05/12/09
Text: Kee Chang
Honey Claws is bound to strike oil any day now. There is no formula for the kind of music that Jon Von Letscher, Traey Hatch, Ben Senior, and Thomas Sahs set out to create—bouncy beats, a generous helping of hip-hop, and a touch of reggae all strewn together with strident keyboards. And in case you were wondering, their live shows are as manic as you might expect. They seem to have the stamina and tenacity of a Duracell bunny on stage—running not on batteries, but on beer and armloads of candy bars. So with all this implied wickedness, you might consider bringing along a sturdy friend to their live shows—you know, as a sensible safety buffer.
Jon lays down some of his favorite things to Anthem via email: Freddie Mercury, Paris Hilton, and Sour Patch Kids—they’re all accounted for!
Click here to download “Shout Out” off their self-titled debut LP.
BAND NAME: Honey Claws
HOMETOWN: Austin, Texas
DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND IN TWO SENTENCES: Dripping. Swords.—Jon
FAVORITE NIGHTSPOT IN THE CITY YOU CALL HOME: Booty Bar is fun. At least it used to be. I’ve been overseas for a while, so it’s all a bit hazy. Just got back from Brazil. That shit was crunk.—Jon
THREE BANDS OTHER THAN YOUR OWN THAT YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: Queen, Pixies, and R.E.M.—Jon
HOTTEST POP STAR: Paris Hilton. Her album is actually amazing. Like, for real. —Jon
HOTTEST DEAD ROCKER: Freddy Mercury—Jon
FAVORITE NOW DEFUNCT LABEL: Sun Records—Jon
MOST MEMORABLE SHOW YOU’VE PLAYED: We played at Big Day Out in New Zealand. Prodigy headlined. They lit shit on fire and cussed a lot. It was ill.—Jon
STRANGEST THING YOU’VE WITNESSED IN THE AUDIENCE WHILE ON STAGE: In my old group, Vehicular (which was like party hip-hop stuff), at a show we had a push-up contest in the crowd during our song “Pump My Neck.” I guess that was strange. Also, at another show, my girlfriend got a beer poured in her purse while we were playing. Ladies get evil, Spiderman villain.—Jon
WHO’S MORE CREATIVE, AN EARLY BIRD OR A NIGHT OWL?: Night owls. You have to let go of the sun to be one, which makes you nuts from the start.—Jon
CHOICE VICE: Sour Patch Kids—Jon
WACKIEST HOBBY: I like to have sex when I’m not writing songs. I don’t have time for hobbies.—Jon
SOMETHING THAT'S ALWAYS IN YOUR POCKET/PURSE/WALLET: I wish I could say money. “Not money” is always in my pocket.—Jon
BEST RECENT PURCHASE: Groceries—Jon
MOST DIFFICULT ASPECT OF RECORDING: Singing like Freddy Mercury. One day.—Jon
LYRIC YOU'RE MOST PROUD OF: Nothing comes to mind. Honestly. I sat here for like ten minutes trying to think of one sentence. I guess I ain’t proud of nothing.—Jon
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: I’M LEAST LIKELY TO... eat the moon anytime soon.—Jon
TELL US A FUNNY JOKE: Why was the musician arrested? Because he got in treble.—Jon
