#dulltools

The Lot Radio: Heather Strange from Dull Tools / Future Punx

by Guest 923

Dull Tools with The Eaters (420 flexin’)

by Guest 923

Sound Stalker talks to Chris Pickering of Future Punx about their sound, new recordings and musical influences.

How did Future Punx form?

"Jason Kelly, Jake Pepper and I were playing together in Fergus & Geronimo with Andrew Savage. Late in 2012 the band was put on hold so Andrew could dedicate his time to Parquet Courts full time. We had become a pretty tight unit on tour and decided to keep up the momentum by starting a new project. We worked on new material all winter and in the spring of 2013 added Brit Boras (whom Jason had played with in a short lived band, Down Wires.) We began playing live that summer. From the first show on we've had Heather Strange live projections/lighting for us."

What influences your sound?

"Aside from the obvious new wave and post punk influences we also listen to electronic music and love to dance. We strive to connect the seemingly unrelated realms of punk rock and dance music." 

How would you describe 'post-wave'?

"An obvious play on words here. Post wave is punk music for a technologically advanced society."

How did you come to debut on Dull Tools?

"Dull Tools was started by myself and Andrew Savage in order to self release the final album for our old band Teenage Cool Kids. Our second release was Parquet Courts Light Up Gold, so from the beginning was the label meant as a platform to release our own records. Luckily since then we've been able to branch out and put out records for bands that we aren't in (Yuppies, Beth Isreal etc) When Future Punx recorded our first single it seemed an obvious move to release it via Dull Tools."

When are you next in the studio?

"We are currently recording for a new EP as well as a song for a split 7". We plan to devote this next couple months to polishing those up hopefully for release by the end of the summer."

What do Future Punx try to provide people with during live performances?

"We take our role as performers very seriously. We like to go further then just setting up out gear and playing songs. Costumes as well as lighting / projections help to elevate our sets above the experience of seeing your average indie band. We'd want our audience to experience our music not just watch. We want people to dance. We want people to transcend. Live music can be a magical experience and we don't take the responsibility lightly."

Do you have a favourite venue in New York to play?

"Death By Audio in Brooklyn. Nice people doing it right and for the right reasons. DIY venues will always be dear to our hearts."

Do you have a gig from your youth that really inspired you?

"Would be too hard to name them all. But the indie rock shows that came through the North Texas area in the late nineties confirmed that my music obsession was only just beginning. I was lucky enough to see bands like Stereolab, Luna, Pavement, etc before the age of 18."

What's your favourite record shop?

"Jake would probably have a better answer than myself as he's been around NYC for so long. Academy records is pretty legit. Captured Tracks' new store in Greenpoint has a nicely curated selection of fairly priced records and tapes. There are plenty of smaller stores in Brooklyn worth checking out (Record Grouch, Co-Op 87, Heaven Street, Human Head, etc.)"

Do you have any other outlets for your creativity?

"Music takes up about 90% of my brain activity so most of my creative output tends to be musical. Heather and I do Future Punx DJ sets around town, so I spend lots of time digging for tracks and honing my DJ skills. Writing has always been fun for me too. Lately been interested in writing poetry, if only to hone my lyric writing skills."

What have you been listening to today?

"Today I've been listening to a DJ set that I streamed online last night. I like to go back and listen to my sets to see what worked and what didn't. We've started filming our Future Punx live sets for this same reason. Much like pro athletes watching the game reels the day after the game."

Are there any UK/ Europe shows in the pipeline?

"It is something we are definitely shooting for but no dates set yet. Would love to make it over by the end of the year." 

What are you looking forward to for 2014?

"Very excited to finish the new recordings. Now that winter has finally started to retreat we are especially getting excited about the NYC summertime and all the great shows on the horizon."

(Photograph - Gustavo Ponce/ Bushwick Daily)

Future Punx have elements of Talking Heads energy, Little Dragon's electronic groove and New Order's timelessness.

Their debut provides an electronic bubbler '999' and 'Livin' in a Movie' is catchy and packs a  punch. 

Their upcoming recordings are sure to impress.

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Listen to their debut release 999/ Livin' In A Movie.

Grab a copy of their 7" debut.