Track Marks is a new weekly music questionnaire for people who make and or love music. The people change but the questions remain the same. Luke Chappelle was kind enough to take the plunge and take part in this little experiment that will hopefully create some satisfaction for music lovers of all kinds.
As lead singer of the demented garage punk band Drugs Dragons Chappelle lays down dirty howls that would scare the leather pants off Lux Interior. The band's debut full-length on Dusty Medical records was at the head of a pack of excellent local releases in 2010, and the band is currently prepping another EP set for release this year.
Drugs Dragons opens for New Jersey punks Liquor Store at Cactus Club tonight and Chappelle and Dusty Medical Records owner Kevin Meyer will be spinning records under their Get Drunk DJ's alias Saturday at Cactus Club in between Chicago garage rockers Magic Milk and brother-sister duo White Mystery along with locals Ramma Lamma. I can't recommend enough that you attend both of these shows.
OnMilwaukee.com: What was the first tape/CD/record/8-track you ever owned?
Luke Chappelle: My dad bought me Ministry "Psalm 69" on cassette. The old man likes some good music, occasionally (I'm looking at you, Dad's depressingly complete collection of Bob Marley records). Anyhow, he really liked the song "New World Order" with all the Bush samples, being a devoted lefty and all. So began my obsession with loudness.
OMC: What was the first concert you attended?
LC: I went and saw Marilyn Manson play on Halloween at the Modjeska. As usual, the worst part of going to a concert is the other people, but that show took it to another level. GWAR played downstairs that night, which is odd because both acts seem like they should have shared the bill. I'm sure GWAR didn't want to appear silly, though.
OMC: What was the last concert you attended?
LC: I'm going to assume you mean "concert" (tickets over $10, huge stage, large audience), and not "show" (local bands, $5 cover, the same six people milling around) because I seem to catch a show at least once a week. The last actual concert I went to was DEVO at Summerfest, and it was better than I could have ever imagined. Fourth of July at Summerfest is the very definition of de-evolution, so it could not have been more perfect. Plus, it was my first time seeing DEVO, who are one of my favorite bands ever.
OMC: Who is one popular musician or music act you just can't understand?
LC: Jesus, there's just so many to choose from. I guess my latest contemptible band is The Hold Steady. I think I dislike them so much because they're so close to being a decent band (songs about partying, classic rock worship) but instead fail miserably and wallow in the more insufferably annoying trends of indie rock in this day and age. Of course they're popular; seems anything bland and safe is golden to the white, college educated world. F@ck all that noise, it ain't how I'm living.
OMC: Musically, what are you into that you're embarrassed to admit?
LC: I'm not one for being embarrassed by my taste, but I guess it might surprise people to know that I'm a pretty big fan of electro, minimal techno, or '80s synthetic funk.
OMC: What are you listening to right now?
LC: Red Mass, who is one of my favorite bands playing right now. It's my friend Roy from CPC Gangbangs out of Montreal letting his imagination run f@cking wild. They seem to be able to do any style of music, their records jump from '50s frat-rock to arty post-punk to dirgy blues to whatever else. And it's always good.
OMC: What song do you want played at your funeral?
LC: I think "Highway to Hell" would be appropriate. Maybe the jingle to the Soref's Carpet City commercial, though.
OMC: What artist changed your life and how?
LC: The Mistreaters opened my 21-year-old mind to the fact that great rock music is being made and played every day. But most of the world never hears it because they're stuck listening to whatever readily available, safe and bland bullsh*t the Pitch-stapo is forcing on them. Before I knew of The Mistreaters, I assumed that the loud and dangerous vein of rock 'n' roll had died with Johnny Thunders. As long as there are bands carrying the torch of real rock 'n' roll, people can have their flavor of the month indie idols.
OMC: If you could see anyone perform past or present who would it be?
LC: I would have loved to see the 13th Floor Elevators, Rolling Stones, Bauhaus or Metallica back in their day. Today, not so much.
OMC: If you could spend one day with any artist living or dead who would it be?
LC: Keith f*ckin' Richards. Dude seems awesome as sh*t. He's so salty and I'm sure he's got better stories to tell than God.
OMC: If you were stranded on an island with one record for the rest of your life what would it be?
LC: As a record nerd, this question is on the verge of giving me a panic attack. Honestly, I don't think I could give a good answer here because the thought of having only one record for the rest of my life is making me hyperventilate. I dunno, either "Fun House" by the Stooges or "Beggar's Banquet" by the Rolling Stones.
I guess it kinda comes down to what else is on this island; its climate, the availability of a record player, etc. Until more island information is released, I cannot give a definite answer. Why are you hiding the truth regarding this island! Quit stonewalling me, you son of a b*tch! The people demand the truth about this island, if it really is an island and not a peninsula.
