First Person
An interview with indie music persona John Davis, focusing on trends in the music scene and the transitions in his musical career
Date published: 4/3/2008
BY JOHN KOVALCHIK
On Saturday, Saddle Creek Records group Georgie James will headline an all-ages show at The Third Floor. The band is a collaboration between John Davis, formerly the drummer of Washington indie band Q and Not U, and singer-songwriter Laura Burhenna. Davis spoke with it! recently about his transition of bands and record labels and his feelings on the current music scene. The edited transcript is as follows:
it!: How does Q and Not U compare with Georgie James?
John Davis: I didn't write as much with Q and Not U in terms of main parts. Later on in the band I tended to contribute more. But with Georgie James, I was a lot more involved in the songwriting.
it!: Do you like playing drums more or being the frontman?
JD: I definitely like playing guitar better. I like the drums, but guitar was my first instrument. It's what I've really always played. I didn't really play drums until Q and Not U. Chris [Richards], the guy that was putting the band together, needed a drummer, and I played a little bit and I thought, "Sure, why not?" not thinking it was going to turn into the full-time band that it became.
it!: What major bands does Georgie James pull their influences from?
JD: It's more "rock canon" type of stuff, like The Kinks, The Beatles, Beach Boys, Zombies, Simon and Garfunkel Buts it's just as equally influenced by The Gems [and the] Flaming Groovies. But also country music--I'm a big fan of George Jones Jim Reeves. I like a lot of soft-rock type of junk like Bread and America. A lot of the easy-listening stuff of the late '60s, like the cool jazz of the late '50s, some Memphis soul, all types of stuff.
it!: How does [former label] Dischord Records compare with Saddle Creek Records?
JD: They're both coming from the same place--that is, in the D.I.Y., independent punk kind of subculture, and they keep those ethics in mind.
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What: Georgie James, Tereu Tereu and ¡Carlos, I'm Pregnant! play an all-ages show.
Where: The Third Floor, 810 Caroline St.
When: Saturday, 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $5
Web: myspace.com/ fredericksburgallages
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Date published: 4/3/2008
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