SXSW Interview: Criminal Hygiene
Moar SXSW interviews! Yes we are crazy people and are planning to share more SXSW interviews than you could possibly imagine. Today I am pumped to share with you an interview with some old friends of ours Criminal Hygiene. These guys are on a high right now with the upcoming release of their new album Run it Again just prior to their Austin visit. We are excited for them. Hit the jump for answers.
All answers come from Michael Fiore.
ATH: SXSW is a pretty crazy event every year with tons of bands in town competing for space and fans. As a band, what’s your reason for coming to play at the festival? What do you hope to get out of it?
This year we are going specifically to play our record labels showcase. Its honestly just to get the word out for our record which will have been released a few weeks before. Were going to try to squeeze a couple of day parties in if we can. Any exposure there is good I guess
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?
Well probably just wing it. Whatever were comfortable with from the dates before on tour will probably play into what we will perform at a SXSW set.
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?
I think well eat whatever someone gives us for free. One year they had a lot of free Taco Bell so maybe thatll be in the cards this year as well. None of us are picky. Give me a cold rolling rock any day.
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.
I have no idea if theyre going or not, but of the newer bands out there we really like this band White Reaper. Real good rock n roll band. Isneil youngplaying? He could headline our show I guess. The old man can still play
ATH: We are partial to SXSW obviously, but what festival do you feel is the best around?
I dont think Ive been to enough festivals to properly answer that. But it definitely wouldnt be a music festival. Ive always wanted to go to Sundance.
ATH: Let’s say your band has been booked an official showcase at a pop up venue somewhere in the middle of6th 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?
About 5 years ago we would have gotten shitfaced drunk and played KISS covers until someone pulled the plug on us. Nowadays wed probably just play a regular set. If there was 2 people into it wed just engage with them, maybe crack a few jokes and piss a few people off in the process.
ATH: What’s your favorite album to come out in the last year? What’s playing in the tour bus?
Personally Ive been listening to the latestNonamealbum. Shes really got something unique going. Technically it came out this year but we also really like the newestBob Mouldalbum. Guy still rocks. We listen to a lot ofRoger MillerandZZ Topin the van.
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?
I say embrace the fuckers! Everyone is quick to complain but I grew up in the Napster/limewire era and there were 0 royalties for someone stealing your album off there. At least the streaming services pay (even if its very little) and help to expose your music to people that may have never discovered it. People are still buying records too, so I think we gotta move forward with the way it is.
Thanks again doods!
Criminal Hygiene is currently scheduled to play the official Dangerbird Records showcase on March 15th at Barracuda.