Cabinet is an acoustic band from Pennsylvania. They’re new to us but we like what we hear! They’re acoustic with bluegrass instrumentation (with drums). They’re at Jammin Java tonight with Holy Ghost Tent Revival. Mei caught up with the guitarist, Mickey Coviello, for this cool Q&A.
All advance tickets to the show will be entered into a lottery to win the ”Sweat Like The Old Days” vinyl from Holy Ghost Tent Revival!
Where and when was your first show?
Our first show was at the River Street Jazz Cafe in Wilkes-Barre/Plains, PA in April of 2006 opening for a band called The Recipe. We had been playing the open mics every week at the Jazz Cafe and caught the attention of the promoter. He offered the opening slot to us and we, of course, said, “Hell yeah!”
What band/artist would you consider to be your main influence?
I can’t speak for everyone in the band, just myself; and I have a few influences. In middle school a buddy of mine introduced me to a band called The Sea and Cake on Thrill Jockey Records out of Chicago and I would probably say they’re my favorite band of all time (at least the early stuff). In high school I think Pearl Jam and Tool had a big impact on how I viewed the world, religion, politics, my mortality, etc. It was eye-opening for sure and it was a healthy way for me to release that teenage angst. Ed Vedder and (Maynard) James Keenan were my heroes, for sure. Toward the end of high school another buddy of mine introduced me to the Mars Volta and since then Omar Rodriguez-Lopez has been a huge influence, musically and with life in general. He seems to take a zen-like approach to life. He also does whatever the fuck he wants musically and doesn’t give a shit what people think and I respect that immensely.
What is one of your most memorable or off-the-wall touring experiences?
For me it would have to be SXSW ’12. The whole tour was amazing but there was a moment that stuck out for me. We just got done playing a sold-out showcase and a friend of ours, Jay, who plays in a band called An Albatross met up with us was like, “I’m heading right around the corner to see my buddy’s band you should come.” I asked him who the band was and he said, “Zechs Marquise!” (a band I really dig that features Omar Rodriguez-Lopez’s younger brothers) and I said “Fuck yeah let’s go!” So we got there and there was a big line but we waited and got in right after they started. The set was short but great and when they were done Jay introduced me and Dylan (our bass player). We helped them load their gear out to their van and just chilled and talked with them for a bit. That was a moment when I realized how small the music industry really can be, no matter how big it seems. It was surreal.
Favorite Food: Cauliflower or Broccoli
If you were to have a film/movie based on your career, which actors or bands would you select to portray yourself?
Hmm, that’s a tough one. I’ll just say Leonardo DiCaprio… for all of us.
What two words would best describe your music?
Barn burnin’
