Nashville-based garage rock band, Turbo Fruits, just dropped their 4th album, No Control, on their favorite holiday: April 20th. Their upbeat, raucous sound, produced by The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney, follows the lyrical trajectory of partying, relationships, and the highs and lows of life on the road.
I caught up with guitarist and vocalist, Jonas Stein, to talk about pot vs. alcohol, the best bars in Nashville, and the role that drinking plays in making music.
Your fourth album, No Control, dropped on a popular holiday. One can assume you have a thing for the green. What are your thoughts on the big “alcohol v. marijuana” debate? Which do you prefer, or do you prefer both?
Marijuana is definitely a safer drug than alcohol. I’ve been sicker off of alcohol than anything else in my entire life. If I smoke too much weed I might get a little paranoid or hyper sensitive, but nothing too bad. I like to smoke on my days off at home and drink when I’m out partying. I guess I really prefer both, in moderation, depending on the situation.
Got it. So, your video shoot for “Don’t Let Me Break Your Heart Again” was filmed on a family farm, wearing costumes. What was the pregame situation/drinking situation for that on set?
It was hot as hell that day. We were drinking lots of water, Miller Lite, and taking the occasional puff for some funny inspiration. After the shoot ended we kicked it on the porch and started diving into the whiskey…it was a celebratory night for a hot days work!
Sounds about right. Turbo Fruits is on its North American Tour. What’s a typical concert pre/post show night for y’all?
We like to go close the bars down. We never have hotels because we can’t afford them yet. Getting a few extra drinks in your system makes passing out in the van a little easier. We are all fairly careful and responsible….wait, maybe we’re not.
Feel you. What is your favorite drink(s) of all time?
The cheapest and coldest beer in the house! I also like Fernet a lot!
So, beer would be the beverage of choice at your dream dinner table, I presume. If you were planning a party, who would be there and what would you serve?
Honestly, it would be with some of my old childhood best friends who, like myself, are obsessed with good food. I personally love all Asian cuisines. Maybe it would be some sort of high-class fusion meal with sake, and yes, cold beer.
Yum. From listening to your music, you can tell you guys definitely like to have a good time! How has drinking played a role in making music?
As far as writing goes, we take from anything and everything that inspires us: heartbreak, partying, death, etc. We usually are sipping on a couple of beers in the studio and practice space. That being said, I stayed sober for six weeks during this recording process. It was totally worth it, but not sure I need to do that again.
What’s your favorite city to go out in? What are its best bars?
Our hometown, Nashville, TN. We love The Stone Fox, FOOBAR, and Edgefield!
Turbo Fruits North American Tour Dates 2015
May 5 – Rumba Cafe – Columbus, OH
May 6 – Happy Dog – Cleveland, OH
May 7 – Smiling Moose – Pittsburgh, PA *
May 9 – Bill’s Bar (Radio BDC) – Boston, MA ^
May 10 – Rock & Roll Hotel – Washington, DC ^
May 11 – Music Hall of Williamsburg – Brooklyn, NY ^
May 12 – Nanola – Malta, NY
May 14 – Boot & Saddle – Philadelphia, PA ^
May 15 – The Saint – Asbury Park, NJ ^
May 16 – Lizard Lounge – Lancaster, PA ^
June 20 – Happenin’ Fest – Birmingham, AL
* with Eternal Summers
^ with Surfer Blood
Jillian Scheinfeld is a writer and interviewer living in Brooklyn. By day she’s a publicist for a nonprofit and by night you can catch her at a concert or practicing yoga. See past work here and follow her tweets @jillianschein