Native rocker Clark Demeritt and his band Clarko exude proto-punk to the max. Songs like “Stifled” and “Alien Contact” sound like Devo in the event that they’d made their first document in 2023—with a number of extra psychedelic impact pedals, and in the event that they solely sang with treble. His debut album, Welcome to Clarko, got here out in late Could, and the band is heading to the Holland Challenge at 8 p.m., Sunday, July 23, opening up for Colour Inexperienced and Noah Linker. For more information on the present, go to hollandreno.org. For extra on Clarko, go to instagram.com/clark_rules. Demeritt is the most recent to take the Fortunate 13; listed below are his solutions.
What was the primary live performance you attended?
I went to see the Remedy after I was 13 at Curiosa (pageant). I didn’t actually know who the Remedy was earlier than, however I’m positively a lifelong fan after. The Remedy’s viewers is bizarre—tons of jerks. I noticed them after My Bloody Valentine, and the Remedy campers have been flipping MBV off! Who does that?
What was the primary album you owned?
The primary album I ever purchased was Britney Spears, … Child One Extra Time, but it surely was for my brother. He was too embarrassed to purchase it, as a result of our masculinities have been very fragile again then. The primary I purchased for myself was Californication by the Pink Scorching Chili Peppers, an album I nonetheless love. My mother needed to do some psychological gymnastics to be OK with the title.
What bands are you listening to proper now?
CLARKO! I simply acquired into 100 gecs, so I can really feel younger. I really feel so younger now that I like 100 gecs, however which may not really be young-people music. Possibly it’s previous individuals’s concept of younger individuals music to make themselves really feel younger?
What artist, style or musical development does everybody love, however you don’t get?
Having to be actually annoying concerning the Grateful Lifeless. This goes for individuals who don’t like them, in addition to individuals who do. I get it! They have been a band. I do like them, by the best way.
What musical act, present or defunct, would you most wish to see carry out reside?
The Replacements of their prime, however two exhibits: One of many incredible ones and one of many actually unhealthy ones.
What’s your favourite musical responsible pleasure?
Standing exterior when bands are enjoying, I just like the recent air loads!
What’s your favourite music venue?
On the town? It’s, after all, the Holland Challenge. In the entire extensive world? First Avenue in Minneapolis! There’s a lot historical past there. I really like the large room, but additionally the seventh St. Entry (a smaller connected venue). I acquired to sit down on one among Prince’s bikes there, and so they have my favourite socks ever.
What’s the one tune lyric you’ll be able to’t get out of your head?
Those I get mistaken: “Spiral may of Jesus, spinal meningitis acquired me down,” Ween, “Spinal Meningitis.” Additionally Devo, “Uncontrollable Urge”: “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.”
What band or artist modified your life? How?
No one can be shocked to listen to Devo! Devo taught me to like the sudden—that songs didn’t need to be severe, however that doesn’t imply they’re a joke. A whole creative imaginative and prescient! Extra importantly, all of the native bands I noticed after I was a teen: Brainfoot, Quick Hair, Over Vert, and plenty of extra!
You will have one query to ask one musician. What’s the query, and who’re you asking?
Prince: The place’s the perfect meals in Minneapolis?
What tune would you want performed at your funeral?
“I’m So Drained” by the Beatles. I need everybody to understand how I used to be feeling after I died.
Figurative gun to your head, what’s your favourite album of all time?
Q: Are We Not Males A: We Are Devo! It’s a timeless album that holds as much as this very second, though I’m beneath the assumption that the primary 4 Devo data are good. Actually, I might say something to get out of figuratively getting shot within the head.
What tune ought to everybody hearken to proper now?
“Mary Susan” by Blood on the Wall. I really like that tune. I all the time come again to it. It’s completely triumphant and type of emotional for causes I don’t absolutely perceive.
