Velveeta Issue #2

(featuring Acetaminophen)

(diana, gabriel, paul;{plant})

Acetaminophen is a trio out of San Francisco. Paul Lant (plant): guitar, vocals, Diana Sanchez, bass, backing vocals, Gabriel Coan, drums, backing vocals. The band has put out two 4-track demos, one titled 'Lofiscifi', and the other 'Chupacabra' (yes i think we all saw that episode of X-files). They also have worked on a self titled album in the recording studio. Acetaminophen has been around since late 1995. The orginal trio was Plant, Gabriel, and Aaron Dukes, who left in 1996. Later on in '96 they found Diana. They just finished mixing and recording a 7" that is expected out some time soon. The 7" features the songs "Sound Machine", "Hotel Luna", and "the Theme from Spy-Fi." As you can tell from not only their band name, but the titles of songs and albums, this band is full of sci-fi nerds, not to mention sarcastic smart ass humor. So if you haven't gotten a chance to see them, some upcoming gigs are as follows: August 12th-9p.m. W/ the Cherries and Radio Flophouse Cocodrie, North Beach. 3$ 21+ Also on August 25th. With the Cherries and Ipecac at the Paradise Lounge. Free Show 21+. Too bad I'm not old enough to make it to these shows.. well one of these days. Enjoy the interview.

ME: Where does your name come from? It sounds like some sort of perscription or clinical drug.

PLANT: Gabriel actually came up with the name. For those who don't know, Acetaminophen is a generic form of aspirin. It's the active ingredient in Tylenol.

GABRIEL: Yeah, Ibuprofen sounded too dirty.

ME: Now, Plant, i know you were inspired by firehose. What other bands influenced you? Gabriel? Diana? what about you guys?

PLANT: Yeah, fIREHOSE have really been a big inspiration for me. Those dudes totally changed my entire outlook on music. There's a ton of other really talented musicians who have inspired and who continue to inspire me - from Louis Jordan to Iron Maiden.

GABRIEL: The Star Wars Cantina Band.

"pioneer of aerodynmaics, they thought he was a real SMART ALEC.." (gabriel)

DIANA: Bands that have influenced me...Hmm! Well, I guess I would have to say the Pixies, Sonic Youth, the Smashing Pumpkins, and yes, even the Stone Roses. My musical taste is quite broad - these are just a few bands that stand out in my mind.

ME: I know Plant and Gabriel knew eachother from SF State, how did Diana become acquainted with you boys?

PLANT: Maybe Di' should answer this one.

GABRIEL: She was turning tricks near our old rehearsal space.

DIANA: How I became acquainted with these beautiful gentlemen is quite a story. While Acetaminophen was on sort of a hiatus, if you will, Gabriel tried out for the band, The Cherries - two of the members whom I've known for years as we graduated from UC Santa Barbara together. Anyway, when they decided to ask Gabriel to join the band as their drummer, he backed out at the last minute. It seems Paul (Plant) finally decided to get serious again and wanted to acquire a bass player for Acetaminophen and make something of the band. This is where I come in... So, when Gabriel told the Cherries that he was going to continue to play with Acetaminophen he mentioned to Annalee (lead vocalist for the Cherries) that they were still lacking a bass player. She proceeded to mention my name to him as she knew I was looking to play with a band. I got his phone number from her, and the rest is history. The true selling point for me was the warm and humurous personalities both Gabriel and Paul possess... Oh, and the caliber of the music is incredible.

"this ain't no planet of sound, this ain't no rock and roll town.."(diana)

PLANT: Hard to believe we almost didn't happen.

ME: Do you feel it's hard to get recognized in the Bay Area? There are so many bands out their, it's atrocious to discover the good ones.

PLANT: Hmmm... getting recognized really seems to require a lot of time and dedication - something I don't have. (Ha ha) I mean, I really haven't given much thought to whether or not we're getting recognized. I just love getting up there and playing. We've been pretty low-key so far in that we haven't strayed much out of the San Francisco & Berkeley area. We're hoping to change that within the next couple of months. I dunno, I mean, when we do play, we tend to get really good responses from the crowds. If at the end of a set there's only one person clapping or only one person comes up and signs our mailing list - hey, that's enough recognition for me.

ME: Are there any bands in the Bay Area that any of you guys have taken a liking to?

