by Sam Beresky
Daily Lobo
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that kills trees, a hallucinogenic poison to humans and the cue for inebriated couples to kiss around the holidays - it's also a local indie-rock band with a ton of promise and a new album.
Mistletoe, featuring Westin Glass on drums, Brian Rains on bass, vocalist Javier Romero and Alex Rose on guitar will premier its album, This is Evidence, at a CD release party Friday at the Launchpad. Against Tomorrow's Sky, the Mindy Set and Foma will also be performing.
The new album is an 11-track effort that fully embraces the corporate-emo sound that the band loves so much, but also throws the listener for a spin by successfully intertwining British-pop into the mix.
The Daily Lobo interviewed Mistletoe about their new album and what makes band members tick.
Daily Lobo: The new album seems to get much inspiration from Brit-pop of all eras. Was that a conscience decision?
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Javier Romero: It wasn't a conscious decision. British rock has such a huge influence regardless of what genre of rock you are in. It's almost inevitable if you are a rock band to carry that influence in some way. We all love The Beatles, Radiohead and probably more than a few dozen other bands from England.
DL: Is there an overall message or theme you would like to get across with your music?
JR: To keep going in the face of disappointment.
Brian Rains: That anything is possible if you dare to dream. I think I read that at Disney World.
DL: Have you always done your own recording/mixing/producing? Describe that process. Was it different from recording your last album?
Alex Rose: Mistletoe has never set foot into someone else's studio. Partly because we don't think it's worth the money and partly because I never want anybody else to be responsible for how our music sounds.
I went to school for four years learning the finer points of audio engineering and I'd feel pretty antsy giving someone else the reins. Doing it at home or in my studio allows us to be in control, which is a double-edged sword because we never know when to stop.
DL: What's next for Mistletoe? Tours? Taking over the world?
BR: I have penciled in my taping of MTV's Cribs for early 2004 so this album better take off soon, because my current crib is not really crib-worthy.
AR: We're going to apply to South by Southwest and see what the response to this album is.
DL: It seems that your star is rising in the rock and roll world, any big plans for piercings, tattoos, groupies or roadies?
JR: I plan on having a groupie tattoo my likeness inside of a glowing heart on the small of her back.
AR: I would like to combine the job of groupie and roadie, in that we'd have beautiful women setting up our equipment and tuning our guitars for us.
DL: What is the meaning of life?
JR: Maybe to leave the world better than you found it - kind of like camping.
BR: Everything you need to know about the meaning of life can be found by watching old "Happy Days" reruns. Just be cool like the Fonz, funny like Ralph Malph, caring like Richie and smooth like Potsie. And if you're lucky you'll score like Chachi.
Tickets to Friday's show are $5 and all audience members will get a free copy of This Is Evidence.
