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 The Nervous Wreckords’ Brian Karscig
Multi-instrumentalist/singer Karscig has been at the forefront of the local music scene for more than a decade, both as a sought-after producer and as a member of popular roots-rock band Convoy and glammy, controversial Louis XIV. On his own as The Nervous Wreckords, Karscig’s anthemic, playful pop mixed with sitar-spiked breakbeats from collaborator Anthony Saffery (Cornershop) is quickly gaining a following both in town and across the country (the band’s second-ever show was for a crowd of thousands while opening for The Killers). We chatted Karscig up about Purple Rain, crepe festivals and S.D.’s best crab cake.
What are your musical influences?
I’ve always loved Prince. He wasn’t exactly a sex symbol, and he’s not the biggest man, but he had this gigantic presence as a 5-foot-something, tiny little guy living in Minneapolis. The ‘80s is such a hit-or-miss time for music. When you say Culture Club or OMD to people, you usually get a chuckle and not, “Dude, that moved me,” but I still get the hairs on my arm when I Would Die for You or even Purple Rain comes on.
How would you characterize the San Diego sound?
Diverse. There’s a flourishing hip-hop scene coming out of here. There’s an underground, indie, just-two-instruments type of sound. Then you have bands like ours, who are white guys making dance music, and you’ve got Pinback, who are radio-friendly indie rock guys. You’ve got a little bit of everything.
What other local artists should the world pay attention to?
I love Transfer; they mix elements of Pink Floyd with elements of rock ‘n’ roll that is very listener-friendly. Usually when anybody describes a band as psychedelic, I get turned off. I’m a rock ‘n’ roll guy. I don’t like songs to be longer than four minutes; I get bored. But Transfer is the one band that keeps my attention for a jam. And I love Apes of Wrath. They’re a three-piece bombastic rock band with the catchiest songs I’ve heard in a long time.
Do you have a favorite memory from the S.D. music scene?
I met The Killers when they were the opening act at the Casbah in 2004. I remember these guys looking very uncomfortable on stage but they had bad-ass songs. It’s cool that the Casbah was the first place I saw them, and a few years later they became one of the biggest bands in the world.
What’s your favorite place to see a rock show?
Probably The Casbah. It’s still my favorite place to play. It just seems to embody everything I like about live music: It’s hot, it’s sweaty, there’s cheap beer and it sounds good.
Where does a foodie like you go to eat in this town?
I love Oceanaire. I can’t eat a crab cake anywhere else. I love Ponce’s for Mexican food, and I’ve never had a bad experience at Café Chloe. As far as sushi goes, Ebisu is the best “happening” place, and I love the staff and the food. For Italian, hands down, The Godfather in Kearny Mesa. I grew up in an Italian family and my dad, who is this hardcore Italian guy, says it’s the only Italian joint in San Diego.
What about shopping: does anybody buy records anymore?
I like M-Theory Records; everybody’s friendly and they always have everything that you’re looking for. I love Antique Row in Lemon Grove. It’s a total throwback strip, although now it’s getting hipped and trendied out with wine bars and stuff, but there’s also great little mom-and-pop coffee and breakfast joints and thrift stores.
Describe an ideal day in S.D. when you’re not on the road.
I sleep late, then go out to breakfast at Mario’s de La Mesa, a sit-down joint that has really good, traditional Mexican breakfasts. I have dogs, so I love Dog Beach in Coronado. I never get sick of Balboa Park. You can people-watch, and there’s always something going on there, whether it’s a French crepe festival or an African dance troupe.
Details
The Nervous Wreckords myspace.com/thenervouswreckords Transfer transferband.com Apes of Wrath myspace.com/apesofwrathmusic The Casbah 2501 Kettner Blvd., Midtown, 619.232.4355 Oceanaire Seafood Room 400 J St., Gaslamp, 619.858.2277 Ponce’s 4050 Adams Ave., Kensington, 619.282.4413 Café Chloe 721 Ninth Ave., East Village, 619.232.3242 Ebisu Sushi 3765 Sixth Ave., Hillcrest, 619.297.3119 The Godfather 7878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Kearny Mesa, 858.560.1747 M-Theory Records 915 W. Washington St., Mission Hills, 619.220.0485 Antique Row near Broadway and Lemon Grove Ave., Lemon Grove Mario’s de La Mesa 8425 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, 619.461.9390 Dog Beach Ocean Blvd. near Sunset Park, Coronado Balboa Park House of Hospitality 1549 El Prado, 619.239.0512 |
