It’s been a long road for the guys that make up PONYSHOW to get to this point. The band seems to prefer being somewhat of an enigma, in spite of their somewhat storied history in the Detroit scene (they have former members of the Von Bondies and The Hounds Below, the former of which has performed on the recently concluded Late Show With David Letterman).

I was privileged to see PONYSHOW play with Friendly Faux (also performing at Worst Kept VII) last year at Double Happiness. The band is DIY and polished at the same time. When asked why The Hounds Below ended and PONYSHOW effectively took their place frontman Jason Stollsteimer matter of factly told me he was bored with the old band and ready for something new. This is a kind of integrity you don’t see in the business that much. Rather than keep a band that’s made a name for itself going for the sake of money or marketing, he lets a project run its course and rather than hijack the old band name to keep people who might not like the new sound on board, he starts a new band altogether. Solely based on the performance I saw last fall and not the pedigree, I’ll tell you they’re not a group to be missed this weekend. They night 1 of Worst Kept Secret Fest (Friday around midnight). Get to know the band more below. Disclaimer: This is what happens when you accidentally send a Michigan band the same Q&A you’ve sent a bunch of Columbus bands:

(if you see something italicized it’s Ryan thinking while reading the answers)

Q: What is the best beverage to enjoy at one of your shows?

A: SLURM “It’s highly addictive”

What usually keeps you going onstage?

DO NOT DRINK SLURM ON STAGE

You have a task of getting a person to one of your shows, but they will not hear your music before you go onstage. What do you say?

If you don’t come in here and listen to my beautiful, peaceful songs, I will kill you.

What’s most encouraging about the current state of the music industry?

Us, “PONYSHOW”

What’s been some favorite releases of the band so far this year?

Alvvays, Limblifter, Dead Broke, PUP, Crocodiles, Gold & Youth

Who from Columbus definitely needs to be heard more in the outside of Ohio (other than you, of course!)?
We’re from the north. (oops)

Name the best live band you’ve seen: what made it memorable?

This year it would be the Black Lips at the Metrotimes Blowout in Detroit. The crowd was going nuts and it was awesome.

What is the most memorable venue you’ve played and why?

Bemos in Bay City Michigan. Everything broke and there was pizza.

Who inspires you? Doesn’t have to be a musician.

Whoever provides the pizza. This year it was Kevin from Brooklyn Boys Pizza.

Since we’ve already discussed your live show, tell us what it is about your upcoming records that you are most excited about.

Even though we have not actually discussed our live show, we would say just having one would be awesome.

(Actually we have – remember the question about getting a person to come to your to your show without hearing your music? Actually that question was our attempt to discuss your show, which technically you haven’t now… and now my head hurts from my logic going in circles. Oh well! )

What’s your favorite method of discovering new music?

My old grandfather.

Star Wars Ep 7 – yay or nay? why?

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!!! Because it’s a long-awaited return to form for the famous and lucrative film franchise.

(This could be sarcastic or not. We’re not sure but either answer is cool with us. Kind of hoping it’s sarcasm because it complements the sullen Garfield expressions in the band photo).