CB Q/A #1: Crocodiles

As the title sorta hints at, this is issue #1 of a brand new Cleveland Bachelor feature: the lazy interview. In other words, I send emails and a handful of questions to interesting artists of various stripes coming through town and then post their responses up here.

For the inaugural episode, the fellas from Crocodiles have kindly submitted to my harsh interrogation, and the answers to some of the questions are both insightful and interesting. Check out the questions and answers below, and check out Crocodiles when they play at the Beachland Tavern on Tuesday with openers Dirty Sweet (San Diego) and Beaten Awake (Kent)!

1) Other than other bands/musicians, where do you find your influences? I mean, is there a certain type of art or artist, idea, spirit, etc.

We are most influenced by love, hate and freedom. Every human being is constantly bombarded with life - if you can succintly express your loves and hates and do it without any chains then you are on the right track.

2) If you were asked by a younger musician about to embark on his/her first tour, what advice would you give him/her?

Be prepared to starve and be prepared for indifference. You end up driving 8 hours to play in the middle of nowhere to 5 people who don't care that you are there. You need to have a lot of self-belief or you will be crushed by it.

3) Any pre- or post-show rituals you have found yourself following over the years?

Marijuana and alcohol before the show to get us focused and in the right head space and then marijuana and alcohol after the show to relax us and mellow out.

4) What is the best thing about touring? The worst?

The best thing about touring is getting to make friends in places you would never normally be. We are lucky to have friends all over the world now and it is amazing to get the opportunity to hang out with them. The worst thing about touring is the lack of sleep. You have to get used to 5 hour blocks of sleep maximum, with maybe a 20 minute nap here and there.

5) What's your favorite song on the new album?

Young Drugs, the last song.

6) Any song out there you'd love to cover but just haven't done it yet?

Oh there are a ton! "Trouble" by Music Machine, "I Wanna Destroy You" by Soft Boys... There are a bunch...

7) Last but not least, any memorable previous Cleveland experiences worth sharing?

The last time we played Cleveland the sound man was blacked out drunk when he was supposed to be mixing us. He did a really bad job...