Getting to Know... Anderson Congress

This week, MCMB had the privilege to interview Jacob Sinetos, the lead singer and guitarist for the San Francisco based band, Anderson Congress. Here's their brief bio from their myspace page:

 

Jake Sinetos first began playing music under the Anderson Congress moniker in 2003, playing dark experimental music as part of the 'Under the Radar' group of musicians'. After two years of solo work he moved to the UK in 2005, living in Leeds and changing his focus from sample and key based music to more guitar-based compositions. It was here that he recruited Amyas Varcoe. With Jake on rhythm guitar and vocals and Amyas on lead the two began to play gigs as a two-piece, both contributing to the songs. As the two continued to play gigs around Leeds, they realized they needed to bolster their sound with a larger band, and so drafted in drummer Lucy Canter (of 'The Seven Inches' and 'Kill Manticore') and bassist Adam John Miller ('The Manhattan Love Suicides' and 'The What I Wanted to Dos'). Now backed by a full band, Jake and Amyas continued to write and record, using their band as a way to explore more complex and experimental sounds whilst still keeping the dark, melodic mood to their music. Slots supporting 'The Gris Gris' and 'Downdime' in Leeds, as well as several headline gigs of their own, allowed them to test their material in front of larger audiences. In 2007 Amyas joined Jake in SF and they began playing together as a duo again. After a few months Amyas left the band and returned to the UK. Jake then recruited Nick Sinetos ('Alas Alak Alaska') to play guitar, H. A. Eugene (Burbank International) to play bass and Chris Lindsey to drum. Anderson Congress now with a louder punkier edge to their music are working on their first full length LP and playing regularly throughout the US.

They'll be playing the Red Devil Lounge on May 17th, 2009 and you can download their tracks from their EP at http://www.amiestreet.com. 

Full given name: Jacob William Sinetos
Hometown: Pollock Pines, CA
MAC or PC? PC but switching very soon
Favorite post-show meal: We've usually been drinking so... Vodka
Pre-show rituals: Drink, relax, warm up...
Worst onstage mishap: Blew up the PA and spilled vodka on myself
Favorite venue to play in: Galapagos (NY) Hemlock (SF)
Favorite place to travel: I really enjoy the NY scene, very supportive and a lot of great venues. .
All-time favorite music venue: That's a hard one, small venues are always my favorite, I really like the Great American Music Hall
Special skills: Noise!
Last book you read: Things the Grandchildren Should Know by Mark Oliver Everett
Favorite magazine: The Loin’s Mouth
Must-see TV show: Twin Peaks
Last good movie you saw: 21 Up
Favorite place you have lived: I don’t know, I liked living in Europe so I guess Leeds.
First concert ever saw: Jesus and Mary Chain
If you could go back in time and catch any concert, what would it be? Syd Barrett's Pink Floyd at The UFO Underground in 1967.
Current band/musician (besides yourself) you have been recommending to your friends: Gowns
Most played song on your iPod: "Cherylee" by Gowns
Best vacation spot: The future...
Worst job you ever had: A call center in Leeds UK, they have very thick accents in northern England and I couldn’t understand anyone…