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Polyphase Interview: SXSW 2010

Panama's Polyphase emerged out of the ashes of the popular Latin American punk ska band Big Fat Hen. The quartet plays alternative indie music that bears the influence of classic British American rock. Lead vocalist Jason Berger sings in English and Spanish and gives the band a cross-cultural appeal. Three of the Polyphase four agreed to answer Spinner's questions before their appearance at SXSW.

Describe your sound in your own words.

Jason M. Berger: Currently rock is divided into so many different genres that you can't just say you're a rock band anymore, because then comes the next question: "What kind of rock do you play?" My answer would be "all the kinds of rock." We have no limits when it comes to writing a good rock song. We're an energetic alternative/indie/rock band with some grunge, punk, metal, progressive and even pop influences and a lot of fusions and crossing of genres. We do classic rock meets modern rock with an American/British influence. We're usually not satisfied until our music is as energetic and contagious as we can make it. It sounds bittersweet.

How did your band form?

J. M. B.: The name Polyphase was adopted in 2003, but we started as Big Fat Hen in 1997, when we were all still high school kids having fun and singing about masturbation, chicks and partying. We would make fun, immature music. Our style back then was more punk, reggae and ska. By 2003, we had lived and learned so much more and our music style and genres had changed. We wanted to be taken more seriously, as our music was evolving and becoming more complex and mature. Polyphase was the name we felt best described the many phases we had been through musically. Today, Polyphase has two of the original Big Fat Hen members and we have produced nine CD's independently, five as the Big Fat Hen and four as Polyphase.

What are your musical influences?

J. M. B.: We all have different influences, which is what helps make our music more interesting and original, but there are a few bands we all have in common, such as Muse, Incubus, the Mars Volta, Dredg, Radiohead and many more.

Carlos Castrellon: My main influences would be Nirvana, Weezer, the Cure, Iron Maiden and the Japanese piano player Nobuo Uematsu.

Could you talk some more about your band name?

J. M. B.: I like to think that our band name came naturally by evolution. Our music has gone through so many styles and phases that the name just seemed appropriate. I came across the word "polyphase" when I was writing a song and looking through a rhyming dictionary. When I saw that word, I knew right away that besides sounding cool, it represented our bands evolution and the many phases that a person goes through in life. Life is polyphase from the minute we are conceived.

What's your biggest vice?

J. M. B.: This is a tough one. Maybe weed. I think girls and sex rank high on the list. [Laughs]

What's in your festival survival kit?

C. C.: Frosted flakes and milk after letting it sit for half an hour.

Carlos Fernandez: Weed, followed by a bowl of ravioli mixed with M&M's.

C. C.: Two rolls of toilet paper, beer, a joint, munchies, a couple of rubbers and five dollars emergency money. You know, the things most bands need to survive.

Who was your first celeb crush?

J. M. B.: Actually, back in the day I really liked Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Either one still has a chance with me. [Laughs]

C. C.: My first real crush was Alyssa Milano. I am still in love with her.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

C. F.: Scarlett Johansson. And listening to John Mayer.

J. M. B.: Most bands don't like to admit it, but my musical guilty pleasure is listening to myself.

C. C.: My musical guilty pleasure would be listening to Anime soundtracks.

Beatles or Stones?

J. M. B.: I'd have to go with the Beatles, just because I like more Beatles songs. I only like a few Rolling Stones tunes.

C. C.: Dude, I like both.

C. F.: Beatles without a doubt.

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

J. M. B.: Well, I've seen and lived a lot of crazy s---, but I guess the most over the top experience was when ... You know what, I'm going to pass on this question.

C. C.: I don't remember living it, but my band members say I passed out in the shower naked for three hours with the water running while they kept kicking and hitting me to wake up.

What music would you play to drive an American dictator crazy and make him or her surrender?

J. M. B.: Our first demo ever.

C. F.: 'Imagine' by John Lennon.

Balboa or Shiner Bock [beer]?

J. M. B.: I'm going to have to go with Balboa. Not because it's from Panama, but because I've never tried Shiner Bock. My favorite beer is Atlas from Panama.



Steven Horowitz is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.

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CJ

Check out their last album, Polyphase - "Satellites for Stella"...ROCKS!!!....This is one of their videos on Latin MTV right now:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEMt_cCvp_M

March 04 2010 at 11:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply