Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Kansas post-punk band Müscle Wörship bringing powerful sound to Chicago

Photo by Nathan Clay Barbarick

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

Lawrence, Kansas post-punk band Müscle Wörship has garnered the reputation of being that city's loudest band. 

Chicagoans can judge for themselves when the band performs Dec. 15 at Quenchers Saloon, 2401 N. Western Ave., Chicago. Suns, An Aesthetic Anaesthetic and Electric Hawk also are part of the bill.

The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $5, available at www.yourticketstand.

I had the chance to talk to Müscle Wörship frontman Sean Bergman about the upcoming show.


Q - Great talking to you. You guys are coming to Chicago this month. For those who might not have seen the band live, what should they expect?
 

My pleasure. Definitely, expect a loud show. We're only touring as a three piece though, so don't be scared.

Q - Do you live up to the hype of being the loudest band in Lawrence?

Yes. Lawrence knows no equal.


Q - I know the band in September had the chance to play with Joan of Arc, a Chicago band that has a rich history. What do you get from playing with bands of that caliber?

We all love that band. We would have driven to Wichita just to see them.

Playing was just the icing in the cake. We played with them a couple of years back in Lawrence as well.

They always seem right in their element every time I see them. One of my favorite rhythm sections and Kinsella's lyrics always bring a smile to my face.

It's mostly just nice to see a band continuing on for the right reasons and enjoying themselves in the process.

Q - You are touring in support of your self-titled debut album that you released earlier this year. In sitting down to make the album, what were your goals and do you think you achieved them?

Our goal during those sessions was to capture the live show as close as we could. We had tried a couple of times before that to Pro Tools our way to a record, but it left something to be desired.



We ended up just setting everything up in a room together and tracking live, sans the vocals. There are scars, but we're fine with that. Better to keep the energy than iron the crap out if it.

Q - I am sure you have heard your music described in a variety of ways. How would you describe your music and who are your biggest musical influences?
 

I like a lot of old SST Records stuff = Minutemen, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr. We're pretty fond of Polvo and Bastro too.

Anything squirrelly, really. As far as new bands go, we're all over the place.

Q - Your drummer also plays in The Appleseed Cast. Does that ever pose conflicts between the two bands or are there more pros than cons?
 

We've toured together a few times now and it is always a load of fun. To answer your question though, there are way more convicted felons than professionals in The Appleseed Cast.

We're pro all the way.

Q - You guys played at SXSW in 2012. Was it important for the band to play at a high profile festival like that and do you think it widened your fan base?

We went down to support Replay Records, one of our local Lawrence labels. Played nice and early, drank margaritas all night. Saw a lot of friends play.

A good time was had. That's pretty much what happened.

Q - The band's name is unique. How did you go about naming the band?

We were gifted it by a friend from Wichita.


Q - Do you think having a unique band name has helped generate interest in the band?

I think it definitely peaks the interested of a certain minded individuals. Then they Google it and see things that can't be unseen.

Don't forget the umlauts.

Q - What are the band's short-term and long-term goals?

We aim to finish touring the states on this record. Canada and Europe are in our sights as well.

We start recording a new record when we get back from this tour.

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