Reviewsic [ri-vyoo-zik] -noun: Music worth talking about

Do the names Nick Vombrack and Nic Newsham sound familiar? Many will remember Nick with a K kicking it behind the drums at Dr. Manhattan shows over the years, and Newsham is the voice Gatsby’s American Dream we’ve been so pleased to hear making a come back.
During his D-Man days, Vombrack dabbled in some acoustic songs , hoping to have a different singer for each one and thus creating a sort of Dntel-like band. That didn’t quite work out, but a tip from a friend urged Nick to send his song “Electricity” so Newsham could have a go at it. “Nic tracked his vocals on the song and it was love from there.” (Nick Vombrack)
“From there” came their project, Princess Dinosaur- nevermind the fact that Vombrack was in the Midwest and Newsham found himself on the West Coast. With the help of the aforementioned mutual friend, Casy Bates (Chiodos, Foxy Shazam), the twosome bridged the gap by dividing recording time between The Bates Cave in Shoreline, WA and The Chrome Attic in Crystal Lake, IL, with added assistance from Thomas Dutton (Forgive Durden) and Daniel Good (Dr. Manhattan).
The end result is a project of subtlety, with nothing too big or flashy dominating its songwriting. Tremulous swells of starry guitar, quaky vocals and simplistic, earnest lyrics like, “I know who you are/ I hate who you think you are” (“Steamy Dreamz”) make up A Goldfish and his Friends, a six track EP that saw its free digital release in early August of this year. Everything from Brand New to Pedro the Lion comes to mind when hearing Princess Dinosaur, as the twosome combines shaky vocals with throaty bass lines, the occasional moan and lots of keys.
At its core, A Goldfish and his Friends is all about the importance of being honest and living in the moment, the perfect model of which is, believe it or not, the goldfish. “Someone told me that the span of a goldfish’s memory is only three seconds long – how does someone know that? Whether or not it’s true, I found this fascinating. I tried to imagine humans having that “disposition” – and really I feel like I am that way sometimes.” (Nick Vombrack) With that concept in mind, A Goldfish and his Friends details mistakes and worries, wanting what we can’t have, and trying to commit to what doesn’t last more than a few fleeting seconds.

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Nick Vombrack was kind enough to shoot the breeze with Reviewsic, sharing stories of his best/worst moments in music, his favorite local bands, and the most memorable concert he’s ever seen.

Reviewsic: What are your top three musical influences?
Nick Vombrack: Good question. I’d have to say The Beatles, Weezer, and NOFX.

Reviewsic: Is there any instrument you don’t play, but wish you did? Nick Vombrack: I am quite poor at piano – in case you didn’t know already (reference: “A Goldfish and his Friends”). I’d really love to properly learn how to read music in general, but the piano or harp. Watch The Marx Brothers play in “A Night at the Opera,” it’s incredible.

Reviewsic: What are the last three albums or bands you listened to?

Nick Vombrack: David Cross’ “Bigger and Blackerer,” Ra Ra Riot’s “The Orchard,” and Weezer’s blue album.

Reviewsic: If you could work with one person in the music industry (musician, label, producer etc), who would it be and why?

Nick Vombrack: You stumped me for a good while on this one. I’ve gotten to work with some awesome people in different aspects of the business in different ways, but I think I’d love to watch Dillinger Escape Plan or The Number 12 Looks Like You write a song. I hear that music and the first thing I wonder is: “How in the hell did that song start off?” Like what drum part would be inappropriate for one of those songs? Blows my mind. That doesn’t count though. I’d love to just play drums with all sorts of bands for an album. The Arctic Monkeys. Weezer. Something poppy. Something punk. Whatever. I love recording drums.

Reviewsic: What do you think the biggest difference between you two as individual musicians is?

Nick Vombrack: I think the biggest difference is that I have to have my hands in everything and Nic just likes doing his position. In Dr. Manhattan, we were all producers and I did all of the business side. In this band I wrote all the music parts and recorded most of them myself. I’ve always just liked doing alot. Nic is a great singer and he sticks to that. Shit, if I was I would do the same.

Reviewsic:Who are three of your favorite local bands?

Nick Vombrack: Ahh excellent! I love throwing great local bands some love. Truman & His Trophy are my dogs and they rule. I am excited to hear their new record. I’ve always loved Chris’ voice. Ryan destroys the drums. All those dudes put together great songs. Ghastly Menace is sweet. I was in love with They Found Me They Named Me, and especially Chris’ voice (hmm…I see a connection here). TFMTNM were the closest the suburbs would ever get to Refused, but those guys are always doing something that stands out from the other locals – that’s why I love their shit. I gotta buy GM’s new EP instead of just listening to it for free on their Bandcamp – I’m a dick. Also I was at a show where they played but didn’t watch them because I was catching up with old friends – have I mentioned that I’m a dick already? I’m always going to have a soft spot for Dr. Manhattan. Being out of the band I feel like I can crank those songs now and not feel like a complete ass. I listened to “Jam Dreams” the other day. Matt’s an incredible songwriter, but so are Adam and Andrew. Not to mention they are all amazing musicians. Best of times. But other music I didn’t have a part in would be The Felix Culpa. They’ve always had a lockdown on my heart for local bands. I feel like they’ll never get to the point they deserve. That band should literally take over the entire world, but since majors don’t know what the fuck they are talking about, they’ll just have to take over the DIY/Indie scene – which I’m sure is how they’d prefer it too. “Sever Your Roots” is dynamite. What a bunch of bearded sweethearts.

