Denver trio Abrams released their debut album Lust. Love. Loss., on June 16. Described thusly “post-hardcore, filtered through big Melvins-esque guitar rigs… Abrams find the sweet spot on their independent debut, Lust. Love. Loss., about midway between Hot Snakes and Blood Mountain-era Mastodon, and toss in some great lyrics as well,” the Colorado band is simply a force to be reckoned with.
Lust. Love. Loss. was recorded and mixed by Andy Patterson (Cult Leader, SubRosa) and mastered by Brad Boatright (Nails, High on Fire). It follows a 2014 EP, released on Canadian label No List Records (KEN mode).
Ghettoblaster recently caught up with Abrams vocalist/bassist Taylor Iversen to his hometown of Denver, Boulder’s suckage, Dealin’ Doug, Sticky Buds and more.
What’s your town’s nickname?
The Mile High City.
What’s your nickname for your town?
Fucking… Dog N’ Pony Depot.
Why do you live there?
It WAS cheap.
Did you grow up there? If not, what brought you there?
We went to college in Boulder. Denver came after when Boulder started sucking.
What’s the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you there?
A lot of shit. Two weeks ago, I was at the Ogden to see Father John Misty, but wanted a cheap drink beforehand. So I accidentally walk into a gay bar. Thing is, I Iike to wear short denim shorts. And I had a green hat in my back pocket. I looked it up later and apparently wearing green cloth in your back pocket means you’re… For Sale… so to speak. Well, I’m a big hairy guy, short shorts… I walked in and folks were on me right away, and I knew within seconds I’d accidentally walked into a gay bar. Asked the bartender who confirmed it, and so I left. As I did I heard a guy yell, “Whoops.” I went to Sancho’s after, but I was laughing about that for a while.
What is your favorite local attraction (monument, park, etc)?
I like biking around Washington Park. The area is ridiculously expensive, but it’s really peaceful and easy as far as biking goes.
What is your favorite local event or festival?
UMS impresses me every year. The amount of talent and the caliber of events in such a short amount of time is impressive and humbling. South Broadway is a very special place. I hope it remains as such.
What is the best time of year to be there?
For me it’s like late summer and autumn. You get this nice mix of heat and chill breeze. The wind is wild and the storms usually roll through. This May has been good for that, but I’ve noticed I don’t generally enjoy Spring.
Who is your favorite local celebrity?
Dealin’ Doug, of course! Legendary quaff! Grant from Serpents took me out to a Rockies game once and Dealin’ Doug was about three rows up, hair as impressively awful as ever. “Nobody beats a Dealin’ Doug Deal… NOBODY!”
Where is the best place to drink and what’s their specialty or happy hour?
You’ll find good places to drink all over Denver. There’s an amazing couple of breweries though. Some of my favorites are TRVE Brewing and Black Sky. Both sponsor and curate amazing shows each year. They are spectacular juggernauts for the scene.
Who has the best jukebox (and what’s in it)?
If we’re talking Juke Box I gotta say from experience it’s Nob Hill up by the capitol. That place is just great. Old Bob Dylan, Bruce, and The Stones. Tons of Neil Young. Some newer stuff. Can’t go wrong. At TRVE they’re usually spinning something new or rare, always exciting.
Do you play music there? If so, where is your favorite place to play?
The Hi Dive, 3 Kings Tavern, 7th Circle. There’s a strong DIY Scene, which is always important.
Does where you live influence your music?
Mountains, sunshine, storms, and snow. The ability to walk into a store and buy weed like beer… All this will affect your artistic output. Environment is important. It’s a little crowded lately, and that’s definitely pushing my desire to write things in a more disparaging tone.
What is your favorite place to see live music and what was your favorite show there?
The Hi Dive is the best place in town. The sound is out of this world, and the scene is so present there. It’s a favorite to a lot of people. The drinks are cheap, and the festivities are top notch. I saw a sold out show there for TRVE’s first year anniversary party back in 2013. Speedwolf, In the Company of Serpents, Behlor, Call of the Void and Primitive Man. Such an amazing line up.
What is your favorite local band?
Everyone pulls really hard. Everyone gives back. If you’re playing music in Denver and you’re serious about it, you’re helping things as far as I’m concerned. We have our close friends. They know we love them, and we know they love us.
What is your favorite diner or restaurant and what is their best dish?
I mean, Illegal Pete’s is just this incredible establishment. It’s like a notch above Chipotle or Qdoba, and each of its locations I’ve been to — two in Boulder and two in Denver — are amazing locations for musicians. You can play shows there, or you can fill out a quick form online and they’ll maybe comp a meal for your band.
What is your favorite record store and what was your best find there?
I love Wax Trax. It’s just such a great experience being in there. It’s a much smaller spot than Twist and Shout, but certainly of equal prominence I’d say. Any purveyor of records is spectacular in my opinion. I have yet to enter a record store anywhere and not find something I wasn’t at least interested in buying. I found The Jesus Lizard’s “Head” for pretty cheap at Wax Trax. They’ll buy at a fair price as well.
What is your favorite local publication (alternative weekly, zine, website or blog)?
I like what Tom Murphy writes for the Westword. That dude is a local treasure, a font of knowledge pertaining to this amazing music thing we Denver folk have been doing since before I was around.
What is your favorite local shop?
Dude, Sticky Buds on Alameda is pretty rad. I got three monster joints and a quarter for $100. They got a stamp card and everything. Knowledgeable staff. Good Chemistry by the capitol is really cool too. Last I was there, you didn’t get to see the bud before purchase, but you always got good flower. Kind of a space age ordering process. LCDs and shit.
If you could live anywhere else, where would that be?
Los Angeles probably. I like Portland. I have always loved Salt Lake City, but I don’t know about living there. Atlanta seems really cool these days, but I imagine it must be as expensive as Denver. If I could stay here forever I would, but we might get priced out. Quit fucking moving here.
(Visit Abrams here: https://www.facebook.com/abramsrock.)