Argyle Street Interview
Orange County rockers, Argyle Street played a show close to home at the world famous Doll Hut in Anaheim, California on May 30 and By the Barricade was there to catch the action. This four piece band from Costa Mesa brings old school punk sounds in fresh new songs with some ska, rockabilly and reggae thrown into the mix. This writer talked to the guys before their set to learn more about them.
Kyle Molina – Vocals, Guitar
Josh Perez – Vocals, Guitar
Nicky Street – Drums
Dylan Dailey – Bass
By the Barricade: Let’s start with your band name. What was your inspiration and is it referencing a particular Argyle Street?
Josh: It is, Kyle and I were in Hollywood one day driving to see Elvis Costello at Amoeba records and passed by Argyle on Sunset and looked at it and we were in different bands at the time, and we said that would be a great band name – Argyle Street. When we started jamming with Nick, the name was pretty much set.
Dylan: Except that’s Argyle Avenue.
Nick: Argyle Avenue, Yeah.
Josh: Shhh, don’t say that…
Dylan: Someone will find out …
Josh: I left that off on purpose…
All: *laughs
By the Barricade: If you could only wear one piece of clothing with an argyle pattern on it what would it be and why?
Kyle: Socks, underwear because anywhere else it would be indecent exposure.
Josh: Socks.
Dylan: I’ll wear argyle shoes just to be different.
Kyle: He thinks he’s punk rock. I’d say sweater.
All: That’s a good one.
Kyle: But we aren’t Tartar Control, that’s my new favorite band right now.
Josh: But I do like Weezer.
By the Barricade: Your sound has a very cool old school feel. Who are your idols and how did they influence you?
Kyle: Elvis Costello, Rancid, Cock Sparrer
Dylan: Left Alone
Josh: Social Distortion, They Stray Cats, Green Day (can’t hide that one).
Kyle: Could have done without that one
Nick: All of those and Operation Ivy, Rancid, The Toasters, for Ska The Specials, overall The Clash and Rancid.
Dylan: I’d say Slime Kings. We’re in a battle right now when we do interviews or shows, we always have to namedrop and say Slime Kings. Now they owe us.
By the Barricade: What has been your biggest challenge as a band so far?
ALL: Money, getting a CD out.
Nick: Everything takes money.
Kyle, Dylan: Empty wallets for that new full length CD.
Josh: We are a working class band.
Nick: There is no money in music anymore. Zero. It’s all work and you do if for the love of music.
Josh: Punk rock doesn’t pay the bills.
By the Barricade: What are your hopes for the near future?
Josh: I hope to be celebrating the anniversary of you asking me that question.
Dylan: I’ve always had a big thing about traveling the world and playing songs that I write.
Nick: That would be nice but I’d like to tour anywhere, even here in Southern California. We haven’t been on a chain of shows ever.
Josh: I really want to play in TJ (Tijuana).
Kyle: I agree.
Josh: Kyle wants to get on a Rancid compilation.
Kyle: I’m bummed that I’m not on it.
All: *laughs
By the Barricade: Who would be your dream band to tour with?
ALL: Rancid
By the Barricade: If you could convince any punk rock icon to attend your next show who would it be and why?
All: Tim Armstrong (unamomously)
Josh: Mick Jones from The Clash. That would be insane. David Bowie, he’s our biggest fan, he just doesn’t know it yet
Dylan and Josh: Mike and Max from Slime Kings. If we can only get Adam and Eric from Slime Kings too.
By the Barricade: Can you describe Argyle Street in 5 words or less?
Dylan: I’m going to start counting words in my heads now.
Kyle: Broken Hearted Drunken Punk Songs
Nick: That works!
Josh: Two words: Punk Rock
Nick: I’ll second that one
Dylan: Turn Down for What?
By the Barricade: Is there anything else you would like to tell By the Barricade readers?
Dylan: Thank you for reading this, hope to see you guys at our shows in the future.
Josh: The Government killed Tupac. I totally believe that.
Kyle: On a serious note: unity and beers is my message.
Josh: Don’t Touch That Dial!
By the Barricade: Nice tie in to the CD!
Argyle Street’s self-produced 13 track CD, Don’t Touch That Dial is available at any of their upcoming shows. By the Barricade recommends catching an Argyle Street show if you’re a fan of Old School Punk with a youthful twist.
