Throw Rag and Circle Jerks Vets Sean Wheeler and Zander Schloss Turn Over a New Acoustic Leaf

DonNt Look Back
Throw Rag and Circle Jerks vets turn over a new, acoustic leaf

If thereNs a more boring genre than the acoustic-singer/songwriter format, please donNt tell me. The thought of a musician nailed to the floor performing songs that by nature have a very limited range is definitely part of my version of hell. But hope has arrived in the form of Sean Wheeler and Zander Schloss.

The duo could drown in the Open Mic Ocean, but they donNt. For starters, having a front man who doesnNt play an instrument gives audiences something to focus on, while Schloss provides harmonies that the solo acoustic world isnNt afforded. This duality allows the pair to step outside their usual scene (they play in Southern Californa punk mainstays Throw Rag and the Circle Jerks, respectively) in favor of a soulful country/folk/ragtime/bluegrass/gospel hybrid that serves as a perfect foundation for WheelerNs hair-raising vocals and SchlossN ornate strumming/picking combination. Whatever it is, it works.

Although each has been interviewed countless times, this is the first time the two have talked about their new band.

OC Weekly: How did this band start?

Wheeler: Throw Rag toured with the Circle Jerks about seven years ago. About three years ago, we got together once and wrote a song. Then every six months, weNd write another. One day, I went to say hi to a girl I knew at a coffee shop; she was with a guy I didnNt know. I told her we just wrote a song and were looking for a place to record it for free. The guy said he had a studio and there was a cancelation, so we went and recorded that day.

Schloss: Throughout the years, INve noticed qualities in these great punk singers that they havenNt tapped into. I heard a crooning and honesty in SeanNs voice. . . . We struggle with this punk-rock thing. We want to grow old with a little bit more grace. ItNs awkward thinking about adolescent things like screaming and jumping. WeNre trying to build a bridge for the people out of punk rock.

Tell me about the songwriting process.

Wheeler: INm on a truth-and-beauty kick right now. EverybodyNs feeling strange. The world is pear-shaped, and people are uncertain. All I know is how I feel, and this band makes me feel good. INm trying to be honest, whatever that means.

Schloss: More than ever, people need real music and authentic characters, people playing beautiful music. ItNs more approachable because weNre both odd individuals, so whatever honesty there is is right there to grab onto.

I donNt really like acoustic singer/songwriter stuff, but I dig you guys.

Wheeler: I love singing this stuff, but I hate watching this stuff. INm doing this for myself because INm feeling good and I wasnNt going to stop because of what people might think, but I tell my friends that if they hate it, itNs cool because I almost always hate watching acoustic music, too.

Schloss: Usually itNs coming from one person. When itNs a collaboration, itNs not so vacuum-like. I am also not a fan of acoustic singer/songwriter stuff.

This band showcases a side of each of you that most people wouldnNt know exists.

Wheeler: A lot of people say theyNve known Zander for years, but never knew he was such a talented guitarist. When I was 15, I started singing and I wanted to start with ballads, but I fell back on being a wild guy in a rock band.

Schloss: SeanNs got a great resonating chamber. YouNd think heNd be a baritone based on his speaking voice, but heNs got a great tenor-to-alto voice. I want people to know that INve got heart and soul and musical abilities beyond what INve demonstrated over the years. INm more than just a punk rock bassist. I want to create a new story for myself for the second half of my life. INve been looking for a bridge out of punk myself; maybe thatNs why I want to build one for others.

WhatNs the story behind not having a band name?

Wheeler: My whole life INve had nicknames—Sean Doe, the Captain. For some reason, INve never been my birth name. I like it because we want to be ourselves. ItNs cool to be us, right? Even that EP—we recorded live. No headphones; just stand in front of the mic and sing. We did five songs in three hours. We started burning CDs, and another guy printed covers on his printer at home. So we go, three hours later weNre done, and five hours later INm burning CDs to sell that night.

Sean Wheeler and Zander Schloss perform with Death to Anders at AlexNs Bar, 2913 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, (562) 434-8292; www.alexsbar.com. Thurs., Jan. 15, 9 p.m. $5. 21+.