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

Just about a year since their debut release, The Coast of Nowhere EP, Chicago musicians Big Science are at it again. “We’ve just been holed up in our studio working on a new EP which is being released by AEMMP Records. It’s been our focus for a good chunk of time now and things sound really good.” (Big Science)

Big Science was concocted in 2007, when two of the three Jason’s in the band- Hendrix and Richards- moved to Chicago from San Diego, where they joined long time friend Jason Clark and immediately began writing together. Not too far off they found Jeremy Pena through a friend of a friend, and the band, as we know it today was formed. Citing “late nights listening to records, drinks with friends, the city, politics, and the crotch” as inspiration, Big Science delivers a sound as innovative and large scale as the post-WWII era it pulls it’s name from. Post-punk style ala Joy Division fill their vocals, while classically indie instruments play out a blend of shoe gaze, and something falling between a softer version of icky Mettle debuting Archers of Loaf mixed with The Album Leaf circa Into The Blue Again. Undoubtedly talented and undeniably easy to get hooked on, Big Science is a band we expect big things from.

With the new EP due out in May, the band has plans for festivals over the summer, including Austin’s SXSW, hitting the road and touring, and of course playing around Chicago. “Playing shows, seeing old friends and meeting new ones will be fantastic. The only thing that is going to be bad will be the smell in the van.” (Big Science) Plans for more recording and an full-length lie on the horizon for the quartet, but more immediately they will be playing Lincoln Hall tonight at 7pm alongside AM Taxi and Royal Bangs- All Ages, and $12 at the door.

Big Science Online:
Bigscienceband.com
Myspace

In the midst of recording and preparing for their show, Big Science talked with us about dream line-ups, set lists, and instruments they wish they’d add to their roster.

Telegram Sam: What other projects have you been a part of as individuals?

Big Science: Jason Hendrix and Jason Richards were in a band from San Diego called The North Atlantic. Jason Clark spent a lot of time working at recording studios in San Diego. Jeremy went to audio engineering school and he was also in a band from Tucson called Sanctified.

T.S: What are your top three favorite venues to play?

Big Science: We haven’t actually really been on the road much yet, just down to Champaign a couple times. In Chicago, we’re fans of pretty much everywhere we’ve played. Metro, Schubas, SubT, etc. We have also played a few house shows and stuff too which are always a good time.

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

Big Science: Led Zeppelin: for the crazy. The Clash: because they are The Clash. Minor Threat: for velocity and ferocious energy.

T.S: Give us some background on the current songs you include on your set lists.

Big Science: Recently our sets have included both released and unreleased songs. DNC, My Career As A Ghost, Sunsets Electric, and The Coast of Nowhere are all songs on our last release that we tend to play at shows. We write music in a fairly spontaneous way and we don’t really talk about what we’re going to play, but what we end up with is usually something we’re happy with. We just have certain songs that translate better live than others, and it is usually just assumed they will be in the set.

T.S: What are your top three musical influences as a band? Individually?

Big Science: This probably will change depending on which way the wind is blowing, but here goes…

Jason Richards: Talking Heads, King Tubby, Johnny Horton.
Jason Hendrix: Big Country, Pavement, Joy Division, Eno, Bowie, Archers of Loaf.
Jason Clark: The Clash, Fugazi, Minor Threat, Tears for Fears.

T.S: Is there any instrument you don’t play already, but wish you did?

Big Science: French Horn, Drum Buddy, Violin, Oud, Cello, and anything Gamelan oriented.

T.S: If you could work with one person in the music industry, who would it be and why?

Big Science: Neil Diamond. C’mon. Easy. For serious though, Brian Eno would be unbelievable because we’d be Coldplay or U2 and then we’d all have boats, which is our ultimate goal with this band. Brian Deck would be great to work with. Modest Mouse’s “The Moon and Antarctica” is really amazing sounding. Let’s see. Who else? Dave Fridmann, because he is awesome…just amazing.

T.S: Who was the first band/musician you saw live?

Jason Hendrix: Weird Al at the State Theater in Kalamazoo

Jeremy: Weezer with Jimmy Eat World and Tenacious D

Jason Richards: Carlos Santana

Jason Clark: Rollins Band, Helmet, and Sausage.

T.S: Can you tell us a little bit about your writing process?

Big Science: We all just kind of get together in our studio and play. We generate tons of ideas. From there we sift through everything and see what we want to work on and hammer things out into songs. Lately, we’ve been talking though and it’s looking like we’re going to shake things up a bit. We’re going to try to incorporate the computer more when we’re writing. It might speed things up and open the songs up to more interesting ideas. Hopefully it’ll be more like legos.

T.S: Describe your music to someone who has never heard it before in three to five words.

Big Science: It’s like the movie “Slapshot”