Minnie Coathanger talks Euro tour and beyond

When you're fighting for breath in the middle of a Coathangers mosh pit, mindlessly flailing your limbs in some feeble attempt to mirror the band's energy, it's difficult to imagine the seasoned garage punks existing anywhere outside of Atlanta. The Coathangers have been ripping through Atlanta and beyond with their brand of playfully twisted punk for eight years now, but come this fall they're etching a new imprint on the Western world. Previously, the group toured Europe in 2011 with the Thermals, and in 2013 with ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead. But starting Nov. 1 the Coathangers embark on the first headlining European tour in the band's history. Bassist Meredith Franco, aka Minnie Coathanger, took a few minutes to discuss the band's previous European tour experiences, plans for recording, and toilet paper, of course. 

How did the tour come about?

Well, this is our headlining tour. This is our third time touring Europe, but our first time headlining. We’re super excited.

What kind of fan base do the Coathangers have in Europe?

I’m not sure because every time we go it’s different. The Thermals fans are different than the ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead fans.

So this time around you’ll get to know exactly what European Coathangers fans look like.

Yeah! I hope so, if we have fans come out laughs.

In Atlanta, fans always go wild for the Coathangers. What kind of crowd reaction have you received in Europe?

It's different I think because it hasn't been people that would normally come out to see us.They’re a little shocked and they don’t really know what to do and they usually stand there like’ whaaaaaat?’ It’s not like our normal fans, it’s people who like ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead. They weren’t expecting to see us. Now we have people that have been our fans already, and we’re playing at smaller places, which is more like us. I think people will hopefully go crazy.

? ? ?
How do you approach a timid crowd?

For us, we feed off the crowd and what’s happening, so it’s hard for us to get into it if everyone is just standing and staring at us. Sometimes you’ll have people who have never seen us before tell us that the show was really awesome, but I wasn't really into that particular show, but they don't know the difference.

What are some items on the Coathangers' essential European travel list?

Toilet paper! Wet ones, they’re so crucial. The first time we went to Europe we carried a bunch of the brown paper tolls we have. In general, I usually have a tide pen, and laundry detergent. But toilet paper is the most important.

What’s your setlist going to look like?

We’ve been writing songs but I don’t think we’re going be playing them because we haven’t toured on Suck My Shirt yet so we’re going to be playing songs mostly from that record. We’re also going to be playing most of the classics.

What sightseeing plans do the Coathangers have?

Hopefully we’ll have time to see stuff. The first time we went we had to drive all day so when we got there we barely had time to see anything. The last time with ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead we were on their bus and we would drive all night and we would have all day to walk around. But this time we’re driving all through the day so I don’t know if we’re going to have enough time for sightseeing. We’re going to Italy, which we’ve never been to before, so I’m really excited about that.

What are your plans once you’re back stateside?

In January we’re going to Australia. We’ve been writing new songs but I’m not sure when we’re going to get to record them. Probably in the spring, when we get back from all the touring. Hopefully we’ll have time in between to record. We have a few 7-inches coming out, but as far as the next record coming out we’re not sure yet. Hopefully in the summer.

The Coathangers play the Star Bar this Fri., Oct. 10, with Black Linen and Zoners. 9 pm. $12-$15. 437 Moreland Ave. N.E. www.starbaratlanta.com