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Binary Dolls: The Best Band in Portland (... at playing air hockey) by Nick Jaina Yes, I am in the band Binary Dolls. But that doesn’t mean I’m not objective when it comes to analyzing my band’s strengths and weaknesses. In fact, I’m as objective as all-get-
Nick: Usually it’s difficult for anyone to describe a band to someone who hasn’t heard the band before, but let me make that a bit more difficult and ask you to try to describe our band to a hypothetical silicon-based creature from outer space, who has never heard music before. Paul: Hmmm... Nick: Take your time. Paul: I guess I’d first have to explain carbon, and how it’s the building block for all life on Earth. Then I’d explain how a Fender-Rhodes keyboard is essentially composed of carbon, and that rock and roll has done a lot with guitar, bass, and drums, and we feel like we don’t want to play the same songs that have already been played, and so this is how we’re trying to change things around, by playing our instruments sparsely, erratically and without virtuosity. Nick: And you’d expect a silicon-based alien to buy our album, based on that? Paul: Well, maybe I could play a couple tracks for him, and that would clear things up. Nick: You assume that this creature has ears? Paul: ???... Nick: What do you think our strengths are, as a band? Paul: Playing air hockey. Nick: That, above all else? Paul: Yes. Nick: Do you think that has any bearing on our performance in the musical realm? Paul: Not really. We’re just really good at air hockey. Nick: What about our standing in the Portland musical community? Paul: I think we can beat any band in Portland at air hockey. Nick: Is that a challenge? Paul: Yes, I am throwing down the gauntlet. If someone wants to pick up the gauntlet, then they are welcome to do that. But I am throwing it down. (Paul takes out his wallet and throws it on the floor.) Nick: That was your wallet. Paul: The gauntlet will be next. Nick: I want to ask you about your drumming. You have sort of an interesting, audience-pleasing style. You like to stand up a lot, which is rare for a drummer. Paul: Yes. Nick: It’s convenient that we’re a sparse, spastic band, because it gives you a chance to do that. Paul: Yes. Nick: You also step back from the drums at certain points, and get sort of a running start on the next section. It leads to the impression that you’re the center of attention in the band. Which is weird, because I play three instruments and sing. And it makes me wonder what more I should be doing... Paul: Well, you should wave your limbs around more. Nick: I don’t really have as much time to do that as you do! Paul: You have to make time, Nick. Nick: I’m not sure what that means. Paul: You have to set your own rules. If you’re going to wait around for someone else to define the game, then they’ll come up to you and say, “We’re interested in giving all this money and acclaim to the Portland band that’s the best at music-playing... and it’s not you!” Nick: I’ve never heard anyone talk like that— Paul: But if we decide what the game is, and we say the game is air hockey, then we’re already ahead of the competition, because we’re the best Portland band at playing air hockey.
Nick: I’ve never liked thinking of music as a competition. I mean, picking the best, it’s so arbitrary... Paul: It’s not arbitrary... the first one to seven points wins. Nick: But what about communicating an artistic vision? Paul: If you don’t have a good forehand, it doesn’t matter. Nick: Well, I tend to trust you because you have strong opinions. Paul: All objectivity aside, until someone can prove otherwise, we are the best. Nick: Are we still talking about air hockey? Paul: Yes. Nick: Okay, good. See them April 22 at the White Eagle with The Forth and Polite Fiction.
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out. But for a bit more objectivity, I decided to interview my friend Paul Alcott, who is also in Binary Dolls— the drummer, in fact— and is actually even more objective than I am. In fact, the least objective member of the band, Matt Dabrowiak (guitar), happened to be out of the room while we had our discussion, which was probably good for the overall objectivity of this interview.
