Trash Talk Interview: SXSW 2010

Sacramento, Calif., thrash punk outfit Trash Talk have done in five years what some bands can only hope to do in a decade. With an album, a published book, a crazed tour schedule (more than 200 shows in 2009 alone) and a successful record label launch under its belt, the aggressive rock quartet is showing no sign of slowing down. With the band performing for the second time at SXSW and set to release their second album in the spring, Trash Talk bassist Spencer Pollard enlightened Spinner on everything from David Bowie to a certain plant they can't live without.

How did you guys form the band?

I first met [singer] Lee [Spielman] and [guitarist] Garrett [Stevenson] through mutual friends from going to shows and such. They were forming a band with [drummer] Sam [Bosson], and they needed a bass player, so I joined them. The musicians fit together randomly, but it worked out and the band was formed.

How would you describe your sound?

It's kind of an amalgamation of everything we listen to. We listen to a wide variety of bands, and we're influenced by all of them. Some might call it metal, some might call it hard rock. I call it aggressive punk rock.

Who are your musical influences?

Everything from Bad Brains to Black Flag ... Capitalist Casualties, Miles Davis, John Coltrane. We're influenced by a lot of stuff, but at the same time we try to keep it fresh and original. Push our own envelope and put out our own stuff.

How did you choose your band name?

We have a buddy who lives in the Bay Area, and he always joked around with Lee that there should be a band out there named "Trash Talk." So when we formed the band, it just kind of stuck. It's worked so far.

What's in your festival survival kit?

We just pack some blunts, Zig Zags [rolling paper], plenty of weed. That's about it. Always gotta have tree.

What's tree?

You know -- weed. Ganja.

Oh, of course. OK, what's the craziest thing you've experienced on tour?

We were playing a show in England, and our backpack with all our merch money was stolen from the van. We've also had a run-in with some biker gangs. You name it, it's happened.

Who was your first celebrity crush?

Janet Jackson. Oh, and Stacey Dash from 'Clueless.'

What's your guiltiest pleasure?

Well, I love karaoke, especially singing to David Bowie.


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