Our favorite Bay Area blues rock heroes The Stone Foxes are finally billed for our favorite music festival, and we can’t wait to see the reaction from the audience. You see, we’ve always seen The Stones Foxes as one of the most underrated bands to emerge out of the Bay, and don’t get us wrong, the band has had it’s brush with success here and there. However, if you’ve ever seen The Stone Foxes live, you can’t help but ask yourself, “Why aren’t these guys HUGE?!?!” And don’t even try to pigeon-hole the band as the Bay Area’s Black Keys, these guys are their own thing and it’s amazing to witness. The band recently released a new 7 inch entitled, “Psycho b/w Serious People” featuring the tracks Psycho and Serious People. The band will undoubtedly perform said tracks as well as some of the best off 2010′s blistering Bears & Bulls.
So make an effort to see The Stone Foxes tear it up at Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival on Saturday August 13th at 1:25 at the Sutro Stage, and the official late night show on Sunday August 14th at the Independent supporting Warren Haynes.
Part 2 of our week long Kuestionnaire Series for Outside Lands Festival finds Shannon Koehler (Drums, Harp, Vocals), Aaron Mort (Bass, Guitar, Vocals), Spence Koehler (Lead Guitar, Vocals), and Elliott Peltzman (Rhodes and Organ) collectively answer the word famous Kuestionnaire as they mention of our favorite locals as well.
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1. Could you state your name and what you do in the band?
Howdy there, I’m Aaron, I play Bass and tool around on guitar and drums occasionally.
My name is Spence Koehler, I play lead guitar and sing.
I’m Shannon, I play drums, harmonica, and sing.
My name is Elliott Peltzman, I handle all Rhodes and Organ duties.
2. How would you describe your sound?
Spence – We are a blues rock n roll sandwich.
3. What is your favorite local band?
Aaron – I had a couple of buddies really get me into the garage rock scene happening in SF. Ty Segall and Thee Oh Sees are definitely favorites, Sonny & the Sunsets, Shannon & the Clams and Kelley Stoltz all rank up there too. Vetiver is another guy that’s hard to beat.
4. Any concerts that blew your mind recently?
Spence – I saw Dr. Dog at the Great American in SF, and they blew my shorts off. It was my first time seeing them and they came out with such a huge positive energy and fire for their songs, the sound and lights were enormous. I was really impressed and inspired.
5. Any non-musical influences you would like to mention?
Aaron – I’m a big fan of Robert Rauschenberg. Brice Marden, Frank Gehry and Stanley Kubrick are all big influences of mine too. Shoot, and you can’t forget Jim Gaffigan or Patton Oswalt either.
6. If your music was to be the theme of a film/TV show, what would it be?
Spence – I doubt we’re cool enough, but to be included in a Tarantino soundtrack with Samuel L. Jackson wielding sideburns and yelling obscenities over your song would be pretty rad!
7. What musician/artist would you like to collaborate with for a day?
Shannon – I would love to play with Bob Dylan, and find out if he really switches rhythms and chords as much as everyone says he does. It would be fun just to see how his mind works.
8. What is the album you listen to on a cold rainy day?
Spence – Sky Blue Sky by Wilco was MADE for grey and gloomy mornings!!! I always put that album on when I’m feeling glum, and right off the bat Tweedy sings “Maybe the sun will shine today!” making me hope for the best as the album moves through its many moods and my mind gets taken away by Nels Cline sweeping through his solos.
9. List four songs you would listen to on a roadtrip?
Shannon – Tom Waits-Down in the Whole, Jay Z-99 Problems, Flying Boritto Brothers-Christine’s Song, Rage Against the Machine-Calm Like A Bomb
10. Where do you see yourselves in 7 years?
Shannon – I will be 30 then, and hopefully I will find myself invited to play with Levon Helm at one of his Rambles while we are on a break from tour. Wouldn’t that be nice?!
11. What is the last book you read?
Shannon – I did graduate from college, but I must say, I haven’t read a book just for fun in a long time. The last thing I read was probably a text book on Islamic political philosophy. Then I had a month long migraine and haven’t read a book sense!
12. Is image a factor in music or is it a waste of time?
Aaron – Everyone has an image in music, whether you know it or don’t. I think image is a big part of music, you can’t ignore the visual aspect of music. Think about the cultural movements and lifestyles music has created, from Elvis wearing a leather jacket to Bowie wearing a jumpsuit to Gram Parsons pimping the Nudie Suit. You can down play your image or highlight it, either way, everyone has one.
13. Any embarrassing moments on stage you would like to share?
Elliott – Why yes, actually. We played a show in Bellingham, Washington during which I tried to make a slick handoff of the tambourine. Needless to say, I made myself look like a Munson trying to throw the tambourine to Aaron. It fell short, and we both went down trying to save it.
14. Any favorite tour locations?
Elliott – I fell in love at least six times in the weeks we spent touring through the south. Southern women knock me out. Athens, Ga is a city with a view.
15. Lastly, what is your present state of mind?
Aaron – Speaking for the band as a whole, we are in a great state of mind. We are running on all cylinders and really enjoying every minute of what’s been going on. We’ve been very fortunate to get were we are right now and we’re not going to let it go easily. The band is working really well right now and for the first time everyone really seems to be in-sync, its a big high and we plan on staying high.
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The Stone Foxes – Psycho from Psycho b/w Serious People 7″ (2011)
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Shannon And The Clams – The Cult Song from Sleep Talk (2011)