Wallpaper Interview: SXSW 2010

A keen sense of humor is required to fully appreciate Oakland band Wallpaper and their satirical look at modern pop. In 2009, they released their first album, 'Doodoo Face,' which refers to the twisted face a person makes when a sound is particularly funky. Spinner recently spoke with Eric Frederic of Wallpaper about his new project and the gigs he has planned for SXSW.

How did your band form?

My drummer was playing in a hardcore band with my girlfriend at the time's ex-boyfriend, so I went to these hardcore metal house party shows, and saw him drumming there. I was ... making music in my bedroom on my own, and when I wanted to bring it to the live circuit, I signed up Arjun (Singh). Then the songwriting process became more thorough and the instrumentation started to grow and develop.

How did you come up with your band name?

I've always had a really weird love-hate relationship with pop music. I formed the band as a side project to my main rock group which is called Facing New York. I was thinking about how pop music was great in the seventies and eighties ... but we've largely reduced it to background noise, or the soundtrack of our lives, which I don't think is a good thing. To me, pop music has become wallpaper in recent times, and originally we set out to lampoon that, and satire that. Now we're just trying to make music that is not wallpaper.

How would you describe your sound?

It takes a lot from funk, R&B, and soul that I grew up with ... the radio rap that I was listening to when I was a kid. We take these elements of funk, soul, pop, rap, and R&B, and try to put the most futuristic, far-out spin that we can as far as the production goes. I would say it's a futuristic R&B pop sound.

What are your musical influences?

I was raised listening to a lot of soul and funk like Earth, Wind & Fire and Parliament, Zapp & Roger, and also the West Coast greats like Dr. Dre, Snoop and Steely Dan. A lot of that stuff really inspired me, really gets under my skin, but my number one dude is still Michael Jackson.

What is your biggest vice?

Probably, as far as traditional vices, it would probably be alcohol, self-indulgence in general.

Who was your first celebrity crush?

That would be one of two different people because I can't remember which one came first. Either Al from 'Step by Step,' she was the youngest tomboy, or Topanga from 'Boy Meets World.'

What is in your festival survival kit?

Three dozen Clif Bars, a couple of cases of bottled water from Costco that we keep under the front seat of our vehicle, a small container of Absinthe for when you need to do something stupid or embarrassing, and you need a quick shot of calm and comfort. Last year our survival kit contained a panda costume and a King Tut outfit. This year, I'm not sure what we're going to do to overcome what we did last year. You'll probably see us on the streets.

What is you musical guilty pleasure?

Most people's guilty pleasures aren't really that guilty. What's something I would be really embarrassed to tell you? Probably, Lady Gaga. I really didn't like her when she came out. She was overhyped, and I wasn't impressed with her musical prowess. But the songs on her new record, I will totally geek out to in private.

Beatles or Stones?

Beatles. Without a doubt. I like the Stones a lot. I think the Stones ... are one of the greatest of all time. I think what your folks listen to ... you are most likely to hold on to that. I was raised listening to late Beatles with my mom. 'Abbey Road' is my favorite Beatles record, and one of my most favorite records of all time. I just don't have that emotional connection or musical connection with any Rolling Stones albums the way I do the Beatles albums.

What is the craziest thing you have seen or experienced while on tour?

We were at a fast food place in Phoenix. There was a woman, this crazy white trash lady, she had the crystal meth scars. She ran in screaming. Apparently, she had jalapeno juice in her eye. She runs into the fast food place screaming, totally freaking out, and she runs over to the fountain drink machine and starts dousing her face with soda. One of my friends runs over to her with his soda. She's holding her head back, and he's dripping Coke into her eye. So twisted.

What are you most looking forward to at SXSW?

This great Vietnamese place: Mekong River Restaurant.


Chasity Goddard is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.