SF Local Band Spotlight: Love Jerks

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Today, San Francisco local band Love Jerks releases their debut song and video for Scary Things exclusively for Music in SF (see below). The band that arises from the ashes of Scissors for Lefty and Happy Fangs will be celebrating the release with a show at the Great American Music Hall on Feb. 24,  as part of Noise Pop 2018. Other bands on the bill that night include Superchunk and Bat Fangs.

In anticipation of their performance, we spoke with Love Jerks about what’s the strangest thing that’s happened to them at a show, what fans can expect later this month at the GAMH, and what their take is on the struggling San Francisco music scene.

How’d you come up with the band name?

“Dear Music in SF, who do you love? And why does it hurt? Treasure your friends, but love jerks.” That was the very first chorus we wrote together. When we saw the two words next to each other on paper, it instantly rang true to who we are. Love Jerks.

How would you describe your sound?

We plant pop songs before going to bed. After a night of dreaming, we awake to find them wonderfully corrupted by some ethereal fog or post-punk concoction. You know, just like a chia pet, you never know what you’ll find in the morning.

When did you first become interested in playing music?

Bryan: In college, like a totally unprepared fool, I tried to wing it once in front of everyone that mattered. I crashed and burned so bad, that I had a decision to make—walk away forever, or prove them wrong. That’s when Scissors For Lefty was born.

Rebecca: At five, I could have cared less about fairy princesses or tea parties. What mesmerized me was Tina Turner on the little wood panel TV.

What’s the strangest thing that’s ever happened to you at a show?

Our first show was at a festival in the woods, call Gold Rush. The whole environment was psychedelic and strange, in a good way. The stage was on the opposite side of the river, requiring us to carry our gear one piece at a time. With only the moon to guide us, we successfully put ourselves and our gear into a bed of poison oak. Let’s just say our first show left a lasting impression!

What are you listening to these days?

Prince Rama, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Grimes, Tame Impala live sessions.

You’re playing Noise Pop this year, what can we expect at your show?

This is our first show in San Francisco since the rock opera (Our wild wedding at The Chapel). Expect Love Jerks to bring a dream team of psychedelic drummers, including Betty White’s cat. Plus a Flamingo camera crew from the 80s. It’s a sold-out show for Superchunk, so pass the word to badge holders to come early!

What’s your take on all the live music clubs closing in the city and people calling the San Francisco music scene dead?

Bryan: I used to say, “If my music peers applied the same amount of creative energy, blood, sweat, and tears that they do towards music, towards any other business venture … they would be millionaires.” I think people caught on to that.

The tech industry isn’t the devil incarnate, but those company cultures tend to design happy hour environments in their own offices, which makes it really easy to party early, go to bed at a reasonable hour, and get right back to work the next morning. Unfortunately, that happy hour lifestyle hurts the nightclub scene.

Despite the fact that people identify themselves less these days with music, and more with podcasts, binge-worthy shows, video games, celebrity DJs, etc. it still feels good to put on a bad ass rock show at a club. Perhaps now, more than ever.

What does music mean to you?

Music means never having to say you’re sorry.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in the city and why?

Rebecca: I guess my answer sheds light on when I moved to the city: the Valencia corridor is a street that is impossible for me to walk down without smiling—seeing neighborhood buddies, reliving rad past show moments at The Elbo Room, The Chapel, The Knockout or seeing a Nooworks dress I wanna buy.

What’s one thing that people would be surprised to find out about you?

Rebecca: I sing the song during the final dance battle in Step Up 3D!

Bryan: I made it to the final round of Singled Out!

Noise pop festival 2018 presents Superchunk, Bat Fangs, Cocktails, Love Jerks // Sat. Feb. 24 7:00pm (doors) all ages, $25-28

Photo by Desiree Pfeiffer

Having released albums under Digital Nations, a label founded by Steve Vai, music critic Louis Raphael has remained deeply connected to the pulse of the San Francisco music scene. Following his tenure as the San Francisco Music Examiner for Examiner.com and AXS.com, he embarked on creating Music in SF® to authentically highlight the vibrant offerings of the city's music scene.

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