The Crazies Will Destroy You
San Francisco, California, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
...'When asked about their band name, David Kurtz said, "It's a palindrome." Isn't he crazy?...' - San Francisco Chronicle
The exemplary Texas post-rock band This Will Destroy You is playing tonight at the Great American Music Hall. Meanwhile, the raucous, carousing and altogether less pigeonholeable San Francisco band The Crazies Will Destroy You is playing tonight at the Red Devil Lounge, headlining a benefit for multiple sclerosis research called Rock for the Cure.
Needless to say, it's a good night to go out and get destroyed.
We caught up with the Crazies -- songwriter and shredder Tony Schoenberg, "nerd-casanova guitar wizard" David Kurtz, bowie knife-wielding drummer Tina Davis, and "intellectual-vagabond sex symbol" Jade Argento -- to whet our appetite for destruction and discover just how we can expect to be destroyed tonight.
Is there a story behind the name?
David: Tony took the name "The Crazies" from the '70s schlock thriller of the same name. We added the "Will Destroy You" part because there are a lot of bands with the same name. We went through a lot of silly names. Believe me, this is common.
Jade: We like it because it's both aggressive and playful, which is very fitting for the personality of the band.
In what way(s) should attendees of your show tonight expect to be destroyed?
Tony: Spiritually, sexually, and very quickly.
David: Expect some jumping around on stage. There will be aggro-stanced musicians striking their best clichéd rock and roll poses while singing about Homos (Ergaster, Erectus, and Sapiens), Fixies, and Fakes. It's a very San Francisco band.
Jade: Can we not say that people will be sexually destroyed? That sounds awful.
How will your show be different from tonight's This Will Destroy You show?
David: They won't be playing any of our rad songs. See, the problem with This Will Destroy You is that they don't tell you clearly WHO will destroy you. If you know the name of our band, it's completely apparent that THE CRAZIES will destroy you. Duh. They will probably have better lights. We will have better beer.
What are your day jobs?
David: Tony is a lawyer, Jade is a sales director for a corporate team-building game company, Tina is an intensive care unit nurse, and I work at an online game startup.
Jade: There's not a flunky among us.
Do you think your clients would be alarmed to know that you play in a band called The Crazies Will Destroy You?
Tony: As a trial lawyer, I think it makes me much more attractive to clients.
Tina: It usually serves as a therapeutic distraction.
What are your songs about?
Dave: The human condition.
Tony: Every single aspect of human experience. And carnitas. - SFWeekly
Walnotes Review from August 27, 2007.
"...I grew to like them more and more."
Songs reviewed:
- A Song For The Girl - "This song makes me think of The Pixies."
- Harold Ray - "Did I mention that the chorus has been stuck in my head for at least a week?"
- Sex Friend - "When he sings this song he has so much passion behind it that it’s hard not to sing along or at least stand up and take notice."
- Rabbitdog Lizardsnake - "It has all of the elements of a hit song."
"Enthusiasm is one of the many high points of hearing this song live."
Read more:
http://walnotes.wordpress.com/2007/08/27/myspace-music-trail-the-crazies-will-destroy-you/
- walnotes.wordpress.com
Walnotes Review from August 27, 2007.
"...I grew to like them more and more."
Songs reviewed:
- A Song For The Girl - "This song makes me think of The Pixies."
- Harold Ray - "Did I mention that the chorus has been stuck in my head for at least a week?"
- Sex Friend - "When he sings this song he has so much passion behind it that it’s hard not to sing along or at least stand up and take notice."
- Rabbitdog Lizardsnake - "It has all of the elements of a hit song."
"Enthusiasm is one of the many high points of hearing this song live."
Read more:
http://walnotes.wordpress.com/2007/08/27/myspace-music-trail-the-crazies-will-destroy-you/
- walnotes.wordpress.com
Review of The Crazies Will Destroy You's show on January 29, 2008 at Annie's Social Club in San Francisco, CA.
