Vince Cuneo of Movie Club: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview

Feature Photo by Keira Zhou

An Interview with Vince Cuneo of Movie Club

By Andrew Daly

Hailing from Venice Beach, CA, instrumental rock outfit Movie Club ably pairs killer licks alongside laid-back vibes.

If you were lucky enough to hear the group’s first record, Black Flamingo, or any of their previous EPs, to be sure, you’d know that the duo of Vince Cuno (guitar) and Jessamyn Violet (drums) is far more than your average two-piece. Indeed, with experimentation flowing throughout their music, and a pedigree of sharing the stage with the likes of The Doors’ Robbie Krieger, in short, Movie Club has it going on.

To that end, their latest record, Great White, is already in the can, with singles “Requiem” and “Spinner” set to drop on March 7. With their latest recordings, Movie Club is leaning into their namesake, going full cinematic across the board. When it comes to the young California duo, in short, the visuals elicited via the sonic mastery are just as important as what you’re hearing.

As Movie Club prepares to hit the road, Vince Cuneo dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to recount the origins of his style, his ever-evolving approach to the guitar, new music, and a whole lot more.

What first inspired you to pick up the guitar? Who were your primary influences, and who influences you most today?

My first instrument was the drums, but my father bought me a guitar when I was 18. I played it for fun until I started a band that already had a drummer, and here I am, almost 20 years later, playing more than ever. Derek Trucks was my main influence when I started playing, and now I love John Dwyer from Osees, Mark Speer of Khruangbin, and of course, Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead.

Describe your approach. How has it evolved, and where do you plan to take it?

My approach has always been about simplicity and tone. When I first started, I only played using my fingers and went straight into the amp. Now, I use a combination of a pick/fingerstyle with all kinds of pedals, amps, and guitars. My journey through guitar has kind of been a rock history lesson for me. I started by playing the blues, then dove more into the rock of the 1960s and ’70s, and now I channel sounds from all genres. With each Movie Club record, I always try to challenge myself with new riffs and sonic elements. This has created a natural evolution while exploring my sound.

What songs do you like playing most live?

My current favorite songs to perform live are “Requiem” & “Spinner,” which we just released. Movie Club opened a set with these two songs recently, and it set the tone for the rest of the show. It is also fun because we perform these songs differently each time and is a great way to tune into the energy of the crowd.

Which recording or recordings mean the most to you, and why?

I would say the track “Black Flamingo” on our first LP, Black Flamingo, was a pivotal moment for me. I worked on that guitar solo for months. When we tracked it, we went straight into a vintage Fender Deluxe with zero effects. We turned it up so loud the guitar was literally screaming. I did the solo in one take, and it was completely different than anything I had practiced. Then, we added Tim Lefebvre (David Bowie) on bass, Rami Jaffee (Foo Fighters) on keys, and Jessy Greene on violin. The final touch was getting our first full-length record pressed on vinyl.

What new music are you working on? Where are you most drawing inspiration from?

We just finished recording our second LP, Great White, with Mark Rains at Station House Studio in Los Angeles, and the tracks “Requiem” and “Spinner” are on there. We are hoping to dive more into scoring films, so I feel we are really channeling our cinematic roots. The band name Movie Club isn’t a coincidence.

Describe how you achieve your signature tone and vibrato. Do you feel vibrato is as important as it’s made out to be in terms of being a calling card?

My tone is something that I have been working on since I started playing. My approach to the guitar comes from my roots as a drummer. I always keep my guitar knob turned up to 10 (11 for you Spinal Tap fans) and use my fingers and pick to create the dynamics. I feel some of the most legendary guitarists have already discovered and mastered vibrato as a voice. I mostly use vibrato after hitting the string to give it some attitude, and it usually isn’t planned. For instance, if I’m getting a lot of feedback in a room, I tend to play fewer notes and bend my strings more.

What guitars are you using now? Do you prefer vintage or new?

My main guitars are a Gibson Les Paul and SG. I love using vintage guitars, mostly in the studio, but I always look for reissues to play live.

Do current trends alter your style and technique at all?

For me, current trends are always what I’m listening to at the time. That can be anything from Thom Yorke’s new band The Smile or a classical piano track from Joep Beving. Inspiration always comes from seeing and playing live shows. One moment at a concert can change my approach for months.

What other guitars do you use/have you used and why? Is there one guitar that means the most?

I also own a Gibson ES-339 and mostly use that to practice for the warm tone. When we were tracking at Station House Studio, I used a guitar from Electrical Guitar Company that is made of mostly metal. I was obsessed! We pretty much used it on every track. Growing up with my father playing Allman Brothers records, I have always been a Gibson fan from day one.

What amps and other gear are you using? Are you okay with Kemper’s, or do you prefer tube amps?

I use a Mesa Boogie Lonestar and a Blackstar Studio 10 6L6. My pedal board has a Fulltone Full-Drive Mosfet, Dunlop EP101 Echoplex, EarthQuaker Astral Destiny, MXR Phase 90, Boss Octaver OC-2, Boss DM-2W Delay, and a Line 6 DL4. I’m okay with any gear that works for you, but I’m always going to go with a tube amp.

Are you a pedal addict, too? If so, which do you like?

I wouldn’t call myself a pedal addict because I mostly use the same pedals, I bought 15 years ago (My Fulltone, Line 6, and MXR). The Line 6 DL4 is one of my favorites because we perform as a duo, and it has a looping capability. I have been sprinkling a few more in my pedal board for our live shows. But every guitarist should try all the pedals when they go to the studio. It is like a painter being handed a palette of colors and canvas they haven’t used before.

Are there any guitars, amps, or pickups that you don’t like?

I have my go-to guitars, which are mostly Gibson, but I always try to incorporate other guitars in our recordings. I also do the same with amps etc. Again, always be open to trying new gear and finding what is right for the music.

What’s next in all lanes?

Movie Club is heading on our first U.S. tour, which we dubbed the “Reading Rocking Rainbow Tour.” We are traveling through Hollywood, San Francisco, Eugene, Portland, Seattle, Bend, Sacramento, New Orleans, New York City, Brooklyn, and Boston. The tour is going to feature ’90s-themed book/band mashup events. While Movie Club’s songs have no lyrics, our drummer Jessamyn Violet is a writer releasing her debut rock novel, Secret Rules to Being a Rockstar (April 2023, Three Rooms Press), set in the ’90s Los Angeles music scene.

Photo by Eddy Choz

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