DCist caught up with Pete Bauer of The Walkmen this weekend as the band is about to start touring for their excellent new album, A Hundred Miles Off. The Walkmen play Thursday night at the 9:30 Club, and while we wish them all the luck in the world and a sold out crowd, there’s sure to be a palpable absence of DCist readers present, as we’re hosting Unbuckled, simultaneously.
Update: After posting this interview, Hamilton Leithauser — lead singer of The Walkmen — chimed in with his responses to our questions as well. Take a second look at our interview with some native sons who’ve made it big.
Obviously we’re interested in your D.C. roots. Did you grow up in the city or in the burbs?
Pete: I grew up on Swann street in Dupont Circle. Paul grew up in Georgetown. Hamilton and Walt lived across the street from each other in Tenleytown and Matt lived in Virginia.
How did growing up here influence the band’s sound?
Pete: Well I think we all met and became friends at a very young age because of our interest in the same DC bands and culture. We all tend to have similar opinions when it comes to making music which is probably due to our common childhoods.
Ham: Matt Paul and Walt played ska and punk and stuff that was sort of in style with area bands. There were a few ska bands around and I mean in the 13-17 year old scene, but that was sort of the thing for them. Pete and I played noise rock that copied the older guys.
Do you have any favorite D.C. bands, past or present?
Pete: The Nation of Ulysses and all of Ian Svenonious’s later bands. Today, he plays in Weird War who are great.
Ham: I like the Nation of Ulysses, the Royal Trux.
Why did you all originally pack up and leave our fair nation’s capital?
Pete: When you’re 18, moving to New York sounds very exciting. Also, I think everyone wants to get away from their parents. I really had never been to many other American cities at that point and had only visited New York once when I was little. I don’t think I thought about it very much at the time. I just sort of applied for college as I knew someone else who was going there.
