The group took a break from late 2010 to 2012 while its members focused on their other bands, including Gamits, Drag the River, Trees, the Royal, Ian Cooke and Eolian. But after 3 Kings co-owner Jim Norris suffered a near-fatal spider bite, TaunTaun hit the war path for a benefit show. Since then, the band has played occasionally, and a rare burst of activity recently will culminate with this weekend's May the Fourth Be With You festivities. The Star Wars-themed "sci-fi music and costume extravaganza," as it is described at maythefourthdenver.com, will feature a TaunTaun set at 3 Kings on Sunday night with The Knew and Dirty Few. In conjunction with the event, Illegal Pete's on South Broadway has created a TaunTaun-style burrito. We talked to guitarist Ian O'Dougherty and vocalist/guitarist Chris Fogal about what that means and how their band has evolved since the hiatus.
Kiernan Maletsky: How have your recent shows been different from the old ones?
Ian O'Dougherty: Overall, the band weighs more. I have a lot less hair, and [drummer Dave] Barker has a lot more. We practice less than before, but we are playing better.
If you had to pick one: Megadeth or Metallica?
Chris Fogal: Metallica, ...And Justice for All and before. After that, they both suck.
What is a TaunTaun burrito?
IO: The band name is onomatopoeia for the sound we make as a METAL band -- i.e., bam bam, boom boom, taun taun, psh psh -- but it is also a creature from Hoth. During a storm, a near-frozen Luke is rescued by Han Solo, riding a specific poor soul that freezes to death while Han is tending to Luke. Han uses a light saber -- the only time a non-Jedi ever uses a light saber -- to open up the dead TaunTaun stomach and insert Luke to keep him warm until they can be rescued, making the TaunTaun temperature "Luke-warm."
Two years ago, we developed a TaunTaun veggie wrap with City, O' City. This year we partnered up with Illegal Pete's [the South Broadway location] to bring you the TaunTaun burrito, available until May 4th. It's a choice-of burrito sliced open and filled with a mixture of green chile and queso sauce.
What Clue weapon would TaunTaun be most likely to use on Jar Jar Binks?
CF: Dagger, because it is the most metal and it would involve the most blood.
TaunTaun plays at 3 Kings Taver, with The Knew and Dirty Few. 8:30 p.m.
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