Cindi from The 65’s talks to Dagger Zine

The ultra-cool *Dagger Zine* spoke with Cindi Merklee of The 65’s about the band’s history, influences, and their relationship with Dromedary. Here”s an exerpt:

*NJ/NY band the 65’s put out a terrific debut last year called STRIKE HARD (Dromedary Records). If you dig the crunchy sounds of bands like Superchunk or Husker Du then this band will be right up your alley. New bassist Cindi Merklee was nice enough to answer some questions I threw her way.*

*What was your introduction to music as a kid?*
I have two brothers who are considerably older than I am and both played in bands. I had an old hand-me-down turntable and a budding record collection before I entered grade school. By the time I was in high school we had an 8 track studio in our attic. It was the 80s and hair metal reigned supreme in Jersey yet I was privy to some amazing local original bands who really shaped my perspective on music – Chris Moffa & The Competition, Sleeve Coat, The Ambivalent Brothers (featuring Ed Seifert who is now with Speed the Plough – Dromedary mates of ours). My siblings were also really into the Hoboken scene back then. I was exposed to a ton of great music growing up. Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians, Game Theory, The dB’s, IRS era REM, Guadalcanal Diary, Husker Du, Throwing Muses, The Replacements….all stuff I probably would have missed otherwise.

*What do you remember most about the recording of STRIKE HARD?*
Unfortunately for me, the album was just about done by the time I came on board but Joe was adamant that I have some part in it. One afternoon when we were up at Kevin Lacatena’s to master it I suggested recording one of my solo acoustic songs to go on the record. Joe already had a solo acoustic track on there so it wouldn’t have been entirely out of place. Everyone was in favor of the idea so Kevin handed me a guitar & planted two mics in front of me sitting on a couch in his basement. It’s not the most polished performance, but I’ve never been big on polish.

*What is the photo on the cover of other record?*
The front cover is my guitar after a solo acoustic show. Being a bass player by nature, I tend to be a bit of a basher on guitar and have a tendency to rip my cuticles open. Those are my bloody guitar strings. The back cover is my blood splattered all over my brother’s SG which I borrowed when I stood in with Stuyvesant last summer for the mid-west leg of their tour in support of Fret Sounds, which was also released on Dromedary.

*Any final thoughts? Words of wisdom? Closing comments?*
I can only feign wisdom at this age. Thanks for checking us out though. Lots of good things happening at Dromedary HQ – we’re happy to be a part of it.

Read the entire interview “here”:http://www.daggerzine.com/interviews_main.html