Q&A: Chango Malo

Chango Malo (Credit: Courtesy of the the band)

Hangovers = good. Big-box stores = bad. At least that’s the thinking of local band Chango Malo.

The opinionated group, which performs its mix of soul, punk and rock, includes vocalist Quin Davis, drummer Jericho Davidson, sax player David Clark, bassist Justin Lillie and guitarists Tom Beach and Ian Philabaum. Davidson and Philabaum graciously agreed to an e-mail interview, in which they revealed their horn-dog beginnings, love for alcohol and disdain for a certain major home supplies store.

What got you into playing music and when did you start?
We started for the same reason as everyone else: The girls we wanted to hang out with were into it. The reason we stayed is what’s important: the bond between us and (the) feeling of being part of something bigger.

How did your band come together?
We have been playing together since high school. (Even with) four albums, two vans, two lineup changes, a s---load of tours, and more debt than (we) would like to mention, we’re still standing.

From where do you draw your inspiration?
Hangovers.

How would you describe your style of music?
We play music—sometimes loud, sometimes quiet, sometimes fast, sometimes slow.

How do you feel about Tucson?
It’s one of the most amazing and creative canvases we’ve ever been to in the States—and it’s becoming a void. It’s the tabula rasa philosophy gone wrong. A beautiful city full of wonderful, open-minded people and ideas that doesn’t want anything to do with said people. The city that prefers strip malls and big-box stores. For s---'s sake, how many f---ing Home Depots do you need?

Where do you most like to play music?
Che’s, Plush and (Club) Congress are the best places to play in Tucson. They’ve all been really good to us and to most of the bands in this town.

Money? Fame? Fortune? What are your goals for the future?
Making good, original and honest music is what we have always done, and it’s the only reason we’re still around. When you focus on things like money, fame and fortune you lose sight of what really matters.