The Victorians don’t look back

ILLUSTRATION by ERIN SMITH

Seven days into the new year, Long Beach foursome the Victorians have yet to break a single resolution. But it’s not sheer willpower that’s keeping them steady—they just aren’t the resolutionary kind. “I’m more a moment-to-moment person,” explains singer/keyboardist Erik Trickett, who, along with guitarist Brad Lindsay, drummer Mike Robbins and bassist Id Vokoun (short for “David”—the sort of nickname that sticks around after middle school) seems more focused on what’s left to do in 2009 than trying to fix any regrets from 2008. On the agenda this year? Recording an album and playing outside of Long Beach, though to hear Trickett, Lindsay and Robbins talk about the city—sincere gratitude and appreciation are directed toward both the Prospector and Scott Jones’s We Love Long Beach, among others—is to understand any desire to hit the road is just the business talking. As for the long run? In this, at least, Lindsay is resolute: “I’d like to be middle-aged, have kids and tell them the cool things I’ve done,” he says, with a slight laugh. “And then they’d say, ‘Oh, that’s interesting.’ ”

What is your definition of success?
Brad: A perfectly flipped omelet.
Erik: Yeah, that’s great.
Who, musicians or otherwise, do you look to for inspiration?
B: Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Sam and Dave, Otis Redding and other stuff that had Steve Cropper playing on it. Also, I’ve always been really excited by the psychedelic material of the same period.
E: I suppose I am inspired by those around me who are doing the same thing and making it work. Some days it can get pretty hard to keep your head up and these people make that easier.
When do you feel most creative?
B: Waiting for trains, walking through cities, long drives, etc.—all while over-caffeinated.
E: I feel most creative when I have ideas I’m working on but my environment is hostile to their development.
What is your biggest fear as a musician?
B: I’m perfectly fearless.
E: Not me, I’m scared of everything.
B: No wait, have you ever seen Id’s impression of a giant squid?
What is your biggest fear as a human?
B: Actually, I’ve always had an irrational fear of sharks.
E: Seriously, some days I can barely leave the house.
Who is your favorite songwriter?
B: Steve Malkmus.
E: Neil Young.
What is your favorite way to relax?
E: With friends.
B: Tea.
What is your favorite way to spend time?
E: Cooking.
B: Erik, do I have any hobbies?
E: Yes, Brad, you ride a motorcycle and you play guitar.
B: Guitar is not a hobby.
E: Sorry, I guess you are a professional.
B: Well, I’m not saying I’m a professional. [Pauses for thought.] Well, I guess I’m a professional, but I’m failing.
What album will you never tire of?
B: Led Zeppelin; Miles Davis, In a Silent Way; Beethoven’s quartets.
E: Jeff Buckley, Grace. It’s heartbreaking.
What album would you hope children born in 2009 will someday love?
Restoration of Culture After Ghengis Khan. Seriously, that would be rad.
What do you hope to be doing in five years?
E: This, but getting paid.
B: I’ve always thought it’d be cool to be in the Stones. Yeah, I’ll go with playing guitar in the Stones.
How do you define happiness?
E: Not sure, it’s pretty moment-to-moment.
What qualities do you look for from your audience?
E: Usually quantity, not quality.
B: Frightening devotion.
What is your favorite book?
E: A Moveable Feast (this week).
B: The Picture of Dorian Gray.
What is your favorite movie?
B: True Stories.
E: Casablanca.
How do you define sadness?
B: The quality or condition of being without joy.
Who are your favorite historical figures?
B: Churchill.
E: Kissenger.
Who are your least favorite historical figures?
B: Is Cuba Gooding Jr. an historical figure yet?
What natural power would you most like to have?
E: Devastating charm.
B: Flying.
What super power would you most like to have?
E: Time travel.
B: When I was a kid I always wanted to be all stretchy.
What is it you most dislike?
B/E: Oh geez, that’s like picking your favorite child.
What is your greatest indulgence?
B: Two grapefruit in a row—I want two every time. Playing in the Victorians is pretty gratuitous as well.
E: I am really struggling with the word ‘greatest’ here.
What words do you live by?
B: ‘Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead.’—D. Farragut.
E: ‘Do not worry. You have always written before and you will write now. All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.’—E. Hemingway.
What is your favorite song lyric?
E: ‘I smiled sadly for a love I could not obey/Lady stardust sang his songs/Of darkness and dismay.’
B: ‘In a darkened under pass/I thought oh god, my chance had come at last/and then a strange fear gripped me and I just couldn’t ask.’

THE VICTORIANS WITH VAST ATLANTIC THE CELLAR | 201 E BROADWAY | LONG BEACH 90802 | 562.495.9000 | QUENTONSANDTHECELLAR.COM | THURS | CALL FOR TIME | $5 | MYSPACE.COM/VICTORIANSMYSPACE

Tags: Long Beach, Music, the cellar, the victorians