5 Questions With Lanny Durbin of Local Drags
The Local Drags front man stops by to talk Midwest Power Pop, life in central Illinois, and baseball.
Good morning!
Today we’re talking with Local Drags frontman Lanny Durbin
There really isn’t a whole lot to do in Springfield, Illinois.
Sure, you can check out Route 66 —or what’s left of it, anyway. History fan? There are plenty of Lincoln-related sites to check out. The state legislature adopted a resolution naming the place the “Chilli1 capital of the civilized world,” so there’s that, I guess. But after that, the list drops off pretty quickly. It’s easy to get down in a place like this.
So what do you do when there’s nothing to do? In Lanny Durbin’s case, you make rock-solid Midwestern power pop with your band, Local Drags. Their debut record, Shit’s Lookin’ Up, put them on the map with ten tracks of their unique take on the sound.
Follow up Keep Me Glued overflowed with killer hooks and energy that burrowed into your ear and refused to leave. Their latest, Mess Of Everything, is another batch of catchy melodies and bright shiny guitars- all forming a distinct sound that can only come from this part of the Central time zone.
Making good music here in the heartland isn’t always a given- there’s a fine line between “awesome” and utterly forgettable.
Reviewing the track “Aloe,” the Rosy Overdrive blog (which you should totally be reading, btw) describes this risk well:
One of the biggest musical Russian roulettes for me is “completely unknown modern power pop band”. It can be something I’ve already forgotten by the time the record is over, or I could find my new favorite song out of nowhere. Local Drags is a power pop group from Springfield, Illinois, and their latest record, Mess of Everything, represents the best of the genre–big, catchy hooks abound on it. They’ve struck gold in particular with “Aloe”–that big riff that opens the song is the one that Paul Westerberg forgot to write (it just feels Midwestern in a way that’s hard to describe), and the other big moment of genius of the song is realizing that the almost-all-vowel “aloe” is the perfect power pop chorus yelping word.
In my own recent write-up of the same track, I described the song as one that pays homage to The Replacements, while the vocals feel very Pirner-esque to my ear. Like the corn fields surrounding Springfield, everything is beautifully arranged, there’s just the right amount of jangle, and your ear will tell you there’s just enough nasally tone to peg it as from the Central time zone.
Which I suppose is two different ways of saying the same thing; that the song—and the album—are good.
Shit’s lookin’ up indeed.
I recently caught up with Durbin via email. Our chat has been lightly edited for clarity/flow.
Can you fill in a little bit of your backstory? Walk us through what made you get started playing. I know about Starter Jackets, but are there other bands that you are/were involved in?
I started playing in bands as a teenager, like everyone. I played in a couple throughout my twenties, as well as a lot of solo shows. Grinding out really bad shows, basically! I’m not/wasn’t a natural singer or player, and I had to really work at it to get as okay as I am now. I just really liked songwriting and writing in general.
I didn’t write a decent tune until I started the nascent version of Local Drags in St. Louis with a friend, moved back to my hometown of Springfield, and started Starter Jackets as well. Now I have two bands’ worth of okay songs!
I can hear quite a few influences on Mess of Everything. Who would you include here?
As always, stuff like Teenage Fanclub and Tom Petty are probably ingrained when I’m writing at this point. This time around, I think I remembered how much I liked Being There and Summerteeth by Wilco.
I wanted to try something like that–a little more experimentation tossed in there. Maybe go almost full-tilt into the power pop/indie rock/alt-country/whatever ideas instead of always making sure it’s still PUNK, ya know? Basically, rip off All Shook Down by the Replacements this time around instead of Tim.
You’re based in Springfield, Illinois- a place not exactly known as a musical hotbed. What’s the scene like there? What are all of us missing?
Hey man, Foreigner is playing here this month! If that doesn’t make for a hotbed, I don’t know what more ya need!
Probably like all relatively small midwestern cities, plenty is going on; it’s just pretty insular. Good country bands, the DIY/hardcore scene is always going strong, and if you like cover bands, we got you.
There is a very distinct sound to power pop made in the Midwest. Bands like Soul Asylum, The Dead Century & Cheap Trick sound like they’re from here, even for those that might not pick up on the accent or other subtle cues. To my ear, Local Drags is in that same (admittedly board) category. I'm curious about your take as someone with “Midwest power pop or whatever” in their Twitter bio.
Hard to say, really. Maybe it has something to do with the inherent depression and boredom! Grows quick around here. I’d assume you can be depressed or bored somewhere like California or Colorado, but come on.
What’s next? More recording? Out on the road? What’s the rest of 2023 look like for you?
A few shows planned, but nothing crazy. Unfortunately, I have a real job, and I’m in my mid-30s. It gets harder to play shows. But yeah, I’ve got another record written and plan on recording it this summer. Might go catch a baseball game or two. Who knows!
Local Drags- Mess Of Everything, 2023
Click on the record to listen on your platform of choice.
You can connect with Local Drags and check out their music in the following places:
Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram | Twitter | Stardumb Records
5 Questions:
1. Describe your musical taste in one sentence.
There’s a line in the song “Better Now” on my new LP that says, It could be an upper/ it might be a downer. Pretty apt I think.
2. What music was playing in your house(s) growing up?
When people say their parents listened to Mozart and such or weren’t a “musical household,” they’re very likely full of shit. All households have music! My dad just left the classic rock station on at all times. That and my older brothers listened to Boyz II Men and Tupac. All ya need.
3. What are you listening to these days?
Music is the only thing I like anymore, so I’m always digging around. I got into some more indie-type stuff lately, Kiwi Jr and Rolling Blackouts C.F., both cool. I finally got into Spoon a couple of years ago—their latest is the best thing I’ve ever heard. And then my “storyteller country” playlist is always on. “Classified” by CW McCall ad nauseam
4. What are your 5 Desert Island Discs?
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Hard Promises
The National - Trouble Will Find Me
Son Volt - Trace
Gin Blossoms - New Miserable Experience
Dinosaur Jr - Give A Glimpse of What Yer Not
5. If you could collaborate with any artist/band, who would it be?
J Mascis, but I don’t actually do anything; maybe just get a producer credit.
Thanks to Lanny Durbin for stopping by, and thank you for being here,
Kevin—
That’s how they spell it down there. I don’t make the rules.
Route 66 and "chilli" (this spelling tho, wtf) capital sounds like Springfield, Illinois wants to be New Mexico. Too bad our license plates already declare us as the CHILE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD ;)
Nice interview here, Local Drags are a name I know, but haven't dug into. Think now is the time after this. I also appreciate someone who recognizes the pop genius of the Gin Blossoms. They've always been one of my b-wave alternative favs, but it seems that during this 90s revival of the past few years, I always see everyone using them as a punching bag. Pick on Tonic or Fastball instead!