Dover, NH electro-punk band Felix and Volcano! (derived from Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut) are experiencing some seriously fun times spreading their total spastic bliss of truly whimsical musical prowess to the masses. Felix and Volcano! don’t do things halfassed; the recently self-released Grow Rich EP will astound, enthrall, confuse, excite and blow your mind in equal measures. Fans of !!! and The Mae Shi may find Felix and Volcano!’s complex, fun, and scary style a very interesting and worthy addition to their playlists.
You can snag Grow Rich EP here.
This week we have 1/2 of Felix and Volcano!, Sam Ueda answering the Kuestionnaire.
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1. Could you state your name and what you do in the band?
My name is Sam Ueda and I write, record, manage, and dance to Felix and Volcano!
2. How would you describe your sound?
A slightly uncomfortable amount of fun.
3. What is your favorite local band?
They aren’t a band any more, but Horny Vampyre is the best thing that’s ever happened to the New Hampshire dance music scene.
4. Any concerts that blew your mind recently?
I haven’t been to a show in a while because of school and my three new jobs, but I spent a weekend in New York a few months ago and got to see Jason Anderson one night and Peelander-Z the next. Jason may be the only recording artist in history that can make me cry. It’s a religious experience just being around him. And I had never seen Peelander before, but their unfailing energy had me totally amped the whole night. I ripped my pants.
5. Any non-musical influences you would like to mention?
Kurt Vonnegut. Our band name, as well as the song Boku-Maru from our new album, comes from Cat’s Cradle. He’s the kind of author that says all the things that I’m scared/not smart enough to say.
6. If your music was to be the theme of a film/TV show, what would it be?
Aventure Time. I wish.
7. What musician/artist would you like to collaborate with for a day?
Andre 3000.
8. What is the album you listen to on a cold rainy day?
Leonard Cohen’s “Songs from Leonard Cohen”
9. List four songs you would listen to on a roadtrip?
On repeat? Just four? Uh…..
1. Paul Simon – Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard
2. Nana Grizol – Circles ‘Round the Moon
3. Lou Reed – Take a Walk on the Wild Side
4. Andrew Jackson Jihad – Brave is a Noun
10. Where do you see yourselves in 7 years?
The subject just changed from singular to plural. Is this a question about the band? Who knows. I probably will have either moved on, or just moved.
11. What is the last book you read?
Slapstick. By Kurt Vonnegut…
12. Is image a factor in music or is it a waste of time?
I don’t really have a problem with musicians with huge egos or a certain appearance that they feel they need to keep up, but I just hope that they realize how alienating it is to be like that. By acting or dressing a certain way in order to place yourself above someone else, you can count on being very lonely.
13. Any embarrassing moments on stage you would like to share?
I can’t think of anything in particular, but I do remember when we first started playing shows I got really nervous and instead of playing songs, I would just talk incessantly until my band members told me to shut up. Most of the time the venue had to cut our set short because I wasted too much time.
14. Any favorite tour locations?
We haven’t toured yet. But my favorite venue ever was The Blue Toad in Keene, NH. We only played for like 15 people but by the end of the night we were all best friends. We played a sweet game of scratch wiffleball in the alley and all laughed together like we had known each other for years. The owner was the man, but I think his generosity kind of did him in, which is probably why it closed down after such a short time.
15. Lastly, what is your present state of mind?
Hazy. I want to go to bed.
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[mp3] Felix and Volcano! – Boku-Maru from GROW RICH EP (2010)