By: John Matthew Simon
The Dandy Warhols have come a long way from their early days as a whimsical local group in Portland, Oregon who stunned stoned audiences with an unattired stage presence. From their debut record Dandys Rule Ok to their early success with …The Dandy Warhols Come Down the band has always had a knack for an impacting sonic assault and infectious pouncing hooks. They have always startled, whether it is their nuanced sound that has never fit the mainstream or their ambitious writing that purports and propels. The Dandy Warhols back down for no one. They have consistently written material that is to their liking, never allowing themselves to be creatively slighted by or caught up in the centrifugal force of mass consumerism. Organic, grassroots, bohemian, punk rock… Whatever you choose to call it is fine and dandy (I had too, cliché is me.); however don’t think it will deter a group who has found hard work to be the best payoff to date. And their drudgery is certainly paying off; the group has just released their eighth studio album This Machine too much critical praise. It is a throw back to the guitar drenched noise-gaze of 90s lore and has had this writer listening intently. Lead singer and guitarist Courtney Taylor-Taylor was kind enough to answer some of Do312’s questions in lieu of their upcoming tour which will see them playing at the Metro on June 10th with 1776.
Do312 - After writing seven records how did you guys reevaluate your writing process and change up your approach for your eighth record, This Machine?
Courtney Taylor-Taylor - writing is such a random event that it never really starts or stops or has any plan at all. I’m just lucky that they occasionally keep coming out of me.
Do312 - It feels like you pushed all the synthetics to the side and made a raucous rock record. What was the reason for this and why now? For me the record stands up and out as homage to Sonic Youth and other guitar leaning noise rock records of the past… What records were you listening to, or better yet who influenced this record? To be cliché, what sparked the fire?
CTT - I guess its just mainly a reaction to what we don’t want to do. Keyboards and indie disco and loops/beats and hipness in general had to make way for crusty rock as much as possible. It’s hard to be inspired about music what with the overload of really good crap out there, a daily full frontal assault that one cannot duck or run from. For us this record is about the only thing we could do that didn’t fit into someone else’s trend. When you find yourself expressing yourself honestly you’ve still got to make sure that you don’t sound like someone else who isn’t.
Do312 - However, your records have always been awash with many differing tones and styles, is that due to collaborative writing? Or is it more or less that you allow each song to have it’s own sonic space? Explain.
CTT - Exactly, we have always said that every song needs to be extremely something. Something being what it is supposed to be. Listen to your voice change throughout the day. Every feeling and situation requires a different part of you and elicits that whether you mean to or not. Our music must do that too or its not music, its entertainment.
Do312 - Is rock and roll coming back? Or has electronic dance music stake it’s claim, a claim that will be hard to wrangle from them? Any thoughts?
CTT - rock and roll is antiquated music. Its for people who like that era of history. Like classical or jazz.
Do312 - With rock and alternative radio stations like Q101 disappearing across the country, how has your approach to the industry changed? Does a band like The Dandy Warhols feel the reverberations of these closures?
CTT - We’ve never had any relationship or success at radio in America. ”alternative” meant Green Day at its very best. Now it would mean Foster the People. These are huge bands that sell like hip hop numbers. We don’t. It’s a club that we have never been members of. Any changes in the industry are lost on us.
Do312 - It’s rare that a TV show, especially a satirical one, has an uplifting and positive affect on the city it takes place in… somewhat like The Chicago Code (who’s accents and allegiances offended). Have you guys had the desire or have you been approached to be on Portlandia? And what are your thoughts about the show? Has Portland embraced its presence?
CTT - I’ve never seen it and I don’t really hear about it much. People seem to like it around the world but I guess its not in the nature of nu-Portlanders to watch a satirical show about a fictional Portland.
Do312 - What’s your favorite place to go to when in Chicago?
CTT - I don’t really have one. Chicago is so huge that even with having had a girlfriend there for a year or so and touring thru for 16, I’ve never really done the same thing twice. The place seems endless and constantly changing.
Do312 – What are your favorite tour memories of Chicago? Can you share with us your most outlandish story?
