Charleston must say goodbye to local trio A Decent Animal this week. Singer/guitarist Jonathan Nicholson, bassist Richard Weld, and drummer George Baerreis — one of the most musically ambitious, dynamic, weird, and original groups in the scene — leave for new adventures in San Francisco next week.While not yet signed to a record label, they recently signed with N.Y.-based booking agency Inland Empire. They play their “farewell show” on Sat. March 15 at the Pour House with local ensemble Lindsay Holler & The Dirty Kids, Charlotte-based group Sea of Cortez, and members of LASSO. Weld gave us the quick skinny this week:City Paper: What’s the skinny on this new 7-inch record? Where and when was it recorded — and where will it be available after the show?Richard Weld: It’s two songs, recorded last month at the Jam Room in Columbia. The songs are called “The Return” and “King’s Highway.” It is being released on local label Tick Tock. After the initial pressing, it will be available at 52.5, and online as well as through Tick Tock’s distribution.City Paper: What kind of “interesting covers” might ADA be playing? The Misfits? The Animals? Pere Ubu? Tom Jones?Richard Weld: We are doing a Pink Floyd song off of the final cut and a song by a group called “Death from Above 1079.”City Paper: Will you document this on audio/video?Richard Weld: Yes.City Paper: Will the “longest set” only seem long and tedious to the listener (as a brilliantly elaborate prank?), or will you pull out all the stops and play everything you can think of?Richard Weld: We are definite pulling out all the stops. It’s going to be a doozie for sure!City Paper: Are all three of you traveling out to San Fran together? Richard Weld: No. I will fly with [wife] Amanda and [son] Henry. George and Jonathan will drive out together.City Paper: What’s the initial game plan when you get out there? Do you have basic living, working, and artistic arrangements already set up, or will immediately start busking for change near the block of the Filmore and the Boom Boom Room?Richard Weld: We have a nice spot on Haight street picked out for begging. All we need to do when we get there is get a mangy dog and some dirty gutter punk clothes and the money will be pouring in!(photos by Jonathon Stout)
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