Camera Obscura
UANE PITRE WAS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL PROS FOR ALIEN WORKSHOP. HE MOVED TO SAN DIEGO
in March of 1994. A few months later, he bought a bass and an amp, and he and Pat Duffy started
messing around. Pat played guitar and Duane played bass. Back then his days consisted of waking
up, eating lunch, skating in the afternoon, then working on some music till the crazy San Diego
nightlife began.
Now, Duane along with Bill Lamb, Russ White, and Michelle
Maskovich make up Camera Obscura. The music is fast and hard-
driving with scattered lyrics somewhat along the lines of The Jesus
Lizard, Drive Like Jehu, and Hüsker Dü.
How long have you been a group, and how did you all come together?
Russ White: The current lineup on tour has been together about six months. Overall
it's been about one and a half years.
Duane Pitre: I was in a band, The Interstate 10, and they came to an end about the
same time that Russ' band did. At that time Russ, Michelle, Bill, and I formed Th
Shortwave Channel.
Who writes the songs and music?
RW: We all do. We start with a rhythm and build on that.
The CD shows five members, but there are only three of you on tour. Where
are the others?
RW: We were a five-piece for the album. My wife, Michelle, is at home right now
running our beauty boutique. For this short tour her parts are on DAT. She will b
with us on the summer tour from July through August. The fifth member, Bra
Halverson, was our DJ and he just disappeared on us.
Duane, do you still skate?
DP: Not as much as I did back in '94 and '95. Now I put a lot of time into music
and since I am no longer a professional skater, I work a day job. I still skate ever
once in a while, but I just don't have the time I used to. Right now I'm putting 10
percent into the band.
You've played here, Omaha, twice already and have only been togethe
for one and a half years. It seems that you must tour a lot. How ofte
are you on the road?
DP: We formed in August of '98 and our first show was in October of '9
The following September we went on a three and a half wee
tour. Now, in April 2000, we are on a four and a half wee
tour in support of our new record, To Change the Shape
an Envelope. Starting July 5 we will be on a six week to
with The Faint. We like to play often, but you can only pla
so many times in your hometown and keep shows ful
People just won't make an effort to see a local band ever
night of the week. So we go on the road where we ca
reach a larger fan base. Dave Young, our roadie, is the best
He really helps us a lot on tour, and that makes it especial
easy to be on the road so much.
T
So look for Camera Obscura and The Faint on tour this summer.
Tour dates can be found on the Saddle Creek Records website at
www.saddle-creek.com and at www.holidaymatinee.com.
Words and photos by Joe Hammeke
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