Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 11th 2010 1:11AM by Tim K Harlow
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Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt is a visual performance, soul- infused party band started in 2005 by college classmates Neil Fridd and Jesse Cooper Levy in New Paltz, New York. Their show consists of lights, costumes (e.g. a suit of stuffed animals), loud party music and audience participation. Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt is currently on a cross- country American tour which will include a stop in Austin, where for the March 17 SXSW performance they play at 2:45 pm, "Right after Metallica". The band is releasing their debut L.P., "I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU AND I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU! HAVE AN AWESOME DAY! HAVE THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE!!" on Luakabop Records. Spinner spoke with the band as they were on the road somewhere in the Carolinas.

How did the band start?

I like to say it started when Jesse helped me with my homework. [laughs] No really, I wrote a dance opera that was kind of about Othello, Jesse and I performed it during college. Basically it was us throwing bowls of cereal at each other over dance beats. Then I started writing songs about girls who were cool and girls who weren't cool. And now we have a band.

And where did the name Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt come from?

It's kind of a joke based on the fact that Dan [band member] is really afraid of pigeons, and I wanted to make a band name out of something he was afraid of.

Normally I ask would you describe your sound but maybe I should ask you to describe a performance by Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt

We have a nine person band playing with us now, where we used to have IPOD. Sonically we sound like Otis Redding meets Dan Deacon. Very soul infused with some punk. We are loud, with too many instruments. Visually I like to think of it as if your Senior Prom in high school was a music video, but its real life. There is a Jimmy Eat World video where everyone is in their underwear partying in their house. When you watch it you say "It never ever actually happens like that". Our goal is to make that happen in real life.

And who were some your influences

We are influenced by Kid Rock. If we can make songs that sound like [singing] "Bawitdaba da bang a dang diggy diggy", then we will be all set.

And what is the most unique place that you have performed?

We sang to a herd of sheep in Norway. If you search Terror Pigeon Norway you will find it.

Tell me about the new record coming out?

It's out digitally, but it won't be out physically until May. We have three songs on MySpace from the new record as well.

You have a song on the new record called "Snowday" which is appropriate considering the weather we have had lately.

Yes, that song is a lot of fun. Before we started the tour we played for a bunch of friends in New Paltz, New York , and the day we played they had a snow day, so it was kind of magical.

I noticed on one of your videos that you were doing a version of Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing In The Dark". What other songs have you covered?

We have covered "All I Want For Christmas Is You", we do a pretty sweet version of "One" by U2, also a sweet version of Unchained Melody. I really want to get Dancing In the Dark recorded because I'm proud of that cover. It has a cool horn solo. If Bruce could hear it he would be like "let me buy that horn solo from you"

What is in your festival survival kit?

We have this big ass snowman we carry with us. It's like a lawn decoration. We carry it on our roof like you see vehicles that have those turtle shells. He is like our mascot. By the time this tour is over we will have driven over 7,000 miles with him. I also like to have Paul Simon's Graceland with me at all times. We have a copy of the movie "One Missed Call" but it's the Japanese version. Jesse has the "Five Books Of Moses", and we have lots of peanut butter. We have three separate jars of peanut butter in the car.

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