American music has seen its fair share of tip-top sibling acts: The Ronettes, The Beach Boys, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Heart, and, oh yeah, The Jackson Five. The LA DIY punk scene is no different: in the early 80s, artist Raymond Pettibon rose to prominence creating artworks for his brother Greg Ginn’s musical ventures (Black Flag’s iconic logo chief among them) — these days, The Garden twins bear the hardcore torch. So i-D decided to keep things all in the family for our killer playlist of American tunes, and hit up Staz and Misha Lindes, the LA-native siblings whose raw garage sounds are taking the city’s scene by storm. Man, did they deliver!
Older bro Misha fronts SadGirl, the surf rock trio putting an eerie, Twin Peaks-style spin on early Elvis melodies. When she’s not walking Saint Laurent and Moschino runways, Staz plays in The Paranoyds — the excellent foursome blending girl group vocals with aggressive basslines inspired by Violent Femmes. (And the family roots run even deeper: the pair’s pops is Dire Straits guitarist Hal Lindes). Raised on an eclectic diet of classic 50s guitar music, John Waters-era bratty doo-wop, 70s surf, and sludgy grunge, the Lindes kids know and love all things off-beat Americana.
As you fire up the grill, throw on some Sam Cooke, The Supremes, Jimi Hendrix, and find out which American scene Staz and Misha would time travel to be a part of. Lindeses, we salute you!
You guys grew up on some amazing American music. What stuff did you listen to?
Staz: I loved Motown and other oldies as a kid and haven’t been able to kick it since. The Crystals, The Ronettes, No Doubt, and The Temptations to Nirvana, Bikini Kill, X, The Cramps and Hank Williams. I loved the more modern stuff like Modest Mouse and Built to Spill, too. Wow, American music is great!
Misha: Chuck Berry was huge to me as a kid, Elvis, Beach Boys, The Crystals, Nirvana, and a lot of Metallica. I also have this memory of me and Staz dancing around our living room in our socks to “Tootie Frootie” by Little Richard, ha!
Tell us about a few of your favorite tracks on this playlist. Why did you pick em?
Misha: “Buttered Popcorn” by The Supremes: It’s like a punk song to me — really gritty and funny — but obviously 60s girl group style.
“Twistin’ the Night Away” by Sam Cooke: Sam Cooke possibly has my favorite voice in American rock and roll.
“Flying Saucer Rock N Roll” by Billy Lee Riley: Another one that is a classic weirdo/proto-punk song to me — really cool and weird and raw, and has that classic American Rockabilly sound.
Staz: “He’s Got the Power” by The Exciters: The lead singer of The Exciters has one of my favorite female vocals. And summer is all about unhealthy crush obsessions, right?
“Shout Bamalama” by Otis Redding: Otis makes me shake.
“Underground Heaven by Wild Wing”: If you ever see a Wild Wing show, yep, this one gets pretty loose. To have a Fourth of July playlist without Wild Wing would be crazy!
What makes a great American tune?
Misha: It’s honest. It’s got a bit of hurt in it, but still has a little sense of humor.
Staz: Black history.
If you could go back in time and experience any American musical subculture or scene in any city, what would it be and why?
Staz: I would want to be in Memphis in the 60s. There was an incredible community of artists and musicians desegregated and working together — some moved to New York to help establish the scene over there. I would have love to have seen Sun Records and Stax in their prime.
Misha: Lol, same! I would have loved to see Sam Phillips at the start of Sun Records in the 50s and recording people like Roy Orbison, Howlin Wolf, Ike Turner, Carl Perkins, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Hasil Adkins — literally some of the most important music that changed the entire course of history and has shaped my music preference permanently. Also, it would have been amazing to be in Detroit during Motown’s prime and see that whole scene unfold.
Who’s your ultimate American musical style icon? Mine is a weird tie between Miles Davis, Patti Smith, and Tupac.
Staz: Kurt Cobain, Bo Diddley, and Poison Ivy. You think yours is a weird tie!
Misha: Young Elvis was pretty suave; he was always wearing a good watch. Poison Ivy is a great call too, damn!
Describe your dream Fourth of July.
Misha: I sort of had my dream Fourth last year at our homies from Wild Wing’s house in West Adams — just hanging with friends all day and grilling and listening to music and lighting fireworks. At dusk the entire neighborhood erupted into the craziest street style fireworks display; it was like a war zone. And then we somehow broke a water pipe in the front of the house? It literally burst and sprayed like a fire hydrant; it flooded the entire yard and soaked everyone in water at like 3 am, which was hilarious.
Staz: Veggie hot dogs, s’mores, fireworks, and homies.
Is Elvis really the King?
Misha: YES.
Staz: Five trillion records can’t be wrong!!
Staz and The Paranoyds play Echoplex on July 12. Misha and SadGirl hit Teragram Ballroom on July 15. Both of ’em will be at the Viva! Pomona festival from July 16-17. For more Paranoyds and SadGirl dates, head here and here.
Credits
Text Emily Manning
Photography Hedi Slimane, Image via Twitter