2012 UMS Band Interviews #8

Click the link below for complete info about venues, performers, and times for 2012's UMS!
The UMS July 19th-22nd South Broadway


Imperial Teen

Where and when are you playing at the UMS?

Hey, we are Imperial Teen and we are playing Friday night at 3 Kings Tavern on Broadway.

How long has your band been together?

We have been together for a while now, since the late 90's working on music off and on.

Describe your band's music to someone who may not have heard them before.

We are a melodic pop band with 2 guitars, drums, lotsa keys sometimes, drums, bass, and we enjoy singing harmonies. Lyrics are mostly truthful, sometimes smarty-pants.

What was the first album you purchased?

I am the usual drummer, Lynn, and my first records bought were...45's, singles...lots of punk rock singles, black flag, the chiefs, gogo's, PIL...and the last one i bought was...

Yuck or the new XX, i think.

Having recorded with both indie labels and major labels, can you share some of your experiences with them, both pro and con?

We all pretty much like indie labels.

Besides your own band- who do you want to see at the UMS?

I heard Cloud Nothings and Class Actress were playing...want to see them.

Don't know many Denver bands, yet, but am looking forward to being on the same bill with a few of 'em.

If you were behind the counter at Twist and Shout, what three albums would you recommend to our customers?

If I worked at Twist and Shout today, I would suggest people check out Blur's record called Blur, Cults' record called Cults, Daft Punk's Discovery.

Morriconez

Where and when are you playing at the UMS?

the esteemed Gildar Gallery at 6pm on Saturday july 21st.

How long has your band been together?

The project itself is my solo project outside of my other work as george&caplin and Wentworth Kersey.  It has been going on for about a year.  I recently put together a live band, as I was craving the interaction with a live audience.  Very honored to have the help of Jason Iselin (george&caplin), Corey Ryan (Sandusky), and Marcellus Lewis (MicroHoliday, 86spaceboat).

What was your band's first live show/ performance and what was memorable about it?

My first show was at a gallery as george&caplin.  We filled the whole room with balloons and I was inconsolably nervous.  My only saving grace was the band before us went on a bizarre anti/pro-Jesus rant for a half hour and the crowd was visibly over it.  Any music at that point would have been good.  Still, I was missing keys on the keyboard while I played as a result of jittery hands and when I played trumpet the shakes were visible.  In the end it turned out quite alright.

What was the first album you purchased?

Duran Duran Arena

What album was your most recent purchase?

Peaking Lights Lucifer and Ty Segall Slaughterhouse

Do you have any advice for new bands?

Don’t be a genre.

Besides your own band- who do you want to see at the UMS?

Really excited to check out Kevin Costner Suicide Pact, Married in Berdichev, Black Moth Super Rainbow, and of course Atlas Sound.

Best past UMS experience?

The two most memorable shows were 2010 and 2011 with Wentworth Kersey. In 2010 we played at the architecture garden. It was a charming little garden, the sun was setting, and the audience was there for the music; A perfect vibe for the mood of the tunes.  Last year was memorable too because I kept throwing a few NWA drum loops at Joe Kersey Sampson in between our songs, the crowd loved it and if you know Joe, he just laughed.

Do you have any tips for festival goers?

Go, come say hello, and I will gladly donate my new album to the service of your ears courtesy of the good folks at Wil-Ru Records.

What's the best food people can find on Broadway during the festival?

Water

Who is your all time favorite Denver band?

Either Tyler Potts (recor) or Bright Channel or even Joe Sampson or the Hot IQs or Dormir.  Jeez, Denver is rich.

If you were behind the counter at Twist and Shout, what three albums would you recommend to our customers?

OLD: White Fence Family Perfume Vol. 1 and 2

OLDER: Flying Canyon Flying Canyon

OLDEST: Jim Sullivan UFO

Is there anything we forgot to ask you about the UMS that you think people need to know?

Help keep local music alive, participate by buying from all the great artists and local labels like Plastic Sound Supply, Bocumast, Fellow Creature, etc. The list goes on and on.

Le Divorce

(answered by Kitty Vincent)

Where and when are you playing at the UMS?

8pm, Friday night at 3 Kings

How long has your band been together?

since summer of 2009

What was your band's first live show/ performance and what was memorable about it?

What wasn't memorable about it?  It was art-walk night at the Theory & Practice space on Santa Fe.  The theme of the night was Dia De Los Muertos, so everyone in the audience had their face painted and there was a giant red skull on stage behind us. Also, it was the first time I had ever played guitar in public and the P.A. was for DJs, not bands, so the feedback was crazy.  All in all, pretty epic.

What was the first album you purchased?