CTT - Dennis Rodman’s club. Can I talk about that? I mean jeezuz, when the waitress came by your curtained-in booth to take your order there were more options off the menu than on it. I vaguely recall that the entrance was like under a bridge or something. Completely dark and desolate. Then once inside…VA-VOOM! Awesome. Fully out of control.
Do312 - Who has been your favorite Chicago band that you have played with in the last 18 years?
CTT - I don’t think we’ve ever played with a Chicago band, have we? My favorite Chicago band I’d have to say is thee greatest Chicago band: The Smashing Pumpkins. What a legacy. Did you hear the record they put out a couple years ago? Turns out they are still amazing. Probably always will be.
??? So what we need to do is go out, drink more, get laid more, have a bit more fun, go see shows like 
Here is this week’s dose from Chicago’s Tastemakers! Each week we check in with our 60+ Chicago movers and shakers to see what’s going on around town. Stay tuned each week to get each week’s wrap and next week’s view!
Our weekly Tastemaker Spotlight will let you get to know our Tastemakers a bit better because they’re more than a name online, they’re bringing you the hottest events Chicago has to offer!
This week you get to meet Kelynn Smith and Colleen Mares from The Axis World // Lewis & Clark!
Lewis & Clark are DJs, curators of THEAXISWORLD and creators of $FREE99. Known in the real world as Colleen & Kelynn, the pair has been adventuring around Chicago since 2009, when they met as randomly paired roommates at Columbia College. Natives of the Midwest and always starting new projects, they began THEAXISWORLD in 2010 as an outlet for all the weird stuff they like, and $FREE99 to make studded snapbacks for their friends. Both have grown to successful ventures they plan to continue, along with DJing their signature electro house blends all over the city – from the Hard Rock Hotel to the Double Door.
What event is currently on your radar?
We actually just found out (ya’ll are the first to know!) we’ll be DJing at Summerfest in Milwaukee opening for Fun. and Miniature Tigers on Friday, June 29th. We’re super stoked. Fun. is killing it right now and we’ve never played a show in Wisconsin but know tons of kids there so it’s going to be crazy.
What are you looking forward to most this summer?
Summer festivals definitely. I’m not sure we could pick just one. We’re going to Bonnaroo in 3 weeks which we’re super excited for. We went last year and it was like 101 or something during the day so we just roasted but had the best time. We’ll also be going to Pitchfork, Lollapalooza and North Coast. We’re big festival people. Any time you can be outside listening to music life is good.
Where is your favorite place to escape the city, in the city?
Probably our apartment affectionately named “The Beach House”. It’s a pretty hot hang out spot in the summer. We got 2 porches, a mini grill, beers and a stoop, pretty much all you need.
I can hear your music blaring from here, what are you listening to?
Our guilty pleasure right now is Marina and The Diamonds Primadonna. Such a catchy dance tune, it’s on repeat at The Beach House. But besides that we’re stuck on a lot of Childish Gambino and Flaming Lips because they’re awesome summer music.
On the count of three, tell me the first thing that comes to your mind. 1… 2… 3….
Flamingo. Colleen just walked into our bathroom and saw our neon pink flamingo light that’s been glowing for way to damn long because neither of us are tall enough to change the light. So if anyone reading is 6′3″ + hit us up.
Lost in Concert shares The Fox & The Hounds at Subterranean
Orville Kline shares Porn And Chicken TV Episode 43: Oh, the places you’ll bang! This is our recital of Dr. Suess’ Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
One Kiss by Perfect Kiss
Ear Candy Chicago shares Perfect Kiss’s new single “One Kiss”, released TODAY and available for 1,000 free downloads!
ASL Media took photos of Stardust at Berlin Nightclub.
Chicago Mixtape shares “A thing of beauty is rare, the wise man said… This Mixtape contains many.”
White Mystery shares their new stop motion video – Rapid Overdrive.
Ruby Hornet shares an interview with the Beastie Boys.
Ruby Hornet shares ShowYouSuck’s response to the Chicago Reader (Official Statement)
Ruby Hornet shares an interview with Andy Cohn (Publisher of the Fader)
Stic of the Week shares Dolphins, Cold Blue Kid, and My My My at Subterranean.
Stic of the Week shares the music video for Ha Ha Tonka – “Lonely Fortunes”
Stic of the Week shares Converse Rubber Tracks: Oh, Hello – Tennis.
