Turbo Fruits
Turbo Fruits Photo Credit Karlo X Ramos
“The thought of the whole world walking around shirtless, with camelbacks on, fucked up on a lot of shitty MDMA, standing in the hot sun, and freaking out to EDM music really frightens me,” says Jonas Stein, singer and guitarist of Nashville’s Turbo Fruits. “A few of us gotta carry the rock n’ roll torch to keep this from actually happening.” The Turbo Fruits have been riding high on a wave as confirmed garage rock saviors, often earmarked for their raucous live shows and hedonistic subject matter. With numerous releases under their belt, all noted for their inherent party attitude, they’ve arrived at their fourth full-length with the same intensity of past records but with a certain degree of maturity that shows in content and execution.
“I guess we’ve all gotten a little better at our instruments so that the songs that are written, musically, might sound a little more put together and arranged,” comments Stein, regarding the quartet’s nuanced improvement upon an already working formula. Strung along with Kingsley Brock’s guitar and the rhythm section of Dave Tits on bass and Matt Hearn on drums, the band goes for tongue-in-cheek with this album, No Control as it is their most controlled outing yet.
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Part of this catharsis is best seen in the song “The Way I Want You” and the Stewart Copeland directed video featuring MMA fighter and Tennessee resident Molly Dupertuis, chronicling a toxic relationship and heartbreak – a departure from the sex, drugs and rock n’ roll fans have come to expect from the band. Haunting, built with a quiet intensity, the video of Stein getting slammed by Dupertuis is an excellent visual guide for the song’s lyrical content. “It was an adventure. I was definitely sore for a few days after the shoot. The worst part was landing on my back and getting the air knocked out of me,” says Stein of the shoot. “There were a few shots where I just had to lie down there for a few minutes and catch my breath. She was great. Super nice and I’m really glad it wasn’t a real fight.”
Now, with the teenage weed haze somewhat behind them, they’re embarking on an ambitious 31 day album release tour in support for No Control that will see 37 performances out of them before tackling the summertime. Already popular and rising, the added pressure of upholding Nashville’s musical history is not lost on the band nor does it hinder them with an unwanted attitude. “I think people in other cities should be responsible for making their town thrive, seek opportunity in your home town,” advices Stein. “Make it cool. Start bands, play shows, spin records, promote house parties, involve everyone in your community, link up with bars/restaurants, get weird with it. If you build it, they will come.”
Catch Turbo Fruits
Saturday, June 6 at Gramps w. Sol Cat, Plastic Pinks and Sonic Graffiti
and
Friday, June 26 at Propaganda w. Sweet Bronco, Mylo Ranger, Rats Mouth
~ Abel Folgar
