Soaker Throw Cold Water on Jack White ‘Pork Pie Hat’ Rock
While we question at least one-third of the theorem that sex is natural, fun and best when it's one-on-one, we know that intimacy is inexorably enmeshed with most of our favorite art. In today's Late Night Dedication, we test the carnal knowledge of art-damaged noise-punk three-piece Soaker, comprised of ex-members of Run DMT and Yellow Eyes. Their four-song eponymous debut EP is dropping November 4 on Wharf Cat and can be pre-ordered here. Check out "Sendhi" below.
What was on the first mix you made for a crush?
My memory is completely Chaka Khan-ed, so I can’t remember all the specifics, but I did like to mix up some Crystal Palace and Cokes in my parents’ basement and play the classic rock station for crushes. In Rochester, this was 95.1 The Fox — Steve Miller Band and Pure Prairie League and stuff. This would signal that I’m a fun guy who can take care of you if need be. No crush of mine has ever really cared about music too much, and I don’t care about turning them on to anything new, to be honest. John Cusack is a bitch.
What albums can you not listen to because of a break-up?
This has never happened to me, but I dated a girl who listened to a lot of Jack White pork pie hat rock music, and I can’t fucking stand that. Girls in New York with big hats think they look like Stevie Nicks, but they look like Jack White.
Thoughts on PDA at a gig?
It’s very, very good. I saw a 14-year-old kid finger his girlfriend during Cypress Hill at Rock the Bells festival a few years ago.
Is music during sex corny?
The Soaker EP is really good for this kind of thing.
Does going to a show constitute a date?
If you hold hands during the last song of the night, yes, it can be a special thing. That said, I wouldn’t recommend it. Best to go get an ice cream and chat sweetly; or if you aren’t good at talking, go see a movie, and then you can just talk about it afterwards. Shows generally stink, so unless you’re going for the stink thing, I’d just avoid it.
What musician would you want to make out with most (dead or alive)?
Shania Twain under the cold Canadian moon. Mutt Lange is in the distant background, flailing in the icy sea. He calls for help, but we just ignore him as the freezing water fills his lungs. Adios, Mutt.
Does music taste matter in a relationship?
If your s.o. doesn't like the good shit, you may honor-kill them in accordance with the Hadith.
Would you ever date someone that was a fan of your band?
Yeah — we didn’t start this band for the money, I’ll tell you that much.
Have you ever cried while listening to a song? If so, what was the last time?
I’m in control of ALL EMOTIONS for the most part, so no, not really, but I was at a military funeral recently and did well up during "Taps." Sad music generally makes me feel pretty good, though. I don’t want to sit there and cry. Put my face in the pillow and leave a big make-up face on the pillow case.
Have you ever had to talk to somebody about a song you’ve written about them?
Not verbally; more like transmitted through his eyes the first time I saw him after I knew that he knew.
What musician knows the most about love?
Billy Joe Shaver does. He married the same woman three times and divorced her twice. If I were going to cry during a song, it might be Billy Joe’s “Day by Day." He’s 77, and if you go see him play, he’s moving around, drinking Red Bulls, giving it 100 percent. His wife died, and I think he figures that if he slows down too much, he’s done for.
Do you like love songs or hate songs more?
The best love songs are — deep down — actually filled with hate. This works both ways. The record we just made sounds pretty angry, but it’s really quite a sexy record. It’s best to just mix everything together and make a human song. That’s the key to being a perfect artist and making a hit record.