Here’s another in a series of Houston Calling interviews with local musicians. Introducing Houston’s own DuneTx.

10 Questions for DuneTx

HC: You were out of the scene around here for quite a while it seems but I’ve been getting all kind of email lately about your gigs. What were you guys up to lately? Have you been working on more new material?

DuneTx: After GOLDENARM came out, we played tons of out-of-town shows. When we got back we were all pretty tired, so have been taking a break over the holidays.The past month or so we’ve been practicing again and working up new songs for a EP. Also, we’re starting to crank up the live shows to try out the new songs. We like playing in spring and summer…a lot!

HC: Houston Chronicle quoted you as saying your music is “an alternative to alternative.” Explain what you meant by that.

DuneTx: I wouldn?t really say our music is an alternative to alternative music, but more the way we go about things. We don’t wear the coolest indie clothes or have the coolest indie haircuts. The band has always done things our own way and played what we’re into. “Alternative” today is considered The Hives, The Vines, or any other “THE” band…not too “alternative” when you hear them on the radio every 5 minutes.

HC: Your 1999 album Machowagon was pretty successful, and got your some pretty good exposure nationally. What was the best part about having your music on radio and the success you gained as a result?

DuneTx: You work on something for so long and practice and learn your instrument when you?re a kid. Then one day you hear yourself on the radio, and your like WOW…that?s me. You never imagined it would get that far.So for me that was the best, hearing DuneTX next to Weezer…trippy stuff.

As for success, it has helped sell a lot more CD’s and get the music to more people. It has also allowed us to play shows with bands we really like…Superdrag was the best.

HC: What is the one description that you hate to hear about your band?

DuneTx: I don?t know if there’s any I really hate, but it’s pretty funny. Whatever 3-piece bands are popular at the time, we usually get compared to. When Nirvana was around we got compared to them, the same with Green Day and now Blink182. You get three guys standing up there, and people start making comparisons. I’m still waiting and hoping for the Jimi Hendrix comparison…I could live with that!

HC: You’ve opened up for a lot of successful rock acts, such as Goo Goo Dolls and Violent Femmes. What did you like best about those experiences?

DuneTx: Playing with bands you?re a fan of is always cool. You figure if you?re going to see the show anyway, why not play. You also get a chance to see how an experienced band does things and pick up ideas for what your band needs to be doing. My favorite band we ever opened for was Rev. Horton Heat…the guy takes no prisoners live. He just goes for it.

HC: What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in the almost 10 years dunetx has been a band?

DuneTx: ALWAYS GET A SIGNED CONTRACT when you play live. Nothing sucks worse than not getting paid or not getting paid what you were promised…especially when your 1000 miles from home.

HC: What’s your take on the state of the music industry right now?

DuneTx: I think there?s a ton of great bands that aren?t getting heard that need to. The biz is so far behind on what?s going on with new music and technology, it’s no wonder they’re suffering. People feel like they?re getting burned when they pay 20 bucks for a CD with 2 or 3 good songs on it. I think it’s getting back to a grassroots movement and bands are taking more responsibility on themselves, which is cool–it puts the power back in the hands of the people who are creating the music.

The biz needs a serious overhaul, the old model isn?t working anymore.

HC: How are you using the internet as a tool to promote your band?

DuneTx: We can let people hear mp3’s and sample the music without leaving their house. Also, we can get to a lot more people from all over the world and keep them informed easier. Also, having sites like Amazon.com helps sell CD’s. You can click the mouse a few times and have DuneTx in your home in 5 business days.

HC: What is your favorite thing about Cecil’s? (It’s my favorite bar in town so I just thought I’d ask.)

DuneTx: I like the low profile entrance in the back. You can creep in and out if you have to…

HC: What is in your CD player right now? (Rather, what are YOU listening to?)

DuneTx: I’ve been listening to the new Supergrass which is a really good pop record, lots of hooks. Also I have been wearing out the new Nada Surf CD, it?s quite a bit different from their older stuff. You can hear some Beach Boys influence, which is always a huge plus for me. The Beach Boys are tops.

Please visit the DuneTx website at: www.dunetx.com. Read the Houston Chronicle article here.

Stay tuned for more interviews and info on local music.

Now Playing in my iPOD: Various artists — Mix 32