Few bands scream indie rock more than L.A.-based Silversun Pickups. The foursome of guitarist/vocalist Brian Aubert, bassist Nikki Monninger, drummer Christopher Guanlao and keyboardist Joe Lester whip together something that bridges mesmerizing shoegazing and hipster pop. And with just one album, Carnavas, in their collective pocket, they’re the toast of the scene. They’re so cool and they’re hard to nail down, but somehow we coaxed Brian into the mtvU Hot Seat long enough to smoke out some answers to our burning questions.
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Q: Tell us about your craziest touring experience.
A: Uum… for some reason there were two weeks non-stop on the road where we had major fruit carnage and would destroy a bowl of fruit every night. Anybody who went backstage would get pelted with some form of rotten fruit. Why? It was just the time for it.
Q: What type of college class would you’d most want to take and why? A: Human Sexuality. Because you can always keep learning.
Q: What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
A: Atlanta. Because every single person there is beautiful. And they have the best BBQ we’ve ever had in our lives.
Q: What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
A: Don’t be a dick.
Q: What’s in heavy rotation in your mp3/CD player right now?
A: TV on The Radio, Return to Cookie Mountain.
Q: The last good book you read or TV show you’re addicted to.
A: Last good nook - The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay; TV show - Lost or Battlestar Galactica (only on DVD; I don’t watch TV).
Q: What’s the first concert you ever saw? How was it?
A: When I was really, really little, and I don’t remember it very well, but I saw New Edition at Disneyland. It was off the hook! I think… it was either that or Chipmunks and the Magic Flute tour — that was probably not off the hook… i think… but Theodore is a badass drummer!
Q: What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
A: Listerine breath tabs, my Brown Sound jacket and my Dave Dupuis (tour manager/guru).
Q: Who are your major musical influences?
A: Prince, Radar Bros., Bjork, and Radiohead and Wilco and Neil Young and Wire and …
