LA.CityZine brings you noise band, HEALTH, as part of our Know Your LA Bands series. No, I’m not talking about good gums, not getting sick or staying in shape. I’m talking about HEALTH - the awesome band that has just played Pitchfork Music Festival. I’m talking about the band that genial duo, Crystal Castles, has decided to collaborate with. I’m talking about the colorful, headband wearing guys creating those hype beats that’ll make a person aware of every single nerve in his or her body.
In other words, the band, HEALTH, is a synonym for adrenaline. HEALTH’s epileptic drumming, eerie rock noises, and rush of surreal vocals is the delicious combination of vagueness you never knew you yearned. You can’t even imagine what that could sound like nor put your head around that concept? They do it on purpose. However, if you wish to experience this ecstacy, HEALTH actually has a show at The Smell this Monday, July 28th. Starting at 9:00pm, sit back and allow the music to blow your mind.
Until then, check out this awesome interview I was incredibly lucky to get with HEALTH band member, John Famiglietti. Learn about his thoughts on yellow snow, his favorite blogs and more.
What part of LA are you guys from?
We all live in Echo Park, but none of us are from there. BJ (Drummer) is from Riverside, Jupiter (Guitar) is from El Monte, Jake (Vocals/Guitar) is from Seattle, and I’m from San Diego.
There is Health Noise and Health Disco. Can you explain the difference between the two projects?
//NOISE is the band, our music, the live show. //DISCO is the dance remixes, done of us by others, and DJ sets. They’re very different from each other. //FASHION is the merchandise in case you were wondering. Wu-Tang!
How was touring with Dan Deacon?
AWESOME. Dan Deacon is my personal hero, BUT we didn’t tour with him for reals. We only did two shows, but they were beyond awesome. We’d love to do a big tour with Dan someday.
Do you prefer gearing up for a tour or coming home from a tour?
Neither; I prefer tour. I love being on tour, but preparing for one sucks. Coming home is fun, but not as fun as touring.
Your T-shirts pretty much rock. Who designs them?
Thank You. I design them and all the band artwork. Want one? http://health.bigcartel.com
Do you really think we “WILL LOVE EACH OTHER?” If so, who in particular will love each other?
Dude, I feel like I totally love everybody right now. TRIPPING BALLZ SON.
Whose idea was it to record a live album at The Smell?
It wasn’t planned at all. That show was being recorded for an independent film that was never completed about kids going to shows and shit like that. They gave us the recording, we liked it and DNT records wanted to put out a cassette. I handed it to DNT that day.
How did this team-up with your song, “Crimewave” and Crystal Castles come about?
When we first found out about CCastles, we got pretty obsessed and started flirting with them over the internet. We asked if they would do a split or remix; they wanted to do both. The rest is history.
What’s the craziest or weirdest thing that’s happened while you were on stage?
One time a drumstick broke and went through Jupiter’s upper lip with enough force to loosen his front tooth. Also, recently two kids came to the show on acid and beat the shit out of each other during the whole set until they were covered in blood.
What are your three must have songs on a dance party mix?
Technotronic - “Pump Up The Jam,” Alice Deejay - “Better Of Alone,” and ATB - “You’re Not Alone.” Technotronic is for the beginning of the night. Alice Deejay gets people amped again when they’ve lost energy, and ATB brings it all home, after which point you should put on shitty
music to get everyone out of the house quick…
Living in Hawaii, solving mysteries with his black friend who flies a helicopter.
Curing cancer or herpes or AIDS or something. Anytime you read a history book it would have to mention AIDS was cured by these four guys who also happened to be in this rocking band. Check it out. I would hope HEALTH to be the cause of total ampage or stokedness, but
you can’t control that kinda thing.
What’s the best piece of advice someone has ever given you and did you take notice?
Frank Zappa told me “Don’t eat the Yellow Snow,” but fuck it I did it anyway. I was hungry and thirsty and it seemed all too convenient.
What would be the best piece of advice you could give someone trying to break into the music business?
Make cool t-shirts or you’ll never make a dime.
Dead or alive. What 5 acts would you have play with you at a festival?
Harry Houdini, Bach, The Smiths, Mitch Hedberg, and Burzum. Mitch Hedberg for the comedy. The Smiths and Burzum to bring the entire teenage population of East L.A., Houdini to do some magic for the kids, and the classical composer to totally lose his shit when he sees me whip out my touch iPod.
What’s your favorite song to play live and why?
“Zoothorns,” because I can just cut loose without worry.
Metallica’s “Fade To Black.” Then I’m gonna “write” it and everyone will love me.
Who would you like to see open for one of your shows?
Van Halen with Michael Anthony back on bass (f*** you, Wolfgang), and they can’t have their big stage show. They gotta open for us at the Smell and play on the floor.
Where is your favorite place to see a band play in LA?
The Smell, but my fave was il Corral when it was around. Mostly due to getting smashed and rope swing. My favorite sound system is probably the Troubadour or Knitting Factory but good bands rarely play there, and the atmosphere blows.
If you wanted to and had the chance, which two bands would you choose to interview?
Bands that were really big in the ’80s that made really popular music with bizarre production choices (case in point: Tears For Fears”Mad World”, what the f*** is up with those stupid ass
trumpets???)….. Ask all those nagging questions you have when you listen to a big hit that has dated severely.
What’s your favorite music magazine/website?
I like blogs the most. 20jazzfunkgreats and DiscoWorkout are my faves.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Girls Gone Wild.
What’s the best cure for a hangover?
A spicy Bloody Mary.
What would be your perfect LA day?
Breakfast at Real Food Daily, lunch at Vegan House, and dinner at the Taco Zone Taco Truck in a VONS parking lot. Also, I suppose I would go to the beach or Magic Mountain or something in between those events.
Tell us a fact about yourself we probably don’t already know.
We’ve got armadillos in our trousers.
Photography: B+
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