Proton Proton ///
TEXT MARISA BRICKMAN///
NYC ///
JANUARY 18, 2005 ///
Just when I thought the cowbell was dead and over-used, I started getting demos from NYC bands who have obviously refused to let it die. Thank god that there are a few that get it right and don't write their songs around the sound that's become so integral in all the "dance rock" bands. Proton Proton are definitely dancey, but they're more punk rock than anything. They name-check Shellac, MC5, Deerhoof and XTC and while you can hear the influences, you won't be rolling your eyes, because Proton Proton refuses to be obvious.
Aron Sanchez, who plays gass (an instrument he made himself that is part bass, part guitar) sent me the band's EP to let me know what he's been up to. His former band, Hominid (a female-fronted screamy post-punk band who toured with the Fall) was one of my favorite NYC bands who never really got their due shine - and another case of when they started to, they broke up.
All I can say is that I'm psyched he's been putting his time to good use. He joined up with Paul Fuster (vocals, percussion toy piano) and Jarrod Ruby (drums) to form a slamming trio that is total post-punk/art rock/experimental rock/whateveryouwanttocallit at its best. Sometimes bands described as such fall short of writing songs that are both instrumentally intriguing and vocally catchy. Proton Proton succeeds at both.
Download an mp3 in our media section and tell us what you think.
Who are a few of your all-time favorite bands?
Aron: Early Talking Heads, Arab on Radar, Deerhoof, Shellac, The Ex.
Paul: Led Zepplin, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, MC5 - whatever sounds cool for me to have as an "all time favorite band".
Jarrod: Afghan Whigs, King Crimson, Grant Lee Buffalo, B 52's, Pink Floyd, Steve Earle, XTC, Shudder to Think, Brian Wilson/Beach Boys, the Clash, Zappa, Tool, Rufus Wainwright and Smashing Pumpkins.
Where are you guys from & what other bands have you been in?
Aron: I'm from the great northern state of Maine. I was previously in a Brooklyn band called Hominid and lots of other side projects.
Paul: I grew up in New York but lived lots of places afterwards. I've been in lots of different bands and have had an eight year solo career.
Jarrod: I'm from Hamden, CT; only bands of note would be AM, Gun Street Radio and Ben Miller's Third Border, which were all are/were NY bands.
Anything current that is really turning you on at the moment?
Aron: This album called Konono No. 1, it's a group of street musicians from the Congo that play distorted electrified kalimbas; the sound is brilliant. I think the Ex sort of discovered them on one of their African tours. Also John Jacob Niles, and some White Stripes recently because I'd never really checked them out before.
Paul: Basically, several of the bands we've shared bills with turn me on as far as "current stuff stimulation", especially We are Wolves and The Limbs. Oh yeah, Margaret Farmer" as well. I believe she's from kittery.
Jarrod: Mastodon, Animal Collective, Antony and the Johnsons, Mekons, Sigur Ros, Mark Mulcahy, Drive-By Truckers, Blackalicious, My Morning Jacket, Mars Volta, Twilight Singers, M. Ward.
What's been the highlight of your career so far as a band?
Aron: I'm playing this instrument I made that's acquired the name "Gass" which is a bass / guitar hybrid with alternate tuning. I'd have to say the highlight would be learning how to play it and discovering how it informs the sound of our music.
Paul: been a short career so far as "Proton Proton". in a nutshell, its a continuous highlight.
Jarrod: Learning how to play and create together. Learning how to adapt to this music and not trying to force it to adapt to you.
What does the immediate future hold for you?
Paul: probably eat a late lunch, mess around with things, and get to bed by 3:00 AM.
Jarrod: Playing more, writing more, and getting out and about.