"The" Nervous Wreckords

“The Nervous Wreckords started out as a production company that I had when I worked with other artists as a producer,” says singer/guitarist Brian Karscig. “As my own music started to take precedence over producing, and a band was starting to form, I figured let’s just put a ‘the’ in front of a company name that encompasses everything creative and all of the nervous wrecks — myself included — who are involved in the music.”

It was 2009, and Karscig’s previous band, Louis XIV, had just announced an extended hiatus. “You can’t let yourself put limits on creativity, nor the hunt to find something new expressively. As a songwriter, I always chase that high I had when I was 13 and wrote my first completed song. As a band, I think it’s important to constantly chase that carrot, no matter how far or fortunate any of us have been in our careers thus far. Once you stop chasing the carrot, it’s too easy to sit around, get lazy, and take your time eating it.”

The group is currently a trio, with Karscig alongside guitarist Lindsay Matheson (Roses on Her Grave) and bassist Cindy Cate (Fono). “The other two members, keys and drums, have changed hands five times so far since we’ve been a band, so we usually fill in the gaps with different talented friends to complete the live shows.”

The Nervous Wreckords appear Saturday, July 2 at Bar Pink.

WHAT’S IN YOUR MUSIC PLAYER?

Karscig:

1) The Strokes, Angles

2) Morrissey, Bona Drag

3) Freddie King, Are You Ready

4) David Bowie, Hunky Dory

Matheson:

1) U2, Joshua Tree. “One of my go-to classics.”

2) Bonnie Raitt, Takin’ My Time. “She’s amazing, and this is my favorite album of hers.”

3) Various artists, A Tribute to Leadbelly. “His songs are haunting.”

4) The Bangles, Different Light. “Who doesn’t love an all-girl band that rocks?”

Cate:

1) XX, self-titled. “Because it never gets old.”

2) Discovery, self-titled. “It’s a refreshing take on pop music that pushes limits creatively.”

3) The Smiths, The Queen Is Dead. “My first love.”

EVER BEEN INJURED ONSTAGE?

Karscig: “I jumped offstage with my old band in Memphis, Tennessee, during a guitar solo, and I herniated a disc in my lower back when I landed.”

FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK?

Karscig: “Monday. Easy to get a seat in a bar.”

Matheson: “Sunday. It’s the only day I don’t feel guilty about doing nothing all day.”

Cate: “Wednesday is hump day.”

IF YOU COULD TIME-TRAVEL, WHEN/WHERE WOULD YOU VACATION?

Karscig: “Probably 1975) There were so many bands that I look up to that I wish I could’ve seen.”

Cate: “1980, when Apple went public, so I could invest and come back to 2011 and retire with a handful of my besties.”

BEST CONCERT YOU’VE SEEN?

Karscig: “Kool and the Gang backed by the San Diego Symphony was pretty epic.”

Matheson: “When I was a little girl, my biggest idol was Billy Duffy, the guitarist in the Cult. He was one of the biggest reasons I picked up a guitar. I saw them play at HOB a while ago, and it was kinda euphoric for me. I also managed to steal a kiss from Billy after the show!”

Cate: “Radiohead at the Embarcadero a few years back. Cool ocean breeze, drink in hand, and amazing music.”

BIGGEST LIE YOU EVER TOLD?

Karscig: “I’m 27.”

Cate: “It’s the perfect size, because I’m little.”

LAST TIME YOU GOT YELLED AT?

Karscig: “At Henry’s [grocery store], but I just had to try more than one of the sesame-seed-covered cashews in the bulk bin.”

Cate: “By some construction guys on the street. I can’t imagine why.”

FIRST TIME YOU GOT DRUNK?

Karscig: “Everclear and fruit-punch Gatorade at my girlfriend’s 16th birthday party. My friend’s older sister brought it back from Texas, where I guess it was legal.”

Matheson: “I stole some gin from my parents’ liquor cabinet and, being the smooth teenager I was, filled it back up with water. I then proceeded to drink it with orange juice. I threw up the entire night afterwards.”■