The Untitled Interview #36 – SXSW Edition: Starring John Paul Caballero (Dios)

I’m finding it hard to believe that it’s almost time once again for the annual industry hootenanny known as SXSW. Starting tomorrow, Austin will be taken over and all hell will break loose (and dammit I wish I was gonna be there). To celebrate the impending week of absolute havoc, Austin-style, we’ve thrown down the interview gauntlet to see what some of our favorite bands are going to be getting up to whilst gettin down in the wilds of Texas.

We love us some bravado here at LET, and our next guests have plenty of it to go around. Initially known as Dios, then Dios (Malos) and now once more Dios, please welcome bassist John Paul Caballero to the interview arena. I strongly recommend you make plans to check out the killer Dios sound: whacky whirls of sonic swirls with a hearty dose of late 60s sensibilities, with some extra sauciness thrown in for good measure (SXSW attendees pay special attention to their 3/20 show with The Black Angels and Darker My Love!). I suspect they could be rather good in the flesh. But fathers, you might wanna lock up your daughters. And of course, I have to mention that if ever you’ve wanted a song written about you, Dios can make it happen. Details can be found on their website. You could have them write a song about us, we sure would be tickled pink.

Les Enfants Terribles: How are you getting to SXSW: plane, train, or automobile?
John Paul Caballero: We have a diesel van that runs on discarded vegetable oil. We had it converted in 2006 for 2500 dollars and its probably saved us about 10k+ on gas costs. So we're probably gonna fly in through helicopter.

LET: Inevitably, you will forget to pack:
JPC: Hmmmmmmmmmm....I’m gonna have to say my guitar.

LET: How many showcases/parties will you be playing?
JPC: 5.

SXSW SHOWS

Thursday, March 18

3.00pm - Buddyhead/Buzzgrinder party
Venue: Annie’s, 706 W6th Street (bet Rio Grande & West)

4.50pm – 5.20pm – Little Radio Party
Venue: Red Eye Fly, Red River just North o6th St.

Friday March 19

4.00pm - Filter Magazine/Dickies party (with Those Darlins, Jason Collett)
Venue: Lustre Pearl, 97 Rainey St (one block east of Red River and one
block south of East Cesar Chavez)

Saturday March 20

1.00pm Vestal Party (w/ Icarus Line, Darker My Love)
Long Branch Inn, 1133 E11th (at Lydia)

11.00pm - Official SXSW showcase (w/ Black Angels, Darker My Love)
Galaxy Room, 508
E6th St (bet Red River and Neches)

LET: Band you're most looking forward to seeing at the festival?
JPC: Hmmm, I don’t really know who else is playing. I just wanna go to Roky Erikson’s house.

LET: What's the first thing you plan on doing upon arrival in Austin?
JPC: I’m gonna find out what the age of consent is and THEN I’m gonna take
some pictures of the IRS building fo' sho. You dont get to see that often.

LET: What was the first festival you ever attended, either as a musician or member of the general public?
JPC: That would be Coachella 94 I think. the one where Nirvana was supposed to play but didn’t due to circumstances beyond their control. It surprises me now though remembering the line-up, how stacked it was compared to festivals now a days: The Smashing Pumpkins, Beastie Boys, George Clinton & the P-Funk All Stars, The Breeders, A Tribe Called Quest, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, L7, Green Day, The Flaming Lips, The Verve, Guided by Voices, Girls Against Boys, Stereolab, Fu-Schnickens, The Pharcyde, Cypress Hill, The Black Crowes. Crazy

LET: Favorite thing about festivals?
JPC: Playing them. Otherwise you’re stuck paying for 5 dollar water, 5 dollar pizza slices, and 10 dollar beer.

mp3: Stare At The Wheel (Dios from We Are Dios)

[photo by Robin Laananen]