Band Name: Elias and the Error
Show Date: June 16th
Show Place: The Auricle (Canton, OH)
Find us on the web at: http://www.eliasandtheerror.com/ and of course we have a Facebook page.
My band will remind you of: Devo, Mindless Self Indulgence, and all the awkward things you did in high school that you hope nobody remembers
How did this band come about? I spent a lot of time as a singer/songwriter/keyboard player in various projects around Canton/Massillon, but I’m very mercurial when it comes to my goals and desires as an artist. Some nights, I would wear make-up so thick even drag queens would be terrified. Other nights, I’d slice open various body parts on stage and take my clothes off. Sometimes, I wanted to thrash. Others, I wanted to dance. Finding people to keep the pace with how frequently I reconstruct and deconstruct myself proved to be too difficult, so I went solo. It was the best decision I ever made.
What inspires you? I’m mostly inspired by the social psychology that our identity is not something self-prescribed, but rather our identity is created to fulfill the expectations of those around us. I don’t want to be a man or a woman. I don’t want to be white or black. I don’t want to be a jock or a nerd. A mod or a rocker. The fact that every day, ultimately, I can say, do, feel, look, and act however I want, regardless of the desires of those around me, is pretty liberating once you take complete control of it. My art could be described as schizophrenic, but I’d rather just say I’m exploring the fullness of what the term “identity” actually means. Musically, I can’t pull myself away from the late 70s and early 80s. I love Devo, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Oingo Boingo, New Order, David Bowie, and Prince.
What is the best thing about representing Massillon? Massillon is a really interesting place right now because I see Massillon as completely cultureless. Over the last five-ish years, specific individuals have taken it upon themselves to give a home to all the freaks, outcasts, and weirdos of Massillon, but without any foundation to build upon. They’re all making it up as they go and it is a fantastic process to watch, and sometimes, when I’m really lucky, be a part of.
Explain the term “Cross the viaduct” for anyone who might not know what it is… “Cross the viaduct” means I’m getting a fucking Looney Larry breakfast.
If you could do a duet with anyone from the 60s who would it be? Though David Bowie was technically active in the 60s, I’ll go with Brian Wilson. Obviously, The Beach Boys are legendary and broke a lot of ground as far as what was considered acceptable in a pop vocal arrangement, but Brian Wilson’s “SMiLE” is completely genius and in my eyes completely revolutionized what making an “album” actually was.
If you could punch anyone in the world in the face and get away with it who would it be? I would punch myself in the face. I think we all need to be knocked down a couple pegs.
Who is your favorite band? It is very hard for me to decide between Prince and David Bowie, but I’m feeling a little hornier than usual today, so we’ll say Prince.
Who is your favorite local band? I’ve spent the last year in Pittsburgh, so I’m not really sure who’s even still around anymore, but there was a band from Akron called The Black Elevators who was incredible – really freaky, dirty, nasty post-punk about funeral homes and sex changes and stuff. They were brilliant.
What is the best and worst thing about playing out? For me, more than any of the talents that compose what I call “my art,” performing is my favorite. My work isn’t real to me until I have an audience reacting to that. Of course, that same mentality also applies to my personal life, which is pretty disastrous and destructive. The worst thing about playing out is monitoring. I’d say of the roughly 200 shows I’ve played, probably 85% have had terrible monitor mixes. Also, carrying equipment. I’m always sore the next day from lugging around amps, mannequins, video projectors, costumes, guitars, and so forth.
If you could put three people in a bukkake filled orgy who would they be? In the interest of being culturally relevant, I’d say Iron Man, The Hulk, and Captain America. We can film that one in Cleveland, too.
When you chill on a Saturday night what do you do? Watch Alejandro Jodorowsky movies on mute, blast Todd Rundgren, and work on my stuff, whether that’s video, costumes, songs, or promotion. I’m a total shut-in.
Tell people why they should come see your show: You should come to my show because my show is one-of-a-kind. A typical concert from me involves mannequins, three video screens, costume changes, balloons, cartoons, perversions, guitars, leather, and dancing. My show is one of the few chances you will get in your life to assimilate an actual, tangible representation of “freedom” into your senses. Come to my show and help me summon forces that will destroy the concept of identity forever. Come to my show and be born again.
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