A Capitol Hill rock band inspired by Mariah Carey’s music?
We’re in.
Meet Free Lobster Buffet
Q1) What gave you the idea to name your band Free Lobster Buffet?
The short answer is that “Free Beer” and Bare Naked Ladies” were already taken and we needed some way to get people into a club; having that on a marquee would at least attract interest.
Originally we were going to be “The Amendments,” owing to the fact that we started here on Capitol Hill, but a friend of mine said she had known someone who always wanted to name a band Free Lobster Buffet. When we heard it, we loved it instantly and the whole image of the band – ska music, the blue tuxedoes, the songwriting – all flowed from that. You can’t take yourself too seriously with a name like that.
Amazingly, we still get people coming to shows asking where the food is, which I find hilarious. Who would actually eat a free lobster buffet? Think of all the illnesses you could get from that.
Q2) What are your musical influences?
Mostly Mariah Carey, but just her early work, before “Glitter.” Let’s face it, she totally jumped the shark there and I just can’t really take her seriously after that. Kind of like Van Halen’s “1984.” History has judged you Eddie: you should have stuck with guitar.
Just kidding. We get inspiration from everything. We have songs about IKEA, lost love and the anger that comes with it, on-line gambling addiction, video games, minivans, you name it.
Q3) What do you think about the DC “scene” for local bands?
After six years, we’ve probably played most of the smaller to mid-size live music venues. Sadly, we seem to shut a lot of them down. We’ve played half a dozen bars that have closed. I still feel bad about Staccato. Grog and Tankard, not so much. I guess you could say the scene is better for the bands than it is for the clubs.
Honestly, DC is great for live music. Any night of the week you can find a good show. If you’re in a band, you can find a club that will give you a chance. After that, if you can bring people, you will get gigs. It’s pretty easy scene to break into.
Q4) Favorite place to play?
The 9:30 Club was the coolest because I’ve been going there since it was in the stinky downtown location. We only played there once, but it was amazing.
These days we play a lot on H Street, I guess they call it the Atlas District or something now. Rock’n’Roll Hotel is a very good place with a nice sound system, but I’m really blown away by The Red Palace. They combined the upstairs of the Palace of Wonder and The Red and The Black. They’ve got a big stage, great lights and awesome sound. It’s probably the best small venue I’ve been to, let alone played.
Q5) Where can someone see your next show?
If I had submitted this in time, I would have said The Palace of Wonder on December 17th, but that was last week. It was a great show, though.
Our next show is up in New York City, but we will be back playing DC on March 26th at the Wonderland Ballroom (another very cool small venue).
Dates change a lot and we add stuff at the last minute, so it’s best if people just check our website at www.freelobsterbuffet.com
Rock on Lobster Buffet. Rock on.
