Photo illustration courtesy of Daniel A. Sprague The band I Was a Lover DeLorean Was a Dealer has an eclectic array of influences, including David Bowie, Frog Eyes, Fugazi, Modest Mouse, At the Drive-in and the Chameleons.

Jim Salzer knows a thing or two about promoting rock 'n' roll shows. He was to blame for a lot of great shows with legendary rock stars from those silly '60s, many held at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara. He still sells the psychedelic concert posters, although to decipher them, you'll need medication. Salzer is promoting a more convenient gig to celebrate nationwide Record Store Day on Saturday: an all-day parking lot festival at his self-named music store in Ventura.

Many of the musicians at this first Salzerpalooza work at Salzer's, and several others work a few blocks away at Trader Joe's, the day jobs of choice for many who entertain us with their night moves. A band with a long, strange name will be part of this event, I Was a Lover DeLorean Was a Dealer.

Whether anyone in the band can afford one of those expensive cars is debatable, but the group has been playing locally with regularity, surviving numerous dive bar gigs and ready to take the next step, including this weekend's gig and a date at the Red Cove the following Friday.

Frontman and guitar player Chris Bykowski discussed the latest during an e-mail exchange.

What's new with the band?

We are working on a full-length album, writing a lot of new songs and getting ready to record this summer. Also, we're going on tour in late August.

Where'd you get the weird name?

We wanted a name that was catchy to the eye and ear and didn't have the word 'The" at the beginning. It needed to stand out, like the music. Plus, it puts a great image in your mind when you say and think about it. It's pretty classic, I think. Later I was educated on how John D. was busted on some drug charges, which made the name make even more sense. (Editor's note: In 1984 a jury acquitted DeLorean of the charges in federal court after he defended himself by arguing that police had set him up.)

Would DeLorean have worn a band shirt, and can you afford one of his cars?

I don't really know if John D. would wear one of our shirts. I probably couldn't afford one of his cars, but it would be great to get a band photo with us around one.

What's your take on your last release?

Our first EP was good, considering we recorded it in eight hours. It doesn't do us any justice compared to our live sound. We will most definitely get it right on the full-length album. I think we could have recorded it in a Dumpster and it would sound better than most of these emo bands out there, though.

What does the band sound like?

I think the band sounds like a lot of our influences combined into one band — David Bowie, Frog Eyes, Fugazi, Modest Mouse, At the Drive-in and the Chameleons. I don't think you can totally pinpoint what we sound like, but there are similarities. I've heard my voice sounds like David Byrne, David Bowie, Isaac Brock, Spencer Krug, Carey Mercer, Ian Curtis, etc. Whatever makes you happy.

The band has survived the local dive bar tour. Any stories you can repeat in a family newspaper?

Dive bars seem to have the best crowds at times. I don't have too many good stories, but one guy a couple weeks ago said that we sounded like the Ramones. This guy had to be hammered. I would have told him to shut his mouth with such blasphemy, but he probably would have murdered me.

In addition to homicidal maniacs, who goes to check out the band?

Lots of random people who come to see our band say they heard about us from a friend. That's cool, so I guess we are doing something right. We have a lot of friends that show support, and people with good taste.

How does a band make it in Ventura?

I don't know. Ventura has pretty much no music scene. People like to think it does, but that's just people who have never witnessed a real music scene. The key is to win over L.A., then you're golden. It's like the hardest city in the U.S. to win over though. Nobody really cares about music in L.A., unlike other major cities. It's too desensitized to everything. That's what one of our songs, "Chop Them at the Hands," is kind of about.

What does the local scene need then?

More creative bands, for one. That's what a scene is all about — creating a revolution with music — not duplicating the same ol' dead style over and over. I'll shoot myself if I end up like that. Experimentation never hurt. I think Ventura needs to get some all-ages venues that serve alcohol, too. You can't have a music scene without both 21-plus and underage people interacting in a musical environment. Ventura should open up to some new ideas and laws on that sort of thing. It's funny how Ventura likes to try to make art part of the city's attraction, but there is no music scene.

What's your take on this parking lot wingding?

Salzerpalooza? I don't really know exactly what it's about, but I think it will be fun. It's a very good idea, and I think if it's a success, they should do it every month.

Does every musician in town work at Salzer's or Trader Joe's?

No, I don't work there. I think lots of musicians work at Salzer's because of the love of music, and at Trader Joe's maybe because they like two-buck chuck!

What do you see happening with the band in a year?

I see the band being on the verge of success if we can go at the rate we are going and then some. By success I don't mean major label, just bigger things and way more fans. The band has only been together a year and a half, so we haven't even started yet. We are supposed to go on tour with Hot Hot Heat in the future. That would help us a ton. We will have to keep our fingers crossed.

What's a little-known fact about the band?

The band writes all the material together. There is never anyone writing a song solo and bringing it forward; Chris Bykowski just writes the lyrics alone. Most songs are written in jam sessions that end up in fights (ha-ha).

What are you listening to this week?

I haven't listened to music in two weeks, to be honest. And besides, when I'm playing, I take a break from it. It gets sickening sometimes — you need to rest the ears a bit. I was listing to The Dead Science a couple weeks ago. They are an amazing band from Seattle. Check them out if you get a chance. They are playing at The Smell in L.A. May 4. Please put that in the paper!

— E-mail music writer Bill Locey at blocey@pacbell.net.