“My first encounters with things vinyl began combing through my father’s collection. Apparently whittled down over the years it was still pretty impressive and consisted mostly of classic rock and the female blues musicians for whom my father had a real affinity. My musical beginnings began mixed between here and the shitty music that was playing on the radio in the late ’90s. I have to admit back then I had pretty terrible taste in music.”
“My real awakening began in college when I got that friend who showed me what good music was. I really came alive when I heard The Clash’s London Calling. Things started to make sense after that. The unbridled energy and tension of punk rock really fit in with my high-strung neurotic self. That along with the sublime droning of The Velvet Underground fundamentally reshaped the way I approached music.
I never fully abandoned my classic rock/pop roots however leaning to play guitar basically with the Beatles catalogue. I’m pretty sure I learned every song on Abbey Road and Let it Be, my two favorites as it was the Beatles’ return to their rhythm and blues roots.
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea was my next big milestone on the road to What Model Citizens. The droning fuzz, high energy, and sincere pop brought together just about everything I liked into something I felt was truly unique.
Finally, The Handsome Furs’ Face Control gave me the final inspiration to start What Model Citizens. I came across them somewhat accidentally going to their show to interview the opening local band from San Francisco for a local blog. I stuck around for their set and was immensely glad I did. Their fusion of indie rock and electronica really took root in me and, from the ashes of the noisy punk band I was in that had just broken up, I put together What Model Citizens.
Though this is the third record I’ve put out with this project, I think this is the one I finally got right. Of course I’m sure I probably said that about the last ones too. Ohn E Amas though really feels like the statement I’ve been trying to make and I’m really excited to have it out there.”
—Alex Musto
Model Citizens’ “Felony Heights” is taken from the band’s new release Ohn E Amas, on store shelves this month!