Can't remember, either Debbie Gibson or New Kids on the Block. 

What album was your most recent purchase?

Bought a stack of vinyl the other day:

Tears for Fears - Songs From The Big Chair

R.E.M. - Document

Talking Heads - Fear of Music

Pink Floyd - Meddle

Do you have any advice for new bands?

Pitchfork isn't your friend, and songwriting is more important than your hairstyle  

Besides your own band- who do you want to see at the UMS?

Overcasters, Jen Korte & the Loss, Land Lines, Accordion Crimes, Pacific Pride, Dressy Bessy, Achille Lauro, The Morning Clouds, Kyle Simmons, The Don'ts and Be Carefuls.

Best past UMS experience?

Machine Gun Blues covering "20th Century Boy" at 3 Kings 2010.  It was the sweatiest, drunkenest, most destructive thing ever witnessed at UMS.  And the microphone shoved down Aaron's sweaty red Jockey shorts is the reason I always bring my own mic.  :-)

Do you have any tips for festival goers?

please, please, wear deodorant.

What's the best food people can find on Broadway during the festival?

Senor Burritos or Delite.  But if the food trucks are out, that's the way to go.

Who is your all time favorite Denver band?

Twice Wilted

If you were behind the counter at Twist and Shout, what three albums would you recommend to our customers?

Blonde Redhead - Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons

White Rabbits - It's Frightening

Rilo Kiley - Execution of All Things

The National - Boxer

crap. that's four.

Is there anything we forgot to ask you about the UMS that you think people need to know?

This will most likely be Le D's last show, so we hope everyone will come and give us a fond send-off into the void. And not to worry; Kitty, Mike, and Luke already have a new project underway.

Rob Drabkin

Where and when are you playing at the UMS?

We take over Moe's BBQ Sunday, July 22nd 9pm,

How long has your band been together?

In 2006, I wrote my first song!  in 2008 we played our first band performance at The Fox Theatre

What was your band's first live show/ performance and what was memorable about it?

My first gig was performing in Cheesman.  I was paid $100 to perform to a young couple while the gentleman proposes.  He went down on one knee, she said no, dumped him on the spot and ran away on her motorcycle.

What was the first album you purchased?

Michael Jackson Bad.  Cassette tape.  Age 5. Dance party.  Perfection. 

What album was your most recent purchase?

Robert Earl Keen.  Live At The Ryman

Do you have any advice for new bands?

Do a live record!!!! :).  It's been our most successful release so far.  People love hearing it.

Besides your own band- who do you want to see at the UMS?

Kyle James Hauser.  His songs have character and feel and he has serious chops on the banjo!

Best past UMS experience?

Prepping to stage dive at the goodwill parking lot 3pm set in the blaze.  Our set was in the scorching heat!   Everyone in the parking huddled together in 30 square feet of the stage to stay cool.  I had 100% confidence in pulling a hospital free stage dive.  :)

Do you have any tips for festival goers?

Do not eat subway.  That place is gross and Moe's BBQ is one block north.  

What's the best food people can find on Broadway during the festival?

MOE'S BBQ!!!!!!! 

Who is your all time favorite Denver band?

Go Go Lab  (my backing band - Brian McRae, Bijoux Barbosa and Eric Moon).  They'll teach you how to play and you'll never see a band improvise the way they do. 

If you were behind the counter at Twist and Shout, what three albums would you recommend to our customers?

Paul Simon Graceland, Of Monsters and Men My Head Is an Animal,  Bela Fleck and The Flecktones Live Art

Is there anything we forgot to ask you about the UMS that you think people need to know?

It's our 3rd year :)

Tommy Metz

Where and when are you playing at the UMS?

Saturday 10pm @ Delite

How long has your band been together?

15 Years

What was your band's first live show/ performance and what was memorable about it?

In Jr. High School I performed in front of all the students and parents during a school orchestra/band concert. It was a solo performance of two experimental electronic songs.

What was the first album you purchased?

The Aladdin Soundtrack.

What album was your most recent purchase?

Kuedo - Severant

Do you have any advice for new bands?

Don't ever let "Being Cool" dictate your music. Just make music as if nobody will ever hear it.

Besides your own band- who do you want to see at the UMS?

Black Moth Super Rainbow

Best past UMS experience?

Wentworth Kersey 2011.

Do you have any tips for festival goers?

Get the next Monday off.

What's the best food people can find on Broadway during the festival?

Famous Pizza.

Who is your all time favorite Denver band?

I can't answer this.

If you were behind the counter at Twist and Shout, what three albums would you recommend to our customers?

J Dilla - Donuts

Boards of Canada - Music Has the Right to Children

Autechre - Confield