It's amazing how some bands end up being tailor-made for certain venues. In the case of Fullerton thrashers The Dahmer Party (don't be alarmed, none of them are actually cannibals…I think), Slidebar's rock-n-roll party scene is an ideal stomping ground. And it's not just because their drummer works there (he actually does, look around next time for the guy with a bunch of tattoos and plugs in his ears, oh wait…). These guys have been kicking around for a bit, showcasing a mix of hard “rawk” insanity, melodic passages and throaty vocals. As formulaic as some of that might sound, these guys have an intriguing approach to their music that doesn't put too much stock in one particular style. One minute their blasting you with driving, Queens of the Stone-Age riffage, the next minute they get all Alice-in-Chains on your ass. But no matter what band comparisons you ascribe to TDP, they will surely find a place in the heart of the discriminating alt-rock headbanger. And if their sound doesn't intrigue you, maybe their blatant love of carnies, evidenced on their Myspace page, will get your attention.
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OC
Weekly: Who's in the band and who does what?
Cody Laird- Lead vocals, guitar, rat tail. Steve Schwinn- Guitar. James
Moorcroft- bass, backing vocals. Will Peacock- Drums, push ups.
OCW: What motivated you to start the
band?
Cody Laird: We were all injured in a horrible fictitious
chemical spill, and during the long, painful process of recovery, we supported
each others' efforts to re-learn to speak, eat solid foods, and text message.
It was at that point that we realized that we had mediocre
“superpowers” related to the creation of music. Eventually, through
the kindness and tireless efforts of skin graft donors, NASA, and miscellaneous
foreign governments, we were able to gather the strength to make the decision
to start The Dahmer Party. Boredom, frustration with the music industry, and
dealing with the situations that life sometimes presents have been major
influences on our continued breaking of instruments.
OCW: Who are your
biggest influences and why?
Will Peacock: We enjoy Floyd, Hendrix, Zeppelin, Sabbath,
Botch, Michael Bolton, Air Supply, Barry Mainlow, and Yanni.
OCW: What's the best thing that has happened to your band?
What is the worst?
Steve Schwinn – Our (current) favorite memory was playing
the Hub in Downtown
before its closure in 2003. We all miss that place, and I know we're not alone.
The worst thing that has happened to this band is the discovery of the
distillation of alcoholic spirits. Then again, maybe that's the best thing…
We have been fortunate, though, in that this question was tough to answer –
we've had our fair share of trouble, but nothing to write home about, so to
speak.
OCW: There are millions of bands and solo artists creating
music right now. Why should people listen to you?
James Moorcroft – Did you hear about our miraculous recovery
from a brutal chemical spill and our subsequent reinvention as bionic men? Not
many bands can say that.
The Dahmer Party performs TONIGHT!!! (hurry) at:
The Slidebar CafN
(714) 525-1984
8 p.m. 21+ No cover
