Band of the Hour :: Chorduroy Sessions
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — I first met Taylor Sandoval through OfferUp, while conducting an exchange of guitar amps. We agreed to trade my Fender Hot Rod Deville for his Hot Rod Deluxe. It was hard not to notice the sprawling banner reading “CHORDUROY” in his garage amongst all his surfboards and music gear.
It was plain to see that Chorduroy is Taylor’s directive for his psychedelic garage rock vision. Interestingly enough, the name is a tribute to his father’s own ‘90s group, making this the second iteration of Chorduroy. The band has become known in the SDSU community by playing at various house shows and local venues in the San Diego area, but today their reach has extended beyond their college britches.
Taylor turned his 2019 jam sessions into what is currently known as Chorduroy. He had been playing with his then-roommate, and together they opened for a band who was slated to play a show at their house. The current lineup formed in late 2023, with the intent of recording their debut album, Voice of Reason. Taylor Sandoval fronts the band on vocals and guitar, and is the principal songwriter. Trevor McDonough is something of a songstress himself, helming the new song “Stranded,” and fills his duty on bass. Carter Victorio lends the band his lead guitar licks, and Jason from East County is the Craigslist-appointed drummer without social media. They had the good fortune of recording it at Discount Mirrors Studio, founded by Eric Bauer and John Dwyer of Thee Oh Sees.
The album captures the frenetic energy of their live shows in a consummate sheen. If you’ve seen them perform, it’s everything you could expect and hope for; warm guitar fuzz that crystallizes their sturdy song-craft, expertly performed. You’d be hard pressed to find a bad tune on this record, but there are some standouts. Tracks like “Pawns” and “Stranded” explode like they belong in a Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater soundtrack. “i don’t get it” is a thoughtful ballad that rounds out the heavy handed instruments with a more hushed, restrained sound akin to Duster. They’ve transcended the college ethos of throwing late night parties, drinking tequila, and trying to get lucky by putting music on vinyl. It’s not every day you encounter an act like this.
I was granted a rare opportunity to sit down with frontman Taylor and bassman Trevor. We were able to chat for a few moments fireside from an undisclosed location.
What is your connection to the city you live in, and is it where you want to be?
Taylor: Love the weather and surfing, the #gnarlywaves here. Wouldn’t rather be anywhere else except maybe West Oz. Carter wants to move to LA to be “closer to the scene” though.
Trevor: I grew up here as well, honestly wouldn’t wanna live anywhere else except maybe LA for a little for the same reasons as Carter.
Where do you like to go when you eat out? How good of a cook are you?
Taylor: We like hitting Korean barbecue. Kind of a tax but really good. I can be a good cook if I try but I’m more of a Trader Joe's frozen section type of guy. Carter and Trevor cook a lot though.
Trevor: Can’t forget China Super Buffet in La Mesa. I cook a lot but I’m a terrible cook still.
What’s your dream instrument and dream car?
Taylor: I want to get a theremin and we all love old Toyota 4x4s.
Trevor: I love Rickenbackers and that’s my dream bass one day for sure, but I’m pretty much there already because my bass has Rickenbacker pickups in it. I second the old Toyota, but honestly love my ‘93 pickup. Just needs some work done on it.
What’s your last meal going to be?
Taylor: Whatever they dish out on my deathbed.
Trevor: Dino Nuggets.
Everyone has favorite artists, but who are you listening to right now, who’s on your playlists?
Taylor: Been pretty into R.M.F.C.
Trevor: Way too much shit honestly, Cocteau Twins is a constant for me but also Sonic Youth, Arthur Russell, Mk.gee, and Neil Young just to name a few.
If you were to host a music festival with seven other artists, living or dead, who would be performing, and what would you name the festival? Where would you host the festival?
Taylor: You got this one Trev.
Trevor: Put together a festival where it’s the actual bands from back in the day versus a cover band and they have to fist fight on stage while seeing who can play the song better.
Who would be your dream collaborator?
Taylor: Ty Segall. It seems that everything he's been producing recently is really special.
Trevor: Not gonna lie, would have loved to have worked with Steve Albini, real genius, rest in peace.
What material objects influence your creative process, be it drugs or otherwise?
Trevor: Light Blue American Spirits and Modelo battery packs.
If you could do the Freaky Friday thing and swap bodies with someone for a day, who would it be?
Taylor: Dwayne the Rock Johnson.
Trevor: Obviously Scott Stapp from Creed.
Besides music, what else influences your body of work?
Taylor: Our collective experiences as people.
Trevor: I would say movies are probably the biggest influence on me outside music, but also just real experiences. Can’t make anything worthwhile if you just sit inside all day.
Who would you like to be compared to in terms of your artistry?
Taylor: Not in terms of artistry exactly, but David Bowie in how he had the ability to change with the times and grow throughout his whole career.
What song would you want played at your wedding? Your funeral? What song do you wish you’d written?
Trevor: Wedding: “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys
Funeral: “Ram Ranch” by Grant Macdonald
Song I wish I’d written: “On the Beach” by Neil Young
What is your take on otherworldly phenomena? Could you describe any past mysterious experiences?
Taylor: I’ll believe it when I see it… I want to believe…
Trevor: I don’t believe in that shit, but also don’t fuck around with it haha
Are you happy with your current mastery of music? What do you wish you could learn or get better at?
Taylor: Happy with it but always looking to improve.
Trevor: Not really, wish I could play more drums and honestly could always be better at bass/guitar.
How good are you with animals? Tell us about your pets if you’ve got any
Trevor: I love dogs, my partner just got a cat too and it’s honestly pretty cool, wasn’t a cat person before. I had a fish too but it died last year. RIP Sharkie.
What’s your outlook on getting married and having children?
Taylor: Down with both!
Trevor: Getting married is nice in concept but not something I’m super tied to. Kids would be cool but also I’d feel guilty bringing another person into the mess that is humanity.
What would your Tinder profile look like?
Taylor: Ask Jason
What are your forever favorite books and/or movies?
Taylor: Lord of the Rings!
Trevor: Book: Please Kill Me
Movie: Big Trouble In Little China
What would a movie about your life look like?
Trevor: I would be played by Steve Buscemi and then we get Michael Bay to direct it.
What guilty pleasures would you admit to having?
Trevor: I’ve seen a lot of people say this but I agree, I don’t think there is such a thing as guilty pleasures.
Big or small, what’s one thing you want to say to your audience?
Taylor: Just keep swimming
Trevor: Hi Mom and Dad
Chorduroy’s debut album VOICE OF REASON is now streaming on all major platforms.
“WIZARD’S GLASS” official music video