This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click
here.
Our June member drive is live: protect this resource!
Right now, we need your help during our short June member drive to keep the local news you read here every day going. This has been a challenging year, but with your help, we can get one step closer to closing our budget gap. Today, put a dollar value on the trustworthy reporting you rely on all year long. We can't hold those in power accountable and uplift voices from the community without your partnership.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (Kip Berman, Peggy Wang, Kurt Feldman, Alex Naidus) I Photo: Annie Powers
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (Kip Berman, Peggy Wang, Kurt Feldman, Alex Naidus) I Photo: Annie Powers Don't judge a pop band by it's cover. Yes okay, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, is a heartbreakingly silly name for a band (I mean I don't think they'll be tattooed on anybody's chest anytime soon) but man they've got a sparkly debut disk. Chock full of 80s inspired pop, the kind that would fit in the background of any John Hughes movie, the self-titled offering has already have generated some most impressive buzz. Lead singer, Kip Berman was kind enough to answer our questions while he was running around Pitchfork Festival this weekend. Here is some of what was said.
The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - "Everything With You"
How old were you when you first picked up an instrument?
Kip: I played the violin growing up, probably since I was five or six, but it wasn't until I was thirteen that my mom got me an electric guitar. She got it for me because I was really into Nirvana.
Is your band a democracy or a dictatorship?
It's mostly democratic, I think.Are you pure of heart?
Kip: I think we are pure of heart, but perhaps have dirty minds.
What song are you most proud of on this album?
Kip: I like "Everything With You."
What is the weirdest thing you ever saw in the audience?
Kip: We saw a lot of crowd surfing at our Manchester show. That was odd.
Would you rather be burned alive or frozen to death?
Kip: Can I opt for an occasional sunburn and/or goose bumps?
Do you have any musical guilty pleasures?
Kip: I don't believe in "guilty" pleasures. If something makes you happy, then you should feel okay with that. I love Smashing Pumpkins songs, like "Cherub Rock," "Rocket" and "Today." think I'd never get tired of hearing those songs if they came on the radio.
What is the worst thing about touring?
Kip: There's nothing is bad about touring. Getting to travel with your friends, having fun and playing music everyday are the best things ever.
If you could sing with anyone in the world who would it be? What would you sing?
Kip: Maybe Tony Bennett? He seems really fantastic. I'd like to sing "Happy Birthday" as I know all the lyrics. Or maybe I'd sing "Happy Birthday" with Keith Richards to my mom, as she loves Keith Richards.
Do you have a favorite thing to do in LA when you're here?
Kip: I've only been here one day before, but getting burritos and/or tacos would be very high on my list. We also saw a guy riding a bicycle by the airport that looked like Axl Rose who yelled "Deal with it!" at our van. That was pretty cool.
Which do you prefer playing live or recording?
Kip: I really like both-- we don't have a lot of experience recording, so I'm looking forward to trying out new stuff next time we go into the studio. But playing live never ever gets old-- I feel we could play a show every day for a year, and it would still be fun.
Do you have a favorite local band at the moment?
Kip: Zaza!
Would you rather be a vampire or a werewolf?
Kip: As long as I'm not a zombie, I'd be cool with either.
If you could have a conversation with anyone dead or alive what would it be?
Kip: I'd like to talk to Joey Ramone. I don't really have any questions for him, but I just think he's a really cool, nice guy and I'd just like to let him know that.
Every two years, Desert X presents site-specific outdoor installations throughout the Coachella Valley. Two Los Angeles artists have new work on display.
