Krayg Burton from Film School

SFist loves all things local, especially our bands. In between releasing the new album, and touring in support of it, Film School’s Krayg Burton answered SFist’s questions. We were especially thrilled with his choice of best taco (La Taqueria) because not only is it our favorite as well, but it also gives us a legit (semi) reason to name drop. So guess who SFist saw there on Saturday night? David Cross! Fresh out of our mourning the end of Arrested Development the night before we ordered, looked up, and there he was, as if to reassure us that everything in TV will be alright.

But we digress. If you haven’t listened to Film School’s latest album, get it here (or maybe here, if you want to be the lucky billionth listener). It’s good. Normally SFist refrains from quoting other music reviews, but this one from Spin was just too suh-weet to pass up: “more balls than Sigur Ros and less eccentricity than Moby” Ha! What we’d say is that you should listen to the album despite that review. Hey, we’ve been right all along about La Taqueria, and we’re right about this too ;)

How has San Francisco influenced Film School's Music?
It's a great city to experiment and figure out your own sound. Because it's not bogged down with industry and hype there's a lack of pressure to conform in San Francisco. Lots of bands play for enjoyment and don't really worry about being the next big thing. It's also a city of very diverse bands and independent-minded people. It's not a city where there's one sound that's in and if you're not part of it you won't be part of the SF "scene".

Where was your first show?
Stork Club in Oakland. Just me on acoustic guitar/synth and a drummer.

Have the fans changed since then?
There were no Film School fans at that show, I'm pretty sure about that.

Dream venue to play?
Red Rocks with a younger U2 playing Under a Blood Red Sky.

Where are the best fans?
San Francisco, of course! ;)

What do you like best about your new album?
That it's an album from start to finish and not a collection of singles.

Name
Krayg Burton

Introduce yourself in one sentence
I sing and play guitar in a band called Film School.

Home Town
Danville, CA

How long have you lived in the Bay Area?
I've lived most of my life in the Bay Area, whether it was growing up in the east bay or living in the mission. I've lived from one flat to the next in the mission for the last 10 years.

Favorite local business
The Pirate Store on Valencia.

Best Deal in San Francisco
The burritos in SF are by far the best edible deal in San Francisco. One $5 burrito is potentially two meals. Pretty good deal. For something you might put on your body I'd say Clothes Contact. You can get a good coat there for under 20 bucks.

Favorite mode of transportation
Our van.

Best Band or Musician to come out of the Bay Area
Best Bay Area band of all time? Wow. Right now I'm into Boy Skout and Citizens Here and Abroad.

Favorite Bay Area Stereotype, and whether or not you buy into it
That everyone in SF is gay or a hippy. I can't tell you how many interviewers around the world have asked us about the Castro or Haight/Ashbury.

Favorite local hangout
Delirium

SF has the BEST
Colors. SF is painted like no other city.

You can tell someone is a local here IF
They're a gay hippy! Ha. I think they live in the Ashtro.

SF would be soooo much better if only
I have two... the city would stop with the rabid issuing of parking tickets and Bart would stay open til 2:30am.

Best Burrito
Burritos, burritos. How about tacos? Best taco at La Taqueria on Mission at 25th.

Best Restaurant
Delfina.

Best movie scene filmed in or about SF
The car chase in Bullet.

Favorite artist to come out of the bay area
Scott Cowgill

Favorite author to come out of the bay area
William T. Vollman

Place you always tell visitors to check out
Muir Woods

Favorite Bridge in the area
Golden Gate. Is there any other?

You have two hours and $15 bucks to kill in SF, what are you going to do?
A bottle of Asti Spumanti, a slice of Arinell's pizza and dog-watching in Dolores park.

I have found/sold/bought the following on craigslist
A laptop bought, a bike sold, a missed connection found.

I want all the SFists out there to know
The music in San Francisco is the best it's been in the last ten years. Go see a local band!

Tell us a San Francisco Story
One of my first shows with a band in SF was at a place called The Purple Onion in North Beach. It's difficult to get people to come see you in North Beach. Parking is near impossible and public transportation is a messy series of connections from the Mission. The night of our show it was raining and the owner was drunk. Actually, he was drunk AND arrived two hours late. Apparently his girlfriend had to bail him out of jail. We played our show and afterward we were all sitting in one of the booths waiting to get paid. The owner came over to the booth, leaned over and the only thing he said was, "Nobody liked you." That was it. We didn't get paid and he refused to talk to us anymore. The place went out of business and closed a year or so later. Now it's a comedy club. I hear it's cool. I hope the comics get paid.

Question you'd ask if you were doing this interview
Is there any way to stop Bush?