One of the first bands I saw after relocating to Idaho Falls in 2015 was a group of seemingly shy guys named Young Lungs. I was immediately charmed by their performance. I became very good friends with most of the members and was always captivated by their easy-going attitudes and hilarious hijinks. When Young Lungs eventually broke up and became TV Dads, I was ecstatic to see how their performance would change. Needless to say, I wasn’t disappointed.
I recently had the opportunity to interview TV Dads and chose to use it as an opening for Recusa’s newest segment. “Talking with” issue 1 starts now. I hope you enjoy.
DAVID guitar // vocals MIK bass // vocals JASON drums // vocals
It was a cold afternoon that I spent simultaneously interviewing some pals and shopping with my mother. Pacing around the meat section of a grocery store and occasionally tripping over my feet, I racked my brain to think of interesting questions. The group’s first full-length album is well in the works. Though still untitled, they hope to gain new followers and possibly send the LP to some record labels. Their main goal is to create something they love (and maybe tour a bit too). Their to-do list is constantly growing, from titling the LP to creating their first music video. The possibilities are truly endless.
What is your favorite song on the album?
David — “Hmm, it’s hard to say which track is my favorite. We have a new song which is still untitled that is really personal to me that I love. But, If I had to pick a favorite, it would have to be Piss Dust. It’s just a fun sort of self depreciating punk song.”
Mik — “I have a hard time picking a consistent favorite, but right now it’s probably Piss Dust. David recorded some great guitar leads that [we] haven’t been able to do live and it has been really fun to hear it come together completely.”
Jason — “My favorite track ... That’s a toughy. It might be one of the most recent songs we have written called ‘Take me first’ because I love the lyrics and chorus.”
Now in the pasta aisle, I thought back to those years I was too intimidated to speak to any of the TV Dad boys. I felt a bit silly about that, but back then, I didn’t know anyone in the scene and it made sense to be a little hesitant.
David, Mik and Jason have been playing music together since 2013. Their bond on and off stage is always apparent. The trust is always there. Trust that if one fucks up, the rest will get them back on track. It was the first thing I noticed when TV Dads made their premiere. The stage banter, jokes and conversation made the audience feel at home. The comfort in the room was overwhelming and the band had complete control of the venue for their entire set. It seemed effortless.
What skills have you noticed in your band mates and in yourself that have changed overtime? What would you say is you and your band mates’ greatest strength(s)?
David — “Looking back from then to now we have all gotten so much better at writing songs. I would say my biggest improvement since then is probably in my lyrics but I like to think I’ve improved as a guitarist as well. And looking back, Jason was always a really good drummer. He just sort of always knew what to do which is probably the best quality a drummer can have. He’s just gotten more tight and creative with things. And Mik writes such creative bass lines that really carry our band so much. I can’t imagine doing a 3 piece band with another bassist cause he just brings our overall quality up a ton, not to mention most of the lyrics he writes end up being my favorite ones.”
Mik — “One of the biggest changes I’ve seen is how much better David has become at guitar. The first time David and I practiced together, he almost didn’t want to start a band because he thought he couldn’t play well enough. I think about that first practice pretty much whenever David rips into a solo. I think we’ve all grown over the last few years, but that stands out to me the most. I think our greatest strength as a unit is how comfortable we are when we write. We never used to edit much in Young Lungs because frankly, we didn’t write enough songs to throw any out. TV Dads has written and rejected more songs than Young Lungs every produced, and I think that allows us to keep improving. I like knowing that David and Jason will tell me if I write something awful.”
Jason — “I know we are all a lot more confident. We are more talented too. But the way we are on stage, our live presence, has gotten a ton better. I think me and Mik have gotten really good and tight as a rhythm section, and David has gotten really good at solos and lead parts, something I know he wouldn’t have wanted to do when we first started playing together years ago. My greatest strength...I think I do a good job keeping things exciting and filling up space in the songs. With a three piece, when playing live, it can seem empty at times, and I think I help make that not happen. We all do. Miks greatest strength, in my eyes, is pretty much everything when it comes to bass. He is just a really good bassist. Always does what the song needs. I also love the difference in his and David’s voices. It makes a cool contrast. David starts the writing of most of our songs. He brings in the ideas to work on. His style of music is exactly what I want to write and listen to. He also has a fantastic taste in music.”
