Cuban Cigars is the first single from WALL’s self titled 7″ EP out on Wharf Cat Records
They’ve often been compared to 80s alt godheads and REM-influencers Pylon – one comparison they seem to actively enjoy. Naturally, The Bush Tetras and ESG always crack a mention. But while the no wave tag is there in Gomez’ blank-eyed marching rhythms, Skadden’s loping bass, and the squeal-of-brakes whine of Vince’s guitar, there’s also a melodic force to their songs that only comes through with repeated listens.
Take, for instance, ‘Milk’ – from their forthcoming self-titled EP – where York’s playful surrealism takes things in a direction that most of the no wave’s deadening non-sequiturs wouldn’t dare. “The sky opened up / milk poured out / They say that is the way,” she deadpans, as the song decelerates into its gawping chorus with the tuneful efficiency of Jefferson Airplane transforming like Optimus Prime into Jefferson Smart Bomb.
Personnel
Vanessa Gomez
Vince McClelland
Elizabeth Skadden
Samantha York
‘Cuban Cigars’ is their breakout-hit so far – a strident cock-of-the-walk post-punker that alternates York’s sly whimsy: “Fresh baked bread keeps the pigs well fed”, with Skadden squawking “suited up, playing rough, walking in and talking tough” and ends abruptly with everyone coughing like they’ve all choked a fistful of Cuban Leaf down the wrong way.
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If there are two poles which drive WALL’s sound, then it’s the bass-vs-guitars face-off of Skadden-McClelland, whose musical histories are pretty opposite.
Skadden’s mom was a hippy who brought the avant-garde likes of Laurie Anderson and Devo into the home from a young age, to the extent that her taste has consolidated around the scratchy, challenging, atonal end of the spectrum. “Honestly, something is wrong with my ear. I can’t listen to something like The Cars or The Clash, and think it sounds good, I just can’t do it.” Skadden was previously of Finally Punk, the Austin, Texas punk luminaries who styled themselves as ‘No Rules’, swapping instruments in-between their one-minute songs. “I enjoyed Finally Punk so much that I didn’t believe I could ever find something that even came close,” she says.
Working with Vince has been different. “I’ve played with other guys before Vince, but honestly never liked it. I find men are quite limiting in a band context. Women, in my experience, are more open to sharing. Vince has a willingness to experiment that’s amazing. I think of him as my own personal Eric Erlandson: stoic, patient, talented. Et cetera.”
On the other side of the spectrum, Vince’s previous act was the cute, pin-neat 60s pop of The Keepsies. “I became obsessed with this book, Songwriting Secrets of the Beatles,” he says. “I would write songs based on different chapters of the book.” The Keepsies is still a recording project, he adds, co-owned with Austin Brown of Parquet Courts. Vince was an early drummer in semi-legendary Austin indie act Ringo Deathstarr too. “Elizabeth works like a focusing element,” he explains. “I noodle over all of our songs, and she picks what she likes. I have a terrible memory, so she’s good at stopping me and saying, “Wait, play that again.”
WALL’s rhythmic tumble-dryer is all the more remarkable given that Gomez was an utter drumming novice when she arrived. “I’ve just always connected the most to the drums when listening to music,” Gomez explains. “I always mentally imagined myself doing it. Riot grrrrl made me believe I could. So… I’m so glad that I finally pursued it like fucking 15 years later.”
Years ago, a friend gave her their drum kit for free. “And then more recently a few friends gave me a few lessons, but being in a band is what really helped me learn.” She grins. “I’m lucky to have bandmates who are so patient…”
For her part, York grew up listening to “a mix of terrible indie bands from the mid-2000’s mixed with weird Zolo and a whole slew of 80’s jams that I discovered via Elizabeth. We’ve known each other for nearly 20 years and lived together as youngsters.” Two of the videos she most remembers watching on repeat together were ‘Bostich’ by Yello and Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’ – about as far at either end of the palette as you could get. “I think something that has helped our friendship together for so many years is that nothing in our lives has ever been normal…”
The Fat Angel Sings 