garagerock

PACIFIC RADIO – Pretty, but killing me

Posted on by patrickdonders

‘Pretty, but killing me’ is one of my favorite records of last year. Released in December, so still as fresh as fresh can be. Pacific Radio combines all there is to like: Power Pop, Garage – and Indy rock. Catchy as hell, all songs. I mean ALL SONGS.

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PACIFIC RADIO IS:

 

Joe Robinson:  Guitar and Lead Vocal
Joe Stiteler:  Bass
Kyle Biane:  Guitar
Hyke Shirinian:  Drums

 

What was the biggest fun during the making of the last album?
JR: The first day we recorded at Conway Studios it felt real.  Tracking in a place with that unique vibe and history really reinforces the fact that it isn’t amateur anymore.

 

JS:  We recorded three songs in Austin in the middle of March and SXSW, that had to be the most fun.

 

KB:  I think the biggest fun for me is tweaking the arrangements. We typically play the songs live for quite a while before we take them to the studio. When we finally get to record them it is fun to invent new things to make them come alive on the album.

 

HS:  Tough question for me.. The recording process is always a blast. Though so is touring it!

 

 

At what point, during writing, rehearsing, recording, did you knew you were on to something special?
JR:  I got Pro Tools and started “idea recording” songs. People kind of flipped out. That sparked the confidence I needed. They continued to get better and better as the band put their footprints on them, and here we are.

 

JS:  When we showed up to Conway Studios and started tracking drums.  It’s a special place and we were honored to be there.

 

KB:  When JR played me a demo of the song “Katie” I remember thinking we were onto something.

 

HS:  The whole process just feels special.  The way it has all come together, you know?

 

The music industry has changed a lot (or so they say). What did it bring you? And what not?

JR:  It has brought anxiety. It hasn’t brought a Lamborghini.

 

JS:  We’re adapting to the new process of cyber interaction.  A long way from the times of handing out flyers in person or spray painting our logo onto a sidewalk.

 

KB:  I think it always has been a non-traditional industry, and with the internet’s role becoming such a large factor, the “changes in the music business” are just coming faster and faster. I don’t think that we have missed or gained anything, I can say however, we go into work everyday not knowing what to expect. And that can be kind of exciting.
She tells you she will decide on a 5-song-mixtape if there is going to be a second date. Which 5 would you put on?

JR:  “Skyway” The Replacements
      “Rave On” M. Ward
      “I Only Want You” Eagles of Death Metal
      “Peg” Steely Dan
      “Roadrunner” Modern Lovers

 

JS:  “Every Breath You Take” The Police
      “Tyler” The Toadies
      “Keep On Loving You” REO Speedwagon
      “Walk” Pantera
      “This Love” Pantera

 

KB:  “Across the Sea” Weezer
      “Overcaffeinated” Yellowbirddd
      “I Only Have Eyes for You” The Flamingos
      “Caroline No” The Beach Boys
      “Debra” Beck

 

The meaning of ‘success’ has changed over the years. When will the new record be a success?

JR:  Pacific Radio is a “success”, but there is plenty of room in my bank account for more “success”

 

JS:  Success is the journey, not the destination.

 

HS:  To me… It already is. It was a huge endeavor and we’re all proud of it


KB:  I am with Hyke, this whole adventure is a blast, and we are constantly setting new high water marks for ourselves. I am just glad we get to keep doing it.

 

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THE FORTY NINETEENS – Rebooted (interview)

Posted on by patrickdonders

Getting a “Coolest Song in the World this Week” title from Little Steven’s Underground Garage has meant the world  to us. 

Sweet Sweet Music talked to Nick Z about Rebooted.

Listen to Rebooted

What was the biggest fun during the making of the last album?


I and the others in the band will concur that, once we have the basic tracks down, then the fun really starts.
We woodshed the tunes before going in, but once the basic tracks are committed to tape, we sit down, take our time, and listen to to them all over again. It’s as if the songs take on a whole new life once we come up with extra ideas. It’s a fun way for us to create.

