Written by Pat Pilch

Chicago is on fire right now. From indie rock, to art pop, to jazz, the Windy City’s scenes detail its rich musical history. As of late, a lo-fi wave of straight-to-tape projects championing DIY and punk ethics has cropped up on the west and south sides. Answering Machines is one of many of those bands. 

In the leadup to Ugly Hug and Post-Trash’s benefit fest this Sunday at the Empty Bottle, both sites are featuring each project on their respective sites. Answering Machines is our leadoff hitter this Sunday, and their twitchy, melodic punk will kick off the night. The band’s very own Jackieboy chats with Pat Pilch about the band’s origins, playing in bands with your friends, and making art accessible. 

How did Answering Machines start? 

In high school I was in bands with some of my friends. I wanted to write my own music and not stress out about it. So I started recording songs on my phone on GarageBand. I kept doing it and then I moved to Chicago. I met Adelaide, who plays drums. We started playing shows here. The first show in Chicago was at The Empty Bottle with Silicone Prairie. 

Where are you from originally? 

DFW Texas. I grew up going to shows in Denton. 

What kind of bands were you in in high school?

I was in this noise pop band. That’s what we called it. But… It was like… It started off as like a noise rock thing. Then we got really into Deerhoof.

Sweet. Who are your influences? And what are you into right now? 

For Answering Machines the main ones are The Zeroes, The Ramones, Television Personalities and Beat Happening. 

Your tapes and downloads are pretty cheap. Tell me about that. Is accessibility and affordability important to you? 

With punk music, it comes with the territory. Making it accessible, plus I want it to sound accessible to make. The songs are simple and something any ordinary person could do. I like that rather than something complicated or overproduced. 

How do you record? 

I record with a four track. It’s called a Korg CR4 but I just broke it, so i’m using a Tascam Portastudio. We just recorded vocals yesterday. On track one we recorded all the instruments live and overdubbed the other stuff. Second guitar and two vocals. 

What kind of Tascam do you have? 

I forgot what it’s called. It’s that gray one. You can only record one track at a time. It’s like… It might be a Portastudio MS-T01. But… I could be wrong.

You’re in a couple different bands. How does your community support one another’s creativity? 

I just met a bunch of people on the shows here. And my roommate Saskia. We started a band called Bungie Jumpers together. Then she started writing her own songs for a band called P. Noid. So, we’re just like, “If you play in my band, I’ll play in your band.” Type of thing.

Are you in school right now? What do you do? 

Yeah. I’m in my last year of school. And I’m studying printmaking and drawing. I’m also a dog walker. 

How does your non-musical art influence your music, if at all? 

I feel like one of the big reasons why I like starting a million bands is you get to make art for it. I love making flyers and all that. The accessibility thing definitely carries over for me. For most of my print and drawings, I primarily use a photocopier to make all my collages and I don’t use computers. So it kind of carries over.

Do you make zines? 

I don’t think I’ve made a zine before. No. 

Is that something you’re interested in? 

Yeah. A little bit, but I feel like there’s other people who are doing good things with that. And I’d rather just focus on being in and starting a bunch of bands. I just started two new bands. One of them is a hardcore band. We’re called Mr. Crazy. 

I started another band with my friends called Autofill, and another called The Experience. I only have like three songs each for each band. 

What is lyrically driving Answering Machines songs?

Mainly what’s going on in my life. Trying to convert that into something more universal that people can relate to. But I also keep it like teenager-y and silly. I love Beat Happenings lyrics. Cool. They’re not thinking too much. It’s not like trying to tell some epic story or anything. I just like something that’s relatable, especially to young people.

You can listen to the self-titled debut EP from Answering Machines now.

Ugly Trash Fest will be held on December 7th at the Empty Bottle in Chicago. All proceeds from tickets and raffle will be donated to Organized Communities Against Deportation. Get tickets HERE.