Crashing Cairo

Detroit indie rock outfit Crashing Cairo is making noise in the ever-evolving Motor City music scene. With a slew of shows lined up, including a Jan. 24 date at the Token Lounge and a song in the upcoming Drew Barrymore made-in-Michigan flick “Whip It,” the band, comprised of Robert Wax (vocals, keys, rhythm guitar), Joel Cooper (guitar), Nick Potter (bass), and Bob Gilbert (drums), have that always lovable Detroit attitude and energy to boot. Metromix enjoyed the stories Wax recently told us.

How on earth did a Detroit indie/alternative band get a name like Crashing Cairo?
Well, my solo project I Am Wax really started to turn into more of a collective project while we were recording. It quickly became apparent that we were all working on the new songs as a group and really should "become a band" - that led to the "renaming.”

After tossing around band names for a while, I mentioned that I had always liked Cairo, the name of a band I had been in years ago. I even have a huge tattoo on my back of an Egyptian eye. So these guys came "crashing down" on me at that point and one of the guys suggested Crash and that led to Crashing Cairo.

So how long have guys been together? 
We released our first full-length cd in Feb. of 2008, and an E.P. in 2007... before that, we were I Am Wax.

Your current CD “Monday Changed Everything” is dedicated to the memory of a former band member?
Yes, Dan Denton. A long-time friend and bandmate to all of us. He was a fantastic keyboard player. You have no idea what a blow that was. We miss him terribly. The title, actually, title was created by Dan's wife, Patty.
 
Drew Barrymore was in town recently making a film called ‘Whip It’ and you and the band made a contribution. What's the movie about first of all?
Well, it's a movie about "an indie-rock loving misfit (Ellen Page) who finds a way of dealing with her small-town misery after she discovers a roller derby league." That's straight from imdb.com.

This next question is being phrased as carefully as possible -- how did looking like a methadone addict help your budding acting career?
(Laughs) Ok, actually I really wish I looked like a meth addict. Out of about 150 people two people were selected for Drew to "look over.” We walked down and stood in front of her and she quietly stared at us for a few minutes. We were told she was trying to find someone who could pass for an "evil roller derby coach.” Finally, she looked at me and said, "Sorry" and then turned and said that the other guy looked like he just got off methadone and was perfect!!
 
The band did a cover of the classic Devo song ‘Whip It.’ They liked it, so hopefully we'll be hearing it on the soundtrack?
Honestly, it blew me away that Devo actually listened to our version of their song, and responded! It's a testament to what wonderful people they are. After finding out that I was going to be an extra in the film, Crashing Cairo went into Tempermill Studios in Ferndale and recorded our version of  "Whip It." I thought it might be cool to have while on the set, and who knows, maybe I'd meet someone who could help.

The first couple of days, there weren't any opportunities. But after Devo wrote back, an assistant director overheard me discussing the email. He asked if he could hear it. After listening to the entire song, he asked me for a copy, contact information, and said it would be under consideration for the movie. Cross your fingers for us!
 
Comparisons are tricky, but apparently you've come up with an interesting answer to that eternal question "Well, who do they sound like?" Something about a blender...?
If you take Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Coldplay, Radiohead, and U2 -- put them in a blender and scrape off the scum from the top...we sound like the scum.

And you also have a Jimmy Fallon story?
Jimmy Fallon and I were walking in a bar…no, just kidding.

Ok, so I'm actually having a nice conversation with Jimmy Fallon (all of the stars on the set were so great to us) and this tough looking guy with cool tattoos and his nose pierced comes up and says, "I know you!" Naturally, I step back -- and he turns to me! "You played at the Shelter and opened for Thriving Ivory! You guys rocked!!" Jimmy then stuck his tongue under his bottom lip, and played up the "why didn't I get noticed" look. He was hilarious! 

CBGB's in New York is now a memory, but you managed a turn on that fabled stage. Details.
When I was playing shows alone -- as I Am Wax -- I played a show at CBGB's just before it closed. Just before I was to go on, Custom (aka Duane Lavold, known for his hit song "Hey, Mister, I really like your Daughter") sat down with all of his friends and listened to my set. At the time I was playing the acoustic guitar along with a drum machine (think Everlast-esque).

Afterward, we talked and he asked me over to his huge apartment in New York City the next day... As we looked over his studio, he told me, "You really need to get a band together." And so that's what I did!