San Francisco Voice

San Francisco is a place where genders bend, boundaries fall over and there is rarely any need to define anything. Scarab is a local band that epitomizes this Bay Area essence by playing genre-less music that stays true to itself and develops as it goes. Formed in the context of family and music, the group started as a trio and went on to become a quintet that’s got a sense of humor and a heart of harmony. Surprising you around every turn, Scarab is just getting started on what looks to be a long musical path. See the band perform during the last weekend of the month – they’ll be at Brainwash Café on Saturday, June 30 and at Ireland’s 32 on July 1.

What’s the story on how the band formed?

Scarab formed in the garage of an auto glass tinting shop in the East Bay during the summer of 2004. Felipe and Russ met in a music production class and Mel and Russ met when she was born (they’re siblings). All three musicians came from diverse music backgrounds and interests and the intent of this band was to not be tied to or limited by a genre. Mark on keyboard/percussion and Lisa on bassoon were added to the roster to bring a richer sound to the band. We are really a family before we are a band, so the closeness of the group can be heard in our music and seen on stage.

If you had to sum up your sound, what would you say?

We’re one of those “different” bands to quote a number of the people who have attended our shows. We love bringing new sounds and new concepts of music to our shows. We bring in elements of various types of music: latin, arabic, asian, and jazz rhythms melded with an 80’s hardcore and post-punk aesthetic.

Describe what it’s like to see you play live.

Depending on the set list, you could either be sitting down drinking some coffee or dancing around with a beer in your hand; it’s usually the latter though. There is some headbanging but also some rhythmic swaying and dancing to be done at any of our shows.

Do you have a favorite SF venue?

To go to, Bottom of the Hill, Balazo18 Gallery (local music + art, how can you go wrong?)

To play, we love playing El Rincon. It’s got a nice stage, great ambience and Red Stripe.

If the band was a San Francisco landmark, which one would it be and why?

Coit Tower, because we’d like to show people a different viewpoint than the one they’re used to.

Which spots in the city can you be found in when you’re just out and about?

Amoeba Records, 500 Club and Mission St. taquerias

Who are some other local bands / musicians that you like?

We’ve been able to meet so many great bands in the last 3 years. Just to name a few of them: With Report, Say Bok Gwai, The Yes Go’s and dyspecific.

Where do you want to be a year from now?

Still playing shows with another album out and continuing to push our sound with other regional and genre influences.

If there was anything that you could make sure your fans knew, what would it be?

We love them as much as they love us… so they should love us a lot if they’re planning on getting any tonight.

3 Comments