How did you record Rebooted?


We recorded at David Newtons Rollercoaster Recording in Burbank Calif. 
The band comes in on a weekend and records basic tracks, scratch vocals, and essentially lays down the framework for the tunes.
Prior to taping, David listens to us run the songs and comes up with suggestions that help or enhance the progressions. We adjust what needs to be done, then roll tape. 
With basic tracks completed we take the roughs home and make sure the ideas we have all fit with the basic tracks. 
Then we return on separate days and put down the guitars: solo, rhythm, then percussion, vocals, and finally keys. 
We take our time, and record over two to three months, and in that time we enjoy how the songs constantly take new directions.
David really pushes the ‘anything goes’ attitude in the studio. Our main influences are in the Garage Rock genre, but otherwise they are all over the map, Rock n Roll, big band, jazz, any era, we like it all, and we feel it sounds it has a fresh sound that pays homage to those that paved the way.  

Which other music/artists do inspire you?


We all like 60’s Garage Rock
John is a fan of bands like The Romantics, Graham Parker, The Beatles, The Kinks
Chuck likes The Ramones, Social Distortion, and other SoCal punk bands.
I enjoy The Who, The Doors, late 70s punk, various non rock n roll acts from Sinatra to Aker Bilk.  

If we want to know you, which song do we have to listen to? And why?


I would suggest “I’m Free” 

The music industry has changed a lot (or so they say). What did it bring you? And what not?  


The most important thing we’ve received is the kudos from fans, artists, DJ’s, and writers. This band is a second creative wave for singer John and I, we go back many years, and are having the time of our lives. Getting a “Coolest Song in the World this Week” title from Little Steven’s Underground Garage has meant the world to us. Little Steven, Genya Ravan, Kid Leo, Mighty Manfred, Michael Des Barres, Handsome Dick Manitoba and all the other DJ’s have been really supportive of us. We dig their credo “Be prepared to relinquish your self imposed limitations, and comfort with the status quo. All that is over baby, you’re not alone no more.”

When we got involved with the industry, I don’t think we expected much from it. The band believes that when opportunity comes, you have to be ready. But in most cases you have to manufacture opportunity, rarely does it come your way. Airplay, and press are things we really value, and don’t take for granted. 

Your songs sound like hits but nowadays it is almost impossible to reach a big audience …. On the other hand it’s very easy to create a new Dutch fan, like me. Does that make sense? How do you cope with this situation? 


Thanks Patrick, we appreciate your friendship! It makes total sense to us. Thanks to the advent of the internet, we now are able to reach the world, and also instantly thank radio stations, blogs, and newspapers for mentions. It means a lot to us. 

We are happy to hear from people take the time to write to us, and if they don’t write, we hope that they are experiencing happy times listening to the band. Either way, its great to bring positive energy to people. 

She tells you she will decide on a 5-song-mix tape if there is going to be a second date. Which 5 would you put on?



I hope she likes fun music!!

Elvis Presley / Such a Night

C’mon and Swim / Bobby Freeman

Rock Lobster / B 52’s

Chuck Berry / Johnny B Goode

Bobby Darin / Splish Splash

What’s up for the next couple of months?


The band opens for Berlin w/Terri Nunn on Sept 30 in Temecula wine country. 

Other gigs can be found at thefortynineteens.com/gigs
We’ll be back in the studio recording the follow up disc, and hopefully heading to NYC to play for the east coast fans that heard us on Little Steven’s Underground Garage.

We are looking to get distribution in Europe. We are at all Disc Union locations in Japan, and if anyone in Europe would like a physical copy, please visit Kool Kat Muzik 

What about the I Walk with the Zombie cover?
John and I were introduced to Roky Erickson from his work in The 13th Floor Elevators, and this track was just a fun song that we performed during a show with Johnny Vatos’ Oingo Boing. It went over well, and we decided to record. What a fun song!!