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On The Road With: The Warlocks

After almost a decade of collecting fans on the road, neo-psych/hard rock outfit The Warlocks have learned a thing or two about surviving the drudgeries of touring life. To help promote their four full-length albums and two EPs, the seven-piece has traveled to the ends of the Earth bringing fans the monumental wall of sound that only their two drummers, four guitarists and one keyboardist can deliver. Their massive convoy is currently wrapping up the final leg of a U.S. tour before jetting to the UK in support of their 2007 release Heavy Deavy Skull Lover. We were lucky enough to catch the Warlocks between shows and unlock some of their time-tested road wisdom.

What records have you been cranking lately on the tour bus, backstage or before you perform, and what's so great about them?

Spiritualized- Songs In A&E
Loop - Heavens End
John Maus- Love Is Real
Indian Jewelry - Invasive Exotics
Graveyard - (Myspace stuff?)
Ariel Pink - anything.
Wire - Comp
The Raveonettes - Lust, Lust, Lust
The Damned - Early stuff?
Serena Maneesh - Sapphire Eyes
Television - Marquee Moon

It's good music.

What's your favorite piece of stage clothing and where did you get it?

Snake skin boots. Some stupid store on Melrose.

What's the best place to eat on the road?

NYC Pizza! Yes!

Do you write music on the road?

Whenever it comes, it comes.

What's the best way to kill time in a boring spot?

Sleep.

What's the most inspirational truck stop?

"inspirational truck stop" huh? More like Wierdsville wherever Kelsey our previous merch girl scored speed at. That was a good one. TX I think.

What city has the best and most responsive crowds?

Doesn't work that way; sometimes you feel it, sometimes you don't.

Which venue has the cleanest facilities?

The Doug Fir Portland.

More importantly who provides the best rider?

Well, the venues in Europe do. The states just don't get the hospitality thing, but it's all stupid anyways, and mostly wasteful. Beer/Drink does get boring after a while.

What do you miss most when you're out on tour?

Privacy—I've always had a hard time with that one.

What's the first thing you do when you get home from tour?

Unwind and deal with stuff: music, work, writing, school, the next deal. You know? So nothing too crazy. Oh yeah, sleep in for a few days.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
06.18.08