She Wants Revenge Interview: SXSW 2010

Justin Warfield and Adam 12 make up the two-man band She Wants Revenge. Growing up in the San Fernando Valley in the late '80s and early '90s, they were influenced by bands like Psychedelic Furs, Depeche Mode and New Order. So it's really no surprise that they're now compared to those same bands. Spinner talked to frontman Justin Warfield recently to hear about the band and how they got their start.

Describe your sound.

Dark and dancey. We've always made music that had a certain feeling. Some stuff is more on the dance side, some stuff has more live drums and a rock feeling. We've always gone for stuff that felt like it made you feel a certain way or elicted a certain emotion. Some people say that feels like the '80s, and that's definitely true. We came up as kids in the early '80s when there was a certain sound, a certain romanticism and a certain emotion associated with that music. When we started the band we wanted to make music that was dark, dancey, romantic and lyrical in a certain way.

How did you and Adam come together as a band?

We initially met many years ago at a party in the San Fernando Valley that he was DJing at. It was 1987 or 1988. LL Cool J's 'Radio' album had just come out. Adam was playing New Order and dance music. He played this music that blew my mind. We kept running into each other over the next few years. He followed my music and what I was doing and I followed his stuff. We kept saying we should make music together but never did. Then many years later we were at a barbecue in a friend's back yard. We were like the last two people standing and we were talking music the whole time. Finally, a friend said, "Don't you think it's time for you two to start making music together? Like, right not?" Within three weeks we had written three or four songs for our first record.

How did you choose your band name?

I thought we should have something with "girl" in it. Adam suggested something like "Girl Revenge," which became She Wants Revenge.

Who or what are your musical influences?

Hip-hop but also Prince, Depeche Mode, New Order. The soundtracks of 'Risky Business' and 'Blade Runner' and 'Valley Girl.' Psychedelic Furs were our touchstones. I'm influenced by a tremendous amount things but not all of them come through in my music. We were both influenced by Earth, Wind and Fire, but you don't necessarily hear that in our music.

Beatles or Stones?

I can't really make that choice. Growing up, I had both but there was more Beatles. Then when I was in my 20s, I really got into the Stones. It's almost ridiculous to debate their importance. I love 'Abbey Road,' but on the other side I love 'Gimme Shelter.' If I could write a song like 'Lady Jane' I'd be pretty happy.

What's your biggest vice?

Coffee. That's my only vice.

What's in your festival survival kit?

My laptop. It's not sexy but I can't go anywhere without it.

Who's your musical guilty pleasure?

Billy Joel's 'The Stranger': Someone recently told me there are no guilty pleasures, and I kind of agree with that.

What's the craziest thing you've seen while performing?

So many things: People standing in the front row singing along to all the songs when they clearly don't know the words. They know some of the words, but they're not singing the same song as we are. There's something sweet about that. There's also bad stuff, like people fighting at shows and we'll have to stop the show and throw people out. There have been many shows where we have to say, "Please don't push the person next to you."


Kelly Rose is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.