Truckasauras Interview: SXSW 2010

Fresh out of Seattle, Wash., electro-rock quartet Truckasauras is everything we love about America and more: John Deere trucker hats, fisherman's vests and 16-ounce cans of Budweiser set to the backdrop of really good club music. You can witness the magic happen at one of Truck's live sets, where the guys come armed with an arsenal of old-school A/V equipment, only to perform in front of a giant projected mash-up of monster truck rallies, helicopter explosions and WWF matches, proudly accented by a display of stars and stripes. Performing for the first time at this year's SXSW, Truck's Adam Swan divulged to Spinner why Nintendo's Game Boy and a fresh pack of undies are absolutely essential to a successful show.

How did you guys form the band?

Tyler [Swan], Ryan [Trudell] and I have been playing music together since grade school. Ryan started collecting vintage synths and drum machines, along with the Nanoloop program for Game Boy. Originally, it was a side project to our band, Foscil. Then we also added our visuals by having our friend Dan [Bordon] join the group. We started rocking loft parties and it just snowballed from there.

How would you describe your sound?

Electronic with a rock and roll mindset.
Who are your musical influences?

Everything good...from Aphex Twin to Pink Floyd to Wu-Tang to Butthole Surfers. Really too many to name.

How did you choose your band name?

We wanted to spoof everything about America's over-consumption and culture. What represents that more than a gas-powered machine that eats cars?

What's in your festival survival kit?

Underwear and Ibuprofen.

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

A girl stripping on stage while we played. She got shut down by the club though.

Who was your first celebrity crush?

Not sure. Maybe the brunette girl from News Radio.

What's your guiltiest pleasure?

Top 40 hip hop.

If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, which would you choose?

'The Big Lebowski.'


Tina Smithers is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.