Photo by: Briana Purser

We all love reading interviews with our favorite bands, and the interviews usually cover a lot of the same stuff, how the band got started, new album details, etc., etc., etc. Coming into contact with quite a few artists on a regular basis, I figured I could prepare a short set of short answer questions that I could deliver without having to go into a lengthy sit session of talking and editing. This is the third in what I hope to be a long series of “Get To Know In 7″ and any suggestions or recommendations on questions that you might want used in future editions, please, please, let me know.

The self proclaimed “loudest band in Brooklyn” (and I’m not one to argue), A Place to Bury Strangers are currently touring the country in support of NIN, while taking the occasional gig on off days supporting Reznor and company. The band made a stop in Austin, to bring it’s “total sonic anniliation” agenda to Emo’s. Once again, I cannot argue the claim of “total sonic annihilation”, as it was truly an aural onslaught of effect drenched guitars and vocals cutting through the smoky haze like a chainsaw thru jello. I’ve seen a few bands that push the envelope of loud, and until this night, Bob Mould’s band Sugar, held the top spot on this list. It’s taken a few years, but I believe that spot may now belong to APTBS.

Aside from leading the sonic charge for the band as guitarist and vocalist, Oliver Ackerman also designs and builds guitar pedals. Ackerman’s Death by Audio is not just a pedal company, it’s also the name of a compound that serves as a practice space, workshop, art collective, and live music venue to many, including the members of APTBS. Aside from being essential to APTBS’s sound, Death by Audio pedals have found their way to the stage and studio with members of Spoon, T.V. On the Radio, Wilco, and NIN.

Ackerman took a few minutes before the set on Sunday night, to answer 7 questions, for my continuing series Get to Know In 7.

1. What is your birth city? “Allentown, PA.”

2. What is your favorite season and why? “I guess I like Fall, cuz it’s cool, everything’s dying, and it turns all pretty colors. You know it’s kinda psychedelic, and I like some psychedelics”

3. What is your favorite physical attribute of women? “Shoot, I don’t know man, I like the whole thing. It’s hard to say, I like women..I like all sorts.

4. What’s your favorite part of being on the road? “All the different parts of women. No, I’m just joking. You know, just getting out, meeting different people, getting away from home.”

5. If you had to choose one pedal that you couldn’t live without, which one would it be? “I would choose the Octave Clang. Even though I don’t use it all the time, it still sounds f****** sweet.I’m always surprised by the great sounds, and love it.”

6. Last album/recording you selected to play. “Probably some band nobody’s ever heard of before, Heaven Piano Company.”

7. Vinyl, CD, or Mp3? “I like vinyl you know. I like records, but I love Mp3′s too. I like having records, I like holding mp3s though, I like the feel. Not the cheap ones though, extra bitrate, those are the best ones.”

Oliver Ackerman has a funny side. The band has a full shedule of shows in North America booked well into the later part of October. I recommend you check them out, but be sure to bring ear plugs. Seriously.

MP3> A Place to Bury Strangers ‘I Know I’ll See You’

This entry was posted on Monday, August 18th, 2008 at 1:06 pm and is filed under Get to know in 7, interview, mp3's.