Face the Music: The Taste
Summoning the spirits of Guns N' Roses and The Datsuns, The Taste have revived the comatose rock scene with their hi-fi garage, lo-fi arena-rock sound. After a sabbatical to Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Australia, lead vocalist Clint McGown returned to Nashville, where he met the future members of The Taste: Billy Snidow (bass), Corey Siegle (drums), Brandon Henegar (rhythm & lead guitar), and Phil Shouse (rhythm & lead guitar). The Taste clicked recently with their EP More Where This Came From, from which MTV licenced songs for The Real World, Road Rules and other shows. Lead vocalist McGown talks about misleading album art, patriotic music, and the glory of playing at a sushi bar.
Describe your music, please.
It has been dubbed by some as "Whiskey Rock"—we accept that and embrace it—or an updated version of AC/DC, except not as ugly.
What's the first album you ever bought and where is it now?
The first album I ever bought myself was Frontiers by Journey. I thought the robot face on the cover indicated some kind of heavy metal. That couldn't have been more wrong. A fantastic record nonetheless, still one of my top guilty pleasures to this day. It now resides with the rest of my vinyl, handed down to my brother—he's a hip-hop artist, and loves to sample old metal riffs.
What song would you never want to hear again, and why?
I'll have to cluster-bomb this one. How about 8 out of every 10 songs on modern rock radio today? If I had to choose one, though, it would be that ridiculous Toby Keith song about how we'll "put a boot in your ass if you mess with the USA." What a complete moron.
What's the best gig you ever had?
Haven't played it yet.
What's the worst gig you ever had?
Oxford, Mississippi, we did this really impromptu "showcase" at this sushi place that also had a stage. The A&R guy we were playing for was there helping to wrap up the last Modest Mouse record, which was being recorded there, and he brought the singer Isaac with him. He was completely hammered and wouldn't let the guy pay attention. Between that and the ticket we got just as we pulled into town, which made us late, we had to wait until they finished Trivia Night at this place before we could set up. Then our guitarist Phil broke two strings on the same guitar during the first song, changed guitars, got most of the way though the second tune, then the amp blew, plugged in the back-up amp and started the third song, then it blew—and he had no choice but to leave the stage and watch us play. Needless to say, we didn't get signed that night.
What record do you wish you'd made?
Appetite for Destruction. Every track was a hit.
If you could be someone else for 24 hours, who would you be?
That's a coin toss between Gene Simmons and Hugh Hefner, either way.
What's your opinion on the Nashville music scene?
It's still not supportive enough, and still a little too pretentious, including media and radio, but getting better for sure.
Who are your favorite Nashville musicians/artists?
Luna Halo, Laws Rushing, Alcohol Stunt Band, The Shazam!
Who is someone you've worked with that you think is incredibly talented and everyone should know about, producer, musician or otherwise?
Us. We are a finely tuned rock and roll machine, completely collaborative, self produced, our guitarist Brandon Henegar is a killer engineer, this band is awesome, they make my part easy.
What is your proudest moment in music?
Hearing us on the radio for the first time, in regular time, not on the local show.
When and where will you be seen/heard next?
Dancin' in the District Saturday, 12th & Porter Playroom 7/3, The End 7/17 w/ The Hiss.
—Marie Yarbrough
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