TAXIDERMISTS

👁️ I SPY, 🚢 SHIPS AND TRAINS, ⏰ CLOCKS, and more.

March 11, 2025

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Taxidermists is a band from Western Massachusetts, formed by childhood friends and longtime collaborators Cooper B. Handy and Salvadore McNamara. The duo first connected on Myspace in 2007 and have since collected years of experience and credibility in the DIY music scene. Taxidermists are true to this, not new to this, and their latest album– the authentic and stripped-down 20247– is out now via Danger Collective Records (it’s super sick, and you can check it out here). You can catch them at multiple SXSW showcases (including ours) or on their upcoming spring tour. Luckily for us, Cooper and Salvadore are here to share what’s been inspiring them lately.

WHAT TAXIDERMISTS IS INTO...

👁️

I SPY

These books called ‘I Spy’ started coming out in 1992. They consist of riddles written by Jean Marzollo, using rhymes to describe a variety of objects in each image you must find in order to turn. The images are by Walter Wick, who is a studio photo legend. Such special room-sized photo illustration pieces that have the ability to stick with people in a serious way. Tried to work with Walter to no avail. There’s an I Spy book in this studio right now, trying to find it. Have you seen it?¿

🎤

RECORDING LIVE

We are pretty adamant about recording the drums and guitar at the same time. It’s important for us to be in agreement about song structure and tonality when we’re getting a basic track. Less things to fix or think about later. We used to record the vocals live years ago. But why not use the linear aspect to use time getting an appropriate performance and really think about some cool overdubs?

🚢

SHIPS AND TRAINS

Being from coastal Massachusetts… love a ship, love a train. When this band formed, we took a ferry in order to rehearse. 15 years later, Sal made sure that we saw the SS United States (still holds the record for fastest transatlantic crossing) last time we played in Philadelphia. Growing up in a place without trains, the fascination has never ceased. We recently went to this model train expo at the Big E (eastern states exposition and fair grounds). At approximately 450,000 square feet, I hear it’s the largest in North America! Cooper got a conductor pin and Sal got an engineer pin.

🔥

SPACE HEATERS

We relied upon at least one space heater in the garage to make this record. The night Cooper brought a space heater to Sal’s studio was the beginning of a series of thoughtful events. We continue to toy with the fiery imagery of a space heater.

⏰

CLOCKS

In the summer of 2009, Cooper got a guitar and a watch. One night around then, we were staying in his room at his mom’s house, which happened to have a lot of ticking clocks. We probably spent more time counting clocks that night. Cooper still wears a watch, which can lead to strain in the band’s relationship, depending on how often he checks it.

💍

MALCOLM SMITH

Malcolm is a long time friend of ours and an early musical collaborator. We all played music together in our formative years before we started Taxidermists as a two-piece. He grew up in Aquinnah, where we all experienced crucial scenic memories and spent time learning to rock. He continues to be an important artist and VIP. Also a skilled jeweler and can construct a solid stone wall.

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