Modern Vices Interview: Band Talks Influences, Hopeful Stonehenge Venue and Finding Their Name

By Sawyer Stull
Music Journalist

Fresh off of the stage after a stellar performance at The Mohawk in Austin, members of the up and coming Chicago based Doo-Wop rock group Modern Vices were gracious enough to give me some time to pick their brains. I sat down with Alex Rebek (Vox), Peter Scoville (guitar), Thomas Peters (guitar), Miles Kalchik (bass) and Patrick Hennessey (drums) to discuss their music and life on the road.

Where did the name Modern Vices come from?

Scoville: We used to live together in a house and we were sitting around for hours. Literally, I think it was almost five hours.

Kalchick: Well, because previously, we had the name Baby Baby but that was taken by another band. So we had already recorded the album under that name, put it on Bandcamp and then as things started to get a little more serious, we re-released that album with Autumn Tone and realized needed a new name.

S: We sat around for hours and the word “modern” was a big one.

Peters: Yeah, and then there were some bad things coming after that.

S: There were Modern Eyes, things like that, and after getting frustrated with that, we were like, moderns a cool word and vices is a cool word too.

P: Yeah, like Grand Theft Auto Vice City. Vice is just a real cool word.

How long have you guys all known each other?

S: Since high school or even some more.

P: Yeah, Patrick and I are cousins.

S: Alex and I also went to the same elementary school

What’s it like being able to be a part of the Chicago music scene that’s been producing a lot of artist as of recent?

P: It’s fun as hell. The thing is, it’s, like, crazy up there right now and a great place to be right now with there being a lot of opportunities to play.

So is this you guys first major tour across the U.S.?

S: Yes it is, but we did tour with Twin Peaks last year.

K: Yeah, but that was only a few dates for like two and a half to three weeks. We’ve mainly been doing stints where we go out to book three or four shows in a city and head there for a week.

What are some of your favorite bands you’ve been listening to on the road?

S: Omni.

P: Ott.

K: Car Seat Headrest.

Hennessey: We all kind of listen to our own stuff just kind of put in headphones for the most part.

What are some of you guys’ biggest influences?

P: I’d say it’s kind of a really messed up infusion of like a new order era attacking the post-punk and older era.

S: Yeah, like trying to incorporate as much of the Doo-Wop influence from The Supremes, The Ronettes and Phil Spector.

What are some of the stops on the tour you guys were most looking forward too?

P: San Diego [and] Austin, for sure.

S: Yeah, we were really looking forward to this stop getting to spend a few days here, and we’ve been here before for South By, which was great

Are there any venues that you would want to play one day?

P: Stonehenge, all day.

K: Maybe Pyramids of Giza.

If you guys could organize your dream festival line-up of any artist throughout history, what would it be?

H: I’d say Velvet Underground, from back in their heyday, and Can.

P: Those were two really good answers, but I’d say Led Zeppelin, for sure, on behalf of all of us, and Pink Floyd when they were just starting out.

S: I would definitely say Hendrix and The Beatles before Help!

K: I’d say Talking Heads for me.

Lastly, when can we expect new tunes from you guys?

S: We did play a few new songs tonight and we’re looking at very early 2017.

Modern Vices is entering the final stretch of their tour with both White Reaper and Twin Peaks. Be sure to give them a listen and check them out on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.