Summer is officially here tomorrow, and Richmond is totally feelin’ it. Folks had a rad time at the Summer Solstice Power Plant jamming out without electricity this past weekend, and there are tons of videos and photos to fill-in those of us who were out of town or wherever. Thanks to GalaxyGirl and Silver Persinger. This week we have new stuff from all over:
Summer is officially here tomorrow, and Richmond is totally feelin’ it. Folks had a rad time at the Summer Solstice Power Plant jamming out without electricity this past weekend, and there are tons of videos and photos to fill-in those of us who were out of town or wherever. Thanks to GalaxyGirl and Silver Persinger. This week we have new stuff from all over:
You may remember seeing the brilliant new video “Street Cat,” by Life Coach debuted here on RVA Mag a couple of days ago. The band involves members of Sports Bar (Stuart Holt, Kemper Blair) and Sexy Crimes. Now they have released a debut of “Killer” (that’s one of the song titles) pop. The male-to-female layered call-and-response vocals make this pop punk album extra fun.
Wolfbite is a new pop punk band which just released a diy, self-titled three-song EP. Guitarist Jonny Weather engineered the recordings, and the feeling is pretty loose and carefree. The guys from Wolfbite answered a few questions about how the band got together and what they think of RVA’s punk scene. Drummer James Dahlman was MIA for questions, but as bassist Ryan Cacophony said, “Whatever, he’s just the drummer.” Hahaha.
How did Wolfbite get together?
Jonny: Wolfbite came together after Jamie and I were playing in a band with this guy Steve, but we were a 3 piece with 2 guitars and looking for a bass player. We disbanded and Jamie (the drummer) found a bass player (Ryan). They had been playing for awhile and I jammed with them a few times. We all dug each other and kept playing.
Ryan: I’ve been in countless bands in my years but that shit’s history. I met Jamie thru Craigslist. I had just moved to RVA and was tired of not being in a band. After a few missteps, I finally found the dudes I’ve been looking for. No homo.
Have you guys been in other bands?
Jonny: I’ve been playing music in bands and shows since 15. All punk/hardcore or acoustic/folk/pop solo projects.
Are you guys all from Richmond?
Jonny: I am from Loudoun County, particularly Sterling, Virginia (home of Pg. 99).
Ryan: I was born in California but moved to Northern Virginia when I was 13. A job opportunity opened up down here that I had to take.
Did you grow up playing music?
Jonny: Yes. [I] started playing shows at local all ages venues at 15 in my band Knucklehead Smith, playing with bands like the Roust-A-Bouts, which was always fun.
Ryan: I got my first guitar when I was 13 and I haven’t put it down since.
What was the cool stuff to do where you lived as a kid?
Jonny: Drugs, girls, bikes, skateboards, and breaking into pools at night to swim with some or all those things.
What’s next for Wolfbite?
Jonny: I want to record a full length ASAP, as well as play shows this summer. Writing never stops, just trying to pick which songs I can speed up and bring to the table.
Ryan: Shows, shows, shows. I know Jonny really wants to record a full length but I think shows should be on the frontline. We have some new tunes we’re stoked about, so when we get a chance we’ll learn ’em, then play ’em.
What/who should Richmond be listening to in 2012?
Jonny: Shit that makes your head feel good, and your body too. Fun things. I’m looking forward to whenever Circle Takes the Square finally drops the LP. The EP was amazing.
Ryan: Wolfbite! Oh and the new Brendan Kelly and the Wandering Birds LP is pretty rad too.
What do you love (or hate) about the Richmond punk scene?
Jonny: I love Richmond punk, and whoever is writing or reading this. I don’t hate the scene but would warn anyone to not get caught up in anything described as a scene, or wanting to be seen in a scene. Be yourself and don’t pigeonhole yourself with a label. Words do not have built-in definitions. Just love each other and stay away from religious institutions.
Ryan: I love how incestuous the whole punk scene is, but at the same time that kind of makes it suck. Cliques form and nobody really wants to take chances on a new band. Of course there are some exceptions out there.
What did you do this past weekend?
Jonny: I recently recorded a local bluegrass band called Haints in the Holler, and this weekend [I] got some friends together to record some group vocals for a track. Went to a park, drank, smoked weed, debated taking mushrooms but didn’t. Think I will after practice tonight!
Ryan: Played one of the most awkward shows in my other band (Bitter Up The Sweet). There was a chocolate fountain! That was gnarly!
Where do you tend to write your music? (practice space, living room, outside, etc.)
Jonny: Home, outside, in cars and sensory depravation tanks. Never at practice unless we are fine tuning.
Ryan: Any new song starts out in my head. I then sit down with my acoustic in my study and just let it flow.
Where do you usually buy your gear?
Jonny: Sam Ash down here, or Craigslist I guess. I don’t have any top of the line gear. All my instruments are bottom shelf. I play guitar left handed so it’s hard for me to find anything really, but drums, keyboards have always been the cheapest things I find. As long as I have the object and can bang on the keys, strings, pads.
Ryan: Guitar Center, I guess. I would rather buy local so if anyone knows of a cool local spot, hit me up. (wolfbiteband@gmail.com)
Do you have any cover songs in your catalog?
Jonny: We are covering a Simon and Garfunkel song now. I’d like to cover “The Burning” by El Dopa. We haven’t evolved into our screaming phase yet, but I can’t wait! Sometimes I sneak one in here or there.
Ryan: We do “Homeward Bound” by Simon and Garfunkel. I would love to cover a They Might Be Giants song, though. They have too many awesome songs that would work perfectly for a punk band.
Do your folks like your music?
Jonny: My parents haven’t heard Wolfbite yet but they like all the folk acoustic pop shit I release on the Internet.
Ryan: My parents have always been supportive of every band I’ve been in. So make sure to go buy our new EP on bandcamp so that I can buy my parents a house with a pool.
Wolfbite plays on Friday, 6/22 @ a house show with Ages (Cleveland punks), Setbacks (post-hardcore also from Cleveland), This is Your Life (RVA punks, if they can find a bassist!), and Furious George (acoustic “boss” rock–like they literally got this guy’s boss to do an acoustic set).
photo by mocphotography.com
Jo Casino has a third installment video to his project 12 Bars – making a new music video every week (with No Name No Brain Productions). This week is “Laid Back,” with a backwards-motion video. Check out the righteous grunts and “toasted” tshirt. Keep an eye on Jo Casino – something tells me we’ll be hearing a lot from him in the future!
Hundred Pack is a new bluegrass/jam band featuring RVA’s prolific drummer, Raphael Katchinoff (Milkstains, Southern Belles, PBR, Kooker, etc.) and Tommy Booker (PBR), as well as the Inflatables (Adrian Ciucci, Ben Butterworth, Zach Hudgins, Alex Murphy). The band recently (6/8) played at Cafe Diem, and here is the recording:
By Sarah Moore Lindsey (soundsofrva.tumblr.com)
