Firsties and Faves: Cheatahs

We really like that Cheatahs are made up of one English dude, one American, one Canadian, and one German. It gives the London-based band a range perspectives; they're well balanced. Noisey first picked up on the quartet thanks to last year's stellar (out on Wichita) and so we decided to make them write up their guide to touring America, which revealed them to be by turns entertaining, contemplative, and keen observers of the experiences rolling out before them. That and they were unafraid to wear a towel as a cape in the middle of Juggalo madness in Milwaukee.

Their soon to be released, self-titled debut (out on 2/11) expands the landscape glimpsed in previous releases. Songs like this live session of "Geographic" premiering above, balance a free fall of hazy shoegaze sonics, with lean, incisive guitar lines—the band's backbone being Nathan, James' and Dean's mellow melding of melodies and Marc's precision drums. Listen to "Northern Exposure" for further evidence. Meanwhile "Get Tight" is a punked up three and a half minutes of taut grunge-angled pop showcasing the best flip in and out of fill-the-room distortion we've heard in forever. It's the kind of song that when you listen to it on record you know it's going to be insane fun to witness live. In fact they need to start printing t-shirts that simply say: GET TIGHT, immediately.

So yeah, Team Noisey is dancing in the bleachers to Team Cheatahs. We tracked down Nathan and badgered him into giving us his Firsties and Faves.

Favorite fictional crush:
Nathan: Definitely a toss up between Shelly, Audrey, and Donna in Twin Peaks. Every time I watch that I think I change my mind, so let's go with Shelly. Favorite food to eat and eat and eat till you feel sick:
Yorkshire puddings. Honestly, my mom would make extras because I would literally steal everyone else's. I actually ate some yesterday. They were awesome.

Favorite sensation:

Listening to great music on vinyl. If you are surrounded by good friends and the lighting is right, that just adds to the magic.

Favorite piece of advice:
Enjoy your burrito.

Favorite book:
Recently I read For Whom The Bell Tolls when I was in Spain. Probably one of the best endings ever. Been on a Hemingway kick ever since.

Favorite item of clothing:
Nothing beats a new pair of socks. Most of mine get destroyed so fast because I usually wear Vans and they tear up the soles and/or my shoes usually have holes in them so they get wet.

First time your threw up because of alcohol:
I went on a staff trip into the city when I used to work at a gas station in Morinville (Canada). I need to explain a little more… Morinville only has a population of 6,000, but has like 5 liquor stores and 5 gas stations. I worked at the gas station that at the time was also a pizza place, so you could fill up your tank and get a pie at the same time. It was weird. Anyways, our staff trip was to some crappy club in Edmonton (I was 16) and I got so drunk that on the way back I threw up all over my friend Erik who was sat next to me on the bus, right on his lap. It was right at the beginning of the ride home too so everyone on the bus had to endure the smell of sick all the way home—about a 45 minute drive. I went home and did laundry at night. Will probably get an email from my mom about this.

First rule you broke:
Probably in math class. I always hated showing how I got to the answer and did most of the work in my head. Also, how boring is math class!!?

First band you saw live:

I'd like to say it was Machine Head when I was fourteen, but that would be a lie. I did see them, but my real first concert was Shania Twain.

First physical fight:

With my brother. We'd basically kick the shit out of each other for fun, like every other day, then banish one another from either the Playstation or one of the games which we had bought until we got bored, apologized, then started fighting again.

First important break-up song:
Most definitely "Achy Breaky Heart."

Cheatahs Tour Dates:
UK
2.12 – Birthdays, London w/Primitive Parts. NME Awards show + Album launch!
2.13 – Kingston, New Slang w/Temples
2.15 – The Harley, Sheffield
2.16 – Prince Albert, Brighton
2.17 – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
2.18 – Broadcast, Glasgow
2.19 – East Village Arts Club, Liverpool US
2.22 – Bunk Bar, Portland
2.23 – Tractor Tavern, Seattle
2.27 – The Echo, Los Angeles
3.1 – Brick & Mortar Music Hall, San Francisco w/No Age & GRMLN
3.4 – Rough Trade, Brooklyn
3.5 – Boot & Saddle, Philadelphia
3.6 – U Street Music Hall, Washington DC

Kim is a full advocate of Cheatahs merch. See. She's on Twitter - @theKTB.