¡Ay, caramba!
Most people will tell you that the duty of musicians and artists is to push the envelope in some way. Well I’m here to tell you that that’s just not true. I accept that it’s certainly desirable for creative people to develop their art in some way, but we live in such postmodern times that sometimes the best way forward is back the way you came.
Ringo Deathstarr are a band who are defiantly unashamed to wear their influences proudly on their sleeves. Two guys and a girl from Austin, Texas, their hazy, caterwauling indie pop betrays an obvious love of old British indie bands like My Bloody Valentine and the JAMC. You might be thinking, “wicked, what’s the problem?” but it’s a modus operadi that's seen the band catch quite a bit of flak in the past, with Allmusic Guide describing them as the Rutles of neo-shoegaze and British hacks seemingly unable to categorise them as anything but a slightly mediocre version of Lush.
It’s all a bit unfair, I reckon. Firstly, the period between 1985 and 1993 was undeniably a renaissance for British indie compared to the Britpop era ushered in by Oasis in 1994, so could you blame anyone for wanting to hark back to that? And secondly, the members of Ringo Deathstarr are all like 19 and American. They probably weren’t even alive during this period of time, let alone old enough to remember it. For them, listening to MBV for the first time must have been like the finding this incredibly ancient rock band who were totally awesome despite being old and overlooked. You know, the way we used to listen to music before we got old and shit.
Ringo Deathstarr - So High by johnout
Here’s an obvious question. Your band is called Ringo Deathstarr right? With that in mind are you Rolling Stones people or Beatles fans?
All: Beatles...
Dan: I like the idea of the Rolling Stones, but the Beatles had better songs. The Beatles’ fucking kill it.
There’s more of the Rolling Stones left alive though...
Dan: Yeah. They’re not doing it right....
You guys certainly have a pretty English sound – how’s it been playing Britpop to the British?
Alex: It’s been fine, I think the crowds have been a lot more receptive here than in our home town.
Elliot: Yeah in Austin people were mostly ‘whatever’ when it came to us, and we felt we had to get out of there just to get our music heard.
What do you guys reckon to the state of British music right now?
Elliott: I heard Yuck the other day, they were pretty good. It’s definitely been better than last time we here when everything sounding like the Libertines. I remember seeing that band Everything Everything and thinking, “what is this shit?”
Alex: This time’s been a lot better though right? I mean we checked out Tripwires and they were pretty awesome and we played with Echo Lake who were also amazing...
Dan: Yeah. Why does no-one care about these bands?
What’s been your favourite bit of England so far?
Dan: Scotland.
That’s not in England.
Dan: I know, it’s just that the scenery and buildings look way better up there...
You’re not just saying that because the Jesus and Mary Chain are from Scotland?
Alex: No. I really like London. We went shopping on Brick Lane, Oxford Street
Elliot: Oxford’s cool. Brighton was exactly what I imagined.
Alex: I quite liked Manchester – we tried to make Mexican food, it didn’t work out...
Ha ha, have you been missing it? All you can eat in Austin is Mexican food.
Elliott : Yeah it’s just like Indian food here...
You guys are in luck! There’s a burrito place just up the road...
Alex: Really, how does it compare? You should tell us, you’ve had both...
It’s not that bad.
Elliott: Do they put mayonnaise in the guacamole?
I don’t think so – who does that?
Elliott: Everybody in Europe does that – it’s disgusting.
So it's SXSW next week – any tips for those of us heading over? Apart from Death Metal Pizza, obviously.
Dan: Yeah. Breakfast tacos.
Alex: Yeah you have to have one of those – I have one pretty much every day when I’m back at home. It sort of changes when South By is on.
Elliott: All British people really need to visit as many Mexican restaurants as possible.
Alex: And get over to Barton Springs and get some sun. Man, you guys need sun.
Ringo Deathstarr's album 'Colour Trip' is out now on Club AC30. The band promise they'll be back in London later in the year.
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