The Punch List with Fiasco’s Thomas Concannon
Metronome Charleston‘s Punch List series puts local musicians on the spot with a questionnaire that touches on music, venues, gear, records, vices, and more. This week, guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist Thomas Concannon of Fiasco responds to the list.
Thomas Concannon (photo by Jessica Mickey)
1. What is your favorite local hang and why?
“My favorite local hang has to be Recovery Room. It’s just like a real-life Cheers; everyone knows your name. The owner [Chris “Boston” DiMattia] is a very awesome person, down-to-earth, heavy handed with the Jameson, and will go out of his way to make sure he talks with you. The bartenders are the best in town — hell, best in town and for 10 towns over, in my opinion. It’s nice to walk in and have a drink ready for you at the bar without doing any more than making simple eye contact.”
2. You know you’ve played an excellent show when…
“I know I have played an awesome show when my thumb and index finger have been sliced open from the strings of my guitar. Fresh splats of blood and sweat glistening on my white Tele. I especially am satisfied after a show when I’m too dang exhausted to talk to anyone. I have to put 110 percent into shows to feel good about them. And if you have ever seen me play, then you know I usually bring the ruckus.”
3. What was the last show you attended that really got you fired up in a good or bad way?
“The last show that got me fired up in a good way was the D’Allesandro’s block party in Elliotborough. It was great! Fiasco got to kick that event off playing a short but sweet set inside Cutty’s. After I was all packed up, it was outside to sling beers and listen to amazing local talent; The Royal Tinfoil, SUSTO, Ka’tet, Jordan Igoe, Gangrene Machine, just to name a few. It was a very epic time, and I was thrilled to be a part of it.”
4. Define your musical style in exactly 10 words.
“Fast. Energetic. Boisterous. Punkish rock. Pedals. Pedals. Pedals. Nine. Ten. Eleven.”
5. What’s your theme song?
“I’d like to say James Brown’s “Sex Machine” is my theme song for obvious reasons, however, it’s probably more like Beck’s “Loser.” We’re all losers to someone out there.
6. Gear-wise, what’s is your irreplaceable baby?
“Gear-wise my irreplaceable baby would have to be my vintage Fender Bassman head. I have had few problems with it and the tone that bad boy kicks out is incomparable.”
Thomas Cocannon at the Pour House (photo by Steve Aycock).
7. What’s the most overplayed album in your collection?
“The most overplayed album in my collection would probably be Repeater by Fugazi. I find that entire album to be amazing. Ian MacKaye and Guy Picciotto are such minimalists gear-wise. I think they both use tube screamers and that’s it. But the way they play is like nobody else. The sounds, tone, and noises they make are such an impressive display of pure style. It’s amazing! I use like eight or nine different effects pedals, and, to me, being able to get texture and atmosphere and ambiance all through pure style is amazing.”
8. When was the last time you were genuinely star-struck?
“The last time I was star-struck was a few years ago at the Music Farm [when the Shaniqua Brown opened for them in 2011]. It was late afternoon, and I was watching Bad Brains run through their sound check. I was too nervous to talk to them at the time. However, after we played, I was shocked and honored that they went out of their way to talk to me. I spoke to Earl Hudson, Darryl Jenifer, HR, and Dr. Know. The most meaningful was Dr. Know, who I spoke to for a long time about music and guitar.”
9. What’s your poison?
“My poison … wine, women, and left-handed cigarettes.”
10. In 10 years, I will be…
“A cowboy astronaut.”
Thomas Concannon, a Charleston native, has played a variety of indie rock, hard rock, and punk styles over the years. He played lead guitar in the Shaniqua Brown in the late 2000s and early 2010s, releasing some impressively dynamic and complex rockstuff along the way. He played bass a bit with local band Bully Pulpit recently as well.
These days, Cocannon’s main musical focus is with the experimental/shouty indie rock band Fiasco alongside singer/guitarist Scott Frank, drummer Allen Andrews, and bassist Brandon Carpenter.
Fiasco is set to share the stage with Cepheus at the Tin Roof on Fri. Sept. 26. They’ll headline the Recovery Room on Tues. Sept. 30 as well. Visit the band’s Facebook page for more.
Top photo by Steve Aycock.
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About the Author
Ballard Lesemann is a musician and writer. Born and raised in Charleston, S.C., he spent years playing in bands and working for Flagpole Magazine in the bustling music town of Athens, Ga. He returned to his hometown and served more than seven years as the Charleston City Paper's music editor. He's better at drumming than he is at playing guitar.
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