San Franciscan improvisational space rock outfit Carton Melton play loud, experimental, instrumental, psychedelic music and record live inside a dome using omni-directional microphones. If you like old SST label cassette tapes or an early Spaceman 3 cassette you recently found wedged in the back seat of your car you may dig some of this… or perhaps you like to listen and gaze at an old David Crosby LP now and then. You’ll dig this….Drumming power horse Andy Duvall recently took time out to speak to Behind The Wall of Sleep’s Jason Stoll:
1. What’s the philosophy behind Carlton Melton? How did you guys get together again? CARLTON MELTON began innocently enough in the summer of 2008. I guess we wanted to find out what our idea of psychedelic music would sound like being played LOUDLY inside a geodesic dome in the sticks of Mendocino County, California. (Brian McDougall resides here/ he is also ‘dome’ drummer much of the time on our recordings/ he also records us). No neighbors/ no anything to worry about- surrounded only by redwoods, a beautiful view of the Pacific ocean and the occasional mountain lion or brown bear. To us, it seemed like the ideal venue for what we wanted to do. Honestly though, we didn’t have any idea what it was going to sound like; it was- and still is- a free for all. Totally off-the-cuff; there is no preparation/rehearsal/rhyme or reason.
Rich and I are dear friends. We have been playing music together for 21 years now. We played in Zen Guerrilla from 1990- 2003. Rich took a breather from the live circuit for a few years to raise his children. Even then, though, Rich and I would jam together on occasion, usually up at the dome. Now with CARLTON MELTON, Rich and I feel truly comfortable with what we are doing- it’s almost telepathic. It’s honest.
2. What are your influences? Spacemen 3, Country Joe and the Fish, My Bloody Valentine, Roscoe Holcomb, Pink Floyd, Hawkwind, Bardo Pond, early Flaming Lips, Loop, Neil Young, Canned Heat, Charlie Tweddle, VOID, 13th Floor Elevators, Hendrix- it goes on and on.
3. Where did the name come from?
Rich and I knew this guy Carlton Melton from Wilmington, Delaware (our hometown)- I went to school with him and Rich played (American) football against him. He was just this bad-ass little guy who everyone looked up to. Years later, Rich and I meet another guy with the same name in California. And on that first jam session in July ’08, we decided that must be the band name. The name definitely has a ring to it- works well for a psych rock band.
4. You played in Zen Guerilla – how does the music scene today compare with your times then? The music scene today- at least the one I partake in- is much more easy-going and a pleasure do be a part of than the ZG days. Rich hit the nail on the head when he recently said many bands/labels in the ’90′s seemed to go out of their way at being cynical/negative/’tough guys’- people going out of their way to be an ass. Nowadays it seems people are more on the same page- maybe that is just a sign of getting older. I like the scene much more now.
5. Is San Fransisco the psych capital of the world??
San Francisco is definitely psychedelic, as is much of northern California. You can smell it in the air. It’s in the ground you walk on. But there is too much wonderful psych music coming from everywhere on the planet to give SF the trophy.
6. You recently toured Europe with Acid King – how did it go? How is playing Europe compared to US dates? (Wooden Shjips said they prefer playing Europe as audiences are a lot more receptive)
The tour with Acid King was a blast. Two weeks with them in Europe, then we did another week in the UK on our own. I love touring Europe/UK! It’s sad to say, but touring the US is a grind. For the most part, LONG drives/ poor guarantees/ poor turnouts. ZG toured the states several times before we made it to Europe; it’s like night and day. But, I’m really glad I got my feet wet touring America first/ no frills/ no expectations. Then you go to Europe and it feels like the red carpet is rolled out for you every night. AND you get fed! Yes, the European crowds are much more receptive.
7. How did the deal with England’s Agitated Records come about?
We met Simon Keeler in the ZG days- actually, I think the first time he saw us was in Austin, TX @ SXSW, maybe ’97? Years pass, CARLTON MELTON is born, Simon catches wind of us, and here we are. He gets us.
8. How well has ‘Country Ways’ been received? “Country Ways” is getting great press- 4 stars in MOJO, Kerrang loves it; I’m pleasantly surprised that there are people out there that really get what we’re doing. I know we are not everyone’s cup of tea, but so far I haven’t read/heard much negative feedback. And if someone doesn’t like it, that’s fine too. You are not going to please everyone.
It’s pretty cool- the metal crowd digs us, the psych crowd digs us- we can play with almost any band and it will work.
9. I love the footage on YouTube of you jamming with J Mascis. How did that come about?
J Mascis bought a copy of our first lp, “Pass It On…” at Aquarius records in SF (they happened to be playing it when he walked in). I guess he liked what he heard; he ended up putting it on his list of top ten albums of 2009. When I read that, I was floored. And this past January, CM played a gig with Dead Meadow and Sweet Apple. J plays drums for Sweet Apple. My friend was tour managing for them and the day before the SF gig he asked J if he would be interested in jamming with us. Mascis showed up to the gig, I asked him if he wanted to jam “When You’re In”, and he said yes. We even got in a soundcheck with him since he was using a guitar he purchased earlier in the afternoon. That was definitely a highlight in my rock world.
10. Future plans?
Maybe some California dates with White Hills in September. Also, Europe 2012 with Mugstar! We’re just gonna keep on keeping on.
