Useless ID Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 15th 2010 3:00PM by Anneliese Curtis Place
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Known as one of the most successful Israeli punk bands worldwide, Useless ID formed in Haifa, Israel in 1994. Their name stems from a classic skateboarding movie. The band members are Yotam Ben Horin on vocals and bass, Yonatan Harpak beating the drums, and Ishay Berger and Guy Carmel playing guitar. Spinner recently spoke with guitarist Ishay Berger about the band and SXSW.

Describe your sound in your own words.

The sound is punk rock with melody, nuts and guts. We definitely sound like Useless ID.

How did your band form?

Guy started it, we came in to help him. That was a long time ago, so that's as good as I remember it.
What are your musical influences?

It started with just the classic punk rock stuff, then we started being influenced by a lot of other stuff. Now we're just influenced by the force of a great song.

How did you come up with your band name?

It was under an influence of a classic skateboarding movie called "Useless Wooden Toys." Not a lot of people know that, so there.

What's your biggest vice?

Is falafel a vice? Falafel!

What's in your festival survival kit?

A plane ticket.

Who was your first celeb crush?

Weird Al.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

Midge Ure. For Sure.

Beatles or Stones?

Jam.

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

We got a cow jaw as a present in Lake Michigan. That was "stoopid".

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