Squirtgun
(Lookout!)
by Jenn Zweig
Though many stereotype Lafayette, Indiana as a small oasis of civilization in the corn belt, it’s not as isolated as it seems. Lafayette happens to be the cultural crossroad between bustling Chicago and busy Indianapolis. It is also home to Purdue University and pop-punk faves Squirtgun.
Before the reincarnation of Squirtgun, the band was called Rattail Grenadier. They built up a healthy following, but never extended too far beyond the Midwest. Bassist Mass Giorgini describes Rattail Grenadier as “more dark, minor chord punk.” But with new lead singer Mark Hart and a happy, bouncier sound, they are Squirtgun. Mass comments, “We wanted something that had an energetic sound, something that captured the brattiness of a little kid.”
Recently Squirtgun has been gaining national recognition for their hit tune “Social,” which graced movie theaters and college radio everywhere by being featured on the Mallrats soundtrack. Coincidentally, at the sneak preview of Mallrats, Squirtgun kicked off their second U.S. tour. Mass says, “We actually played that night in the movie theater. They set up a little stage for us in front of the screen, and we played just before the premier.”
Squirtgun gives Mallrats a thumbs-up, followed by such comments as “Pretty good with some clever lines, a step above Bill and Ted, but not as good as Clerks [the prequel to Mallrats]. The opening song is “Social,” chosen because it’s about “succumbing to peer pressure,” the basic theme of Mallrats. The band was surprised to find the song played in its entirety without cuts or overlapping dialogue. Other, bigger named artists such as Bush, Silverchair, and Elastica got only clips of their songs played.
When not on tour, Squirtgun guitarist Flav returns to Washington University where he’s working on a Ph.D in Molecular Genetics. Mass remains busy at Sonic Iguana, his own recording studio: “Sonic Iguana is my main thing. Right now I am working on a 7″ for Walker (another young, emerging punk band from the Midwest).” Some of Mass’s favorite albums produced at Sonic Iguana include the new Riverdales album and The Queers’ Love Songs for the Retarded. He adds, “I enjoyed working with Cub and the Bollweevils. I’m really happy about the way the new Smugglers album turned out, too.”
Mass credits his engineering and producing skills to Paul Mahern (Zero Boys). “He’s taught me a lot and helped with many projects including our Shenanigans EP.” However, Squirtgun’s new album was done entirely by Mass alone. Mass feels, “The new album is really an extension of the EP. Some songs off the EP were remixed and are on the new album, except ‘Almost the Girl’ which is a crowd favorite, and ‘Giddy and Glum’ which I really like to play.”
He concludes that Squirtgun is about “approaching things with a smile. It’s always better to be positive rather than aggressive or hostile whether you’re instigating change or have a political message. It just ensures that things will run quicker and smoother.” The new, self-entitled album is available on Lookout! Records. Also, look for Squirtgun on an upcoming Harmless Records compilation.
