What’s In Your Fridge is where the Straight asks interesting Vancouverites about their life-changing concerts, favourite albums, and, most importantly, what’s sitting beside the Heinz ketchup in their custom-made Big Chill Retropolitan 20.6-cubic-foot refrigerators.

On the grill

Jiffy Marx

Who are you

I currently play in Autogramm, Night Court, and Jiffy Marker. Following on the heels of Autogramm’s latest album Music That Humans Can Play and leading up to our European tour next month, Autogramm has released the 7-inch single “Diana” via Sweden’s Beluga Records. Stream it at your favorite service here.

First concert

The first concert I remember going to was Neil Diamond at the Saddledome in Calgary. I was probably eight or somewhere around there, so it wasn’t as early as The Jazz Singer, but to this day one of my karaoke go-tos is “Love On The Rocks” from that soundtrack.

Life-changing concert

I know that everyone says they were there, but that just isn’t true because I was definitely one of the only 20 to 30 people at the Pic when the White Stripes played in 2000. I’m not sure it was a life-changing concert, but it could have been—if I’d only gotten up the courage to go talk to Meg, as she was sitting alone at the bar after the show, my life might be totally different!

Top three records

Too many to name so to narrow it down, I’m going to just name three that influenced and informed the original idea and sound of Autogramm.

20/20 20/20  Our bass player CC Voltage always cites this in our origin story! I bought this record at a street flea market in Berlin in 2014. I was on vacation with my wife and daughter and CC was living there at the time. I think I had already been toying with the idea of starting an ’80s new wave–style band, but listening to the track “Yellow Pills” with CC in our friend’s living room was maybe when it went from being just an idea to maybe an actually good idea!

GG Allin Always Was, Is And Always Shall Be  This was the next record I put on after 20/20. This copy belonged to the friend who was hosting us, but I bought a copy later on the trip from Wowsville Records, where I played a solo show on one of my last nights in town. I believe I played an early and obviously stripped-down version of “Jessica Don’t Like Rock’n’Roll” that night? You probably have to be a deep GG. and Autogramm fan to know that there is an obvious nod to the song “Don’t Talk To Me” on the B-side of our first single!

The Vibrators Pure Mania  This was the other record I remember from that trip, bought at the same market stall as the 20/20 LP, I think. “Sweet Sweet Heart” is my favourite track, but the whole record is pretty great and classic. Along with songs like “Neat Neat Neat” by the Damned, “Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve)” by Buzzcocks, and “Teenage Kicks” by the Undertones, it’s a good example of what I think of as pop-punk as opposed to what maybe what most people think of. Death to false pop-punk!

All-time favourite video

Peter Gabriel “Sledgehammer”  This one is pretty easy—it is widely considered the greatest music video of all time (or should be if it’s not).

What’s in your fridge

Hot sauce. We have many, but the two house favourites are Secret Aardvark and Trejo’s, both of which I discovered while on tour with Autogramm! Secret Aardvark used to only be available in Portland, I believe, but can now be found here in Vancouver last time I checked. I hope so, as I’m almost out! Trejo’s, as far as I know, can only be bought from their restaurants in LA. It’s probably available online. I just don’t buy my food through the internet.

Grape’sicle Wize. For anyone who hasn’t tried this, it is a vodka-based pre-mixed cocktail that comes in a can in two different sizes—I prefer the smaller cans as it is integral that the beverage is carbonated. It also needs to be consumed cold, preferably over ice, as is the case with all of these types of beverages. Also I feel it is important to mention that these have zero grams of sugar. If this drink was sweetened you’d probably think it was made for kids who are just getting into drinking. Instead it is obviously for adults who are just getting out of drinking.

Chocolate and bird seed. There’s not much in my fridge right now since I just got back from Mexico, so I’m having trouble with number three—so here are a couple things which I guess you can consider a tie. Frozen chocolate: this is in the freezer, so I’m not sure if it counts? Also this isn’t a tip like the alcoholic beverages needing ice. I just like frozen chocolate; it’s probably bad for my teeth, but I also don’t like having melted chocolate on my hands or pants. Also wild bird seed. Because I like birds.