Most people take influence as a given. If you hear a band that sounds kind of like Pavement, whose first record came out after Pavement got big, chances are they like Pavement. For Pinback's Zach Smith, the ease with which influence makes its mark isn't necessarily a good thing.
"I think the less your influences, the better," said Smith, multi-instrumentalist and one-half of Pinback. "You won't have your own thing going. You'll be attracted to something other than what you're doing."
Smith said that, besides not liking the specter of influence, he just doesn't feel like listening to music.
|
"I just play so much, I don't have the desire," said Smith. "When I do have the desire to listen to music, I find that I'm playing it. Rob (Crow, the other half of Pinback) buys about 20 CDs per day. He's into collecting music. I think my collection is about 20 CDs total. If I say, 'Oh, I want to hear music,' I'll sit down at the piano and play it."
It's not entirely surprising that Smith doesn't seek out new music as ravenously as some other musicians. Pinback doesn't sound quite like any other band. They have developed a highly precise style built on nimble, muted guitars and heavy, melodic bass lines.
Pinback's records sound almost mechanized in their exactness, but Smith and Crow's vocals add enough warmth to remind the listener that there are real people playing the instruments. Their latest record, Summer in Abbadon, sounds as precise and pristine as their first two LPs. Yet even with such a distinct sound, Smith maintains there is no plan for any Pinback album.
"We try not to have a direction when we start recording," said Smith. "We just go with what comes naturally. Next day, next song. When you have goals and certain sounds you're after, it doesn't always come out sounding so good."
Even though their records come out sounding as good as they do (which is very good), Pinback prefers recording at home to using a big studio.
"There's something about being at home and writing and recording at will rather than being on a blocked-out schedule (in the studio)," said Smith. "Being able to do it at home allows us to write and record at the same time. It's just a more relaxed way. But the idea of going back into a studio is starting to sound appealing."
But Smith's suspicion towards influence even colors his recording decisions.
"You end up hoping everybody likes what you're doing when you're in the studio," said Smith. "You end up taking the engineer's opinion as well. If he says a bass part sounds a little too loud, you just go along with it even if you think it sounds fine."
Pinback will play with the Album Leaf and the Advantage on Friday at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Cover is $9 advance or $11 the day of the show. Doors open at 9 p.m. and all ages are welcome.