Beers and beards: happy hour with 4onthefloor’s Gabe Douglas

Before Gabe Douglas, lead signer of what is possibly the next big Minneapolis band, 4onthefloor, showed up for our interview, I had spent about 15 minutes accidentally leering at every bearded man at the C.C. Club. From a social media scour, fuzzy memories of seeing the band live, and lots of hearsay from friends, I had gathered I was looking for someone who has a big beard and likes to drink. Why hadn’t I realized that half the people at the C.C. Club at 4 p.m. would fit that description?

Finally, a young, pink-cheeked, bearded man in a Peter Wolf Crier shirt shows up, and I knew my search was over. (For the record, he wasn’t late. I was early.)

“I’m on my fourth wind,” he says as he sits down. Apparently, this was not the only Lyndale Avenue bar he was popping into for drinks and a chat with a journalist.

That kind of thing is probably going to become more and more regular for 4onthefloor. After winning Vita.mn’s Are You Local? competition, the band performed at SXSW and is fresh off the release of a vinyl edition of its record, 4x4, this past Saturday. The band’s growing success could be due to its Memphis- and Delta-inspired blues, or it could be because people seem to genuinely like its music. Just try mentioning the band to any local music aficionado without hearing, “That band’s killer live. The singer, Gabe, brings a beer stein onstage and then parties in the audience.” 

Aside from the raucous performances, the band is also known for its curious obsession with the number four. There’s the band name, the name of its record, and the fact that all four members play a kick drum—plus, the band insists on only playing songs in 4/4 time.

“A ton of Beatles songs have 3/4 bridges,” Douglas explains with slight sadness. “It limits the covers that we do.”

Despite the band’s religious commitment to the number four, Douglas insists there’s nothing particularly superstitious or philosophical about it. Instead, it’s about the sound 4/4 time creates. 

“If I can stomp my foot to it ... it’s in 4/4,” Douglas says.

The concept is purist and minimal, but the band still covers a lot of ground. Douglas’ voice is just as deep as you’d expect from a man whose beard draws admiring whispers, and it dominates every song with tormented stories and self-admonishing lyrics about—you guessed it—booze. You don’t find a man more down in the dumps than one on a song called “Junkie.”

While 4onthefloor is decidedly indie, the record frequently hints at mainstream crossover potential. Will one of its tracks someday be replacing Kings Of Leon’s “Sex On Fire” as the Victoria’s Secret Angels’ go-to favorite song?

All underwear models aside, Douglas insists that 4onthefloor is not a band that’s just in it for the chicks. 

“Every guy in Minneapolis is like, ‘Being in a band is awesome for meeting ladies.’ That’s not my thing,” he says, adding, “I’m pretty good at talking to people in general without being in a band.”

Instead, what seems to motivate Douglas is a strong passion for the local music scene. When I ask him what the best music scene in the country is, he doesn’t hesitate before answering, “Minneapolis.”

His former house was a hub for musicians, housing 4onthefloor practices as well as singer-songwriter Ari Herstand and members of Roster McCabe. The house is called “Meridius,” and he seemed surprised that I hadn’t heard of it. Named after Russell Crowe’s character in “Gladiator,” the house features a rooftop practice space where the band shot its MPLS.TV City Of Music video.

So what’s next for 4onthefloor? The goal for this summer is to play every single neighborhood festival in Minneapolis. If all goes to plan, then where there is sunshine and pizza by the slice, there shall be Douglas’ deep wail—and possibly a beer stein. 

Before our favorite bearded drinker got back to doing what he does best, he shared some of 4ontherfloor’s favorite local haunts.

Favorite Bar: Triple Rock Social Club. “They have good local taps, free bacon night, and the jukebox is pretty good.”

Favorite happy hour: moto-i 

Favorite rooftop: moto-i

Favorite local block party: The Lyn-Lake block party. “It was super cool last year. We stayed at the moto-i rooftop and went up front for Har Mar [Superstar]. He did his Har Mar things.”

Who would win in a fight between Har Mar Superstar and Mark Mallman? 
“I’d have to give Mallman the edge on that one. He’s more crazy. Har Mar is eccentric, but Mallman could get more psychotic on somebody. He’s the guy who takes the stage as Mallwolf.”