By Ellen Eldridge
We caught up with drummer DX of UV Race! The Aussie genius avant-tards UV Race, a band that drags melodious pop songs through a glam-punk aesthetic similar to bands like Ty Segall and Eddie Current Suppression Ring, released its third LP last year on In The Red Records alongside the band’s first feature-length film. Check out what he had to say!
What is the strangest thing a fan has done for you?
Sent us pornographic pictures of themselves fornicating with the sun. Art.
What is the funniest moment you have had as an artist/band so far?
That is very difficult. Basically, life is a long procession of meaningless tasks in service of rich people and occasionally you get to laugh. You join a band like this so you can laugh more than you would at your job or school. I have been laughing over the last five years non stop. Look at this photo of Marcus.
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
No. Tequila helps.
If you could describe your music in one word, what would it be?
GLAM.
How do you connect with a crowd?
There are six of us so usually someone is falling into someone. That’s a good connection.
How did you come up with your band name?
Science.
What is the best way to write music?
For effect. When you listen to The Pagans you’re feeling something very direct and primal. This is ideal.
Total Control:
Australian punk band Total Control is cruising through the United States this summer, playing post-punk jams from their split with Thee Oh Sees, Henge Beat (2011), and new songs from their forthcoming LP.
Total Control features Mikey Young (Eddy Current Suppression Ring) and Daniel Stewart (Straightjacket Nation / UV Race.) The band captures the essence of bands including Suicide, Wire and Joy Division, with just as much emphasis on the punk as the post. Total Control’s simple and cold loopy songs have explosions, spacey instruments and sci-fi lyrics that seem to come from the paranoid Charles Burns / Philip K. Dick camp.
Total Control plays Atlanta’s 529 on May 27 along with UV Race! Daniel Stewart took the time to answer our 5GB interview questions:
What’s the first gig you ever attended?
I saw maybe four hardcore bands play at my local youth centre: a couple hundred Goths, skins, punks, skaters, surfers and straight-up psycho drug pigs forced to agree on something.
What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?
Don’t do this to me. I’m a nice person; I pay my taxes and always hold doors open for people. I can tell you that every show I’ve played in Georgia has been memorable, if you respect ass-kissing and audience pandering.
What is the best gig you have ever seen?
The cultural divide between our nations makes it difficult to tell if you are being mean spirited, but in respect of diplomacy, with a straight face I can tell you that the following bands are most memorable: all four aforementioned teenage hardcore bands, Neil Young from side stage close enough to spit on, Eddy Current Suppression Ring were untouchable, Out With A Bang at Horrible fest 2007 were like the Germs pitched through time and they were Italian… I saw the Dead C a couple months ago and they were incredible too….
Gig you would most like to play?
Send me back to the Rocket from the Tombs / Mirrors / Electric Eels show and I’ll happily lose a couple of my non-essential teeth.
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
I would like to play with Neil Young backed up by Cheetah Chrome Motherfuckers.
Get your tickets to see these two awesome bands on Monday, May 27 at 529!
