While in New York City, we learned a little bit more about these Austin rockers.
Black Pistol Fire may tear up the stage with one high octane show. However, we learned that when you sit down with Kevin McKeown and Eric Owen, they're two jokesters who like to have fun with whatever they're doing. BPF are currently on the road to promote their new album, Wake the Riot, but when the Austin-by-way-of-Toronto band played on the first day of Governors Ball in New York City's Randall's Island, we had a chance to chat them.
Despite having an early set, the guys felt that they put on a good show.
"We were a little worried about the early set time, but we got a great crowd," Kevin admitted. "And they were really into it. We tried our hardest to play as hard as we could play, and we hope everyone dug it."
"Every festival set is always a little different because you don't have as long a soundcheck as you do a club show," Eric explained. "So there's always some logistical thing you have to overcome but it's always exciting to play a festival."
Eric Owen
Age: 32
Instrument: Drums and synths.
The Song or Band that Inspired You to Be a Musician: Nirvana, and the song is "In Bloom."
Favorite Track from Wake the Riot to Perform: I would say "Bad Blood" because it's a great song that has many highs and lows.
Best Festival Moment: Just playing at Bonnaroo because it inspired who I am today. Going there as a concertgoer in my 20s and then getting to play there several years later, is very impactful.
Who Do You Hope to See at This Year's Governors Ball?: We actually saw The Strokes last year, but I can't wait to see them again. Beck as well, and I would have liked to see Bully. But they just finished playing.
Kevin McKeown
Age: I am 32 as well, but actually I turned 33 a few weeks ago. [Happy Birthday!] Thank you! I needed to hear that.
Instrument: I play guitar, and I sing.
The Song or Band that Inspired You to Be a Musician: Buddy Holly, and the song is "Maybe Baby." I heard it when I was a wee child in the car. My parents were big fans of Buddy Holly and Little Richard and Chuck Berry, and that inspired me to pick up a guitar. I thought I could be a cool rockstar who wore glasses. And that time, that wasn't a thing to wear glasses and be a rockstar and a sex symbol. I don't wear glasses, but I almost bought a pair because of Buddy Holly.
Favorite Track from Wake the Riot: I would say "Storm Cussin" is a favorite of ours now because we're getting into a groove where we've got down the sounds, triggers and the overall feel of the song is a lot better now.
Best Festival Moment: I gotta say this festival is the first festival where I got to break a guitar. So that's the first time I broke a guitar onstage before. So that's gonna go down in the history books as one of my favorite moments.
Who Do You Hope to See at This Year's Governors Ball?: I want to see Beck tonight, and if I could have a little more time, I would have wanted to see our friend, Gary Clark Jr. play on Sunday, but I don't think we'll be here. (Unfortunately, we didn't get to see Gary either.)
