With a loud, psychedelic tinged garage rock ‘n’ roll sound, Atlantic Thrills have risen to be one of the premier bands to see in the Providence music scene. They’ll be sharing the stage with Detroit party rockers Electric 6 and Attleboro, Mass, energetic wildmen The Sweet Release at Fete on 103 Dike St in Providence on July 7, so I had a very serious and emotional interview with Dan Tanner, Eric Aguiar, Josh Towers and Mike Dominguez from the band about life choices, the power of homeopathic herbs and rock ‘n’ roll GMOs.
Rob Duguay: What were all of you doing musically before Atlantic Thrills started in 2010?
Mike Dominguez: I was lead skankster in a surf metal band called The Defenistrators.
Josh Towers: It was crazy! I started out touring Europe in an asthmatic rock trio called The Weezies. Then I was the front man for Furious George and the Knife Fight.
Eric Aguiar: I’ve always been a fan of smooth sounds, so I’ve been a trip-hop producer/MC for years under the name Jazz Uno.
Dan Tanner: As you know, I was in the world-renowned boy band The Undaground Boyz, then I toured the world and shared the stage with the likes of Day-Zee, who’s a legendary jam band hype man, the positive gangsta P-Thugg, the illiterate EDM superstar Kandi Boi and Oi! Punk Preacher T.R.A.S.H. There was also a time when I was the techno goth crooner Sadicles. After an incident at the local Hot Topic, I lost the will to be sad, so my label replaced me with a younger, more emo crooner whose name is not to be mentioned. That’s when I started wearing flowered shirts and playing tambourine under the moniker Barry Bermuda. I mostly did the retirement home circuit, performing for the incontinent.
RD: One thing I like a lot about Atlantic Thrills is Eric’s loud screaming on the mic. How does Eric do it without blowing out a vocal chord?
DT: It’s a proprietary blend of homeopathic herbs and secret spices.
EA: Shut up about it!
MD: Oh, it’s on!
DT: It’s made very much the same way Chicha beer is made. After it’s been fermented properly, we use a small bamboo brush referred to as The Tonsil Tickler to slowly lubricate Eric’s vocal cord before and after a performance.
RD: What do you think of all these garage rock ‘n’ roll acts emerging in Providence and nationwide, when five years ago there were less than half of the number there are now?
DT: Well, I think it has to do with all the GMOs in the drinking water.
JT: And Monsanto.
EA: Yeah, and all those big corporations, like Little Debbie and Hostess.
MD: Word. Fuckin’ Twinkies man.
RD: Which acts outside Providence would you like to see play The Creative Capital the most?
DT: I’m mostly into bands like The Toke Bros. and The Bluestocking Boys.
EA: I’d love to see the two man duo Queen Gunn and Weenie Roast.
JT: I’m all about Aggy Impaleya and Jeff Goldshroom Trio.
MD: Y’all is haters, The Bubonic Few and Porno Party are my jam right now.
RD: Before we call it an interview, does Atlantic Thrills have any new releases in the works?
DT: We got a whole mess load of new ish that’s gettin’ ready to hit the streets.
EA: Yeah, our new LP is called Vices. It’s coming out this fall on Almost Ready Records.
JT: Don’t forget about the 7″ single “Bedbugs” due to drop in August.
MD: Respect!
All jokes aside, head to Fete on Tues, Jul 7 for what will be the party of a lifetime, and look for Atlantic Thrills’ upcoming second full-length to be released when the weather gets cooler.
Link to tickets: http://fetemusic.com/events/electricsix
Atlantic Thrills’ Website: http://www.atlanticthrills.com