It’s time for another installment of “My First Time,” an interview series that asks some of my favorite bands to recall some of their musical firsts. This time we’re joined by Richard of Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s, who was kind enough to share some of the experiences that shaped his music.

MP3: Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s - Barfight Revolution, Power Violence

My First Time …with Richard of Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s

First record you bought
The blue album by weezer.

First record that changed your life
It’s a very close tie between “Graceland” by Paul Simon and The blue album.

First concert that blew you away
Weezer at the Aragon in Chicago. Sensing a theme?

First time playing live
Some sort of cookout at one of my friend’s older brother’s houses. I was maybe 14? We played by the pool. I had a little marshal 30 watt solid state amp. Title of one of the songs we wrote and played at that show: “Sweet baby girl, you’re one piece of my sunshine pie”.

First tour (horror stories, unexpectedly great shows, etc)
I played at some club in new jersey when i was 14 or 15, and afterwards, the club tried to make us pay them 50 bucks that we did not have because there was no one there. We ran away.

First instrument you learned and/or first piece of equipment you loved
I learned to play bass first. My mom’s friend came in from Florida and bought me a squire p-bass out of the blue when I was 13 or 14. We couldn’t afford one. I’ve never loved any instrument as much as that one.

First band you were a part of
A Weezer ripoff band called Joey Hamilton. We “toured” the east coast when we were freshman in highschool.

First awesome thing that happened solely because you were in a band
A girl spoke to me.

First horrible things that happened solely because you were in a band
A girl spoke to me. Close second = cocaine.

First musical obsession (band, song, singer, genre or otherwise)
WEEEEEEZER. Paul Simon. Their posters hung side by side on my wall.