By Alex Danger Stewart
The Clams are a rock and roll group from Chicago. Their tones are fat and their vibrations rattle one’s bowels. They are also a group of clean cut, well spoken young men. I recently sat down and interviewed them via my laptop computer (I’m not too great with the talking to people thing) as we talked shop, grocery, and cleared up all of those false definitions of Mindbanging (In retrospect I suppose my assumption that it was like fingerbanging except with telekinetic powers was probably a bit far fetched). Afterward they gave Sock Monkey Sound an exclusive first listen to two demos of songs from their upcoming album.
The Clams used to have 3 members and now they have 4. When and how was this addition made? Why is also probably a pertinent question.
Brett: This actually isn’t the first time we’ve had 4 in the band. When we first started jamming our friend Jim Cooper played guitar and sang with us, but left before we played our first show. Then Joe Pruitt (Son of Rams) joined in on organ and guitar and stuck around for the first few shows. The recent addition of Nigel came about for two reasons: 1) Neither Peter or myself wanted to play bass anymore, and 2) I caught a virus that paralyzed my left vocal cord and couldn’t sing for a long time, and wasn’t sure if I’d even be able to again. Two part harmonies are a crucial part of the Clams sound.
The Clams jam
Pete:Harmonies are definitely essential and adding a full-time bassist seemed to be a necessary addition. More generally speaking, we’ve always approached things with an open mind. Adrian, Brett, and I are the original lineup of the formal band and serve as the core. Some members have come and gone, the sounds have changed, perspective changes. I wouldn’t be surprised if The Clams added members if we looked to take things in a different direction in the future.
Nigel: I’ve known the Clams and been a fan for years. The guys in Abbott Smile really look up to the Clams as like cool older brother types, so I felt honored when I got the call up. Basically Peter just asked me to play a show with them and I said yes. At one of our rehearsals they showed up with a new bass cab for my amp and that pretty much solidified me as a member, although I’m still expecting some sort of hazing or initiation rite. Word to the wise, if you want someone to join your band, invite them to a rehearsal and give them new gear.
Adrian: After we became a three-piece things really gelled, and for whatever reason we attributed this to not having a dedicated bass player. For a while there we got kind of metaphysical and began questioning even the basic need for basses. We would always be recommending that other bands get rid of their bass players… probably pissed-off a lot of people. We were so young, so foolish. Having Nigel in the band is awesome.
Various members of The Clams have been seen using the Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi fuzz pedal; always the black box. Why use the Russian model instead of the American?
Brett: Yeah, Peter and I always used the Russian Big Muffs along with Pro Co Rats. They’re a little smoother sounding and have better bass response than the American version. I’ve actually started using an American version just to switch things up I guess. It’s more of a proper fuzz pedal – nice and gnarly sounding. Nigel is currently using my Russian Muff with his bass.
Pete: Russians are cheaper.
Adrian: Peter’s just into all things Russian.
Members of The Clams have a reputation for being foodies. What do you think is the importance of eating good food? What’s your favorite restaurant as of today?
Brett: You gotta feed the body and the soul. Only good food can do both. We also get together with friends and cook fairly often. It’s just a nice thing to do communally.
Pete: We get really hungry sometimes.
Nigel: I’m embarrassingly not much of a foodie, although I’ve been perfecting the fine art of making risotto.
Adrian: It’s all about the process, and the communal aspect of cooking and hanging out with friends. Well, mostly – the actual eating is great, too. The Clams do have a long history of elaborate cooking running alongside band activities. Once, while recording, we had a pot of poultry stock simmering for most of a day, then took a break from recording to make duck a l’orange for dinner. We’re nerds.
Brett: The Publican
Adrian: Lula Cafe
Pete: Beef-a-roo
Nigel: Steak and Egger
The Clams are loud, and the Clams are heavy. What are some other adjectives that could be used to describe The Clams?
Brett: Punctual.
Adrian: Flexible.
Peter: Non-portable.
By my count, the Clams have self released two EPs. When can we expect new music?
Brett: The plan was to release a split 7” with Chicago band Woo-Man and the Banana, but they broke up unexpectedly which is a huge bummer. We did record the songs that were supposed to be for that release, so it’s just a matter of what to do with them at this point. Also, we have a new record planned out that we hope to record in the fall. It’s kind of a psychedelic western epic.
Adrian: In addition to the new stuff Brett mentioned, we also have a growing handful of tunes that are often heard at our live sets, but have never been recorded. In particular, there’s one about our friend and one-time member Jim that needs to be recorded. It’s about how the ladies really dug this beard he had once.
What can one expect from a typical Clams set?
Peter: Fog.
Brett: Nausea.
Adrian: Equipment failure.
Nigel: Sweat and blood.
Tell us about your writing process.