"...unashamed synchronized jumping on stage..."
"You can really see how thoroughly they are enjoying themselves and it's contagious."
Read more at:
http://www.bandega.com/band/the-crazies-will-destroy-you/review/57 - bandega.com
Review of The Crazies Will Destroy You's show on January 29, 2008 at Annie's Social Club in San Francisco, CA.
"...unashamed synchronized jumping on stage..."
"You can really see how thoroughly they are enjoying themselves and it's contagious."
Read more at:
http://www.bandega.com/band/the-crazies-will-destroy-you/review/57 - bandega.com
"A true San Francisco band will open the celebration of The City’s signature footrace."
"Having made its name on the local club scene, now it will open for headliner The Last Goodnight at the May 18 event expected to attract approximately 50,000 people."
Read the rest at:
http://www.examiner.com/a-1368911~Crazies_feeling_thrilled_to_open_ING_Footstock.html - by Matt Elliser, The San Francisco Examiner
"A true San Francisco band will open the celebration of The City’s signature footrace."
"Having made its name on the local club scene, now it will open for headliner The Last Goodnight at the May 18 event expected to attract approximately 50,000 people."
Read the rest at:
http://www.examiner.com/a-1368911~Crazies_feeling_thrilled_to_open_ING_Footstock.html - by Matt Elliser, The San Francisco Examiner
"The Crazies Will Destroy You Sunday @ Hotel Utah: But first they will rock you."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/27/NSE0VP5QK.DTL&hw=the+crazies+will+destroy+you&sn=033&sc=090
- by Delfin Vigil, San Francisco Chronicle
"The Crazies Will Destroy You Sunday @ Hotel Utah: But first they will rock you."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/27/NSE0VP5QK.DTL&hw=the+crazies+will+destroy+you&sn=033&sc=090
- by Delfin Vigil, San Francisco Chronicle
Unapologetic old-school pop like this doesn’t come around that often any more. It’s like pulling out my old RUBINOOS or RASPBERRIES records (OFF BROADWAY, anyone?) and enjoying their not-so-subtle charms. They’re not out to change the world, just make it a little more fun for 40-some minutes.
SOUNDS LIKE:
DEAD MILKMEN, NEW PORNOGRAPHERS, WEEZER
SUGGESTED TRACKS:
3 “Out Of Hand” (poppy and upbeat with sweet harmonies)
6 “Fake” (quirky pop reminding me of the dBs)
11 “Rabbitdog Lizardsnake” (a pop epic with ‘70s synth ala the KINGS)
Check it out here:
http://www.piratecatradio.com/wordpress/?p=16165 - Pirate Cat Radio
Unapologetic old-school pop like this doesn’t come around that often any more. It’s like pulling out my old RUBINOOS or RASPBERRIES records (OFF BROADWAY, anyone?) and enjoying their not-so-subtle charms. They’re not out to change the world, just make it a little more fun for 40-some minutes.
SOUNDS LIKE:
DEAD MILKMEN, NEW PORNOGRAPHERS, WEEZER
SUGGESTED TRACKS:
3 “Out Of Hand” (poppy and upbeat with sweet harmonies)
6 “Fake” (quirky pop reminding me of the dBs)
11 “Rabbitdog Lizardsnake” (a pop epic with ‘70s synth ala the KINGS)
Check it out here:
http://www.piratecatradio.com/wordpress/?p=16165 - Pirate Cat Radio
SFStation, an online guide to what's going on in the San Francisco Bay Area, listed The Crazies Will Destroy You's Bottom Of The Hill show on 11/25/2008 as one of their Picks Of The Week!
Check it out (until approx. 11/26/08):
www.sfstation.com/music - SFStation.com/music
SFStation, an online guide to what's going on in the San Francisco Bay Area, listed The Crazies Will Destroy You's Bottom Of The Hill show on 11/25/2008 as one of their Picks Of The Week!
