Each Wednesday, Rocks Off arbitrarily appoints one lucky local performer or group "Artist of the Week," bestowing upon them all the fame and grandeur such a lofty title implies. Know a band or artist that isn't awful? Email their particulars to [email protected].
If you could input a bunch of information into a computer in a
Weird Science-like effort to create the most indie band in the world, after the unexplainable lightning storm, Giant Princess would be standing in your room. Houston already loves them - we hear tell that every other local musician at Summer Fest this past weekend (Young Mammals, B L A C K I E, Tontons) was wearing a GP T-shirt.
They're brash and aggressive and sweet, and their music is way smarter than people realize. (At least that's what it feels like.) We finally got with them for an interview and, truth be told, don't think they actually answered one single question. It was way better than we were expecting.
Rocks Off: The first thing we feel like we need to ask about is the name. Why "Giant Princess"? Does it in any way involve Rick Moranis or Super Mario Bros., because that would be great.
Giant Princess: I had a dream that I was a little kid and the dad from
Honey I Shrunk the Kids showed up in the dream. He repeatedly told me to touch his giant princess. I didn't know what he was talking about. He was mad and he threatened to shrink me with a Nintendo 64 controller. We all had this dream.
RO: As far as the indie scene is concerned, who is just not the band? Like, everyone is (rightfully) praising the underground scene right now, but not everyone can be phenomenal. So, who's terrible. And if you don't answer, that means you're racist.
GP: All the following bands are complete trash: Young Mammals, B L A C K I E, Ghost Mountain, Ghormeh Sabzi and Somosuno. They suck. Tell 'em to give it up. Oh yeah, and Dustin Wilson. He just moved here from Mobile, Ala. He's a terrible singer-songwriter we are going to be playing a bunch of shows with soon. Try and avoid it if you can.
RO: We think you all should do more songs like "I Was Born on the Sun." Once you get past the filibustery intro, it feels - to us anyway - like your strongest, most representative song. Do you all have favorite songs? Which do you think are ya'll's best? Worst?
GP: Got a couple songs in [our] brain right now, all of which are solid gold.
RO: Can you elaborate?
GP: To elaborate, I got a zillion. Like this little hot jazz number called "Booty Truck." We don't really play that one anymore, though, but it's my favorite.
RO: We remember catching your live show a time or two. The first time was at the Westheimer Block Party thing. It was loads of fun. Collin, at your live shows, is it your intention to a) literally rock your face off; and b) look as uncool as possible while doing so? Because if so, then thumbs up.
Collin: I don't really have any intentions, but that's cool, right?
RO: The coolest. Seriously, when are we going to finally be able to buy a new full-length Giant Princess LP? Do you all have anything in the works?
GP: Splits, EPs, a flexodisc, cassette tape, all in the works but no long-player full length. Come to our shows and we'll whisper you the info.
RO: [laughs] Let's say you were given the opportunity to drive some wicked cool Range Rover brand-new off the showroom floor. It's yours absolutely free, but only on the condition that the license plates will read "KIDMOLSTR." You taking it or what?
GP: Only assholes drive Range Rovers, but yes we would accept, then trade it for a tour van. But we'd keep the license plate.
Keep tabs on the fivesome at www.myspace.com/giantprincess.