B BOYS

B BOYS

Just before Moonfest takes over Clematis Street, Respectable Street welcomes a trio of punk bands born in Florida: B Boys and Soda (who are now based in Brooklyn) as well as future local legend, Chaucer. We spoke with drummer Andrew Kerr (who has also been seen lately keeping live beats for Chaucer) about the upcoming show and all things B Boys.

PH:  The three of you starting playing in 2014. How did you guys come together and what’s the story behind the name?

BB: Britton and Brendan met one another while going to college in Texas. I was introduced to them through some mutual friends from Denton that had played my house in Gainesville, FL on tour. They had written some music together previously and invited me to come jam with them. We didn’t have a name at the time, so when it came time to reserve our slot on the practice space calendar, they wrote “B Boys” since their names start with that letter. It felt good, so we never bothered to change it.

PH: How do you describe your music?

BB: At its core, it’s really just pop music filtered through a variety of lenses. We all have pretty diverse musical tastes, a lot comes into play as far as influences. We’re often compared to bands like Wire, Devo, Talking Heads, The Clash— all of whom we love.

PH: You’re also described/self-described punks — what makes one so?

BB: Just staying true to yourself. No spiritual surrender.

PH: What’s the end game? Is there one? …. or are you just along for the ride?

BB: For me, being able to see other countries as a result of being in this band would be great. Trying to make that come to fruition in 2017.

PH: How important do you think local music venues like Respectable Street to artists & the local community?  

BB: I actually grew up in Delray, where we didn’t exactly have a nurturing musical community when I was younger. I’ve been going to places like Respectables and other now-closed spots on Clematis since high school. It’s always great to have a safe space to share your creative practice, whatever it may be.

PH: Who is currently on your playlist?
BB: Ronnie Dyson, CCTV, Cate Le Bon.

PH: Do you wear chinos, and do you put them on one leg at a time?

BB: When the time calls.

B Boys, Soda, Chaucer take the RSC stage Oct28 and play Gramps Oct13 when Death to the Sun presents: B Boys, Soda, Other Body, Dracula, Dion Kerr.
~ Jessica Chesler