Shitty Carwash Interview: SXSW 2010

Talking to Joe Pennenbacker, half of the heavy metal duo Shitty Carwash, it's hard to separate the man from the music. When asking him questions his replies are quick, concise and to the point. The same also goes for their music which crowds at SXSW will learn is straight up, hard-core heavy metal.

Describe your sound.

Hard-core heavy metal.We basically like to take a 8-minute hard-core metal song and condense it to two or three minutes.

How did you band form?

Aaron Sinclair and I were drinking buddies and had always talked about putting together a band. In late 2008, we finally did.

How did you pick your band name?

I was with a friend, and she said she was pissed because she just had a shitty car wash. I thought that would make a great band name. I asked her if I could steal it, and she said sure. (Note: Urban Dictionary has a definite sexual definition for shitty car wash. Pannenbacker denies knowledge of this definition when choosing his band name.)

Who are your musical influences?

Fugazi, My Bloody Valentine, '90s heavy metal stuff.

Beatles or Stones?

Stones without a doubt

Who's your musical guilty pleasure?

Miranda Cosgrove. She's the girl from Nickoledeon's "ICarly." She's has some catchy songs, and she's only 16. I think she writes her own stuff with some guy from another Nickoledeon show. She has some good pop music.

What's in your festival survival kit?

Tequila and beer.We usually have a ritualistic tequila shot before our show.

What's the craziest thing you seen while performing?

We usually do the crazy shit.

What's up next for the band?

I don't know. We're kind of lazy. Hopefully we'll play some more shows and make some more music.