Interview by Jason Anfinsen
Tagged 2006 comedic bands
From the ballbag of the Chicago comedy scene comes Let's Get Out Of This Terrible Sandwich Shop, an indie rock express of pop chords, hilarious sketches, and adorable personas. What started as a one-man-band dream of shop manager Tony Mendoza, who self-released the quirky crew’s first 3-song 7" Hatchet on Mimosa Enterprises, has now become a glorious reality with band member and employees, Thea Lux on guitar/vocals, and Joanna Buese on bass/kazoogle (Editor’s Note: That’s right, kazoogle). In addition to kooky instruments and playful demeanor, The Shop makes themselves even more peculiarly unique by having a cat in the band. "The cat is usually under the weather," sighs Mendoza (vocals/drums/farfisa). "He’s there for moral support, and we feed him the test sandwiches that we are working on."
All three members of this charming trio have a lengthy performance history with celebrated Chicago theater groups like Annoyance Productions, Sirens, Los Shut Up, and 58 (an official selection to the 2006 New York Fringe Festival written by Mendoza). Each member of the group is capable of writing a catchy tune, silly joke, or committing to the outlandish absurdity of their hilarious and sometimes messy live extravaganzas. "We want people to come to our shows and see something funny and entertaining. We want you to laugh," says Mendoza.
Taking inspiration from oddball popsters like They Might Be Giants and Ween, as well as eclectic outfits like Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and Jan and Dean, Let’s Get Out Of This Terrible Sandwich Shop combines classic surf pop with dreamboat harmonies and screwball lyrics, which are fueled by a vintage farfisa organ for an FDA-approved rock delicacy. Visualize the sound of The Beach Boys having the All American slapped out of em’ by The Misfits. The Shop’s 8-track EP was released Spring 2006 on the Chicago/Idaho imprint, Roydale Recording Company Corporation Inc., and is currently available for purchase on ITunes. The band also independently pressed a limited amount of CD’s which feature original artwork and photos. More sandwiches are in the freezer, waiting to be thawed out, heated up, and served to the starving masses later in the year.
With no real category to file these funtime cutiepies into, there is an obvious fear [for the band] of being pigeonholed as a disposable joke band like GWAR or Tenacious D. "We’re very fearful of everything. We try to stay indoors a lot and watch FOX News before we do a gig," jokes Mendoza. "We’re trying to juggle comedy while still retaining integrity in our music." Whimsically dark lyrics, like, "The tweaker sketching Satan breaks the tip off of his ballpoint pen," from the infectious tune "Earthquake," or, "You’re going to cut up a cadaver and find a prize inside," from "Amanda" add a refreshing zest of flavor to each freshly baked sandwich on the nutritious menu of bits, skits, and clever wits. "We’re trying to do silly stuff that we think is funny, weird, and goofball but still… might have a touch of class," laughs Mendoza.
Tony, Thea, Joanna, and their sick cat, are saying yes to all possibilities with their audio comedy experiment, which utilizes a golden rule of improvisation. With a solid stream of encouraging press (Chicago Sun-Times, Time Out Chicago, The Onion), repeat airplay on college and commercial radio stations across the country, and growing fan base of sammitch lovers, Let’s Get Out Of This Terrible Sandwich Shop is in prime position to take their adventure to unimagined bounds. "I just want to travel, see the world, play weird shows, and make more art," explains Mendoza. "I can’t do anything else."
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