The Started-its - Nov 3 @ Bottom of the Hill

Bottom of the Hill 08-06-09 (credit: M. Valdes)

Theo Startedit - drum and vox
George Startedit - bass and vox
Joe Startedit - guitar and vox

LittleBook: Why did you start a band??

Joe Startedit: I kept seeing single girls at shows and thinking, "I bet they're looking for a stud like me to sing in a band like The Started-Its!" So far, I've been incorrect, but I have noticed a steady increase in girls asking me if Theo and George are single...

LB: How did you find each other??

Joe: George used to be a lawyer. He was my attorney back in 2008 when I filed a restraining order against a crazy fan of my old band, The Phenomenauts. Theo was THAT crazy fan of The Phenomenauts.

LB: What's your most memorable moment as a band??

Joe: We just started The Started-Its not long ago, so with that in mind, and adding the fact that we're usually consistantly drunk, there aren't many moments to be memorable. I will say this, George is a great grape-feeder and Theo can massage feet like nobody's business. Band practice is my happy ending!

LB: Where do you practice? What do you drink at practice? What do you do at practice when you’re not practicing?

Joe: We practice as close as possible to a local bar and we rent the space from other SF bands. It seems that we contribute to the space by filling the mini-fridge with as much cheap beer as possible. PBR is quite prevailent. Most down time is spent coming up with BETTER band names than the one we chose... The Slipitins, The Dudeabides, Dookie Shakes, etc.

LB: What's does being a punk band mean in 2009?

Joe: For me, it means the same thing it did when I started playing shows 10 years ago, acting like you don't give a fuck about the things you care most about. It seems like to be punk you have to either be super apathetic or super amped about being destructive. I've always been a fan of amusing yourself before others, Andy Kauffman-style. Nowadays, I just want an excuse to drink more and smile. That might not be punk at all, but I definitely don't give a fuck if I am punk.

LB: What's the best / worst thing about being a band in San Francisco??

Joe: The best thing about being in SF is that I can go out, go crazy and find fun pretty much every night and everyone here is down to join me. The worst thing is that I'm getting very little motivation to ever grow up. Overall, I think it's a great environment though because we have the most matured imaginations ever! SFers are the smartest kids in America!

LB: What do you want people to know about your band, what are you doing next??

Joe: I'd like the people to know that I prefer beer over wine and whiskey over vodka. If you buy me a shot, I might forget your name, but I will love you like a dog whose belly had just been rubbed. We'll have a demo album out soon and we're playing at Bottom of the Hill on November 3rd. Buy me a drink and I'll give you our beer koozie.

LB: What’s up with your CD where can I get it, where did you record it??

Joe: Our demo CD comes out this winter '09. It was pretty much recorded in Theo's bathroom. I sing best in showers and George plays bass better on the can.

LB: Favorite local Band or a memorable show??

Joe: All of the local bands I've loved have broken up. Now that I've finally noticed the trend, I've had to purposely hate the locals I love. I hate BAD FRIENDS.
LB: Favorite venue to Play??

Joe: Most singers really care about how their monitors sound or how convenient the back stage area is... I really don't. I like a place that is laid back but has enough experience to know how to run a venue. The Bottom of the Hill is pretty sweet and honestly SF bars are pretty on top of their shit. The only thing that bothers me is loading in via stairwell, but I can't blame a place for it's floor plan, can i?

LB: Have you played at the Bottom of the Hill before? What do you like about it?

Joe: This is where we had our debut show last month. I like their simplicity and professionalism. I like knowing that I'd only have to step on a few faces to get to the bar and that my friends on the sidelines are the only things between me and the toilet.

LB: Do any of the members ever take their shirts off at a show or at practice??

Joe: The first Started-It to remove his shirt at a show will receive a harshly squeezed nipple-twister, guaranteed. With this in mind, only pants are allowed to be stripped!

LB: Who's the smelliest member after a sweaty gig??

Joe: Definitely not me. I sweat fucking roses.

LB: Favorite pre / post show; food, indulgence or ritual??

Joe: Rituals, traditions and habits are hard to keep when we're so busy drinking booze before, during and after the show... If anything, I'd say giving high fives has proven prominent.

LB: Where do you think live music is heading??

Joe: ... to kissing, marriage and then babies. If you want people to dance, feed 'em booze and something snappy (salsa or swing). If you want people to mosh, play fast punk/ska/hardcore at an all ages show. If you want people to stand around and nod their heads, play music that makes only yourself happy. I'm hoping live music is heading towards some middle ground, but I'm not psychic.

LB: How do you feel about people downloading your songs for free , do you offer free downloads??

Joe: Yes! I love it! I strongly believe in free musics for all. My favorite bands are the ones that write because they love to write and they put it up for the world to hear. Music for sale is the crap on commercial radio and rarely has it ever been the crap for me. I hate bands that won't admit to being Tshirt salesmen. I will find a way to get your music free because I'm open-minded to how technology works. If you're in it for the money, design a good Tshirt or find someone to sue.