Local surf punk rockers hold down residency at Soda Bar
By Logan Broyles | SDUN Reporter
Already two shows into their four-show Monday night residency at Soda Bar in Normal Heights, local psychedelic surf-rockers Barbarian have made a name for themselves as a band to keep in your sights. New-music fans, local media and music experts have been taking notice of these San Diego State University alums ever since they put out their first recording just over a year ago.
The band released their two-track digital album “Chromatose” in November 2011, and released their vinyl “Daze of Youth” this past fall, with a two-track digital version of the album available online. The record’s lead single, also called “Daze of Youth,” has been getting rave reviews.
“Our music is a good eclectic mix of different sounds from different times,” said lead singer and guitarist Andrew Mills. “We have a cohesive sound but it’s almost different every time. We have that post-punk aspect but we also have that kind of surf vibe going on.”
Mills and Seton Edgerton (lead guitar) formed Barbarian in 2011, based in part on home demos created by Mills in his bedroom “studio.” The duo soon added Dan Nichols on keyboard, Andrew Harner on drums and Phil Dupasquier on bass.
“I really wanted to focus on making the live show before anything, before we had really even done any recordings. I just love the raw power of a full live band,” Mills said. “If you can have a band that’s dynamic and you know you can trust everybody as musicians that’s special. I kind of write the initial songs and play rhythm and sing, and these guys are just amazing musicians playing on top of that so it’s a really good live show.”
The group just signed to Canadian record label Loose Recordings, and is currently wrapping up a six-track EP they expect to release in February or March of this year.
“We originally did our first record [Do It Yourself] and I wanted the first form to be released in vinyl because that’s my favorite format,” Mills said. “Everything gets so lost in the digital world and it’s nice to have a physical copy.”
Beginning on Jan. 7, Barbarian started a four-week residency at Soda Bar, located at 3615 El Cajon Blvd. The remaining two shows will be Monday, January 21 with opening acts The Abigails, Idyll Wild and the Golden Beaches, and Jan. 28. On that Monday, they will be playing with Dirt Dress, Bangladesh and Slipping Into Darkness.
“Cory Stier of Soda Bar called us up and bounced the idea around of doing a residency,” Mills said. “Cory worked with us to come up with a giant list of bands from [Los Angeles] and San Diego, and we made some calls and got a great lineup put together.”
Mills said the band was glad to Stier gave them as much input as possible on what bands would be playing with them, and Soda Bar is a perfect venue for their music because of its intimacy.
“It’s a good size, and has a communal vibe where you go there and run into tons of friends and musicians, and people that really care about music,” he said.
The band played their very first show at Soda Bar in February 2012, so it seems poetic that they will be getting a chance to use the stage again to perfect their live show.
“The nice thing about the residency is that it isn’t like a normal show, where you only get thirty minutes and you’re … wondering which songs we should play,” Mills said. “Instead, we can chill and play everything, including testing out all of our new tracks.”
During the entire residency, all Barbarian concerts are free. The shows start at 9 p.m., with doors at 8:30 p.m.
“At first we were kind of hesitant because we didn’t want to overplay, but at the same time we really wanted to do it because it’s a great way for people to come out to a free show and support the local music scene, without getting turned off by a $5 cover.”
For more information visit sodabarmusic.com or call 619-255-7224. For Barbarian, visit Facebook.com/barbarianband.
