Interview: Mopar Stars

Discussing Their Album 'Official Researchers Of The NJ Devil'

Mopar Stars (L-to-R): Evan Campbell (drums), Nneka Anyaoku (bass/vocals), Nao Demand (guitar/vocals), and Bill Magerr (guitar)

Great albums start with the exact right lead track.

I recently sat down to explore Mopar Stars’ Official Researchers Of The NJ Devil and was immediately hooked by the opening song, “Wreck The Bike.” Whatever else I had planned for the next 30 minutes or so was out the window as I happily devoured the whole thing straight through—all part of guitarist/vocalist Nao Demand’s evil plan.

“I wanted to do a one-two of a catchy short song into a longer, more epic song like ‘NJ Darkness’ to start things off. Ended up doing two short catchy songs. Mostly did it to suck the listener in before hitting them with the ‘more challenging’ stuff,” Demand told me for the interview below.

The rest of the album delivers on that first track’s promise.

Combining elements of ‘70s power pop (Big Star), ‘80s college rock (Replacements), and ‘90s alternative/lo-fi (GBV! GBV!), these 11 songs also contain some surprising twists and turns for a collection that feels so instantly familiar. I few other stand outs include “Everybody Wants What I Got,” “Lifetime Of Pain,” and “Only Bar In Town.”

“I just say that it’s an indie rock band. I personally think it sounds most similar to stuff like Gin Blossoms and The Lemonheads from the ‘90s. It’s not super intentional on my end, but I do love and listen to that stuff,” Demand said.

I caught up with Demand by email as Mopar Stars launches a short West Coast tour with Fish Narc tonight in Washington. We discuss major influences, the story behind a few of the new album’s tracks, and why so many punks end up writing pop songs.

---

Nao Demand Interview

Congrats on the great new album. What was the inspiration for the title Official Researchers Of The NJ Devil?

Nao Demand: The title came from loosing a friend a few years ago. He was from south Jersey and died young and tragic. I had been writing about it off and on and getting to the bottom of it in my own way, doing my research if you will.

“Wreck The Bike,” “NJ Darkness,” and “Everyone Wants What I Got” have Replacements energy. Would you consider them a big influence?

Nao Demand: Yes. Big influence, huge fan. I’m also big into The Beach Boys, Guided By Voices, X, Elvis Costello, and Alex G.

Recent bands that I like are Tee Vee Repairman, The Tubs, and Bramwell.

I’m fascinated by the trend of punk musicians who also write and record more melodic pop songs. Is that something you’ve noticed too?

Nao Demand: I think it’s a long standing trend—like a 50 year trend—that’s here to stay. People who listen to punk or more extreme music would be surprised how open minded the people who make that music are.

I think punk musicians often just have a huge range of interest in their music tastes and aren’t afraid to make whatever. Watch any of those Amoeba “What’s In My Bag?” videos with some metal band and see for yourself.

“Only Bar In Town” is another personal favorite. It sits well next to certain Liquid Mike songs in my mind, both sonically and thematically. What was the inspiration for that one?

Nao Demand: I lived in Iowa for a while. It’s kind of about this bar called “Thumbs” in central Iowa. It’s a song about clinging to what’s good. You don’t have many choices in a place like that—friends, bars, whatever.

You got to carve out some space for yourself and make the best of it. Its just about people making the best of a mutual shit situation, like living in central Iowa.

The lyrics for “Lifetime Of Pain” really walk the line between hope and despair. Was there a particular night that made you write that song?

Nao Demand: Nah, it’s not about any specific event. I was just going through some shit probably. It’s about getting older and not killing yourself. Never kill yourself!!

I see you have a few upcoming Mopar Stars shows listed on Bandcamp. Any plans to tour more extensively behind this release?

Nao Demand: Yes, starting two weeks with Fish Narc on the West Coast today! Then another couple weeks supporting The Tubs in the US in early October.

If I climbed in the tour van with Mopar Stars, what would I be listening to on the stereo?

Nao Demand: Depends who’s driving, but we all like Bladee a lot. I’m also really into this Cambodian singer Sin Sissamouth and the Wilco record Summerteeth at the moment. Some staples are The Byrds, Aphex Twin, DMX Krew, Radioactivity, and Royal Headache.

Bill and Evan listen to some straight up terrible Gentle Giant type music that I can’t condone, but that stuff does play frequently. I think Rush is cool, but not that other stuff.

---

---

---