Interviews: Trickshooter Social Club

We have had the opportunity to interview the Rock band Trickshooter Social Club from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

It came naturally from what we wanted this band to be. And that’s to say we didn’t want to be a bunch of dudes in a room trying to channel other bands in finding success. We wanted to build a community. Filled with diverse, generous, badass, gypsy-esque souls who want to connect and create-and no pretentiousness. There’s always a seat open here. We want to engage rappers, cojon players, percussionists, spoken word artists, visual geniuses–trickshooters. Those who will serve the song and bring something to it.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We didn’t set our sights on one particular genre-we have such an expansive list of influences and heroes that we just played what we liked-and out came this bit of amazing juke-joint, fuzzy, twangy, rock, dirty-blues, hillbilly rock. It’s certainly not simple. But it’s honest, authentic and true to the backdrop of the band.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Steve Simoncic (the other co-founder and principle songwriter) met in another band. There was always a connection there. So when that band ended we kinda new there was music to be made between the two of us. There was and always has been a mutual respect for each other as people and as songwriters. There’s also a lot of trust. We both have a lot of ideas, but neither of us is too precious about them-it’s always about “serve the song”. And that means listening and bringing thoughts to the table on each other’s work. And we always have. We don’t want to email over complete songs to each other. It’s more gratifying to work it out in the room. To build. To find those moments when you know you’ve landed on something. When that happens, they turn out to be our best songs.

4. Each band member favourite band?

James McNaughton (Bass): “Kiss because they rock and have blood and fire”. Chris Bartley-Music and being outdoors – especially camping - are two of my favorite hobbies. What better way to combine the two than the “Grateful Dead”. I went to my first shows in 1977 (age 11) at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago. I think it was also my first contact-high. One hundred plus shows later, it ended when I saw Jerry Garcia’s last show at Soldier Field in 1995. It was a good run filled with many precious memories and some that I only vaguely remember. 

Beltran Delcampo (Violin): Right before I moved to the states from Chile when I was 17. I went to a Misfits concert with my friend Misfit. It ended in a riot and I met tear gas for the first time. And not the last. The show was short (hence the riot) but sweet. Otherwise, Dream Theater has been big for me. When I was 16 I saw them for my first live show ever. The light show blew my mind. Even better, six years later I was playing with them for their 30th-anniversary show/DVD filming at the Boston Opera House.

Ruth Margraff (Accordion): Sonic youth is one of my longest influences because Kim Gordon is badass and started out in art, remains always an artist. Her voice goes everywhere like a road trip that ends with her kingdom, her kind of paradise. Also Rickie Lee Jones can give you a novel in a sigh. She writes like weather in a sentence where the storm is looming or gone or you're in the thick of it.

Larry Liss (Lead Guitar): I’m all over the place. I love Tom Petty for no BS, three chords and the truth. Wilco, for their sonic chaos. Metallica for their relentless riffs and energy. Both Robert Johnson and Johnnie Johnson for their heart.

Steve SImoncic (Lead Vocals/Rhythm guitar): It, of course, all begins and ends with the Beatles. They did everything before anybody did anything.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

It’s just something that’s always filled our souls. Finding those pieces and parts and forming them into something-creating memorable melodies and finding an honest, engaging story to tell has always been what motivated us. And quite honestly, there’s something so uniquely satisfying at every stage. From recording that first riff of the song into a phone to penning the lyrics to rehearsing, changing, editing and building to recording to that final upload-all of it give your all the feels.

6. Where was your last gig?

The last gig was at Lincoln Hall in Chicago. Definitely one of our favorite venues. Amazing sound. People who work there are awesome. And for a place that’s fairly new, it’s already got a pretty great history.

7. Where would you like to perform?

There’s something about the Troubadour in LA. That place is legendary. The grit and well-worn backdrop of that room just beg for pegged amplifiers, relentless energy, and sweat. And it’s got a rich history of bands that have come through there and torn the place up.

8. Whom would you like to perform with?

Dave Grohl. Just to be in the presence of someone who has no fear and is relentlessly pursuing every form of creation there is. He has Foo Fighters. He wanted to play metal with his heroes, so he formed Probot. He loved the Neve Mixing board, so he bought it and made a movie about it. He is pure creative soul and to be around someone and perfrom with someone who is so driven and have so much energy to putting things out into the world would be inspiring.

9. Whom not?

We always have a seat open in Trickshooter Social Club. So we’re open to trying anyone and anything. You just never know what’s going to make a moment happen.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

I don’t think so. We’re all so connected on stage. If there’s any sort of anxiety, we just find someone across the stage and lock in with them. The best tip I can give is to rehearse…a lot. With the band, by yourself with the material. And even backstage before a show. Just sitting down and going through stuff beforehand can give you confidence.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Again, we love Petty – he made honest music without pretense his entire career. Just a badass in every way. We also like bands like Cheap Trick because they wrote songs – with choruses and hooks and memorable lyrics. Not bullshit soundscapes or indulgent pap. We also love Social Distortion for their punch and simplicity. Steve Earle for his intelligence and candor. And when it comes to lyrics – our heroes are Leonard Cohen - the Zen master and Warren Zevon - the smirking smartass genius

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Haven’t had a weird ask yet-we do appreciate the gear questions. We’re all tone chasers, so always happy to have a 4 hour discussion over the Tube Screamer or the FullDrive.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We don’t take them for granted. We appreciate every listen, every raised fist at a show, every like, every comment–music is so easily disposable at the moment that’s it’s so easy to just give something a spin or even a half-spin and move on. Our music is not simple and requires a bit of time to soak in. And for those who do, we appreciate it and feel lucky that you were willing to make the investment in us.

14. What do you think of our site?

Any time you get such an eclectic, diverse and talented group of musicians under one site, I’m in. The questions are consistently thoughtful, insightful and engaging. I’m also a huge fan of the logo.

15. Something to add?

Just in terms of what we’re up to…right now, we’re full on promoting the new EP “Monte Carlo”. We’re so lucky to have this label behind and supporting us. So we’re going to produce as much music as possible. Making visual art to accompany it. We’re also going to try and make our way to the UK and play some shows there–as well as LA, NY, Denver and a tour across the Midwest. And, as we do, we’re going to continue to invite new Trickshooters into our world. There’s always a seat open with us–for rappers, percussionists, pedal steel players, whatever. We want every show to be different. We never wanted to stand on stage, stare at our shoes and play songs. So we built this community of folks. And we’re not going to stop building on it.