Reviewsic: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Nick Vombrack: Shit. If I could book a tour with three bands I wouldn’t haha. Booking a tour for one band is hard enough. Seriously though, a tour that would be appropriate for Princess Dinosaur that would be cool: As Cities Burn, Owen, and Brand New. Some of it would be outside of our realm, but I think we all share the same kinds of respect and appreciation for pace and rhythm in songwriting – plus I love those bands.

Reviewsic: Tell us about A Goldfish and His Friends - is there a particular concept behind it? What was the process of making this EP like?
Nick Vombrack: Yeah there are a few concepts. The name itself is a title I thought of a long time ago. Someone told me that the span of a goldfish’s memory is only three seconds long – how does someone know that? Whether or not it’s true, I found this fascinating. I tried to imagine humans having that “disposition” – and really I feel like I am that way sometimes. So I wanted the artwork to capture the struggle of us as people desiring something that we can’t have. The girl on the cover wants a meaningful relationship of some kind with the goldfish, but the goldfish is only ever living in that moment, so how can they? Reminds me of that scene in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind where Joel tells Clementine that it’s the end and when she asks what they should do he replies, “enjoy it.” I love that scene. Even though that is their last memory, I think it talks about how life in general is fleeting, so you just have to enjoy the moment. That’s what a goldfish is always doing. Then again they only live for like three weeks, so what the hell do I know?

Reviewsic: How would you compare yourselves as musicians at this point as opposed to when you first began playing together?
Nick Vombrack: I’d say we’re just closer friends than we are anything else. Since the writing process is still completely separate – being across the country and all – we don’t get to have that face-to-face experience like other bands. But it’s how this particular project works, so…it feels right for both of us to just take on each part alone. It offers a different experience. I don’t think we’ve changed anything that we’ve done musically from then until now. We’ve only really “played together” once, so…I’d say we’re the same people haha. I think in Gatsby Nic didn’t write lyrics as much, but in PD he wrote all but one song’s lyrics, so I think Nic has gotten some demons out with it. So have I. I feel like PD is a good vent from our daily lives and other musical endeavors.

Reviewsic: What is the most memorable concert you’ve ever attended?
Nick Vombrack: Jesus haha. You’re making me depend on my memory now. Let’s see…there was a night on the Stay Weird tour (Dr. Manhattan/Heavy Heavy Low Low/Fear Before) in Louisiana where some guy – a random tour friend of HHLL’s – tried stealing my laptop, Mike from FB’s laptop, and a bunch of our bands’ gear and personal belongings. He straight denied it to all of us – even to Rob from HHLL who got him into the show. Then they had him open his trunk and it was all in there. Rob and Thuggy, HHLL’s friend and all around amazing guy, proceeded to beat the shit out of him. I went and grabbed a cop to arrest this guy. The guy tells the cop that Rob and Thuggy jumped him. Then after he tries to headbutt Dave from FB’s camera – because Dave was trying to take a picture of him – the cop bodyslammed the guy and knocked him out. Then his nasty girlfriend comes out of their car full of clothes crying and making a scenel. It was quite the ordeal. Definitely one for the books. Not so much for the music, but the most memorable concert I’ve attended haha. Also the best tour I was on. So much fun.

Reviewsic: What are the best and worst band moments so far in your careers (as this band or otherwise)?

Nick Vombrack: I’d say one of the best/worst was the previously told story. In my career, being able to do all the stuff in Dr. Manhattan we got to do. Put out three great records, the Ernie Ball contest, Warped Tour, touring with Kiss Kiss, Foxy Shazam, Saves The Day, New Found Glory, Hellogoodbye/Say Anything, Jeffree Star/Schoolyard Heroes haha. So many weird and fun experiences. I’m sure Nic would say Gatsby’s run would be his shit. Seems like them reuniting is going to make for alot of great memories for him. Being able to put out the EP was something that I thought would never happen, and I’m glad we got to do that. Even if that’s all that happens, it will always be something I’m proud of. Also getting to play a show together. It meant alot to me for so many reasons, but one in particular was playing on stage with my girlfriend. Always wanted to do that with her, and she was great up there. It was her first time being on stage so she was so nervous, but she did awesome. Paul and Thomas Dutton helping us out was an honor as well. Very awesome guys. It was so much fun. Definitely a memory I’ll always hold special to my heart.

Reviewsic: What are some of your favorite cities and/or venues to play?
Nick Vombrack: San Diego, Boston, Providence, Denver, Seattle, Chicago. Pretty standard, but beautiful areas. My all-time favorite venue will forever be The Metro in Chicago. No contest. Although my favorite venue for eating is the Triple Rock in Minneapolis. So good.

Reviewsic: What are your plans for music in the next year?
Nick Vombrack: I’m guessing PD will concede to the doings of Gatsby’s American Dream. No worries there. I think we’ll pick it up when we both have time again, when people forget about it haha. Who knows? I want to record drums for friends’ music when possible. I’d love to play one last show with Dr. Manhattan. Oh wouldn’t that be something…