DeadJournalist.com Exclusive Interviews:
The Pendletons
EXCLUSIVE Interview: The Pendletons
Chuck Norton, DeadJournalist.com
02.10.08
What you need to know about The Pendletons:
- The Pendeltons is an Athens-based band;
- The band is comprised of Adam Saunders, Colin Moorhead, Matt Giordano and Ben DuPriest;
- The band released their debut album Oh, Me! in July 2007;
- The band will be performing at this year's SXSW;
- The band is currently working on writing and recording their next album.
For more information of The Pendletons, visit their MySpace.com page at www.myspace.com/thependletons.
DeadJournalist.com brings you this exclusive with The Pendletons.
What the story behind the formation of The Pendletons?
CM: We formed during college to get free beers at a dive bar called DT's. It was just three of us - Adam, Ben and me - who knew each other from high school. We played some Ween and Weezer covers and some originals. We got a bass player, Matt, because we wanted to get better beers from bigger bars and feel the thump-thump.
For someone reading about the band for the first time, how would you describe your sound?
MG: The Pendletons are definitely Pop Rock. We play fun dance music for drinking and boating.
Has the band's sound evolved since the release of your debut album, Oh, Me!?
MG: We have been writing a good deal of new material that we all like a lot. The biggest change is that the live show will be much louder than the CD.
Are you working on new album?
CM: We've written quite a few songs since Oh, Me!, a lot of them got the axe for one reason or the other. We are recording demos right now; getting ready to record an EP of some sort. We're flirting with the idea of doing just a couple songs to get it out there quicker. I could see whatever we end up releasing evolving into a full record, though.
Has surging Athens/Atlanta music scene had an effect on the band?
MG: We are certainly proud to be part of such a high quality music scene. That being said, we try to focus on making fun music and not get caught up in a specific scene.
BD: It's great to see bands in Atlanta and Athens doing well. It's a big confidence boost to see like minded bands that you know and respect doing well, it can make bigger things seem a lot more attainable.
Which do you enjoy more, performing live or writing and recording?
CM: I prefer playing shows. Recording and writing usually end up creating friction. I guess they should because everyone has their idea of what some song or part should sound like. When we play, there isn't any of that.
BD: I think it depends on a lot of things; the show, the song, etc. Performing live can be totally tops, but to me, it's pretty impossible to beat a moment in your room when you come up with a new idea and put it into motion and realize that it's really gonna make good looking girls want to kiss you.
To the band, what is the most important aspect of performing in front of a live audience?
CM: I think honesty should be a big part of any live show, but that starts with the music. Most people can spot a disengenuine act (most of the time they will be wearing ascots) and for me it's a huge turn off.
BD: Clothes and cute shoes.
The band is playing select dates during the next month before heading to SXSW. Are plans in the works for a larger tour later this year?
AS: We're excited to go out to Austin again this Spring and I guess we'll see what happens from there.
The most bizarre thing that has happened to you while on tour is ... ?
CM: One time an apsiring internet porn star came to a show we were playing at 40 Watt to film some kind of exhibitionist segment for her site. None of us actually saw it, but after seeing her I don't think we wanted to. We haven't located the material ... though Matt has been searching really hard.
Who was the first concert you attended?
CM: My dad took me to a Bonnie Rait concert when I was about seven. I think it was pretty good.
AS: One of my first shows was R.E.M. on their Monster tour - I was in 4th grade. Before that I went to a bunch of ballet and symphony performances because my mom is a violinist.
BD: Ringo Starr and his All-Star Band, I went with my parents and my seventh grade history teacher, Mr. Dimon. Peter Frampton was the lead guitar player, totally wicked.
What were you listening to in 1998?
AS: Weezer and Radiohead. But also Bush and No Doubt ... sorry.
MG: I loved Green Day and used to play "Tootsie Roll" by The 69 Boyz over and over. My mom hated it.
CM: In 1998, I was listening to The Toadies and Silverchair.
BD: The Beatles pretty exclusively, and some Garth Brooks (No Fences). Also, for some reason I was way into Dinosaur Jr. in middle school for like one year, but then not again until recently. I think I just liked the name.
Is there an artist that you've encountered recently that you've been recommending to your friends?
AS: I know guys in MGMT and The Whigs, so I recommend them. I also like the new albums from Vampire Weekend and Yeasayer.
BD: MGMT makes the coolest music of all, and they're really cute guys. And my friend Will just got me into Todd Rundgren - he's the shit. This double album called Something/Anything is so far out.
Which do you prefer: MP3, CD, Tape or Vinyl?
BD: I have a tape player in my new car, so I've been rockin my old Blind Melon and Dinosaur Jr. tapes.
MG: At risk of sounding Indier than thou, I love vinyl. I just got a new Stanton turntable and have been rediscovering my old Beatles, Kinks, and Bowie albums on the regular.
One Drink; One Movie; One Album:
MG: Irish Whiskey on the rocks, There Will Be Blood, (Johnny Greenwood is such a baller) and Chuck Berry's Golden Decade.
AS: Coca-Cola, Swingers, and The Bends
BD: Pink champagne on ice; Bittersweet Motel; Another Side of Bob Dylan.