06/08/09
Text: Nik Mercer, Kee Chang
Maybe it’s still a tad early to be making bets on the definitive summer song of 2009, but a handful of determined bands are already competing for the title. Founded by a pair of New York DJs, Daniel Collás and Sean Marquand, the Phenomenal Handclap Band masterfully fogs the gap between past and present in their meditation on 60s and 70s psychedelia, giving listeners a much needed respite from today’s diluted world of music. Infectious tracks like “You’ll Disappear” and “15 to 20” are destined for an iPod commercial—corporate piggybacking is not always a bad thing! We proclaim a bright future ahead for these sublime tastemakers.
The ever expanding nine-piece is set to release their self-titled debut album come June 23 on Friendly Fire Recordings. Marquand joined us for a quick and dirty Vital Stats action on Skype.
BAND NAME: The Phenomenal Handclap Band
HOMETOWN: New York, NY
DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND IN TWO SENTENCES: We’re a rock band. But that was not our original idea.
TWO BANDS THAT WOULD COMPLETE THE FORMATION OF YOUR SUPER GROUP: The Rotary Connection and Funkadelic
FAVORITE NIGHTSPOT IN THE CITY YOU CALL HOME: I’ll have to take Black Betty in Williamsburg just ‘cause I’ve been DJ'ing there for eight years now and it’s closing in two weeks. So, I’m already getting nostalgic for Black Betty.
BEST SPOT FOR A LATENIGHT SNACK IN NEW YORK: We go to Lil’ Frankie’s. It’s right around the corner from our studio and we’re there at 1 AM all the time.
HOTTEST POP STAR: Michael Jackson for his first 15 years as a performer.
HOTTEST DEAD ROCKER: James Brown
FAVORITE NOW DEFUNCT LABEL: Casablanca
MOST MEMORABLE SHOW YOU’VE PLAYED: Our first show at the 105 Riv. It was insane, totally insane. It was a packed little venue on the Lower East Side. The energy was so intense. I haven’t felt that since. It was incredible. It was super loose and I’m sure we sounded terrible, but it sounded good to me!
WHO’S MORE CREATIVE, AN EARLY BIRD OR A NIGHTOWL? You know, Pharrell wakes up at 8 AM everyday and does a 9 to 5. Burt Bacharach and Carol King too—they used to punch the clock. I’ll go with early bird based on those three artists.
BEST RECENT PURCHASE: I just bought Being Hal Ashby on Amazon. He’s my favorite film director.
CHOICE VICE: Hitachino Nest beer
LYRIC YOU’RE MOST PROUD OF: That’s rough. [Laughs] If I tell you my favorite lyric then people will pay attention to it. That won’t be good. It’ll be my only good lyric at that point! Can I skip that one?
WHAT DOES A PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP LOOK LIKE? Oh no... [Laughs] A phenomenal handclap is where the handclap is just in front of the beat or just behind the beat. It’s kinda wrong, but it just makes more sense than being right on the beat.
The Phenomenal Handclap Band MySpace page
