Merchandise are Like the Smiths, But Punk

Merchandise are three guys from Tampa, Florida, who – after spending a few years playing in hardcore/punk bands with names like Dads, Cult Ritual and Neon Blud – decided to leave behind any dreams of being cool non-conformists and form an indie pop group. I have to say, I wasn’t all that impressed until I happened to see them play in New York, and I’ve been acting like an scary tween obsessive ever since. Carson Cox’s voice makes me think of the child that Morrissey will never have, and while this is probably a good thing for humanity, it was a very sad fact for me. Thankfully these guys have rectified that and made me feel and chipper and happy again.

Children of Desire VICE: Hey guys, I saw you playing a few weeks ago in New York. Where are you now?
Carson: Dave: Pat: What sort of venues have you played on this tour? After seeing you at 538 Johnson, I wanted to go to the St. Vitus show, but it was sold out. Is that what your shows are like usually? Carson: Dave: Pat:

Are you still playing in punk/hardcore bands or are you 100 percent focused on this project?
Dave: Carson and I are both pretty active outside the band. Our other band Church Whip plays more frequently than Merchandise does. That definitely falls in the punk/hardcore category. We have a bunch of other projects going on all the time. The variety is a necessity.
Pat: I still play in a hardcore band, too, and have a few other projects on the horizon. I don’t feel like my other projects encroach on the happenings of Merchandise, though.

Since English isn’t my first language, I have a bit of trouble understanding the lyrics, but I get a sense of pain when I listen to your records. Are you loners? 
Carson: Yes and no. I have some songs about love without heartbreak, but not many. Being in your early twenties is sort of a crummy time. People still act like children but can drink legally and drive cars and make adult decisions without understanding the consequences. Most of the lyrics have to do with coming of age and time’s passage. People have asked me a lot about my happiness on this tour and I’m sort of at a loss for what to say. Writing is sort of a reflective thing where I don’t really know how I feel about something ’til the song is written.

Sadness and drama is a big part of it, but I hope that it comes off as theatre and not someone airing out dirty laundry. The place I wrote from the past four years was very strange and I was depressed, but life has thrown a new reality at me and nothing about the past seems to be true today. Everything inspires me, especially beauty. I hope I’m not a loner, but maybe I am and just don’t realise it.

Have you always experimented with pop and noise music or is it just something you stumbled upon?
Carson: I’ve been working with this style since about 2007, I think. I’ve had weirdo, non-electronic recording projects since I was in middle school. Tampa has a bigger pop underground scene than a punk underground scene and most of my friends that play noise write songs, too, so I don’t think in terms of genre really. It was more like ‘Do I want to make mean music or make pretty music?’
Dave: It’s something we’ve been doing for years and years – we’re just spending a lot more time on it now. We’ve been playing in punk bands since we were 14. There’s no way we could limit ourselves to just one way of writing songs.
Pat: The way this project is approached is always changing, but I don’t feel there was ever a conceived shift, things have just fallen into place due to our environment.

“Become What You Are”, AKA the best song of 2012. I’m surprised about the good reception that the record has had among punk kids in the USA. That’s something I wouldn’t have seen in Spain; you’d probably have been crucified for being punk kids doing pop music. Did you expect that? Carson: Dave: Pat: I was checking the Children of Desire LP today and saw the fanzine that comes with it. Can you tell me about that? Dave: Desire in the Mouth of Dogs Children of Desire Merchandise playing at 538 Johnson. What do you do in Tampa besides playing music?
Carson: Dave: Pat: I know it’s not the same level – yet – but you kind of remind me of bands like The Men or Iceage – bands with a punk background that caught the attention of well-known music websites and now play huge festivals. Do you think that might happen to you? Carson: Dave: Pat: Any plans for a European tour? Will you let me book a punk show for you? Carson: Dave: Pat: One final, slightly irrelevant question. What are your favourite records of 2012? Carson: VVARQRT Midnight at Mary’s House Liquid Nails, Dave: Spill Into Atmosphere D-Clone LP Turquoise for Hello Archivist Privilege Pat: Merchandise have, among other things, released two LPs through Katorga Works. You can listen to here and here. If you like them, you should buy them here.

Follow Alejandra on Twitter: @alejandeath