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Though formed only four years ago, Conner have already established themselves as one of Lawrence's best local bands, evidenced by their raucous 2002 debut, The White Cube, and this year's follow-up, the sublime Hello Graphic Missile. With a national release date for the new album scheduled for October and a tour tentatively planned shortly thereafter, Conner's mix of dance-rock rhythms and guitar heroics could (and should) soon earn them the label of "Next Big Thing." Only a month removed from an opening slot on the tour of new-wave revivalists the Killers, Conner front man and 2005 KU grad James Duft sat down to talk about the benefits of touring with superstars and why drinking before a show isn't always a good idea.
Q: You guys recently opened a few shows for the Killers. What was it like to be part of a large tour?
A: We were nervous and freaked out at first to be playing in front of 5,000 people every night, but we adapted to it. The best part was we got these tour passes that gave us unrestricted access to everything. Also, they gave us a lot of free alcohol.
Q: How did the crowds respond to your music?
A: We got a great response every night. We sold all the merchandise we brought with us, like 600 CDs. We sold more in three days on that tour than we had in the four months before.
Q: So there wasn't any hostility at all, even though you were opening and playing for people who had never heard Conner before?
A: Well, at one of the shows this guy yelled, "You suck!" but some smart-ass always does. The cool thing was that, like, five or six guys around him started punching and kicking him after he said it, which made me feel good.
Q: Did you learn any lessons from the tour?
A: Yeah, don't drink before you play! When you're playing a big venue like a theater, the people in the back can't actually see that you're drunk so they just think you can't sing or play.
Q: Do you consider Conner a “new-new wave” band, like the Killers?
A: No, not at all. Lazy journalists have tried to pigeonhole us as one, but that's not our sound. We're like 70s-disco rock mixed with post-punk. I mean, yeah, we listen to the Smiths and the Cure, but we also listen to the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.
Q: You just put out your second record, Hello Graphic Missile. How's it different from Conner's debut, The White Cube?
A: We smoked a lot more pot in the studio, so it's slower. We tried to make a full record, one that flows together front to back, each song complementing the others.
photo courtesy of www.connermusic.com
Q: You're not hesitant to confront people in the audience when you're onstage. Why is that?
A: Because we've played a few shows where people were just standing around talking. I just try to let people know we're onstage playing. It's like, if you're not into it, leave. Go. If you are into it, smile and have fun – it's just a little rock 'n' roll. Shows are always more fun when you're involved.
Q: What's the nerdiest thing Conner has done together as a band?
- Dave Ruigh
A: We're just music dorks. The Simpons, Seinfeld and Spinal Tap dominate all our vocabularies. We even stole Spinal Tap's band motto: "Have a good time, all the time."
Stuart Lamb
Amidst the decades of writings on the wall and a sign that reads "Beware of Attack Bartender," Stuart Lamb, Tulsa graduate student, has been tended
ing bar at The Wheel for two of the bar's fifty years. One of Lawrence's landmarks The Wheel is an institution unto itself. Lamb says it this historic atmosphere that makes him enjoy where he works.
Favorite part of the Wheel:
Game days. Alums still come in on game days because they remember the bar and they can see that it hasn't changed.
Worst part of the job: Seeing your friends have a good time and them wanting to buy you shots while you are working.
Petey Palooza (16oz)
1 shot raspberry vodka
1 shot orange vodka
Fill with Tonic
Splash of pineapple
Two limes
Mix well
Favorite music to listen while working: Tom Petty, The Doors and ABBA.
Craziest day at work: After the K-State game last year we sold out of every alcohol and only had a few beers left.
Favorite drink to make:
Pete Palooza — Employee
Pete Krensl made up this Wheel specialty drink.
- Lindsey Ramsey
09. 29.05 Jayplay