Feature Friday - SWANK SINATRA - Interview and more...

Feature Friday – SWANK SINATRA – Interview and more…

February 19, 2010 0 Comments

These 3 dudes have been tearing up the ATL for some years now so you may know the name, but for those of you who don’t, Swank Sinatra is a fearless and tantalizing menace to your musical eardrums that leaves ears burning for more. Their debut album Joseph Merrick was a Handsome Man (2007) was a splendid, unapologetic trampling of the senses. Swank Sinatra’s music is that kick you in the balls rock and roll with a punk attitude. It also features a lot of jazz and pop overlays with some electronic sounds thrown in from to time to time. At other moments it can remind you of some heavier 70s trucker rock, but it always stays jaunty and funky throughout succeeding in making each lucky listener want to move their feet. The lyrics are filled with rebellious notions of partying, women and creative and funny fantasy inspired stories. Song titles include Disco Suicide, Peg-leg Bill and Balls out Breakfast. You can download their first album for free here. They have a new CD out that you can find their as well thats only $5. We’ll have a review up in the coming days so check back for that. There is an interview and some videos (not by beatlanta) below.?

I haven’t had the chance to see them yet but I can’t wait. After reading more about the band you can’t help but notice every review is about their unequalled, stomp your face live shows. Check them out on myspace here and buy their album. The new album I think takes a more funky jazz direction and adds a much more soulful feel than Joseph Merrick…but I’ll touch more on that in the review.

Here is the interview…

B: When did Swank Sinatra form? Who plays what? How does
everyone know each other?

Swank Sinatra formed in September of 2004 during a lunar eclipse. We had known each other for many years, so it was an easy decision.

B: Do you have any albums out now or coming soon that we should know about? Who produced your upcoming EP? Where did you record?

We have an EP coming out on Valentine’s Day called “Don’t Believe The Hype.” Randy Garcia produced it at Media Nurse Facilities in Atlanta.

B: Do you have any upcoming shows and/or tour plans?

Our EP Release show is at MINT Gallery in Atlanta on February 19th. We also have several regional shows planned in support of our new record for the spring of this year.

B: What are your goals as a band?

Our original goal was to cure world hunger by developing a tree that can grow cheeseburgers. We have become side tracked with recording records and playing high-energy Rock n’ Roll shows as of late.

B: Describe a Swank Sinatra show? What experience above all others do you hope fans take away from the show?

Watching our live show is a lot like witnessing a Thunderdome death match: Two men enter, one man leaves.

B: Tell us about your writing process. What do you like most
about playing music?

We blindfold each other, spin around ten times, and throw darts at dictionaries until it all comes together.

B: Are there any major influences that influence your sound or made you want to start your band?

Spirit animals that an ancient Shaman bestowed upon us influence us. It’s kind of like a Voltron thing.

B: Are there any major influences the entire band shares, music or otherwise?

Desi Arnaz.

B: What are your thoughts on the Atlanta music scene? How does it treat your band?

The Atlanta music scene is a lot like the immigration boom in New York City around the 1900s. There are a lot of different things going on in such a small space. We are always glad to be apart of it.

B: What local bands would you recommend to your fans and fans of local music?

Currently, we are impressed with the music of: Jungol, Utah, Odist, Nerd Parade, The Vaginas, Attractive Eighties Women, and Balkans. There are so many great bands in Atlanta right now.

B: What’s your favorite store in Atlanta? What’s your favorite bar?

Any store close to us that has food and cigarettes. We think The Star Bar is a great one.

Where do you buy your shoes?

From our secret guy that combs graveyards for the best in vintage dead man’s shoes.

B: How do you advertise your shows?

We use the Internet and we also use our feet to desecrate Atlanta with our flyers.

B: Any closing statements or thoughts?

We are firing ourselves from this interview. Thank you for your time. In all seriousness, we’d like to thank everyone who keeps Atlanta fun and diverse.

(all pictures provided by Swank Sinatra)