On the Road with Apteka

Apteka is a band that has to be played at 11. Listeners will not be able to appreciate them nor enjoy them fully if they’re only played at a five. Apteka creates a wall of sound that is thick enough to be used as a bomb shelter. They are a band that’s reminiscent of such legends as The Who, Jane’s Addiction and Muse. Apteka’s guitarists bring the cocky confidence of Pete Townsend along with the creative musicianship of Muse and energy of Stephen Perkins behind the drums. This band’s sound needs to be in your iPod with your favorite pair of headphones while you ride the CTA on your way home from work. You will rejoice and forget all of your troubles. Guitarists Adam and Dino took time before their gig at the Bottom Lounge with Serena-Maneesh to discuss their music and their second time being at South by Southwest.

Buzz: Gentlemen, what was it like being back at SXSW?

Adam: It was a lot of fun. We played four shows in two days. It was kind of hectic, but we got to reconnect with some people and meet a lot of cool people as well.

Buzz: Was it different than the last time?

Adam: Yeah, the first time we went rogue. We were kind of going broke. We weren’t playing any official parties. This time, all of the parties were with people we worked with, which made the crowds better as well. There was more promotion for the crowds this time. When we toured the west coast we met these guys and kind of met them at a party. They helped us promote, and, we also have a sister that lives there. [Band laughs]

Buzz: How did you get the gig with Serena-Maneesh?

Adam: We asked. [Band laughs]

Dino: We’ve been playing around town for a while. We’re not babies. I think those things just kind of go around. We see other bands that are really good matches and their promoter will get a hold of us or we will get a hold of them. Then there are other times where we will say, “Hey we like those guys. Let’s see if we can open for them.”

Buzz: How did you guys decide on the name Apteka?

Dino: I think the reason why we picked it is because we’re all from similar neighborhoods, like Wicker Park and Ukraine village. It’s on signs all over that neighborhood, and you just kind of pick it up from living in the neighborhood.

Buzz: So it’s paying homage to where you guys came from and who you guys are as people?

Dino: I think it’s definitely a Chicago-thing. I think there’s a certain kind of anonymity to it as well. I think you are able to be what ever kind of band you want to be with a name like that. As usual, it all starts as a joke and the next thing you know it’s our name.

Buzz: What parts of your influences do you try to incorporate the most in your music?

Dino: If you’re a big fan of music in general, then you’re going to have a lot of bands that you are going to like. There’s a lot of things that influence you; we aren’t only influenced by music. I think that the music you make is always going to take in from the things that you are influenced from, musical or not.

Adam: I think there is a loudness or an out-of-controlness that is kind of missing right now form music. I think that we are aiming toward the loudness and the big sound of rock ‘n’ roll as our main influence. It’s that sort of thing that rock ‘n’ roll is missing—I think that’s the thing that is missing from rock ‘n’ roll today.

Buzz: Speaking of things that identifies you guys as musicians, why is it that you guys only released singles for a long time instead of full length albums?

Dino: I think the music industry is an interesting place. I think a band should make a big splash with one small thing and ride that splash for as long as you can. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to release a full-length album in today’s market. Releasing singles brings a new song every few months. This way, fans are able to get new music and come see the new songs live. Releasing singles also allows us to grab people as we go along. We don’t have a record label right now. We’ve also talked and said, “Oh, a record label, I remember those days.” The music industry is in a very strange flux. Personally, I think it’s going to be a while before people can take advantage of an album.

Adam: I think the single kind of thing makes things free and open, too. There isn’t as much thought that goes into a single as there is in a full-length album.

Dino: In a weird way, it brings things to a different time. There was a time where singles were all of the rage. Things used to be all about getting on the radio. Wouldn’t you want a whole album of singles instead of just an album? Why would you want an album? It just doesn’t make any sense.

Adam: This was also our first time doing the vinyl thing. It’s just been a much more satisfying experience; it’s a more tangible thing—the fact that you are able to own the album. The art work is better. We’re really into making great album art, it’s fun. It’s going back to what music is really about. It’s tangible; it’s visual and sounds better. Fuck CDs.

Buzz: What is it about music that makes you want to do this for a living?

Adam: All of it. … I like everything about it. Writing songs, playing shows, going to strange places, meeting new people, finding places to stay when you meet those strange people.

Dino: To take it more in the serious direction, I think it’s such an interesting medium. You are able to do a couple of things. There’s a voice that is always connecting to people both lyrically and vocally. People are able to write prose all day long, but the prose takes a whole new level when sound has entered the picture. People are able to connect to the words in a different way, when music is added to those lyrics. If you listen to The Smiths, you may not capture the humor or the seriousness or what he is trying to say, but music helps you capture the emotion with words.

Adam: I also think that music is an art form where it can happen live. You are able to create things in real time. I think that is one of the best aspects of music: you are able to engage people in a different way. I think that is why music is so awesome.

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