a&e | POP, ROCK & JAZZ PREVIEW
IAN SVENONIUS’S GUIDE TO ROCK ’N’ ROLL
Chain & The Gang Returns to the Biko Co-op Garage
M
ANGEL CEBALLOS
ark Twain famously encouraged young scribes to “write what you know.” Apparently, author Ian Svenonius took note. In his latest book, the D.C. singer for iconic punk-rock groups like Make-Up, Nation of Ulysses, and Weird War outlines his Supernatural Strategies for Making a Rock ’n’ Roll Group — a subject he knows well after more than 25 years of professional music making. The collection of essays touches on everything from starting a band to surviving life on the road, and its guidelines are delivered with the sharp, tight, and well-versed writing that we’ve come to expect from Svenonius in all modes. This Wednesday, January 8, Svenonius returns to the Biko Co-op Garage as the frontman for Chain & The Gang, a punk group that combines prison blues, free jazz, and ’50s girl-group vocals with the singer’s famously clever, politically charged, and in-your-face lyrics. For the uninitiated, trust us when we say it’s one of the best live shows you’ll ever see. Below, we catch up with Svenonius via email to discuss music etymology, filmmaking, and writing for the future generation of rock ’n’ rollers.
You’ve talked a bit about how Chain & SHAKE THE SHACKLES: Musician, author, filmThe Gang is rooted in, or spun off of, the maker, and iconoclast Ian Svenonius returns to Santa ’50s girl-group model. In your mind, is Barbara on January 8 with D.C. band Chain & The there a definitive difference between a Gang. “group” and a “band”? The term “group” was in favor through the ’60s and ’70s until punk rockers began insisting on the “band” moniker. Punk You have a very distinctly intense stage presence. appeared at a time when rock had become institutional- How do you approach the performance side of ized, corporate, and respectable, hence the punkers’ fixa- music making? Chain & The Gang wants to entertain, tion on the word “band,” a term which sounds more outlaw connect, and communicate while onstage, instead of and amateur. merely reciting songs. Every show is another chance at making that happen. So, where does Chain & The Gang fall into that I want to know a little bit about the book, worldview? It’s more of an organization. Supernatural Strategies for Making a Rock ’n’ Can you tell me a bit about the experience Roll Group. How and when did the idea for this recording Chain & The Gangs’ latest album, In thing start to coalesce? With all these rock camps Cool Blood? Did you have certain goals going in? starting that were teaching kids useful information about How did Calvin Johnson’s presence factor into the starting a group, I wanted to make a how-to manual full of finished product? All the first three Chain & The Gang the things the camps might leave out — the less practical records were recorded at Calvin’s Dub Narcotic Studio in things. The useless information. Bands aren’t just practical Olympia. Calvin is a very hands-off producer; he’s more of exercises after all. a recordist. He’s interested in creating an environment that allows for spontaneity in the studio. That was good because If you were 15 in December 2013, do you think we were trying to work fast, off the cuff, partially ad lib. music would still be your life pursuit? Yes. It’s the That is the mode of production for Chain & The Gang. most exciting thing, and there are so many interesting We are trying to record songs when they’re in a gestural groups now. form, like the first telling of a joke or story. In Cool Blood is mostly Brett [Lyman] on guitar, Fiona [Campbell] on What are your goals/hopes/dreams/plans for the drums, Chris Sutton on bass guitar, and Katie Alice [Greer] New Year? I want to make a new film. I directed a sci-fi on vox, but it also features Fred Thomas, Brian Weber, and documentary film this year called What Is a Group? starring Katie Alice Greer from Chain & The Gang and Priests, some other people on a few songs. Mary Timony from Ex Hex, and Kid Congo Powers from How did the experience compare to making The Pink Monkey Birds, among others. I want to continue Music’s Not for Everyone and Down with Liberty? with that form of storytelling. The first two LPs were made over a longer period with a larger cast of people. Chain & The Gang plays an all-ages show at the What does the touring lineup for Chain & The Biko Co-op Garage (6612 Gang look like nowadays? Formidable; Madie on Sueno Rd., Isla Vista) on Wednesday, drums, Francy [Graham] on guitar, Laurie [Spector] playJanuary 8, at 7:30 p.m. The Shivas and The ing bass, Betsy [Wright] on organ. Laurie and Francy also Trashberries open. Visit sbdiy.org for info. play in D.C. band Dudes, and Betsy plays in Ex Hex.
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THE INDEPENDENT
january 2, 2014