The Untitled Interview #9: Starring David Klein (Birdmonster)

It’s funny, I quite can’t remember when I first became a Birdmonster afficianado. But one day, several years ago, I found myself rocking out (resistance was futile) at a Birdmonster show in Hoboken, New Jersey, and the rest was history. Fast forward a couple years and the band is celebrating the release of album numero dos (that’s number two for all you gringos) From the Mountain to the Sea, and are soon to be touring their pants off across this fair land of ours (and happily, there are several October dates across the Richmond/DC area, thanks guys).

Which brings me to the victim of this installment's interview. Birdmonster Guitarist David Klein (he of the shredding riffs and killer coif) always has pearls of wisdom to impart, the latest of which you can read below. Just remember, friends, that when you see Birdmonster on tour, there will not be any Don Henley covers in the set. And as a special treat, please enjoy the video for new song “The Iditarod.” It's rather fantastic, and I do believe you’ll love it.







Les Enfants Terribles: How the hell are you?
David Klein: I am doing quite well.

LET: What was the last song you listened to?
DK: That Ludacris song at the end of Tropic Thunder.

LET: Playing music is ___
DK: So tribal bro. Soooooo tribal.

LET: What album most made you realize that you wanted to make music?
DK: It was probably the first Iron Maiden record.

LET: Beatles or Stones?
DK: BEATLES.

LET: What're your top 5 albums?
DK: This changes all the time. Right now it is:
The Clash - London Calling
Crooked Fingers - Dignity and Shame
Paul Simon - Graceland
Radiohead - The Bends
Ryan Adams - Cold Roses
The Beatles - Let It Be
The Arcade Fire - Funeral

LET: Favorite music-related movie?
DK: Beethoven's 2nd.

LET: What city or venue would you like to play, but haven't yet been to?
DK: Berlin.

LET: Apart from your band, which of your peers do you think is making the best music these days?
DK: The new Ra Ra Riot record is great. Also, there are some amazing tracks on the new Dr. Dog album.

LET: What's the first thing you think when you wake up in the morning?
DK: If McCain gets elected I am going to shit my pants.

LET: The greatest record store in the world is:
DK: Fingerprints Records in Long Beach, California. Amoeba in SF is a close second.

LET: What's the longest flight you've ever been on, and where were you going?
DK: I'm like John Madden--I generally bus to Europe and Asia. Boom! I just drove across the Ocean.

LET: Shaken or stirred?
DK: I would not be able to tell the difference.

LET: If you weren't in a band, you'd be:
DK: Bereft of Taco Bell.

LET: Favorite song on the new album? And/or your favorite overall Birdmonster song?
DK: Again, this is something that changes everyday. “My Love For You” has been in my head recently.

LET: Which feels better: leaving to go on tour, or coming home from a tour?
DK: There is always a lot of excitement on the way out, but the surreal drive across the bridge gets me every time on the return.

LET: You once told me that you were planning to learn “Heart of the Matter.” Can we DC gig attendees expect to see that on the set list?
DK: I must have been drunk. Absolutely not.

LET: Best song ever written?
DK: “Heart of the Matter”.

[Photo by Megan Petty]