Carlton Melton
San Franciscan improvisational space rock outfit Carton Melton play loud, experimental, instrumental, psychedelic music and record live inside a dome using omni-directional microphones. If you like old SST label cassette tapes or an early Spaceman 3 cassette you recently found wedged in the back seat of your car you may dig some of this… or perhaps you like to listen and gaze at an old David Crosby LP now and then. You’ll dig this….Drumming power horse Andy Duvall recently took time out to speak to Behind The Wall of Sleep’s Jason Stoll:
1. What’s the philosophy behind Carlton Melton? How did you guys get together again?
CARLTON MELTON began innocently enough in the summer of 2008. I guess we wanted to find out what our idea of psychedelic music would sound like being played LOUDLY inside a geodesic dome in the sticks of Mendocino County, California. (Brian McDougall resides here/ he is also ‘dome’ drummer much of the time on our recordings/ he also records us). No neighbors/ no anything to worry about- surrounded only by redwoods, a beautiful view of the Pacific ocean and the occasional mountain lion or brown bear. To us, it seemed like the ideal venue for what we wanted to do. Honestly though, we didn’t have any idea what it was going to sound like; it was- and still is- a free for all. Totally off-the-cuff; there is no preparation/rehearsal/rhyme or reason.
Rich and I are dear friends. We have been playing music together for 21 years now. We played in Zen Guerrilla from 1990- 2003. Rich took a breather from the live circuit for a few years to raise his children. Even then, though, Rich and I would jam together on occasion, usually up at the dome. Now with CARLTON MELTON, Rich and I feel truly comfortable with what we are doing- it’s almost telepathic. It’s honest.
2. What are your influences?
Spacemen 3, Country Joe and the Fish, My Bloody Valentine, Roscoe Holcomb, Pink Floyd, Hawkwind, Bardo Pond, early Flaming Lips, Loop, Neil Young, Canned Heat, Charlie Tweddle, VOID, 13th Floor Elevators, Hendrix- it goes on and on.
3. Where did the name come from?
Rich and I knew this guy Carlton Melton from Wilmington, Delaware (our hometown)- I went to school with him and Rich played (American) football against him. He was just this bad-ass little guy who everyone looked up to. Years later, Rich and I meet another guy with the same name in California. And on that first jam session in July ’08, we decided that must be the band name. The name definitely has a ring to it- works well for a psych rock band.
4. You played in Zen Guerilla – how does the music scene today compare with your times then? The music scene today- at least the one I partake in- is much more easy-going and a pleasure do be a part of than the ZG days. Rich hit the nail on the head when he recently said many bands/labels in the ’90′s seemed to go out of their way at being cynical/negative/’tough guys’- people going out of their way to be an ass. Nowadays it seems people are more on the same page- maybe that is just a sign of getting older. I like the scene much more now.
5. Is San Fransisco the psych capital of the world??
San Francisco is definitely psychedelic, as is much of northern California. You can smell it in the air. It’s in the ground you walk on. But there is too much wonderful psych music coming from everywhere on the planet to give SF the trophy.
6. You recently toured Europe with Acid King – how did it go? How is playing Europe compared to US dates? (Wooden Shjips said they prefer playing Europe as audiences are a lot more receptive)
The tour with Acid King was a blast. Two weeks with them in Europe, then we did another week in the UK on our own. I love touring Europe/UK! It’s sad to say, but touring the US is a grind. For the most part, LONG drives/ poor guarantees/ poor turnouts. ZG toured the states several times before we made it to Europe; it’s like night and day. But, I’m really glad I got my feet wet touring America first/ no frills/ no expectations. Then you go to Europe and it feels like the red carpet is rolled out for you every night. AND you get fed! Yes, the European crowds are much more receptive.
7. How did the deal with England’s Agitated Records come about?
We met Simon Keeler in the ZG days- actually, I think the first time he saw us was in Austin, TX @ SXSW, maybe ’97? Years pass, CARLTON MELTON is born, Simon catches wind of us, and here we are. He gets us.
8. How well has ‘Country Ways’ been received?
“Country Ways” is getting great press- 4 stars in MOJO, Kerrang loves it; I’m pleasantly surprised that there are people out there that really get what we’re doing. I know we are not everyone’s cup of tea, but so far I haven’t read/heard much negative feedback. And if someone doesn’t like it, that’s fine too. You are not going to please everyone.
It’s pretty cool- the metal crowd digs us, the psych crowd digs us- we can play with almost any band and it will work.
9. I love the footage on YouTube of you jamming with J Mascis. How did that come about?
J Mascis bought a copy of our first lp, “Pass It On…” at Aquarius records in SF (they happened to be playing it when he walked in). I guess he liked what he heard; he ended up putting it on his list of top ten albums of 2009. When I read that, I was floored. And this past January, CM played a gig with Dead Meadow and Sweet Apple. J plays drums for Sweet Apple. My friend was tour managing for them and the day before the SF gig he asked J if he would be interested in jamming with us. Mascis showed up to the gig, I asked him if he wanted to jam “When You’re In”, and he said yes. We even got in a soundcheck with him since he was using a guitar he purchased earlier in the afternoon. That was definitely a highlight in my rock world.
10. Future plans?
Maybe some California dates with White Hills in September. Also, Europe 2012 with Mugstar! We’re just gonna keep on keeping on.