13 Questions with Dylan of Shapes of Race Cars

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They have a weird name, they're unsigned, but still their music ends up on big tv shows and on the radio. Dylan Callaghan, the frontman of Silver Lake's Shapes of Race Cars, explains how this can possibly be.

LAist: 1. Shapes of Race Cars have been around forever. You're playing the Key Club tonight, opening for Metal Skool. What your favorite LA club to play in?

Dylan Callaghan: tony, baby!!! SRC has not been around forever - but I HAVE. The Shapes have been around for about two years, but SRC as we now know it has actually only been around about four months. after we finished the new record - POWER - we recruited a fourth member, charles smith, who has really changed things. he wears funny jackets, sings real good and does special choreographed dances with me.

as for our favorite club in l.a., that would be las vegas. oh, in la? um, I would say tuscon arizona. no, seriously, the echo. definitely the echo.

2. Which race cars are you talking about? Funny cars, Indy cars, NASCAR?

I think we're talking about honey bbq fritos molded into the shape of formula one race cars. a girl was eating them on my bed when the band was named.

3. Do you prefer the shape of an 82 Vette, a 67 Vette, or something more modern?

I want to make a lot of money and buy my father an electric yellow 67 vette. it's a promise i made to him years ago. happy mothers day dad!

4. For an unsigned band I hear you on Indie, and on TV a lot - what gives? Didn't I just hear you on Veronica Mars?

thank you - yes, you did indeed. we've been on there a couple three times. we have a nice man that goes around town playing people our music and, when they find out they can get it for a quarter the price of a major label artist, we're in!!!!

as for indie, all i can say is mark shovel is a man of great wisdom and taste. (we're playing the check one two 3rd anniversary part, btw @ the viper june 4th)

5. Now that we are in the age of Myspace, is there really any reason for a band to have their own web site anymore?

well, tony, i think we all agree that for today's kids, it's all about maximizing one's "cyber presence"! i personally have a different web site for each of my varied moods.

6. What scene does SRC claim?

music lovers that are hipper than hipsters.

7. They say Venice Beach has just as many people visit it in the summer as Disneyland. How come more bands don't go down there and do acoustic sets to persuade the tourists to come visit them later that night?

that's an amazingly specific question, tony! hmmm. i like venice - it's a great place to go walking around with a girl in a sundress. you know, you eat ice creams and argue and your nose gets a little pink? but i have to say venice has never felt like a rock and roll city to me. maybe i've got that all wrong. we could go to venice, eat ice creams and agrue about it...

8. Obama or Hillary?

oh, i've always wanted to go to Nebraska!!!

9. Gibson or Fender?

honesty, i prefer boston legal. that james spader is an absolute howl!!!!

10. Eastside or Westside?

I prefer the midwest.

11. What are your thoughts about Pinkberry?

i fucking love it. that kind of thing is not usually my bag, but i fucking love it, i've gotta testify. tried it for the first time about two months ago and nearly drained my bank account going there so often.

12. Who is your favorite Hollywood celebrity?

lindsay lohan. i think she has a terrific body and a captivatingly "organic" acting style.

13. Where is your favorite place to get a burrito in LA?

del taco. yes, i realize this is divisive, but damn those beans are magic!!!

Shapes of Race Cars has a website and a Myspace page