Brett: Usually Peter or I come up with a chord progression or a riff and we try it out at practice with everyone else and let things take shape. Vocal melody and lyrics typically come later. Lately, I’ve also been getting into the habit of demoing songs and ideas for songs just to have a reference on hand when thinking about things I’d like to change.
Pete: Idea demos have been working well of late. Music always comes first, the lyrics sort themselves out. Usually themes are driven by the band’s collective current interests in other media: books, movies, music, wikipedia, etc.
Adrian: Lately, some songs have grown organically out of group practices. Though unfortunately we’ve had a few songs that have arisen like this, but can’t seem to be remembered/recreated by the next practice. Also, in terms of lyrics: the recent process has been pretty group-oriented. Sort of a “hang out together, pass the notebook around, everyone contributes a verse” sort of thing.
What exactly is Mindbanging?
Brett: It’s a term that Peter coined to mean head banging in your mind. We were in the car one time and some raucous song (I don’t remember what specifically) came on and exclaimed that it was mind banging.
Pete: Yeah, some sort of cerebral freak-out. I think a motorcycle may have been involved? One that was in time with the song, maybe? We also think the ambiguity is funny.
Adrian: Couldn’t be more literal – it’s headbanging for your mind. Though several people have mistakenly assumed there’s a sexual meaning there…
What do you think of Gastr Del Sol?
Adrian: Their cover of “Close to You” is mindbanging. Did they cover that?
That was Jim O’Rourke on his own but it’s ridiculously mindbanging.
Pete: Eureka was on repeat for several months back when Brett and I lived together in the pre-Clam era. The poster included in the LP version is referenced lyrically in the first official Clams song, “Two and Two Makes Three.”
Nigel: Not the biggest fan although I love some of Jim O’Rourke’s solo stuff, especially Eureka and Insignificance–also some of the Loose Fur stuff. Also, Jim is one of my favorite modern producers/recordists.
It seems like the members of The Clams probably spent a lot of time playing guitar in their bedrooms in high school. Is that a fair assessment?
Brett: Definitely. I kind of honed my skills playing along to Led Zeppelin records and other things of that nature. But I think Peter was too busy singing with the Moses Hogan Gospel Choir and taking solos at Carnegie Hall.
Pete: Practice, practice, practice…
Nigel: Totally, although I spent just as much time playing in a band or playing in the basement with my brother on drums. I come from a musical family so it wasn’t considered weird or antisocial to spend a perfect summer day in the basement with a four track and my guitar. I love being in bands more than playing alone or making home recordings though, even though bands can be time-consuming or stressful. I get nervous and depressed when I don’t play music with other people for too long.
Adrian: Nigel! I did the basement thing too, and the brother on drums.
The Clams’ Myspace.com page mentions an affinity for Fender Bassman amplifiers and I’m pretty sure you frequently use them on stage. What is the root of this choice? Additionally, how do you have so much awesome gear?
Brett: I used to be in a band called the Sleeptights and when we went from a 4 piece to a 3 piece I took over on bass. I wanted a bass amp with a little bit of grit that I could also use for guitar so the Bassman 100 seemed like a good choice. They’re also really affordable, especially the silverface models. Joe Pruitt who played guitar in the Sleeptights had a 1966 Bassman head which he later sold to Peter. Nigel just happened to also have a Bassman 70. They’re great amps. They have a big, deep, growly sound that works nicely for the Clams. As far as our awesome gear, I guess for me personally, I’ve been playing guitar since I was 11 and have just accumulated some sweet stuff over the years.
Pete: I definitely kinda fell into mine when Joe started selling his stuff before moving. I’ve always thought they’re pretty affordable as far as radass vintage gear goes. And, we’re rich assholes.
Who is your favorite drummer ever? I’m expecting answers from all members of The Clams.
Brett: It’s got to be John Bonham. Who else? I think Jim DeRogotis once likened his playing to “a ballet dancer with cinderblocks for shoes.” That rules.
Pete: Keith Moon.
Adrian: Maybe Om-era Chris Hakius… but John Bonham wins out in the long run. And possibly, Gene Hoglan as a wildcard.
Nigel: Either Mitch Mitchell or Greg Saunier, who I think is the mystical love child of Mitch Mitchell and Keith Moon.
What are your plans for the near future? The further future?
Brett: We want to record this new record, and plan a tour shortly after it’s release. Other than that, I just want to keep writing new songs and playing shows around town.
Adrian: What Brett said, but we’re also planning more hot tub parties at his parents’ house. And I’m buying a gong ASAP.
Pete: Record the latest stuff and do a little touring. Keep on writing and playing. Other than that, opening for Boris at Kitchen Stadium.
The Clams: Empress Tree/Age of the Gun
You can find more info and songs and whatever else you might want at www.myspace.com/theclamsjam or www.facebook.com/pages/The-Clams/308586241686
Download both EPs by The Clams for free at http://theclams.bandcamp.com/
Julian Vigliano
09/07/2010
This band is awesome. Love the EPs boys. Nice interview.