For a band that's only played a handful of shows in the city were it formed, it's safe to say Lil' Daggers doesn't need that type of exposure. While they're sound is considered "garage" they are by no means confined by 3 walls and an automatic door. They have already gone on various tours which included a stop at SXSW in 09, and have been invited by CMJ to showcase. What sets their sound apart from other bands is their organic use of instruments and their lack of kooky synths and electro thingamabobbers. No, Lil Daggers have an organ player, and we like it that way.
For this segment of The Fabrika Link, Jake (guitarist) and Jose (drummer) sat down with us to share their past, present, future, their thoughts on the Miami music scene, and their like of 4 Lokos.
Intro By S. Torres, Interview By: Chelsea Olson, Fabrikators
Fabrika: How did you guys meet/come together?
Jacob: Basically, 3 of us were living together, and we’d just get high, jam out, have a good time. Then Jose came along and we asked our other friend Ruben, who plays organ… your typical band story I guess. Just friends hangin’ out, jamming.
Fabrika: And where did you get your inspiration from? How’d you come up with the identity for Lil Daggers?
Jose: These guys introduced me to the garage band scene, I was still in the post-punk thing. They showed me the sound, and I dug it, really was into it. They had their other drummer leave 2 weeks before going to SXSW so I just jumped in right before going on tour.
Fabrika: Why “Lil Daggers”?
Jacob: Well we were gonna be called Lil Dicks but everyone’s mom said that was a bad idea.
Fabrika: So the moms got the veto?
Jacob: Yeah, Gabe’s mom especially was like “you guys aren’t going to get any girls [with that name]” but, we were like “we don’t get girls anyway so…”
Fabrika: And has it been a good selection? Gotten some chicks?
Jacob: Nah. Haha. Oh, well [Jose] got a teacher in Gainesville, she was like 40 and drunk at a bar.
Fabrika: Well you guys have been together for about 2 years now, and right after your first album Miami New Times voted you as one of the Best Bands of 2009… pretty impressive. How’d all that feel?
Jose: It was great. The show they put together for us to do at the Electric Pickle was awesome- packed front to back and everything. It was a great way to celebrate it, we didn’t expect that.
Jacob: Yeah, the New Times have been really nice to us and we appreciate it.
Fabrika: So then after that you guys went on tour and did SXSW, what was that like?
Jacob: SXSW was crazy. You have to park like a mile away and carry all your equipment, tons of other musicians all walking around, people are drunk by noon…
Jose: It’s just a ton of bars, it’s just bar, bar, bar, bar…
Jacob: Yeah so in between bands everyone just goes to the bar and drinks. Our organ player, Ruben, got annihilated by like 3 in the afternoon, came back, passed out, woke up, then played the set with us that night.
Jose: That’s where we met Satan’s Youth Minister. They’re a really cool band from Alabama.
Jacob: We put out a split with them, actually. Vice went to their house to interview them… They call it “church of the psychadelic goat” it’s crazy- there’s tons of weird shit like black Jesus poster with eyes that follow you… they put on awesome shows and just run that small ghost town in Alabama.
Fabrika: Then where’d you go after SXSW?
Jacob: Pretty much just up the East coast, Chicago, and a few festivals.
Jose: We also did a 3 day showcase in NY and that went really well. That was a good weekend.
Fabrika: So what else are you guys involved in outside of the band?
Jacob: Well, I recently quit my job last week so I’m currently looking… just totally cursed my boss out, double middle fingers kinda deal.
Fabrika: Epic movie moment there.
Jacob: Yeah, probably wasn’t necessary but oh well. So right now I’m working on some writing, I actually have a book coming out… blogging for the New Times, focusing on writing music.
Jose: Yeah and I’m actually quitting my job next week, focusing on school. We’re all really busy with other stuff but it works […] I mean, our bass player is in New York so it’s crazy.
Fabrika: That’s awesome though. It’s great you have that creative outlet together.
Jacob: Our practice schedule is horrible- like 11:30 at night is when we all can get together and jam out, but I’m usually just wanting to go to bed by then…
Fabrika: Well, I guess you just get a few Red Bulls or something.
Jose: 4 Lokos!
Fabrika: YES! [laughs]
Fabrika: Well you guys are one of the few good bands here in Miami…
Jacob: Thanks, I mean anyone that we talk to is so surprised when we say we’re from Miami. People don’t know Miami for music because it’s so overshadowed by clubs, electronica, and that whole scene.
Fabrika: Who would you say are some other good Miami bands?
Jacob: Definitely The Jameses. They’re one of the best things coming out of Miami.
Fabrika: So, what’s next? King Corpse is your next album?
Jacob: Yeah it’s a 7” and comes out August 27. That weekend it’s coming out we’re going to record a full album in Lakeworth. We’re having the album release party at Bar with Furious Dudes who are releasing their album as well. And Deserter is coming down from New York. If you buy both albums, you get a free beer… so there’s some incentive there.
Fabrika has dedicated this series of interviews to create a link between each interview. Each artist picks a band whose music they feel is improving the Miami music scene, and we interview them next.
Check out Lil Daggers here
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