Middle Finger Salute Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 1st 2010 3:00PM by K. Finley Slocum
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In a recent conversation with Danny Wareing, one of the founding members, guitarist and vocals for Middle Finger Salute, we get the dirt on MFS. Starting with the early days when they were just 13, the guys have turned their music into a career that's lasted longer than your average punk band. Having produced two EPs and making their way to the States, we see why they've earned the right to call themselves veterans of the punk scene.

Describe your sound in your own words.

It's hard to describe a sound, we all have a range of influences from hardcore to punk to hip hop and pop. The list goes on, we just draw from what we listen to and add our own tastes into the songs--all of us by discussion.

How did your band form?

I met Cal when we were 13. We both played guitar and liked punk rock and wanted to start a band. When we were 15 we started Middle Finger Salute. Marsy was recruited on drums, who at the time couldn't play, but knew Cal through school even though he was a few years younger. Marsy invited Jonny, his friend from school, to come and play bass for us.

What are your musical influences?

We all have very different music tastes.

Jonny: Title Fight, Have Heart, Reign Supreme
Marsy: Lil Wayne, Four Year Strong, Flatliners
Danny: Cock Sparrer, Rancid, the Smiths
Cal: Minor Threat, Title Fight, Polar Bear Club

How did you come up with your band name?

Our friend Shaun came up with it! We don't even remember all the details anymore. We were just kids and it sounded awesome.

What's your biggest vice?

Partying!

What's in your festival survival kit?

In our survival kit there is: Asprin, condoms, sun cream, beers, Cheetos, and if in America, it has to have some Twinkies in there.

Who was your first celeb crush?

Marsy: Shania Twain
Jonny: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Danny: Kelly from 'Saved by the Bell'
Cal: The Olsen twins

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

Miley Cyrus, Broadway musicals and 'Hairspray' the film.

Beatles or Stones?

Neither. We were born too late, not into either of them!

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

Jonny wasted, diving head first down an escalator in Berlin. That was rad. Or, on Warped, Cal passed out by the van and almost got ran over by a quad bike.

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