10 Questions with Shane from Set and Setting

10 Questions with Shane from Set and Setting

(Photo: Shane blowing minds at the State Theatre during this summer's Antiwarpt Festival.)

Holy Shit - Set and Setting!  Where do I begin?

 

If you haven't seen Set and Setting you should be ashamed of yourself.   However, you can correct this situation in the near future, as they are playing October 17th at Crowbar in Ybor City with their heroes, Mono (from Japan,) and December 13th at the Orpheum in Ybor w/ Torche.

In the meantime, check out a few of their tracks on Set and Setting's Bandcamp page. 

I finally worked up the courage to ask Shane if he would answer a few questions for the Bacon and Beer Blog and he was surprisingly willing to participate.  Set and Setting is definitely my favorite band rockin' Tampa Bay these days and I was really pleased when he said yes.  Along with the k-nowledge he dropped, I learned he's 24 years old, was born in Atlanta GA, raised in Valrico, FL and moved to St. Pete in 2006.   It's these kinds of personal tidbits that raise the bar of Pork/Barley-Based Journalism.

 

1)  Who is your all-time favorite SNL character and why?
I have never really been a fan of SNL for whatever reason.  However, I have seen the Chris Farley SNL collection, and it's one of the funniest things I have ever seen.  I would have loved to party with that dude. 


2)  Why do you think generations of seniors haven't tired of Bingo?
Because it's fun, duh.    

3)  What's your typical breakfast at your favorite greasy spoon?

Eggs Benedict if I can afford it/if they have it.  Since you say greasy though, I'd say a big ol' plate of biscuits and gravy with some got damned grits on the side.  I like anything that can be considered a burrito too.  Oh and definitely a Bloody Mary with a shit-ton of olives.

4)  Is there an album that you bought, but after a while, just plain got sick of?

Creed's "Human Clay."  I have listened to "Higher" so many times that I got sick of the incredible musicianship and threw away my 12" Limited Edition Clear/Gold vinyl a few days ago. Right in the dumpster, it's too good.
  

5)   Ever get stung by a jellyfish or had any other unpleasant interaction with marine life?

No, but marine life has had unpleasant interactions with me.  Let's just say fish cooked by some locals on an island isn't always a great choice.

6)   National League or American League?  

National League.  Being born right outside of Atlanta, I have been a Braves fan since birth.

7)  What beer pairs perfectly with a Set and Setting show?
I'd say a nice high ABV India Pale Ale would probably put you in the right state of mind.  The more euphoric the better, I imagine.  I prefer the Harpoon Leviathan IPA, or the Great Divide Hercules Double IPA if you're looking for specifics.


8)  In your opinion, what band that influences you is the most under-appreciated?
Mono.  This band is insanely good (honestly cannot believe that we are playing with them), and they apparently aren't as popular as I imagined them to be.  In my opinion they are the best instrumental band out there.  Yes, over Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, blah blah etc. and are playing at the Crowbar in Tampa for $10.  They are incredible, from Japan, and are playing in Florida for $10.  This is insane to me especially considering the Explosions show we played here recently was like 30 bucks or something and at a sold out 1,800 capacity venue.  Mono is definitely appreciated by many, but definitely overlooked by many as well.  I could rant about stuff like this for hours, but I won't bore you.


9)   Do you think applying bacon grease to your pulse points would attract females?
Yes. The hungry kind.


10)  How much should one tip their barber?
Barber? I haven't gotten a real haircut in almost 5 years, I don't even remember what the standard moral code for that is.

10 Questions with Boney Fiend Bassist, Mike Maresca

(Photo: Mikey rocking his Devo outfit, which is the best-looking ensemble in his wardrobe)

Mike Maresca took a few minutes to humor me and answer my hard-hitting questions with all the respect they deserve.  Probably because I promised to get this published in time to help promote his Ramones Tribute show at the Dunedin Brewery this weekend.

Of course his long-time band Boney Fiend will be among those paying tribute to the boys from Queens on Saturday, May 5th, since they've been compared to a head-on collision involving the Misfits and the Ramones.  They just released a split CD with their hetero-lifemates Lazaras called Dead Chicks & Draft Beer.  Each band contributed eight tracks of original or semi-original music. The subject matter is mostly comic books and movies, plus Boney Fiend's tribute to Lemmy (who should be in a comic book if he hasn't already, but has definitely been in a few movies) and their new theme song, "We're a Drinking Band with a Rock 'n' Roll Problem."

It's probably safe to say this is an album that can be played at nearly any social function.  I bet you could even buy one of your own at the show.  However, Mike will be very busy with his duties playing rock music and running the whole event, so be prepared to soothe his frazzled nerves with a pint of fine Dunedin brew (pick the girliest flavor) when forking over the necessary cash for your new favorite CD.

