I got a chance to talk with Banned Books about their upcoming LP, influences, and some Boston experiences.

Boston Hassle: So you guys are working on a new LP right? How’s that going/when will it be out/etc?

Banned Books: Yeah! It’s been interesting. We recorded an entire album in the summer of 2012 that we decided to scrap for various reasons. After April joined on bass this past summer, we finished writing a completely different album which includes only one of the same songs. We tracked it last month at Gravesend Recordings in Bushwick. It went really well, and working with Carlos and Julian couldn’t have been more of a pleasure. We are currently in the mixing phase and figuring out who is going to put it out. We hope to have it ready for release before summer.

BH: What bands have you been listening to recently?

BB: Here is a short list of some bands we have all been enjoying:
Ava Luna, Black Pus, Celestial Shore, Cloud Becomes Your Hand, Deerhoof, Father Murphy, Guerilla Toss, Hallowed Bells, Hermit Thrushes, Hunnie Bunnies, Micachu, Naomi Punk, Parkay Quarts, Patriots, Ryan Power, Sediment Club, Sheer Mag, Wei Zhongle, Zs

BH: What influences your art/music/sound?

BB: Our parents, cats, “blood town”, the deep religious beliefs of strangers, listening, and The Industrial Revolution.

BH: What’s Boston been like for you in the past? Any cool experiences/stories?

BB: We love Boston. April has played in Boston with our friends, Bad Braids, and we have had plenty of memorable shows at places like House of 1000 Smiles, Gay Gardens, JP Drive in, and Charlie’s Kitchen. One time before playing a set at Gay Gardens in 2011, Matt forgot his pedals and had to run 2 miles back to the van because we couldn’t find parking anywhere in Allston. He made it back right in time to plug into the two Sunn stacks we were borrowing from our tourmates, Bubonic Bear. Needless to say, the volume and energy in the crowd made it one of the most memorable shows we have ever played.

Banned books is Matt Dermond (guitar), April Heliotis (bass), and Zane Kanevsky (drums, vocals). Be sure to check out their show at the Out of the Blue Gallery on Saturday, July 25th!

5pm // ALL AGES // $5-10 Sliding Scale Donations // Fb Event