San Francisco Voice

Passion. That’s the word that immediately leaps to mind when you hear about The Reaction. Well, that and perhaps, “out of this world”. They’ve quirky, expressive, dynamic, interesting and fun … but at the core of it, they are passionate. Passionate about their playing, passionate about their connection with each other and passionate about the places in the city that they love. They won’t tell you where many of those spots are, but in this SFV interview, they will tell you about their musical history, their soon-to-be-released vinyl record and full album and their upcoming local gigs.

What’s the story on how the band formed?

Willy: So I’m chillin’ with ShellHead at Thrillhouse when they were just starting to put up the walls b4 bidness had opened. This was right after WILDILDLIFE had moved here, and Shell says, “my brother needs a drummer for the Clarion show and I think you two would get along”. So I came to a practice and I walk in whilst they were in the middle of runnin’ through tunes with Roggy (who couldn’t get the time off to play the show) and Wade and Liz looked at me and said, “wanna try this one” and I guess I did good. 2 practices…Clarion…On.

Wade: Liz and I met at a meeting of a secret order, the name of which I cannot
disclose. We discussed the revolution of everyday life, collective consciousness,
fashion, sonic poetry and the desire to burn it all down and start from scratch.
We corresponded long distance. I was forced due to interference of my work by
the authorities, to relocate. We began sharpening our dialectics and writing songs.
Willy Nilz came to us via the underground network after liberating himself from the
oppressive forces at Guitar Center. Recommended by Shellhead, Will beat fire
into our creation. He is a fucking powerhouse. Now we have the motor, the fuel,
and the style.

Liz: The Reaction was formed out of necessity through madness and survival. The Reaction debuted on October 22, 2006 in support of San Francisco’s Mission District’s annual Clarion Alley block party to a reported 2,200 hipsters, trippers, muralists, musicians, artist and neighbors.

Where did the name come from?

Willy: It was Wade’s idea, In Wade We Trust.

Wade: We are a reaction to banality.

Liz: The name came from literal translation of life experience.

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

Willy: Hendrix savagely fucking the Ramones, and vice verse. Other stuff in there too but that’s my lamens.

Wade: Loud, aggressive, catchy, to the point.

Liz: The Reaction sounds like…REVOLUTION..or Nelson Algren throwing a drink into
Louis-Ferdinand’s face…to be more specific…early melodic English punk mixed with Southern Californian post punk, most recent comparisons have been: 60’s English Mod mixed with a bit of Halo of Flies noise rock (Minneapolis), Dead Moon (Portland), The Ex (The Netherlands), early Black Flag (SoCal)…traversing time periods…all over the map really.

Describe the average THE REACTION fan.

Willy: Rock’N'Roll fan

Wade: Our fans are ABOVE average.

Liz: Musically aware.

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

Willy: Weird question, I guess I wouldn’t ever presume such a thing.

Wade: We wouldn’t be a landmark we would be a LANDSLIDE.

Liz: Lotta’s Fountain…survivors gather there OR…no…even BETTER Sutro Tower, a GIANT three pronged TRANSMITTER….the tallest structure in San Francisco looming
over the skyline.

Do you have a favorite SF venue?

Willy: Thrillhouse Records, who is keepin’ it real, supporting the awesome shit that everyone is doing on so many more levels than just a rad show space. Doing so without any pretension, just outta pure fucking love of music, which is very rare, and very inspiring.

Wade: The Christian Science Monitor Reading Room.

Liz: Great American Music Hall

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

Willy: I prefer to have those to myself thank you

Wade: Phoenix Pub, Thrillhouse, the San Francisco Public Library, Artist Exchange, home.

Liz: Can’t tell you paparazzi.

Where do you guys want to be (as a band) a year from now?

Willy: Writin’, playin’, tourin’, you know…Band things.

Wade: I try not to think that way. We’re more concerned with the present.

Liz: Playing arenas and large festivals.

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

Willy: We play LOUD=GOOD music.

Wade: Interesting question. Are you a cop?

Liz: The Reaction will be coming out with a split 7″ record (red vinyl) with another local San Francisco band, The Neverending Party. It features “Unbelievable” and “Stitches” by The Reaction and “I Can’t Give You a Thing” and “Alice’ by The Neverending Party. This will be released to the world very soon, probably in July ’07, by The Thrillhouse Record label. Also, The Reaction will have their full length album “RIGHT NOW” (both CD and vinyl) released on the Starcleaners record label before the end of this year so keep your eyes and ears peeled.

The Reaction has some fantastic BAY AREA gigs planned 7/20 at The Hemlock with The Neverending Party and The Vaticans; 8/8 at The Knockout with Down in the Dumps (Long Island), & Robocop III plus more TBA); and 11/17 at The 12 Galaxies with DOS, & Sistas in the Pit!

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