DIANA: It just so happens my two favorite bands in the Bay Area happen to be imports from Santa Barbara, CA. Biased, well, maybe... they're Jargon and The Cherries. I also quite like Shemp and Radio Flophouse. I highly recommend each one of these bands to everyone.

GABRIEL: Radio Flophouse and the Cherries! And that accordian lady with the light-up helmet in the Castro. Her son sometimes plays with her. His name's Buck. I asked him to join the band - he said he'd ask his mom.

PLANT: Yeah, definitely the Cherries and Flophouse. I also really dig this band from Sacramento, Lucky Strike. They all really kick ass.

"silence to regain composure, or rather, music to soothe.."(plant)

ME: I really hate asking this question, but i'll do it anyways. :) How would you describe your music to people that haven't heard you?

GABRIEL: A third grade science project.

DIANA: Just as you hate asking this question, I really hate answering it - one, as many musicians feel, they don't like to label their music and two, it's not the easiest thing for me to do. I guess what I say to most people is that we're sort of a cross between the Pixies & fIREHOSE.. as Paul found it so humurous that I add this in... we also do a Devo cover.

PLANT: Ouch! That question hurt! I dunno... I think we sound like whatever the listener wants us to sound like. There's definitely something for everyone. I kinda like to describe ourselves as low-fidelity scientific dork-rock.

I'd like to thank Gabriel, Diana, and Paul for taking time to do this interview. Extra thanks to Paul for being nice enough to reply. :)

For information about how to get ahold of any of these albums, please contact me, and I will do the best I can to help you.

Big Rig: Expansive Heart (Lookout Records 1994)

Strong sounding vocals, along with a powerful guitar sound. The self titled track sounds like an old school punk song. This four song EP is passionately done, and sounds like it came out of an old damned record.

Go Sailor: Self Titled (Lookout Records 1996)

This three peice pop band has colaborated an extremely tasty album for you. With the dreamy vocals of Rose, and the comination of riffs and pounding from Paul and Amy, this album is all set for perfection. "I'm Still Crying", and "Together Forever in Love", is just a little taste of what this band can do. "A Fine Day for Sailing", and "Last Year", are just what the pop doctor ordered, so get in bed, and listen to this.

Madison Avenue: Tang Experience (1997)

What came to mind when I first heard this band was oh.. a fast but bluesy Butthole Surfers. Although the music is somewhat synthetic, it does have some catchy riffs, and a unique guitar sound. They show it more than once with songs such as: "Mosquito", "Candice", and the self titled track, "Tang Experience". I admit that I am not in love with the sounds, but was interested enough to give them a listen or two.

Soda Pop Fuck You: Self Titled (Bad Monkey Records/New Disorder Records 1997)

It's PUNKY-SKA from Santa Cruz!! A female fronted, raw sounding, and powerfully demonstrated band. This self titled album is filled with ten songs, nine of which are unreleased. This four peice band put out an angst filled album, with humorous lyrics just for you!!

MUSICAL WHORES IN TOWN

Go here for all show listings for the month of August. Courtesy of Steve Koepke.

Band Links

Go Pound Salt a good San Francisco pop/punk trio. Sounds like Husker Du. YEAH!!

the Cherries find out what's to know about this Santa Barbara, now Bay Area band.

Lucky Stike Excellent Sacramento band. LISTEN TO THE SOUND CLIPS. especially 25 hr day.

the Muffs unofficial page

Stiff Little Fingers the authorized website. (haha)

the Mermen songs of the cows.. ladeda. SURF TO THE BOARD..

Zine Links

Guilt Trip um you have to download and stuff.

Monkey Magnet Good Zine right out of Santa Cruz.

10 Things Zine A zine out of Washington with some good interviews and such.

Fucktooth this zine is extremely dedicated.

Scratch n' Sniff Zine like the saying goes.. kid tested, mother approved.

Pat is the guitarist and vocalist for the San Francisco based band Go Pound Salt. As you might have checked out from the link up above, they sound very much like Husker Du and the Replacements. The band formed in spring 1995. Before the band formed he was playing in a pop noise band from Santa Cruz called Cara de Nada, which had formed in 1991. The band has played with such bands as, NOFX, Swinging Utters, and the Joykiller. They have their eleven track self titled CD now out. So check them out.

© July 1997 All Rights (Un)Reserved