1)  You just came home drunk and starving.  What do you make to eat?
Scrounge for left overs.  Drunk cooking doesn't work well.


2)  Everyone knows most bass players are dicks.  How come you're ok?
I think you misspelled guitar there.  Seriously though, I think it is because, I'm a drummer as well.  The ultimate female repelling machine.    

3)  What's your guilty pleasure TV show, past or present?  

Auction Hunters.  None of my other television viewing is nearly as embarrassing as that.  

4)  How long do you keep a pair of pants in hopes that they'll fit again?  

I've been pretty steady with the pants size for a good while now.  Holding steady with Husky size.  

5)  What's your bass rig like?  

Pretty non-descriptive. Current model Carvin solid state head and a slightly beatup Crate 4x10 cabinet.  I'm very happy with the sound. 

6)  What's the last beer you brewed?  

It was a peach brown ale.  My first kegged beer.  

7)  Who is your favorite under-appreciated band?
Nashville Pussy.  They're moderately known but don't get the credit they deserve.


8)  Have you ever considered growing outlandish facial hair, and if so, what were you leaning towards?
Nah.  A modest Van Dyke is about all I can muster.  But I really haven't sported one in 20 years.  I think a Rollie Fingers-style handlebar mustache would be pretty fun.


9)  Any old wives tales you know are false but still honor?  (Cats steal babies' breath, step on a crack, etc)
None that I can think of.  How about I make up one of my own?  I never have exposed velcro around sheep.


10)  What beer pairs best with your new CD?
Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin.  I could drink that stuff year-round.

10 Questions with Chuck Wood, No Loves Drum Guy

10 Questions with Chuck Wood, No Loves Drum Guy

 

On the lukewarm seat today is Chuck Wood, drummer of the St. Pete-based Punk/Garage Rock band, the No Loves.  Chuck is a veteran of many musical projects around Pinellas County since he started banging stuff with sticks as a teenager in high school jazz band.  If you've ever been in a band around Tampa Bay there's a one in eleven chance you've played a show with Chuck at one point or another, whether with him on drums or sharing the bill.  

Mr. Wood is also a husband, father and one heck of a driving dude.


The No Loves are playing this Saturday, April 28th at the Emerald Bar Downtown St. Petersburg with Harlot O'Scara, who are making their public debut that evening.  Attending and imbibing are highly recommended!

1) What are your favorite pizza toppings, besides bacon, and what is the best beer to wash down your dream pizza?
Pepperoni , Green Pepper and Onion washed down with a Sierra Nevada IPA ! ! !

2) What talk show would you be on? 
Letterman

3) Do you prefer showering before bed or after you wake up?
When I am dirty or when I wake up

4) In your opinion, what is the greatest NHL Dynasty?
Linda Evans

5) Are you ticklish?

YES

6) Have you ever eaten any food from Dairy Queen? 
Yes

7) What is your typical White Castle order?
300 Cheeseboyguhs

8) What was the 1st record you ever bought?
AC/DC "Dirty Deeds..."

9) Which of your bands would you most like to be remembered for? 
All of them

10) What's the most valuable lesson you've learned as a parent? 
Let them be the people they are. And protect your nads!

10 Questions with Bob Sylvester, Owner/Brewmaster Saint Somewhere Brewing Company

(Photo: Bob arriving with his wife Anne to his semi-recent Surprise Birthday Party)


Bob Sylvester is the award-winning brewer of Farmhouse Ales from Saint Somewhere Brewing Company in Tarpon Springs, Florida. I know he's won awards because he has a few on the wall in his office, and before you ask, exactly none of them are in crayon.


He opens his brewery to the public for tours and sampling every Thursday and Friday night from 6-8pm, and sometimes later. Come by with something special from your cellar and let Bob show you around.

1. What is the last beer you drank?
Lectio Divina, yesterday.

2. What is the last bacon dish you ate?
Potatoes with onions, bacon, cheese and eggs. Made at home.

3. When was your last confession?
To a preist? 8th grade in Catholic school.

4. What's your "Go To" lunch at a place you've never been?
Hamburger. Preferably Blue cheese bacon burger. Love 'em.

5. Do you have any guilty crushes? (preferably present, but past is ok too)
Past: Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman!) Present: Sofia Vergara...is there a pattern here?
(Google says: Good choice, sir!)

6. What's the best record to play while drinking Pays du Soleil?
Aguas de Marzo - Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto without a doubt.

7. Got any brewery expansion plans?
One of these days...
Actually, in a year or two we want to move into our own building with a proper tasting room.

8. Who is your favorite hockey player?
I'm a native Floridian. We don't do hockey.

9. In your opinion, what's the most underrated OTC medication?
Imodium. Life saver.


10. Wrapping up with another opinion question: Who is the most underrated Florida wrestler?
Seminole Chief Jim Billie - alligator wrestler AND Seminole Chief!