SF Bands Speak: An Interview with The Hairbrain Scheme
The Hairbrain Scheme is a multi-genre (or perhaps genre-defying) band which falls somewhere near the category of psychedelic alternative rock but simply has to be heard to be understood. Doing what San Fran Voice loves best, these guys push at musical boundaries and make music because making music is fun. Three of the four guys (Dan, Grant and Nate) all came together in this interview to tell you more about their favorite songs, venues and more. The interview gives lots of insight into the different personalities that make this creative group work but there’s no replacing a live performance so head over to Kimo’s on May 12 to see what it is that these guys do.
How did the band form?
Dan: Three of us are college boys who met at strange dorm parties. The other guy is just some weirdo we picked up along the way, but he’s very wise.
Grant: The band formed out of a mutual appreciation for ridiculous and odd songwriting. Nate: We all just wanted to make music we would want to hear.
If the band was a San Francisco landmark, which one would it be and why?
Grant: Battery Alexander, because it would show how scared we were at one time.
Nate: Alcatraz because no one will want to visit us until we’ve been shut down.
Dan: Golden Gate park, because we’re huge.
Describe the average The Hairbrain Scheme fan.
Grant: 5′ 6 male about 34 years old. Long beard utilized in a sort of beard-comb-over.
Dan: Our roommates. Nate: Soundguys
What’s your favorite song to perform live and why?
Grant: Walking, because the song is sung from the perspective of a schizophrenic vigilante’s son.
Nate: Gadzooks, because I’m always hot and sweaty when we’re done with it.
Dan: For me, it’s “Crack in the Streets” because of the frantic energy of the song and the fact that I get to play a thrash beat almost the whole time. (Check it out on the band’s MySpace page.) Do you have a favorite SF venue?
Grant: Bottom of the Hill. Good sound and awesome venue all around.
Nate: I have liked each of the three places we have played so far. I’m really looking forward to playing some new ones. (Note - they’re at Kimo’s on May 12 and Elbo Room on June 6.)
Dan: I think anywhere that lets us play is pretty cool. Different places are cool for different reasons. Some places sound really good, some places are real cool about setting up your own bill.
Which spots in the city can you be found in when you’re just out and about?
Dan: Well, we live in the sunset district, so we’re generally there a lot. As far as being out anywhere, I’m too damn broke to go anywhere. Places like club 540 on a Monday or Tuesday are the only places I can afford to drink.
Nate: I never leave the house. I sit in the dark by myself.
Grant: I can be found in the BART and MUNI tunnels with the rats. I sometimes go to Safeway with my best pal Splinter to purchase some Red Baron microwaveable pizzas.
Where do you want to be a year from now? Five years?
Nate: In a year I want to be in a hovercraft. In five, I want to be cut up into five pieces, all artificially kept alive on five separate hovercrafts. Grant: I want to be in Japan. And we should be able to play at waterslide events.
Dan: It would be cool if we call a place and when we say ‘”We’re The Hairbrain Scheme and we want to book a show”, they don’t respond with, “who?”
If there was anything that you could make sure your fans knew, what would it be?
Dan: We’ll be home in time for dinner.
Grant: We are having fun.
Nate: Look behind you!
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