the-blind-shake-band

5 Questions with: The Blind Shake

the-blind-shake-band

Minneapolis noisemakers The Blind Shake welcomed their newest effort, Key to a False Door, in September of 2013 via Thee Oh Sees head honcho John Dwyer’s Castle Face Records. They’ve been touring hard in support of the LP–including a stacked fall ’13 run with Thee Oh Sees and Austin’s own OBN IIIs–and will be in Austin, TX this week to deliver some scorching performances at SXSW. One of their many shows this week (full schedule below) is the free BrooklynVegan Friday day party with Parquet Courts, Beth Israel, La Femme, and many more. Meanwhile, we trapped The Blind Shake’s Jim Blaha and asked him 5 QUESTIONS:

1) What is your favorite venue to play in the country (or world) and why?

JB: The Empty Bottle in Chicago has always treated us great. Very good veggie burgers next door and the whole staff are super sweet people. Great sound every time too.

more below…

2) Tell us about the worst show you’ve ever played.

Siberia, New York City. We played to about seven people total throughout Michigan and Ohio on our way to the great “golden gig” in New York City. At the last second, the promoter had us play the entrance to the downstairs–so people could hear 3 seconds of music before they caught bigger, more important bands. Our van died right as we went to park, so we didn’t even get to play the shitty show. Instead, we rode in the van as it was being towed. The tow truck took a hard right turn and the van fell off the hook, hit the back of the tow truck and then hit a parked car. We were left stranded in NYC for three days with no money.

3) What are some albums that you’ve been spinning in the van (or elsewhere) lately?

Dead Moon/Pierced Arrows, The Coachwhips, Neil Young, AC/DC, and Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall, Running, Captain Beefheart, Night Marchers, Lamps, Mississippi John Hurt

4) What would your metal band name be? (This list may help)

No band name, just a blood stain containing Neanderthal DNA, obviously.

5) Be honest: how often do you change your clothes on tour?

I change mine once a day. Mike changes his twice a day. And Dave hangs up his jeans at night. So there’s that.

The Blind Shake – “Le Pasion”

The Blind Shake – “I’m Not An Animal”

The Blind Shake — SXSW 2014 Shows
03/13 02:00PM Obsolete Industries (1700 E 12th St) – Record Label Rummage Sale
03/13 05:05PM New Movement Theater (616 Lavaca St) – DC Against The World Party
03/14 12:45PM Red 7 (611 E 7th St) – Brooklyn Vegan Party (Outside)
03/14 02:45PM Hotel Vegas (1500 E 6th St) – Castle Face Records Party
03/14 01:20AM Hotel Vegas (1500 E 6th St) – Panache Booking Showcase
03/15 05:45PM The Museum of Human Achievement – Third Man Records Party
03/15 TBA Beerland (711 Red River St)
03/16 09:30PM Beerland (711 Red River St) – Panache Hangover Party

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