Instagon
A conceptual project of 720 musicians/players and counting.
- Genres
- Conceptual
- Experimental
- Garage
- Jazz
- Websites
- Awards and Nominations
- SAMMIES 2019 Nominee★ Electronica/Experimental ★
- SAMMIES 2018 Nominee★ Electronica/Experimental ★
- Musicians
- Lob Instagon — lead bass, vocals
- Rotating musicians
- Share
- Contact
- instagon@gmail.com
Q & A
All-time favorite song?
02.04.19
"Set The Contols For The Heart Of The Sun" by Pink Floyd.
Bonus: You're welcome to submit additional questions and answers of your own below.
02.04.19
When did this project start? In 1993. This year will be our 26th anniversary.
How do you describe your music to people?
02.04.19
It's like a hybrid between a jazz band and a jam band. A little bit of this, a little bit of that. Raw and directionless.
Tell us about how the band formed.
02.04.19
It generally starts with Lob calling a drummer. Once the drummer is secured, then other players are invited, creating a new ensemble that has not interacted previously with this exact configuration
Tell us about how you first started gigging.
02.04.19
I was poet, going to poetry readings and doing readings of my original poetry.
Tell us about your best gig in Sac.
02.04.19
My best shows in Sac were at Marilyn's on K. The first time i played there, Greg Ginn (from Black Flag) was in town, and he asked me to come sit in with him. We jammed a few of my songs. Afterward, the dude behind the bar was like, "Who the hell are you, man?" I mean, Greg Ginn just had you come bring a bass and sit in?" He was impressed. The jam is on YouTube.
One of the last times I got to play there was for Instagon's 20th anniversary show. We had a HUGE band that night. 18 players were on the stage that night. (Not all at the same time.) And we played Sun Ra's "Space is the Place" with my friend Laurie from The Residents doing vocals. so much fun.
Tell us about your worst gig.
02.04.19
Probably the worst gig I ever had was at a place called the Liquid Den in Huntington Beach, California. I was recording our set, like I always do, and there was this tall guy that stepped up and stood right in front of my microphone and was blocking the sound from being captured well... And he wouldn't move... Even after I asked him to. So it was very frustrating to play and watch him just do it to spite me. After the set was done, I was so frustrated and miffed that I slung my bass over my shoulder to take it off and the strap came loose. The bass hit the stage and cracked in half. Like into two pieces. It made a horrible squeal and died. It was not a fun night.
What artist or band are you a little embarrassed to love, and why?
02.04.19
Dead & Co. They are amazing. John Mayer is awesome, no matter what the old Deadheads think.
What was the first song you learned to play?
02.04.19
"Iron Man" by Black Sabbath.
What's next for the band?
02.04.19
More rooms we haven't played in yet. Would like to play Torch Club this year. Perhaps Harlow's some time too. But just doing the ritual, continuing the sonic art and having fun, which is what it's all about, anyways.
What's next for you?
02.04.19
A date perhaps. Single is kinda lonely.
What's the story behind the band name?
02.04.19
This is a conceptual project, never repeating the same ensemble on stage. Once it happens, it is gone, hence the name Instagon.
What's the story behind your stage name?
02.04.19
Lob is an acronym for "Loud Obnoxious Brat."
What's your favorite local artist/group?
02.04.19
Salt Wizard, Proxy Moon, Sir Corduroy, MAU, Red Tape, Uberkunst, Gentleman Surfer. Lots, actually.
Who are your biggest influences?
02.04.19
Hawkwind, Sun Ra, Nurse With Wound, Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead, Malcolm McClaren, Throbbing Gristle, Black Sabbath... I could go on a long time with this list, actually.
Who first inspired you to play music?
02.04.19
Pink Floyd.
Words to live by?
02.04.19
Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em.
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1124 Del Paso Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815