For those planning to attend the Hellogoodbye show tonight at The Basement, consider this a warning: Toledo-based opener Rediscover will rock socks off. After listening to the band’s myspace offerings at myspace.com/rediscover, the sugar-coated blend of synth-driven pop jams makes Rediscover an obvious choice as an opener for the red hot Huntington Beach natives that are headlining the bill. The band’s tunes are full of computerized beats and processed vocals, but the songs are anything but cold and computerized. The Lantern had a chance to chat with Wes Quinonez, the original guru behind the band – here’s what he had to say:
The Lantern: How did you guys get your start and evolve to the point you’re at with three members?
Wes Quinonez: Rediscover started as a studio project for me in 2004. I was just experimenting with singing to synthesizers and drum machines. Eventually, Mike approached me with some ideas and it took off from there. We did a couple tours with only synths, drum machines, guitar and vocals. Then in January of 06′, we added Rob to play live drums, and it changed everything, in a good way.
TL: Your record has a lot of indulgent touches that make your 80’s post-punk roots vividly clear. Are you guys sincere, or is there a hint of irony in the sea of vocoder and synths?
WQ: There were a couple songs off our demo that had a hint of irony like “Stuck in 1999” and “Drink the Night Away,” but we’re very sincere. I guess we’re sincere about being ironic. Some of our newer songs could be easily confused with insincerity. Some people don’t know how to relate to songs about cross dressing and obsessive girls with guns, so they just assume I’m joking. I wish I was joking.
TL: What do you think about bands that jokingly throw that stuff in, like Trans Am or even more contemporary acts like Reggie and the Full Effect?
WQ: I love those bands, but I wouldn’t put us in the same boat as them, especially with our newer songs. We’re a rock band who loves to dance. We never jokingly throw anything in.
TL: Are you trying to steer clear of success with the fickle Internet scenester Alternative Press crowd that could easily love you today and hate you tomorrow?
WQ: We don’t steer clear of anything. We love fickle Internet scenesters. Mike and I are the fickle Internet scenesters. Unfortunately right now, Rob’s low on scene points. Really though, music needs that kind of press. People will always love bands today and hate them tomorrow. I don’t think Fallout Boy is too upset.
TL: Other big acts you’ve played with? Which did you like? Which sucked?
WQ: We’ve played with a ton of bands in the past year and a half. We love playing with our friends We are the Fury, they’re a blast to watch. I have nothing bad to say about any other bands we’ve played with (you know who you are).
TL: Future plans for touring and recording?
WQ: We’re doing the Vans Warped Tour in June, then we’re breaking off to tour with Action Action for a month and a couple more things we’ll be announcing soon. We just signed with an amazing record label that we’ll be talking about soon, and in October, we’re going into the studio with Matt Squire (Panic! at the Disco, Thrice, Hit the Lights) to record our full length, then more touring.
