Hailing from Edwardsville, Illinois, So Many Dynamos have spent the past 6 years developing their own highly evolved brand of indie rock that borrows from subgenres including math, dance punk and pop. The culmination of their sonic evolution is The Loud Wars, their third full-length album, and their first for Vagrant Records.
The new album reflects some of the band’s favorite musical touchstones, including Talking Heads, Pinkerton-era Weezer and The Dismemberment Plan. It also showcases the band’s interesting and cryptic processes: “Glaciers” is largely built around the melody of their earlier song “Search Party” - played backwards, while the left-channel guitar part to “Keep It Simple” was inspired by spelling out the band’s palindromic moniker via text message.
So Many Dynamos interview
Answers provided by Griffin Kay:
May I have your name, age, where you’re from, and a permanent VIP spot on your gig guest list?
Aaron Stovall - vocals, keyboards; Ryan Wasoba – guitar; Clayton Kunstel (commonly referred to as "Norm") – drums; Griffin Kay - guitar (since September, 2004).
Why the name So Many Dynamos?
Ehhh, Why not?
David Bowie or David Duchovny?
It depends on the era of each. Fascist Bowie will always lose to Fox Moulder Duchovny, but aged-like-a-fine-wine Bowie tops Sex Addict Duchovny. IF we were females in our mid-to-late 20s (which we are not) Labyrinth- Bowie would trump every other David (ever).
Two words to describe the person on your left. If you’re the last one, then two words to describe your dance move.
Norm to Aaron: "Recent Non-Smoker"; Aaron to Griffin: "Loud Meat-Lover"; Griffin to Ryan: "Married Engineer"; Ryan to Norm: "Serious Drummer"
Who’s in your cassette player right now? And don’t say “us”.
Even if we had cassettes we would not listen to our own band. That's arguably worse than wearing your own merch or wearing shorts on stage.
Hopes and dreams for the band?
If our band could enable us to live somewhat comfortably without having “real” jobs that would by all accounts be "the dream."
If you HAD to replace one band member, who would it be and why?
It would be Norm, because he is so good at drums that some other more famous band would pay him enormous sums of money (and rightfully so) to play drums for them and he would leave us in the dust and laugh his way to the bank.
Now, that (he/she) is pissed about that answer, can I join the band instead?
No one could replace him. NO ONE. Those who have tried went mad in the process.
Which board best relates with you? [surf, snow, Ouija, etc.]
KEYboard. Our current stage set up involves a Micro Korg, a Nord Lead, Casio SK-1, and a Casio SK-5. Chances are we will have more within the next few months.
If you could go to Vegas with any musician past, present or future, who would it be and why?
To be totally honest, I think I could go through life never going to Vegas ever again. Ever. But it would be sweet to roll with the rat pack.
Ranch or Bleu Cheese.
I've been on a balsamic vinaigrette kick recently. However if we are talking about Hot Wings (and I hope we are) then it's always blue cheese.
How long have you guys been running this circus?
About 6 years.
On a scale of 1 to pi, how good are you at math?
We are all very mathletic.
Most loved band? Most hated?
Choosing a favorite band is impossible, but we have been consistently listening to lots of New Order and Michael Jackson (RIP) for the last 2 years. Ryan Writes for the local alt. weekly paper and had to listen to every band that will be appearing at the St. Louis stop of the Warped Tour. Some of the bands he played for us were so bad it was just wrong. WRONG I TELL YOU!
Any last words?
Would it possible for you to get us some more pants? Maybe some shoes? I am totally serious.
