More than a dozen local bands took part in the Fall Semester Showdown series at the Canopy Club last week. In case you’re not familiar with some of them, or if you missed the series altogether, we’re running capsule interviews with as many of them as would respond to our emails.
Next up: Skalalatibs, who played Friday night with Roses and Sake, Butterfly Assassins, Neoga Blacksmith, The Cellar Door, and the Withershins.
“Too Cool for Ska” by Skalalitabs
Smile Politely: How would you describe your sound to a person who you don’t think will like your music?
Skalalitabs: Oh, we play a bunch of stuff, a little 50 Cent, some funk here and there, and we’re very witty.
SP: Is there anything your music has been compared to that you don’t particularly agree with?
Skalalitabs: Cake. I like Cake, but some people assume that they’re ska just because they have a trumpet.
SP: Are there any non-musical influences that one might not expect?
Skalalitabs: We play a lot of nerdy games like “Magic: The Gathering,” which teaches us words like “merfolk” and “necromancy.”
SP: What are the primary factors/influences/motivations that keep you doing what you’re doing?
Skalalitabs: It’s fun as hell, and we want to move people to get out of their shell and dance.
SP: What is the best (or worst) thing happening in music today (either local, national or international)?
Skalalitabs: The best thing happening is probably Gogol Bordello. They bring a lot of interesting influences together that make for interesting and exciting music and a killer live show.
SP: Tell us about the worst show you have ever played.
Skalalitabs: We had a pretty rough one with lots of logistical issues and my bass string broke. One of our friends bailed us out with a spare though, so it wasn’t too bad.
SP: What do you have coming up on the horizon?
Skalalitabs: We hope to start playing more and more groovy reggae and gigging more. Also, we will soon be distributing our new EP titled “This EP is Known by the State of California to Contain Ska Music!”
SP: What can people expect from your live show that differs from what is available from your MySpace?
Skalalitabs: The rhythm and sound quality is way better, for one thing, and you can see our beautiful faces/pelvises.
SP: Anything else you want to emphasize or get off your chest?
Skalalitabs: Our song “Gangplank!” is not a metaphor, and it’s not perverted.