Interview: Know Your NYC Bands with Fiasco
BeatCrave brings you band, Fiasco, as part of our Know Your NYC Bands series. Coming out of Brooklyn, Jonathan Edelstein (guitar/vox), Lucian Buscemi (bass/vox), and Julian Bennett Holmes (drums) all bring a fierce punch to the other bands in the area. They were barely in their teens when they came out with their first album, God Loves Fiasco, and now as they come out with their second record, Native Canadians, they are just reaching the legal age. With this said, it’s even more impressive that their music is completely rad.
With off the wall guitar riffs, chaotic drumming and tight bass lines, Fiasco justify the name they chose. Think they’ve got everything as a band right now? Just think of what they’ll do years from now when they make the right decisions as well as the wrong ones. (The wrong ones are most entertaining.) With titles such as “Oh You Horny Monster” and solid tunes to back up the random names, they’ll be wanted on tour with everyone and everywhere. (When they have contests, send stuff in, people!) They’re just getting started.
They have two shows in NYC tonight. The first being at Old Stone House (6:00pm) and the second at Monster Island (9:00pm) where they’ll be doing a DJ set. Not in the big apple tonight? No worries. They’ve got a few more right after Christmas. Until then, check out exclusive interview with Fiasco below!
Are all of you from the Brooklyn area?
Yeah we’re all from Park Slope, Brooklyn.
You guys impressively formed at a young age. How old are you guys now?
17 and 18.
Regardless of your age in the future, will you always be advocates for all ages shows?
Yeah; definitely, because we like to go to shows of bands that are older, but we’re thankful when they’re all-ages.
Do you feel like an established NYC band now?
Yeah; definitely.
Who came up with the name, Fiasco?
We came up with it at our friend’s sleepover birthday party. One of us mentioned the word in conversation, and then Jonathan was just like “That would be an awesome band name.” At the time, we were searching for a band name because we were called Capsaicin.
Earlier in the year, you had a contest where fans were based on how well they could look like you guys. Did you see any photos that were particularly odd?
No one sent in anything.
Did you guys always know you only wanted to be an instrumental band at some point?
It was cool to make our instrumental record, “Native Canadians.” Playing instrumental music is really fun, but it’s also nice to have vocals. So, we’re adding vocals back into our newer music, if the song calls for it.
The a Capella version of “Oh You Horny Monster” is awesome. Was that as easy as it sounded or did it take practice?
It didn’t take any practice, but it’s pretty tiring to do.
How did the title for your album, Native Canadians, come about?
We were all talking about euphemisms in education, and how when we were in 2nd grade, we were taught that the correct term for Eskimos was Inuits. It turns out that Inuit is only one tribe, and there are many other tribes. So we were like, “Well, what do you call them?” “Native Canadians.” Plus, it just sounded cool.
Do you prefer gearing up for a your or coming back from one?
Neither, the best part is being on the tour.
Quick-FIre Round:
Where’s the best place for pizza in NYC?
La Bruschetta AKA Pizza/Pasta. Also, Pizza Plus has great vegan pizza. Vinnie’s is a great place to hang out. (Say hi to Tom from Bat Attack.)
Which band do you want to tour with in the future?
No Age, Double Dagger, Titus Andronicus, Lightning Bolt, Aa, Vivian Girls, The Homosexuals, Parts & Labor, anyone on the Panache roster, and tons more.
Do you like Lupe Fiasco?
No. He’s an asshole.He ripped off our name. No, just kidding. He’s got some great songs.
Tell us one thing about yourself we probably don’t already know.
We all have three testicles.
Photography by of Simon Biswas and Mike O’Neil
