Most people think that Canadian indie rock band Walter TV is what Mac DeMarco's touring band does when Mac is not around. But Walter TV started as three friends who like to make music together: Pierce McGarry (vocals, guitar), Joe McMurray (drums) and Simon Ankenman (bass). It can get confusing since at times Mac DeMarco writes and performs in the band (see the video for "Puka Shell Necklace" for an example) and only Pierce and Joe play in DeMarco's touring band.
I hung out with Pierce and Simon one night behind East Vancouver venue The Lido and tried to figure things out. Is Mac DeMarco in Walter TV? How did the three guys in Walter TV meet? (Hint: it involved a "rock star walk" on peyote.) Which band member was discovered in a nest of rats under a bridge? What do the guys in Walter TV have in common with Britney Spears? Which flavour does Pierce like to vape? When have Pierce and Simon felt the most alive while on tour? You'll have to listen to this interview to find out.
Tracks played on the radio version of the show...
1) Mac Demarco, 2 (2012) "Freaking Out the Neighbourhood" (background/partial)
2) Walter TV, Blessed (2015) "Paranormal Witness"
3) Walter TV, Blessed (2015) "Tall Mountains"
4) Walter TV, Appetite (2013) "Puka Shell Necklace"
5) Walter TV, Blessed (2015) "Punk Song"
6) Walter TV, Blessed (2015) "Neighbour"
All Songs CANCON
