Diagonals Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Feb 23rd 2010 12:00PM by Dominique Lewis
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Austin-based band Diagonals will be performing at the SXSW for the third time this year. The four-piece group offers a unique style of classic garage rock and post-punk sounds. Spinner recently had the opportunity to talk with the band's lead singer and songwriter, Steve Garcia, about his influences and SXSW experiences.

Describe your sound.

I guess it's like post-punk, psychedelic garage rock.

How did your band form?

Well, my last band, Black Lipstick -- everybody had moved away, and I had friends who really didn't know how to play and it just took off from there.

Who are the members of the band?

Well, right now, there are only four: myself, Nate Lineback on bass, Todd Larson on drums, and Borkhams on guitar. No keyboard player. We all live here in Austin.

How did you come up with your band name?

The original bass player, Dustin, came up with it. We had a really hard time coming up with a band name, and that was the only one we could kind of agree on that we liked. None of us were like, "Wow, that's the best damn name ever," but it was something we could agree on, so we stuck with it.

Beatles or the Stones?

I'll go with the Stones.

What are your musical influences?

Rolling Stones, Sonic Youth, Velvet Underground, Adventures, Dixies -- stuff like that -- and George Jones.

Who was your first celebrity crush?

My celebrity crush? Wiley Wiggins [former keyboard player and actor who appeared in the cult classic movie, 'Dazed and Confused'].

What's your guilty musical pleasure?

Um, I would have to say Loverboy.

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

That's a good question [laughs]. We played a show in LA and, uh, there were a bunch of young kids and they all just sat down on the floor. It was at ... I don't remember the name of the club. I thought that was really strange 'cause you're there to rock the s--t and it's like, to have people sitting on the floor, it's not like we're a spoken word band or something, you know. You kind of want people to dance. So, they just sat there. That was a real bummer.

What's your biggest vice?

Drinking.

Describe the song 'Clones.'

Well, it's a song about, you know, meeting a clone of myself, so he lives with me and my girlfriend. He has sex with my girlfriend and we break up, and then I'm left alone and it's just me and my clone, kind of like the odd couple. Then, he kills me and takes over my life. Our friend Nick Smith did the video, so we had the technology to make a whole bunch of clones of myself. It turned out funny.

What is the band working on now?

We released 'Valley of the Cyclops' last year. Now, we're trying to write enough new songs to make a new record. We're playing at pretty big parties for Misprint Magazine -- that's a local magazine. One event is the beard and mustache contest, -- that's when you're judged on your facial hair. Also, trying to book a tour for June to get to the East Coast.

This is going to be your third SXSW. What advice can you give to bands that will be performing for the first time?

Um, don't be too drunk and, uh, just [laughs] don't get your hopes up. Have low expectations.

What is it like at the SXSW?

It's fun. S--tloads of bands from all over the world. One night you may get to see a band that's Japanese. Then, you may never get to see them again unless you go to Japan. Swedish bands, English bands, and people from Brooklyn. It's kind of cool. Lines get pretty long. If there's one band you want to see, you have to go early.

What's in your festival survival kit?

Uh, let's see. Money -- like cash -- and, uh, a one-hitter [smoking pipe].

Dominique Lewis is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.