The band’s dynamic is impressive. The teamwork and honesty is what, I assume, every band strives for. While I squeeze past shoppers and grab a bag of rice, I can’t help but wonder about the times when that wasn’t the case. Being in a creative space with others can be stressful. Being on stage can get chaotic. When asked about the empty shows and nervous performances, the boys had similar answers; It’s just the nature of the beast. Playing music and growing as a band is all about accepting that not every experience will be a great one. Once that understanding is out of the way, it seems to be easier to take in the good times instead. The joys are in the little things: the small compliments from shy individuals after the show, big embraces from friends and family, connecting with someone new and seeing the crowds get rowdy. The realization that success in a music scene is mostly introspective was apparent with TV Dads. They seem content playing music just to play music. All the extra attention is just a bonus.
What’s your best advice for beginning bands in our scene?
David — “My biggest advice for new bands is to just have fun. I think when you are all up there having fun the audience can feel that and they feed off it. Just relax, have a beer, and jam out like you’re at home in the mirror … Not that I’ve ever done that or anything.”
Mik — “As far as dealing with bad shows and empty venues, I think you just have to know it’s part of playing music. I try to find one person in the crowd that’s enjoying us and focus on them, and so far that’s kept an empty show from getting in my head too much. Hopefully, we always impress at least one person or I’m going to need a new strategy. But basically, if you play a shit gig, learn from it and then get back up there. Most people don’t start good at most things, people who get good didn’t quit.”
Jason — “We still make mistakes up there, but we have been playing long enough together that we fix it quick and just keep playing. That’s the advice I guess. Relax and keep playing. I have gotten more comfortable playing on stage, but I still get nervous. You just got to practice the songs a shit ton so they are lodged in your head.”
Waiting in line to pay for groceries, I stop to take in the environment. The teller forcing friendly conversation, customers doing the same, beeps drowning out small talk, rustling bags, and yelling kids. Life is busy. Mik, David and Jason have lives outside of music, but when you see them on stage, you wouldn’t know that. Their focus is all in the songs. The air changes and the crowd adjusts because at the end of every performance, it’s apparent that TV Dads is about only one thing:
Having a fuckin’ great time.
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EXTRAS:
Who are some of your favorite local bands?
What makes them stand out to you?
What is your favorite(s) experience as a band so far?
David — “There’s tons of local bands right now that are doing some awesome things. Pinebreaker is always great to watch. They have such a professional way about them and are writing great tunes so I try to make it out to their shows whenever I can. I actually have had their CD in my car cd player for like 3 months straight haha. Then theres lots of other great acts like The Opskamatrists and (ahem) PANA. We always enjoy playing with them. And lots of amazing bands from the surrounding cities like Danny the Skeleton Horse which are a big local favorite and a new band from Rexburg i really enjoy called Thinking Out Loud so i definitely recommend checking them out as well. Oh and I love For Your Health and Horse Bite, too! Hmm.. I’d have to say my favorite experience was from last years Spring Riot. We played probably the best show we have ever played and it was to a packed house so it just felt really good. And we are all awesome friends outside out the band so we pretty much hang out all the time so thats really all I can ask for.”
Mik — “My favorite local band I ever saw was Corsair Wolves. I was late to the local music seen and they were one of the first bands I saw that really blew me away. Unfortunately they no longer exist, but I think they are responsible for waking me up to local music. It’s hard for me to narrow down specific favorite experiences because in general I have a great time playing with Jason and David. I do remember a show we played where a guy I’d never met bought me a shot after our set. He made me feel like a real big deal, which was fun, plus free booze.”
Jason — “I always enjoy the opskamatrists. They consistantly put on a good show, lots of fun. Pinebreaker is extremely talented. For your health have an awesome sound. Honestly, I dont think I have a specific experience, but there is nothing I enjoy more than playing music with my brothers.”
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Editor | Writer
Chloe O'Laughlin
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