"I love touring. Love it. If it was up to me we'd be touring right now"
What have you released to date?
To date, as a band we have released 2 albums. "SUPERBASS!!! Black Death Greatest Hits, Vol.1" and "More Skin With Milk-Mouth". The first album was a self-release whilst the second was through a record label out of Santa Cruz, CA called Loves In Heat Records. Individually, however we have each released a decent amount of material, either through collaborations, split projects or solo efforts. A few of the more recent projects can be viewed in the 'music' section of our website (www.giraffesgiraffes.com)
What are you working on at the moment?
At this very moment we are in the early dawn of the material for the new album that we will eventually release some time in the not too distant future. Since we both have day jobs and are living on opposite sides of the continent, things are moving a little slower than we'd like, but thanks to the almighty Internet we've been able to swap files and ideas (and pictures) and maintain communication and not completely put things on pause. Joe has been writing a lot. I have been writing a lot.
We both have solo projects that we've been working on. I have an album that is close to being finished. I've been playing a lot of jazz with some old jazzers. I've also been playing in a new 4-piece combo called Body Farm and we're destroying everything and anything that happens to make the mistake of stumbling into our ever-widening path of destruction. Most importantly I've been bulking up my studio (Beef Studio) with new microphones, new software and more knowledge. Just trying to stay busy!!!!
Have you got any plans to tour in the pipeline?
We've always got plans to tour. I love touring. Love it. If it was up to me we'd be touring right now (I think Joe would agree with me here), but...it gets expensive really quick. For the past two tours, Joe did all the booking himself, an amazing feat if you ask me. He worked his ass off and did a hell of a job getting us shows, but we both agree that it's time now to start looking for a booking agent.
So yes, we will tour. We want to hit a lot of spots we didn't get to on the first two trips. We've also been experiencing this constant, unwavering enthusiasm from a lot of Europeans. We would both love to get over there…and to Japan…and Siberia…and Iran...
Explain the association between your name and your music.
Hmmmm. Well, they're both fun? The name comes from a children's book released by the McSweeney's Book Company. I strongly suggest that you buy this book. Everything will make so much more sense after reading it. EVERYTHING. The music is something I can't explain.
When did you start playing…What sort of musical training have you had?
Well we both started playing when we were young teens. Joe is self taught (I know it sounds ridiculous but I swear it's true). When I met him, he was playing drums in a band (called Deniro) that was friends with the band I was in at the time (called Anger Management Seminar). So the fact that he has roots in drums helps in understanding his style. It does for me, anyway.
I started playing in the school band, learning how to read rhythms. I bought my first drum set (my dad bought it from some dude in the next town over) (it was a totally busted piece of shit but so totally awesome) and started taking drumset lessons when I was in 8th grade. I continued to take lessons until I was a junior in high school. Then I went to college where I eventually earned a BA (a double major in Music Composition and Music History & Literature).
What are you hoping to get out of all this?
This interview? Or being in a band? I wasn't hoping to get anything out of this interview. Maybe some pizza or some coupons for a car wash or something. As far as hoping to get anything out of being in this band...that's not really something we've thought too much about. The band is not a means to an end. It never has been and hopefully never will be.
Where are the best places to hang out in Massachusetts?
The best places to hang out in Massachusetts are where there are no other people. I like to go into the woods. The Berkshire Mountains are beautiful. There is the Quabbin Reservoir. There's a lot of undeveloped land in the western/middle area of the state. It's fun to explore!
If you're looking for a social answer, well...ummm...let's see...there's a lot to do in Amherst and Northampton. There are a bunch of cool little venues in Northampton. Obviously Boston and Cambridge are full of artistic activity. I've seen a bunch of shows at the Middle East in Cambridge and played at T-T the Bear's which is also awesome and also in Cambridge. I will say that Ludlow, MA (the town where I grew up) still sucks as much as I thought it did when I was a teenager. So don't go there.
What new music have you been listening to lately?
I haven't been listening to very much new music. There is so much of it, and so much of it is just not for me. Most new music I listen to comes from my friends. Milky Pink is fantastic and definitely one of my favourite things to listen to. The same goes for Alden Barton. They are definitely coming up strong. Depth Charge Revolt crushes my face. My college mentor, Ted Mann is always composing something wonderful. I grew up with the guys in Rabbit Rabbit (I know, I know...I swear it's purely coincidence).
I honestly couldn't tell you what Joe's been listening to. We've both been in the way-back machine listening to the music we missed because we weren't born yet. I feel like there's something in there that we just haven't been getting from a lot of the new music that has been coming out. And no I did not watch the fucking Grammy awards.
What consumes most of your time aside from the music?
Outside of music we both have wonderful ladyfriends. Joe and his girl have two cats they love to play with. Joe has been working a lot at his job as a box-office manager. When he's not playing music or playing with his cats, he reads. He reads a lot…and I think he does other stuff sometimes too.
I have a dog (she's a redbone coonhound). I spend as much time in the woods with her as I can. I work as a butcher five (occasionally six) days a week and lately I've been recording other bands. I also read…not nearly as much as Joe. I watch a lot of movies.
Can you please draw us a picture of a robot?
Ummm...I would but I don't know how to attach a jpg to this message. I'm so stupid when it comes to Internet stuff sometimes. Sorry. I'm pretty smart when it comes to playing Tetris or Scrabble though and I can do a pretty good job cutting up a cow...
[Feb 2009] Back to Top
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