Stic of the Week shares “Listen – Animal Collective“.
Stic of the Week shares Best Coast – “The Only Place” on NPR.
Stic of the Week shares Passion Pit’s new single “Take A Walk“.
The Broke Hipster Music Blog reviews M83 at Riviera Theater.
Windish Agency shares Navtronix debut album – available for free download.
Windish Agency Shares Z-Trip’s Beastie Boy megamix for free download.
Windish Agency shares Chromatics release of free, drumless version of “Kill For Love“.
Mia Jones shares an awesome tune from Auto Body.
Psalm One shares her view on Nato and the Fear of Excitement.
Heave Media shares their treatise on ice cream.
Chicago Innerview shares their preview of Reggie Watts.
Chicago Innerview shares their preview of The Polyphonic Spree.
Chicago Innerview shares their preview of Here We Go Magic.
Chicago Innerview shares their preview of Yamantaka // Sonic Titan.
Chicago Innerview shares their preview of The Klezmatics.
Chicago Innerview shares their preview of Roky Erickson.
Chicago Innerview shares their “innerview” with Active Child.
Chicago Innerview shares their “innerview” with Xiu Xiu.
Gapers Block reviews a “Dastardly” concert at Subterranean.
Gapers Block shares Hip Hop Artists Outrage over Misrepresentation in the Reader.
Dani Deahl shares her video ‘Diplo Hates You’ – it is up this week in MTVU’s contest, The Freshman!
Beauty Bar has Mayer Hawthorne [DJ Set] Official After Party on Thursday, May 17th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!
React Presents has Kele of Bloc Party on Thursday, May 17th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!
Jenae Williams has Stardust Presents: Trannika’s Tea Party on Thursday, May 17th. RSVP for free entry before 11pm!
House of Blues has Little Ozzy with Judas Beast on Friday, May 18th. RSVP to get on the Do312 guest list!
ManbQue has The Kissfits, I Love Rich, and Black Magic Kingdom on Friday, May 18th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!
React Presents has Ikebe Shakedown, Soul Summit DJ’s Dave Mata, Duke Grip, Sloppy White on Friday, May 18th.
Front312 has Subculture – New Wave and 80’s Night on Saturday, May 19th.
React Presents has Sami Grisafe, GIRLBAND, Kelsey Montanez, Patti Rain, Dustin Burley, and DJ Filibusta on Saturday, May 19th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!
ManbQue has Crosstown Cookoff: Northside vs. Southside Burger on Saturday, May 19th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets.
NoVo Arts has Chiara Mangiameli presents A Traves Del Espejo from Friday, May 18th until Sunday, May 20th.
Ruby Hornet and MTV2 Present: Digital Freshness – Chicago Hip-Hop on Saturday, May 19th.
White Mystery has HoZac Blackout Fest 2012 on Saturday, May 19th.
Partyline Chicago has Jammin on the WOLF PreParty with Special DUBSTEP BATTLE: Tornado Vs. Khaos! on Sunday, May 20th.
Dom Brown has Porn and Chicken: Bye Bye Beard Banger! on Monday, May 21st.
SPACE has Dark Dark Dark on Monday, May 21st. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!
Front312 has Droogies, Come Out to Play! A Street Gang / Cult Film Dance Party on Friday, May 25th.
Mia Jones has The L Stop 1 Year Anniversary Party on Saturday, May 26th.
Partyline Chicago has DJ JAM to the WOLF guest **WYLLYS** {NY Hustler Ensemble} and 8 DJ Showcase on Monday, May 28th.
Partyline Chicago has DJ Jam to the WOLF special guest {DJ Lady D!} the HOUSE DIVISION SHOWCASE on Sunday, June 3rd.
Stic of the Week has Electric Youth, Hank & Cupcakes, Ghosthouse, Risky DJ’s and Glass Lux on Friday, June 8th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets.
Partyline Chicago has Jammin on the Wolf on Friday, July 27th.
Live Nation has 311 & Slightly Stoopid on Friday, August 17th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!
Metropia is giving the opportunity to one lucky artist to play their festival! Voting opens on May 16th!