SF Bands Speak: An Interview with Useless Desires
If you head to the MySpace of the Bay Area band Useless Desires, you’ll see that their quote there is, “If no one else understands you …” Scroll down and you’ll see that the thought is finished up with, “we won’t either. But at least you’ll have fun listening to your songs!” That’s the kind of playful tongue-in-cheek approach that the band takes to life, despite some of the angst you can hear in their songs. The foursome plays rock that’s classic in some ways, alternative in others and honest at every level. In this interview, you can find out how Useless Desires formed and what the truth is about what they think music should be.
What’s the story on how the band formed?
In short – a combination of friends, Craigslist and an ex drummer’s girlfriend. The longer version is that lead singer/songwriter, Dave Shear, wrote lots of songs and his friends from another SF band called Porkchop Express helped him play the songs live. Soon enough, Curt Yagi joined on bass, Jeff on guitar (from Craigslist) and Kristin joined on drums. She is the girlfriend of Kitt Thompson, who drums for Porkchop Express.
Where did the name come from?
Dave was playing an Open Mic and heard someone sing a song called Useless Desires by Patty Griffin. Done deal. We were originally called Raise No Rookies. (Editor’s Note: The name is perfectly fitting for the band’s music which sometimes touches lyrically on the useless aspects of life that nevertheless provoke our passion.)
If you had to sum up your sound in one sentence, what would you say?
Catchy alternative rock that draws emotion.
Finish the sentence. Music should be …
“sounds and words that genuinely draw emotions out of the artists themselves and those that listen.”
If the band was a San Francisco landmark, which one would it be and why?
Oh, how about the Bay Bridge traffic which is always busy. Same goes for our band, when we try to set up a time to practice. Everyone just seems to be busy.
Do you have a favorite SF venue?
The Fillmore, but we tend to play smaller venues, such as Irelands 32, Hotel Utah, Beale St. We’d love to play at The Fillmore, though.
Which spots in the city can you be found in when you’re just out and about?
Fly bar, the Mission area, practice studio, other bars that are far away from the Marina. Okay, sometimes we end up at the Horseshoe.
Where do you guys want to be (as a band) a year from now?
We are currently recording our first album (13 songs worth of material) at Snoppy Quop and plan to push the album heavily by playing lots and lots in the extended Bay Area.
If there was anything that you could make sure your fans knew, what would it be?
That some of Dave’s melancholy and slightly angry lyrics do not mean we are angry, bitter people. In fact, we are quite happy with living.
Time to pay it forward – what other Bay Area bands should we know about?
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