Try this: After any word that ends in “-er”, pretend the word was a question then say, excitedly, ‘But I hardly know her!’ Example: ‘Snowblower? But I hardly know her.’

This works well with Conshafter, a Richmond-based quartet whose Weezer-fied pop-rock sound left one indie rock website simultaneously praising them and calling their band name the worst ever (We nominate Neutral Milk Hotel and Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah).

Founding members Dave Cykert (guitar) and Chris Konstantinos (vocals) met as teammates on UNC Chapel Hill’s rowing team. The name was born around the same time: They promised teammate Mike Conschafter, whose name they couldn’t stop laughing at, they’d name their band after him.

Conschafter has yet to sue for royalties but maybe he’s waiting until the foursome—which includes bassist Sarah McCalla and drummer Austin Tevis—makes it big. If so, he may not have to wait much longer. After championing the DIY existence since their first gig in 2003, Conshafter has begun working with Keith Shocklee, the former producer for Public Enemy, with the hope of reaching the big time.

Guitarist Cykert recently made time for questions between rehearsals, piñata smashings and Chinatown bus trips.

Dave, you work for a pharmaceutical company and Chris is an investment banker—not exactly rock and roll, eh? How do you hold down a real job and become a rock star at the same time?

It’s actually pretty easy to do what I do and be in a band because I’ve got a 9 to 5. A lot of people wait tables or work in restaurants. I have weekends off.

Will there come a point when you have to decide whether to fully dedicate yourself to the band?

It’s funny you should say that, I’ve been thinking a lot about that recently. [Sarah laughs in the background]. That decision is imminent.
We’ve been recording with Keith Shocklee up in New York. It’s really demanding. It’s very time-intensive. It’s real recording and everything has to be done at a very professional level. Every chance we get we’re taking the Chinatown bus and going to New York. For $60 round trip you too can get dropped off somewhere in Chinatown in Manhattan. I don’t really recommend it.

After producing and recording everything yourself here in Richmond, what’s it like working with a professional producer? How has he changed your music?

Keith is a master beatsmith. It’s a lot of beats, drum loops and things. He’s also big into making sure all the parts make sense. He’s got a really good ear for how to set things up.

What’s the plan for the Shocklee-produced recordings?

Keith has been so supportive of us. He has kind of covered our recording time, getting us into studios. It’s amazing to have someone with his name. I mean Conshafter is a horrible name and it’s not one that will impress a lot of people in the industry. So we’re just kind of trusting him to shop us in the best way he can and get the record in front of the people he thinks can help us.

You and Chris have been performing live for four years. Sarah joined in September and Austin in March. Have you jelled yet as entertainers? Does Conshafter have the rock star act down?

I’d like to tell you we don’t act like rock stars because we are rock stars, but the truth of the matter is it’s fun and you have to treat it like that. These are people that paid five bucks to watch you and go grab a couple beers. And you’ve got to understand that that’s a privilege for you and not a right.

Give me an example of Conshafter-style fun.

At Cinco de Mayo [on Brown’s Island] we filled up a piñata with a bunch of our CDs, and candy and shirts. Chris, being the bonehead he is, actually brought an aluminum bat to break this thing with. Some of our CDs didn’t survive.

When you’re in the studio, you’re looking at art and you’re hoping somebody catches every single nuance of what you’re doing. But by the time you’re piping 50,000 watts of maximum rock at a live concert, it’s the kind of situation where you’ve got to provide some reason for people to be there, whether it’s your stage presence, your banter, or a piñata. You’re entertaining.

LISTEN HERE:
http://www.conshafter.com

conshafter rocks!  soy puma.

def. going to the show on Sunday w/ Rooney @ Toads Place.

terrible name.  dulce group.