Justin Pearson (Deaf Club)
Who are you most excited to see at Caterwaul?
Pearson: Ideally I would be most excited to see Pissed Jeans. They are a band that I very much enjoy, musically, and also their aesthetic or vibe is something that really resonates with me. However, I think I will only be there the day Deaf Club performs so, if that is the case, of course, the band I would pick is Uniform. I'm a big fan of Ben Greenberg and also Greg Fox, who I know is no longer in the band, but fuck it, I'll mention him as well.
Who would you like to collaborate with or start a cover band with at Caterwaul and why?
Pearson: Pissed Jeans, mainly because they managed to be successful with their good/bad attitude, which I have not been able to pull off yet in my life. I just have a bad attitude and, well... lack success.
What was your first favorite band?
Pearson: Is this a trick question, or a cruel joke? Do you mean ever as in when I started out on this planet?
Well, the first album I got was a Stevie Wonder triple LP when I was 5, and I have no idea why. Then I thought my favorite band was Kiss, but I also realized that they sucked. My first concert at age 7 was Chaka Khan, but I only liked one song of hers. So I'll go with the Sex Pistols, who I obsessed over when I was 10. I've since moved on.
Have you ever had performance anxiety? What is your secret weapon?
Pearson: Not really anxiety. I go into it assuming it will suck bad. Then it happens and some sort of transcending bullshit happens. Then it's over and I pick it apart and most often I realize that it did suck and I should do better. As for weapons, I don't really use weapons. I have no idea what I am doing most of the time, which is apparent.
What's the best part of playing an all-day/multiple day festival or gathering? And conversely, what is the worst part of doing it?
Pearson: I'm not sure what the best part is. The worst part is the size and how the bigger the event is, the more energy is lost in the performance.
Bonus multiple choice: Replacements, Husker Du, Halo of Flies or Prince?
Pearson: The Trashmen.
