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from indie enquirer
Dave Doughman, front man of Swearing at Motorists, has had a rough, yet wonderful month. Swearing at Motorists just finished a tour of the Mid-West and West Coast. His drummer quits the band mid tour, his van gets towed, and after getting van back, he wrecks it in a bad snow storm. Usually this would be enough to get a guy down, but Dave found a new drummer while on tour, got a new van, and toured like crazy! Along the way he's met some wonderful people and had the time of his life at South by Southwest. I caught up with Dave in Philadelphia, while rehearsing for a short tour of the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic.
Style: lo-fi indie pop.
For Fans of: Built to Spill, Guided by Voices
More Info: swearingatmotorists.com
FANBOY: Your latest full length, Number Seven Uptown, is being picked up at a lot of college radio stations even though it was released last October. Has touring helped your airplay?
DAVE: Yes, definitely. There is no reason for anybody to play or buy our records or write about us if we don't tour. Our label (Secretly Canadian) is great with promotions. I was a critic's pick for the best of the year at several magazines. That has really helped as well.
FANBOY: Right now, you are on tour on the East Coast and just finished a tour of the Mid-West and West Coast. How is it going? Any interesting tour stories?
DAVE: Going great! Right now, I'm rehearsing at Joseph's house for the next leg of the tour. Well I guess the most interesting story is how Joseph came on-board. This is right after Don left, and I did this show solo in Philly. Joseph came up to me afterwards, and said how much he enjoyed the show. After talking for a while, we realized that he was a friend of a roommate of mine, and he actually stayed at my house in Dayton about 6 years ago. I crashed at his place that night, and we were talking about the band he was in. There were guitars everywhere, so I just assumed he played guitar. I asked if he played lead or rhythm, and he said, no I play drums. So I recruited him to play the last two shows of that tour in Canada, and the rest is history.
FANBOY: Is it as insane to play South by Southwest as it is to go there?
DAVE: Yes. Since I have known what South by Southwest was, I have wanted to play there, and it was about one hundred times better then it was in my fantasies. Surprisingly, some of the people that just saw us in other towns on this tour, were at these shows. They could see any number of bands that night, but they came back to see us. It was also very cool to see all the musicians in the crowd, most of who I own albums by. It was like standing in the CMJ top 200!
FANBOY: You seem very proud of your Ohio heritage. What is your all time favorite Ohio based band/artist? What Ohio based band/artist would you like to see get more recognition?
DAVE: Everyone knows about Guided by Voices, and I love them, but for me, my favorite is Brainiac. They were amazingly innovative. When I moved to Dayton, I moved there because of them. I am playing music today because of them. Brainiac has had a huge impact on my life, musically and ascetically. Although they are not around anymore, I would like to see more people check out what they did.
FANBOY: Dayton is making a strong argument for the title of indie capital of the U.S. What makes Dayton such a fertile music town?
DAVE: There is really a sense of community among the bands there. People are always passing out flyers for each other, and announcing each other's shows during their sets. I am very proud to be from Dayton, I really miss it when I am not there. I hope they don't think I am abandoning them.
FANBOY: Last month I interviewed Mates of State, another duo. I'll ask you the same question I asked them: Is touring with just one other person in your band hard? Do you ever get into arguments from just being around the same person all of the time?
DAVE: I never had a cross word with Don (Thrasher, ex-drummer). Even when he left, I understood, he has a wife and kid, he did what he thought he had to do. He left me hanging a bit, but it all worked out for the best. So far, so good with Joseph as well. I actually think it's easier in a duo, because in a bigger band, alliances are formed. With us, we only have to worry about each other.
FANBOY: There seems to be a lot of banter at your shows. I like to see a band have fun on stage, but some people say "shut-up and play." Do you get any hecklers? How do you deal with that?
DAVE: We do at times. Sometimes the crowd gets rowdy. Some of our stuff is quiet, and some people would rather talk over the music and ruin it for everyone else. Sometimes, more often then I should, I will walk up to those people and offer them their money back if they leave. If you showed up for the show, why aren't you paying attention?
FANBOY: What are the best areas to play?
DAVE: Toronto, Canada in general is great, they really get into it. People yell stuff up to us, we really get to talk to the crowd there. I really like that. Again, South by Southwest was great too.
FANBOY: I spotted you at the Black Cat in Washington, DC before a Guided by Voices show. Do you still hang out with those guys? Has there been any jamming?
DAVE: Not really. I don't really get a chance to work with them. I've been so busy with Swearing at Motorists. We are still very good friends, and I try to hang out with them whenever possible.
FANBOY: In 2000, you guys released 2 full lengths, an EP, and a 7'. What can we expect in the rest of 2001?
DAVE: We are working on the new album to be released most likely in 2002. It's tentatively titled While Laughing, The Joker Tells The Truth. We're also working on a split 7-inch, and an EP for a 'zine called Lucky Number Twelve. We are also doing a 7-inch as a wedding invitation for a couple who are fans of our music.
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