Check it out (until approx. 11/26/08):
www.sfstation.com/music - SFStation.com/music
The Crazies Will Destroy You's interview with Angie Coiro during her remote show for Green 960 AM at the ING Bay to Breakers Greater Body Expo in San Francisco.
Listen (interview only):
http://www.destroyyou.com/media/audio/The%20Crazies%20Will%20Destroy%20You%20Radio%20Interview%205-16-08.mov
Listen - The Angie Coiro Show (full show) on Green 960 (see link for 05-16-2008 show):
http://green960.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=greenshow.xml - by Angie Coiro, Green 960 AM - The Angie Coiro Show
The Crazies Will Destroy You's interview with Angie Coiro during her remote show for Green 960 AM at the ING Bay to Breakers Greater Body Expo in San Francisco.
Listen (interview only):
http://www.destroyyou.com/media/audio/The%20Crazies%20Will%20Destroy%20You%20Radio%20Interview%205-16-08.mov
Listen - The Angie Coiro Show (full show) on Green 960 (see link for 05-16-2008 show):
http://green960.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=greenshow.xml - by Angie Coiro, Green 960 AM - The Angie Coiro Show
Nitewise.com has chosen The Crazies Will Destroy You's 11/25/08 Bottom of the Hill show as a Pick of the Week!
Nitewise's Tuesday, Nov 25th's Pick (for the week of Nov 19-26, 2008):
http://www.nitewise.com/index.php?caseid=viewevent&id=5144&newsid=1 - nitewise.com
Nitewise.com has chosen The Crazies Will Destroy You's 11/25/08 Bottom of the Hill show as a Pick of the Week!
Nitewise's Tuesday, Nov 25th's Pick (for the week of Nov 19-26, 2008):
http://www.nitewise.com/index.php?caseid=viewevent&id=5144&newsid=1 - nitewise.com
Discography
Dazed Happy Happy Mean (Sept 2012, full-length release)
Megafauna (Nov 2009, full-length release)
Yakuza Attack Dog (Oct 2006, full-length release)
Available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, MOG, Rdio, CDBaby & other music outlets.
Photos
Bio
“Unapologetic old-school pop like this doesn’t come around that often anymore.” - Pirate Cat Radio
“Great stuff from a dark horse band.” - KUNV Las Vegas Neon Reverb Radio
“You can really see how thoroughly they are enjoying themselves and it’s contagious. I couldn’t stop bouncing.” – Bandega Show Review
As with so many fateful relationships, that of the San Francisco-based Crazies begins with a post on Craigslist. In 2006, Tony Schoenberg, a rock guitarist with an uncanny ability to turn out song after singable song, solicited the services of alt-rock drummer and Alabama native Tina Davis. Soon after, ska bassist Jade Argento was recruited, bringing vocal sweetness and melodic basslines. Completing the quartet was guitarist David Alan Kurtz and his special blend of travis picking and twangy space rock.
The band quickly got to work. Called “a true San Francisco band” by the SF Examiner, The Crazies have made their name at clubs throughout the San Francisco Bay Area with high-energy performances that blend tight rhythms, memorable song writing, and gratuitous synchronized stage jumping. Best described as arena-punk-power-pop, The Crazies Will Destroy You brings a unique blend of '60s pop, '70s rock, '80s flanger, and whatever the hell the '90s were about. They have performed with the likes of Saturday Looks Good To Me, The Roman Numerals, Ladyhawk, and Dora Flood. An impressive performance at The Independent in 2008 landed them a spot at San Francisco's ING Bay to Breakers Footstock, where they took the big stage in front of thousands of drunks and shivering naked people.
Since the formation of the band, each member has continued to write new songs and deepen a constantly expanding repertoire. The Crazies recorded a new album, "Megafauna," at San Francisco’s Different Fur Studios with Aaron Burnham (of The Saucy Jacks and formerly Mothballs and The Makes Nice). When it was released, the band members realized that they had already written another album’s worth of songs. The latest album "Dazed Happy Happy Mean" was released in September 2012.
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