Friday, February 9 11:30pm @ Horseshoe Tavern
Purveyors of: “Echo Beach” spiraling out of control

Skunt has been hitting Toronto over the head recently with their giant gavel of new wave pop. Kat Burns corresponded with Daniel Woodhead and Maddy Wilde to see what Skunt is all about.

Skunt has been hitting Toronto over the head recently with their giant gavel of new wave pop. Kat Burns corresponded with Daniel Woodhead and Maddy Wilde to see what Skunt is all about.

Who are you and what do you do?

Daniel Woodhead: I’m Daniel.

Maddy Wilde: And I’m Maddy.

Daniel: Our band is sometimes called Spiral Beach. The Wavelength audience might know us as Skunt, but they’ll know the truth soon.

What are your influences, whether it be artists, situations or emotion?

Daniel: Ryan. You know him? Uhh... he’s with us all the time, kind of looks like a vampire. He does everything and loves everyone and influenzas us by being awesome. He never sleeps.

You guys have been blowin’ up! Congrats on that. How does it feel to be focused on so much in the press?

Daniel: It feels pretty good. It makes us feel more like cartoon characters, which makes us easier to draw.

You’ve been doing a lot of touring lately, any favourite places to play?

Daniel: Austin, Texas.

Maddy: New Orleans on Bourbon Street with a guy playing a water cooler and telling us not to do magic.

Daniel: That guy was awesome.

How was it touring with the Hidden Cameras? You are both bands known for your interactive and wild live shows, was there any friendly competition to be the best band on tour?

Maddy: We were the best band on tour. Clearly.

You’re going on tour with Sloan soon, are you excited?

Maddy: I love the United States, and I am very proud of Sloan for showing their faces and ours to the American people.

Daniel: The sniffer dogs love us.

What does 2007 hold for you guys, are you going to be touring and recording more?

MW: After the Sloan shows, we’re moving to this barn near Hamilton to record an album called Barnyard Melodies. When it comes out we will embark on a tour of biblical proportions.

There are brothers in your band—that must be fun! What is your favourite part about having your brother play in the band?

Daniel: We can beat the shit out of each other and be friends afterwards. Plus it’s easy to rehearse when we’re not beating the shit. On Halloween we ate mushrooms, dressed up as each other and went to a rave on the subway. So that was pretty cool.

Your shows are filled with an almost theatrical element, with props and monologues peppering the stage. Were any of you drama kids in high school? If yes, how do you feel it’s benefitted your live show?

MW: No, we pretty much sat around and played music in school. The “theatrics” as you call them are just us making the best out of the ridiculous confusion on stage. We like being on stage. A lot of bands will sacrifice showmanship for crowded stages these days. We want to fill the stage with only four people.

What bands are you listening to right now, and why should we check them out?

Maddy: Gogol Bordello, Balkan Beatbox, Lil’ Blue Devils, Donlands & Mortimer, Eagles of Death Metal.

Daniel: Also watch/listen to Frank Zappa’s 200 Motels!

By Kat Burns