Getting Sassy with...Man in Gray (1 of 2)

We here around the culture of me were once obsessed with all things relating to Sassy and Dirt magazines.  And while those titles are long gone, the sentiment of how they covered the culture industries has indeed left its mark on writers and culture vultures everywhere.  It is because of that influence that we are proud to present our features post, "Getting Sassy with...", wherein we bring you that much closer to your favorite bands by way of a simple Q&A session that's both painless and informative.  Ha!  Beat that, FOX News!

This time: Man in Gray.

Scream, scream, scream, beat, beat, beat, stop, breath, breath, scream, scream, destroy.  This is what goes on in your head when you are trying to figure out how to best describe one of New York City's best kept post-punk-destructo secret, Man in Gray.  The group, piling guitar on top of guitar on top of drums (lots of fucking drums) and helmed by the pout, yelp and scream of frontwoman (and battering ram) Tina DaCosta, create the kind of bed of noise and reverb and chug that we here at the culture of me would never shy away from laying in.  Think about hearing three At The Drive-In records at the same time and you may get close to the general vibe of this band.  We sent our questionnaire to the band and guitarist Bryan Bruchman (far left) and drummer Jeremiah McVay answered the call back.  Today, Bruchman tells us about his time spent behind the counter at Dairy Queen, Ted Leo, Michael Azzerad and quite possibly the greatest made-up band ever.

Name?
Bryan Bruchman

Hometown?
Holmdel, NJ

Current place of residence?
Brooklyn, NY

Number of States visited?
35

Favorite hometown haunt?
Broadway Diner, Red Bank, NJ

Most recent phone bill total?
$49.99 plus a whole lot of hidden costs

Items found in my day-to-day bag (if applicable)?
Camera, sketchbook, pens, pencil, flash drive, an issue of Weird NJ.

First album bought on your own?
The first bunch of tapes I bought included the Wayne's World soundtrack, Guns And Roses, Queen, and Def Leppard.  Luckily it wasn't too long before I came across a Velvet Underground tape.

Favorite song memorized as a child?
“Singing In The Rain”

Last book read?
Gimpel The Fool

Favorite book ever?
Our Band Could Be Your Life

Favorite thing you bought this year?
My new cardigan with zipper pockets!

Instruments played (chronologically)?
Guitar, bass, airsynth, kazoo, drum machine, keyboard.  Real drums too but very badly.

Least favorite day job before getting this gig?
Cook at Dairy Queen (in high school).

Favorite record this year?
Against Me! - New Wave

Favorite record ever?
Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation

The one record you'd save from a house fire?
Thurston Moore – Psychic Hearts etched vinyl.

Guilty pleasure record you don't want us to know about?
Vaughn Meader and The First Family

If you didn't play music, what would you be doing?
Photography and other art

Last illegally downloaded song/album (be honest)?
I actually can't remember. I get just about all of my music free, but it's actually more on the legal side of it.

Latest TV addictions?
None.

Who is in your dream band (must be living musicians)?
Thurston Moore, Corin Tucker, Ted Leo, Lou Barlow, Matt Mahaffey all on guitar and vocals, Mike Watt on bass, with Bob Weston on live tape loops. Everybody who played in the Boredoms 77 Boadrum, with Travis Harrison leading them. Lou Reed and a chorus made up of every female singer on the Arts & Crafts label singing backup. I play lead kazoo.

Best concert you attended this year?
Octopus Project CMJ show @ Highline Ballroom

Recent song you can't get out of your head?
“Where Have All The Rude Boys Gone” - Ted Leo

Least favorite question on this questionnaire?
This one.

(mp3)    Stranded, from the I Can't Sleep Unless I Hear You Breathing LP

Godspeed!