It’s that time again. Long-time BAMM.tv fans (and if you’re a new BAMM.tv fan, just pretend you’ve been following us for ages to increase those coolness points) will know the drill by now: roundabout the middle of each month, we showcase an exciting new group or artist who we just can’t get enough of.
This time around, it’s the turn of Whiskerman, the phenomenal folky soul-rock five-piece who recently guested as part of our ‘Proving Grounds’ sessions (in association with Jawbone). Here’s a clip of this amazing group in action:
We’ve got all sorts of exclusive Whiskerman features coming up over the next couple of weeks, including a competition to win some very special prizes. In the meantime, we recently caught up with frontman Graham Patzner for this revealing interview …
How did the band get together?
The true beginning of ‘the band’ began when I decided to quit acting school and fully immerse myself into singing, songwriting and getting better at the guitar. As in any venture passionately pursued, those who were attracted to what I was doing came to help and now we are fortunate enough to be joined by Nick and Will for about 3 years and Charles for 2. Some members have left the core band including my brother Lewis, but he is still involved in other ways like arranging and recording.
What are your biggest influences?
Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, The Beatles, Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Arvo Part, Jesus Christ, North and South American Indians, Buddha, Africa, Dostoevsky, Radiohead and the Godfather Trilogy.
How would you describe your sound?
The Sound is always evolving so this is really the most difficult question I’ve never been able to answer. I want it to sound like heaven, but I’m pretty far from that, so I’ll settle with Rock/soul/folk.
How have you evolved, both sound-wise and band-wise, since you began?
Things started pretty folk and blues driven, and once we added Charles things have been more rock and roll and soul rooted, but that is still changing.
What do you each bring to the band?
Will brings the blood rushing, sex pounding bass thumps of a soul god, Nick brings the dominating warlock crushing simplicity of finely tuned pulsating rhythms emanating deeply within a warring body in search of perfect groove, Charles brings the razor, the gusto, the bravado, the fury, the fright, the terror, the complexity and the wisdom, and I bring it all together!
What have been your proudest/weakest moments to date?
I’ll start with the weakest: We played at a bar/grocery store in Incline Village around the time the lovely singer Mana Maddy was in our band. We we playing on a small stage in between the grocery store and the bar when a drunk guy fell onto the stage and knocked over my guitar. We stopped the song and the guy kept giving us shit so started getting in a shouting match, so the bartender, an alleged ex navy seal, came over telling us we were “disrespecting his family” in a fit of rage and demanded that we leave. So we packed up and left, no blood shed.
Proudest: We had 2 very wonderful nights recently with the Undercover Presents Highway 61 Revisited shows at the freight and salvage. The album was played all the way through, a different band for each song and we were chosen to play “just like tom thumb’s blues”. We were playing to a packed house both nights (sold out on friday) and received standing ovations each night. It felt really great to be playing in such a beautiful space and be received like that. It was like being in a great theater show.
Who do you feel are your contemporaries right now?
Our buddies Song Preservation Society!
Give us a few thoughts on your experience playing for BAMM.tv!
I’ve done a few things with BAMM, the most recent being a shoot at Viracocha in SF. The first thing that comes to mind is that you are really working with professionals and this is a serious shoot. It’s not every day you walk into a room and know everyone’s on their game, and that’s a really great feeling and honor to be a part of.
What would be your dream gig/venue?
THE MOON BABY!
What event would prove to yourself that you’ve “made it”?
Playing for Bill Clinton ON THE MOON!!!!!!
Karaoke song?
Georgia on My Mind!
Who’s a hero of yours?
John Lennon.
Drink of choice?
Green stuff. (kale, celery etc.) Manhattans too.
If you had to make a pretty girl/guy laugh, what’s your joke?
Whats bruce lee’s favorite drink? WATAAAAAAAAAA! Whats bruce lee’s favorite hamburger? WHOPPPAAAAAAAAAA!
OTHER BAMM.TV STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
BAMM.tv Artist Of The Month: Typhoon
BAMM.tv Artist Of The Month: The Soft White Sixties
BAMM.tv Artist Of The Month: The Stone Foxes
BAMM.tv Artist Of The Month: Thao And The Get Down Stay Down
BAMM.tv Artist Of The Month: Diana Gameros
BAMM.tv Artist Of The Month: Geographer
