The Untitled Interview #29 – SXSW Edition: Starring Zach Doney (Bang Bang Eche)

I’m finding it hard to believe that it’s almost time once again for the annual industry hootenanny known as SXSW. To celebrate the impending week of absolute havoc, Austin-style, we’ve thrown down the interview gauntlet to see what some of our favorite bands are going to be getting up to whilst down there whoopin' and hollerin' it up in the wilds of Texas.

You might recall from my recap of last year’s SXSW mayhem that New Zealand’s Bang Bang Eche was one of the bands that rocked my argyle knee socks off something fierce. Seeing them at a New Zealand showcase proved to be one of my favorite moments of the festival (as did randomly seeing them all over Austin), as I totally ate up their brash in-your-face insanity the minute they started playing. Their set goes by in a fabulous whirl of noisy, slightly but endearingly bratty, rowdy merrymaking. Bang Bang Eche is a live band that takes no prisoners, and if you’re not dancing they’re probably not very happy. So all you lucky creatures down Austin way, make sure to include Bang Bang Eche in your planning, because I guarandamntee you won’t be disappointed. Check out what Zach had to say about SXSW, including a sordid tale of being solicited on buses.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
Zach Doney: PLAAAAAAANE.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
ZD: My singing voice.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
ZD: Like, 50.

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
ZD: Slayer.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
ZD: Getting on the bus. Man we met some crazy people on the bus last time. This dude tried to coerce into coming back to his apartment (for secks) by offering us Ketel One and "bowls." I wonder what a bowl is?

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
ZD: Uuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Big Day Out when The Mars Volta played it? That might have been 2006?

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
ZD: There is the slimmest chance in the world that the timetable will be organised in such a way that you aren't playing when your favourite band is.

mp3: 4 To the Floor (Bang Bang Eche from Bang! Bang! Eche!)

{photo by Megan Petty - SXSW 2009}