SXSW 2014 Interview: Gunther Doug

Have you had enough interviews yet!?  I will assume the answer to that question is no and offer up yet another interview to preview the upcoming SXSW festival just a few short weeks away.  Today we’ll be hearing from up and comers in the Nashville scene Gunther Doug.  To be honest, I didn’t know a whole lot about the group prior to this interview, so it will be nice to learn a bit about them.  Follow the jump to get your learn on.

ATH: There was a lot of hubbub last year concerning corporate sponsors and pay to play and what not at SXSW.  As a band, what’s your reason for coming to pay at the festival? What do you hope to get out of it?

GD: We’ve been a band for about 5 years now and SXSW has always been one of those festivals we’ve dreamed of playing. All corporate jargon aside, we’re pumped to go and hang with awesome bands and get lost in the party for a few days.

ATH: For most SXSW sets, you get 30 minutes to leave a lasting impression. What’s your plan of attack? You have a set list mapped out yet?

GD: We’re gonna punkn’roll our way through the chaos and make sure everyone knows how to party. And no, we have no idea what we’re playing until the second we have to.

ATH: The festival caters to music fans, but food and booze are an important aspect of the fans and the bands.  What’s your band’s food and beverage of choice?

GD: BBQ. All day. And a nice IPA or stout to wash it down.

ATH: There are tons of bands coming into town.  Who would you ideally like to play with of the 1000s of bands gracing our city? Make your own optimal line-up.

GD: Diarrhea Planet, Against Me!, Marijuana Deathsquads, and Gunther Doug of course. We like.

ATH: We are partial to SXSW obviously, but what festival do you feel is the best around?

GD: Coachella and Hang Out!

ATH: Let’s say your band has been booked an official showcase at a pop up venue somewhere in the middle of 6th street.  The lineup features thrash metal, hip-hop, spoken word, and you.  The sound is horrible, the lineup is not your style, and the crowd seems angry at the world.  How would your band deal with such a situation?

GD: Put on The Lord of the Rings sound track to ease the masses and smoke some weed before owning everyone.

ATH: What’s your favorite album to come out in the last year?  What’s playing in the tour bus?

GD: Not sure how new they are, but Ariel Pink is a frequent in the van. Jay Reatard, Diarrhea Planet, Real Estate. Oh! The new Deerhunter album “Monomania.”

ATH: The digital age is upon us, like it or not.  What are your band’s thoughts on streaming services like spotify, pandora, etc.?  Blow em all up?  Or embrace the future?

GD: Love it. The more the music gets to the people, the better. You will never be able to replicate a live performance so bands and musicians will always have their power on stage.

ATH: Day parties have replaced showcases for music discovery?  Is the conference really completely upside-down?

GD: We’ll see, but it sounds rad to us.

Thanks again my friends.  You keep it real now.