance?
like many denver bands our first show was at the infamous Larimer Lounge. Voices  Underwater, Pena, and the then virgin Achille Lauro.  thanks la lo.  we owe it all to you.
What was the first album you purchased? 
Moving Pictures by Rush.  no shit.  all of us.  the first and only record we own.  literally.  that's the only album any of us own.
Do you have any (quick) advice for new bands? 
never bring a guitar stand to a show unless your are prepared to forget it or have it stolen by someone.  always bring your own drum kit.  you have to remember everyone else's drum kit sucks.  and last, be humble.  
Besides your own band- who do you want to see at the UMS? 
vicious women, spires, amazing twin, hot white, el ten eleven, glass hits, kingdom of magic, tommy metz, accordion crimes, hindershot, vitamins, dendrites, land lines, SAUNA, 200 million years, zebroids, lil slugger, flashlights, hearts in space, fingers of the sun, faceman, king mob, tinhorn players, blueberry cake, to name a few.
Best past UMS experience? 
every year blends together into a fun/sweaty/drunk/tired/ears blown out/sunburned/blistered feet/rejected by that girl you like or maybe you really didn't like but hey it was the dpums so anything goes right? mess.  but last year.  wow.  last year was the shit.

Do you have any tips for festival goers? 
don't be afraid to have fun.  the dpums come but once a year.  

What's the best food people can find on Broadway during the festival? 
food?  here's another tip for festival goers. don't eat food!  it takes up valuable space in your stomach that can be easily be filled with fun loving booze.  
Who is your all time favorite Denver band? 
vitamins.....or lil slugger.  which is funny cause both of them started out in greely.
If you were behind the counter at Twist and Shout, what three albums would you recommend to our customers? 
"Alopcia" by Why?.  "Surfer Rosa" by the pixies.  "whokill" by tune-yards.
Is there anything we forgot to ask you about the UMS that you think people need to know? 
love actually is everyfuckingwhere,  -jonny and the lauro  
Bonnie and The Beard
Where and when are you playing at the UMS?
 We are playing Sunday the 24th at the Irish Rover at 4pm.
Do you have your cd for sale at Twist and Shout?
Yep-- Right now it is in the UMS display. 
How long has your band been together?
Been together about 18 moons long.

Best past UMS experience?
Hmm. Last year The Beard was chased over several blocks by a drunken, shirtless Scotsman and Bonnie took a flying beer can to the eye later that evening...

Do you have any tips for festival goers?
Hydrate!


Take To The Oars
Where and when are you playing at the UMS?  
We are playing at Moe's BBQ (5th and broadway) at 10pm Saturday, July 23rd.

Do you have your cd for sale at Twist and Shout? 
Yes we do.

How long has your band been together? 
This lineup has been together for 3 years, but we did not coin ourselves as Take To The Oars until June 2010.

What was your band's first live show/ performance? 
With our current lineup we played the Bluebird for a friends CD release show.  We love playing that venue.

What was the first album you purchased? 
Record actually, Michael Jackson's "Bad."  First CD was Nirvana "Nevermind."

Do you have any (quick) advice for new bands? 
You have to dive in and go after it with reckless abandon.  Most importantly you have to believe in your music and enjoy the process, because that is the only thing that is guarantee.
Besides your own band- who do you want to see at the UMS? 
We always enjoy the Photo Atlas & Epilogues, Caleb Slade is fantastic, Sage Francis should be great...honestly the local pool of talent in Denver is ridiculous, so I plan on doing a little bit of exploring.  Sarah Slade, in addition to keeping us in line, has a great way of involving the crowd.  We are just excited to be a part of it.

Best past UMS experience? 
Seeing Gregory Alan Isakov at the Hi-Dive last year was very cool, and intimate.  Also I saw Snake Rattle Rattle Snake for the first time at UMS and it was like "okay I see what the buzz is about."  Plus you can't beat cold beers and rock n roll in the sun.  Denver really gets out and supports and anytime you can be a part of that, it is memorable.

Do you have any tips for festival goers? 
get there early and stay late, because the lineup this year is stacked.  You might want to request Monday off from work or, at the very least, practice your "I'm sick" phone call to the boss.

What's the best food people can find on Broadway during the festival? 
Moe's BBQ is delicious... everyone already knows about Sputnik and for the record it is worth the wait.  If you can't afford to eat out, then I recommend packing a lunch, but keep the tomato and lettuce in a separate bag or else it will soak the bread and potentially ruin your sandwich. 

Who is your all time favorite Denver band?  
that's a tough one...My favorite recent album out of Denver is Nathaniel Ratliff's "In Memory of Loss"

If you were behind the counter at Twist and Shout, what three albums would you recommend to our customers? 
The previously mentioned "In Memory of Loss," Outkast "ATLiens," and I'm sorry, but I have to do this because I'm biased and damn proud of our debut album. Take To The Oars "American Volume."

 
Churchill 

Where and when are you playing at the UMS?
-We are playing Sunday night at 6pm on the main stage.

Do you have your cd for sale at Twist and Shout?
-yes

How long has your band been together?
-we've been together for a little over 2 years.

What was your band's first live show/ performance?
-  We played our first show as a whole band at the meadowlark. lots of our early shows were played there. 
What was the first album you purchased?
- tim bought Jars of Clay 
- Mike bought 'I am' by Nas
-Joe bought Offspring
- Tyler bought 'upbeats and beat downs' by Five Iron Frenzy
Bethany bought the men in blck soundtrack
Do you have any (quick) advice for new bands?
-Play alot of shows, write a lot of songs, get to know as many denver musicians as you can. they're all cool. 

Besides your own band- who do you want to see at the UMS?
Gregory Alan Isakov
Archeology
The Centennial 
Dan Craig

Best past UMS experience?
-we had a blast playing our show last year at moe's. by the end of our set you couldn't find where the stage ended and the audience began. it was a free for all and it was an awesome experience. 

Do you have any tips for festival goers?
-Go to as many shows as you can. Go see bands you've never heard of, and at least one show at the church on south broadway. that room is amazing. 

What's the best food people can find on Broadway during the festival?
-so much amazing food. late night menu at the hornet is great. and sweet action ice cream. 

Who is your all time favorite Denver band?
- Too many great denver bands to decide! some of our favorites are Meese, The Fray, Five Iron Frenzy, Gregory Alan Isakov, Nathaniel Rateliff and Dan Craig, and there is always a new band we're into as well. 

If you were behind the counter at Twist and Shout, what three albums would you recommend to our customers?
- the new bon iver album
- Nickel Creek 'why should the fire die'
-The Black Keys 'Brothers'

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