The Living Things are a politically provocative alternative band who go out of their way to question authority and complain about the sorry state of the world. The St. Louis natives also know how to rock. Bassist Eve Berlin told Spinner that fellow gateway citizen Chuck Berry was a big influence. Berlin also offered suggestions on surviving this year's SXSW.

Describe the Living Things' sound in your own words.

Anxious and ill at ease.

How did your band form?

From the womb of our mother.

What are your musical influences?

Somewhere between Chuck Berry and Jim Carroll.

How did you come up with your band name?

It's written all over the bible.

What's your biggest vice?

Extremes.

What's in your festival survival kit?

Bananas and whiskey.

Who was your first celeb crush?

Madonna. Saw her 'Sex' book when I was 9 years old, and I was in love.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

Notorious B.I.G., but I don't think that qualifies.

What musicians have influenced the most?

Bob Dylan, Tupac, Bob Marley, John Lennon, AC/DC.

Beatles or Stones?

Stones, then Beatles.

If you could talk to the President, what would you ask/tell him?

Change? Really? Please explain...

What's the last thing that made you laugh out loud?

Hanging out in Los Angeles after midnight.