Ask A Straight Guy: The Apes' Erick Jackson

Yay for local bands! Bombastic, guitarless quintet The Apes have been performing since they formed in our fair city in 1999. Though their tour took them through South By Southwest and all over the country, they have not forgotten their roots enough to play tonight at The Velvet Lounge with Health, or to let a gay quasi-music blog bother their bassist Erick Jackson (pictured) via email.

The New Gay: When did you first realize you were straight?

Erick Jackson: When I was 8 I had a crush on Debbie Harry. I remember seeing her on the Muppet show and getting that “funny kid boner feeling”.

TNG: What is your least favorite stereotype about straight people?

EJ: I myself have never felt a stereotype directed towards me about being straight. Racially, being half-Asian, most people can’t figure out my bag: Is he Latino, Asian, Jewish, Italian, a butch girl or Bud Court from "Harold and Maude?" Maybe working in the music and art community has sheltered me from this. When I use the term straight I’m talking “square” or “uptight”. So if there is a stereotype it should be 'Straight people have 3 to 5 inch tails on their butts, like to eat snot, and don’t tip well.'

TNG: What are the biggest challenges faced by a straight guy in today's culture?

EJ: Three things: 1) Don’t get that random crazy drunk lady pregnant. 2) Avoid becoming a Yuppie. 3) Trying not to blow your brains out thinking about raising a family

TNG: What kind of bars do you like to go out to?

EJ: I have no money so I end up getting drunk at art openings, and house parties.

TNG: What obligations, if any, do you think you have to the gay community?

EJ: I will fill the gay community’s fancy row houses and condos with my paintings.

TNG: Do you think there actually is a D.C. music scene right now? If so, how do you fit into it?

EJ: Right now I feel that there is more of a music fan or DJ dance party scene than a bunch of bands; which is good in its own way. In the 80’s and 90’s the DC music scene had a ton of bands. Everyone was touring and really putting DC on the map. I think the price of living here now makes it hard to be a touring musician. If my rent wasn’t dirt cheap I would be screwed. The Apes fit in simply because we have been here since 1999. We’re like Jim Vance and Bob Ryan drunk with Sue Palka eating late night chili at Ben’s.

TNG: Why should people come out to your show at the Velvet Lounge tonight?

EJ: We played our first show at Velvet Lounge back in 1999. Amanda our keyboard player wore a motorcycle helmet at that show. 9 years later she will not have the helmet but a cast on her recently broken ankle. You will get to witness that 9 years of rocking makes a super human soldier out of four odd balls. There is a ton of shows going on Friday but I guarantee this will be the sweetest plum. It’s a no brainier.