Getting to Know: Drugs, Sex, & the Devil with Dirty Cakes
In today’s Getting to Know, we catch up with Dirty Cakes, a California-based rock n’ roll duo that prefers to let the music speak for itself. If you are in an up and coming band that would like to partake in a Getting to Know feature, contact editor@riffyou.com to receive the questionnaire and instructions. Thanks!
Band Name: Dirty Cakes
Band Members: Charley T. (strings and vocals), and J.F.A (drums and percussion)
Years Active: 2
City of Origin: Laurel Canyon, CA.
Who are you and what do you do?
“We are six-foot tall bearded men and we play songs about drugs, sex, and the devil.
In 100 words or less, tell us how your band has gotten to this point.
“We have a very clear vision, and specific set of skills to make it happen. We don’t waste time running around town trying to be alcohol salesmen, conning our friends for $5 here and $10 there. We spend our time in the studio being really honest with each other. Our biggest priorities are having fun, being professional and making kick ass records.”
What is your latest release and how would you best describe it to someone who hasn’t heard your band?
Our latest release is our “I’d Luv To See You Nakid” single. The Dirty Cakes brand of Rock and Roll utilizes detuned, groove-centric, crescendoing simplicity, with freak-outs; big drums; full spectrum vocals; and lyrical content focusing on sex and drugs. [The goal is] to express earnest emotionally aware portrayals of confusion, isolation, addiction and intellectualism.”
When making an album, which aspect of the process do you put the most time into and why?
“To be honest, we spend the vast majority of our time engaging with our audience and having fun…and as for why – what else is more important?”
What is the best part about your band and why?
“We’re above ground and who could want more than that?”
What makes your band unique from the rest?
“We’ll let the music speak for itself.”
How does your band survive the challenges of touring/gigging?
“What challenges? If playing isn’t fun, then you’re doing it wrong.”
Would you rather be critically-acclaimed; rich and famous; or an under-the-radar band with a dedicated fan base?
“All of the above. Honestly, if some kid somewhere picks up music because of something we’ve done, we can hang our hat in pride. That’s truly the greatest honor any musician could ask for.”
If you’d have to compare your band to another one out there, living or dead, who would it be and why?
“The Zombies, Queens of the Stone Age, The Melvins – listen to the music and tell us if you disagree.”
Which band/musician would you like to share many drinks with? What would you talk about?
“Tom Waits, Slash, Eric Clapton, Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Steven Tyler, Neil Young, Keith Urban, Eminem, Florence Welch, and Liam Gallagher. We could talk about the choices we’ve made, and how much better we are now for it.”
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