The Dust Jacket: Velvet Eazy E and A Bowling Pin

Welcome to The Grand Tour, a regular feature where PHXmusic.com takes you inside practice spaces, tour vans and seedy apartments occupied by Phoenix-area bands. This week we give you a look inside the industrial cozy space of Phoenix rockers The Dust Jacket. If you would like your band featured, tweet @PHXmusicdotcom. Coverage will most likely result in universal acclaim, and reduced prices on burritos at Filiberto’s Mexican restaurant.  Okay, probably not, but it’s still pretty awesome.

Dust Jacket, a Phoenix-based indie act who has previously opened for bands like Vampire Weekend and Cold War Kids, will be sharing the stage at Chyro Arts with recently Nothing Not New-approved New Jersey band Titus Andronicus on March 22. 

Smells Like: You know, when I started this column, I expected a lot of the practice spaces would smell really bad. Unfortunately for me, every place I’ve visited has smelled fine, with Dust Jacket’s pad in keeping with all the rest. So consider this a call for truly stinky, interesting-smelling bands to get in touch.
The Ballerina and the Bombardi…

Most cherished piece of gear: The band’s extensive collection of art seems pretty cherished, with a bowling pin, a velvet painting of Eazy E, several Mike Little paintings purchased at the Bikini Lounge (“I bought them cuz I had been drinking,” confesses songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Conan Zimmerman. “But I love them!”), and awesome Phoenix hardcore legends in doll form all occupying space.

Odds n’ ends: Keyboardist Ari Morris’ daughter Maribelle joined the band for a few tunes, rocking a pretty sweet toy guitar, and imitating the boys’ rock-out moves with style. Other than that, it’s the usual rock ‘n’ roll clutter: records, guitar pedals, keyboards, and cool shoes.