After only playing together for a little of a year, the Preakness have quickly made an impression on the Atlanta community.  In a time where bands are looking to create the next big thing type of sound, the trio have stayed true to writing songs that they love to play.

With a mix of low fi rock, sensitive lyrics and simple hooks, the guys and gal look to make some new fans this weekend.  Their 7 p.m. main stage performance on Saturday is sure to leave people more than satisfied.

Pine Magazine/Kenneth Gambill: Besides playing, what are you looking forward to most this year at Corndogorama?

The Preakness/Brandon Arnold: Looking forward to not remembering it -- it's always such a blur of debauchery. Along with the old favorites, there are a lot of new bands on the schedule this year, so there should be some nice surprises in there. Prolonged drinking, rock music, hot pavement, and meat on a stick. Can't go wrong (unless something goes horribly, horribly wrong, that is…)

KG: Who are your major influences?

BA: Ummmm...anything geared toward a "tween" audience, Texas toast, weird-beard know-it-all's, muscle cars, Flo from Mel's Diner, the film "My Science Project", gossip columns, tape hiss and nutter butters.

Beyond that, pop hooks, randomness, homemade music, anything simple and off the chain!

KG: Where did the name the Preakness come from?

BA: It's the second horse race in the Triple Crown -- sandwiched between the Derby and Belmont stakes. Brandon just liked the word, really, and started using it for his 4-track recordings a while back. It's kind of nonsensical. And horses are great.

KG: How long have you been playing together?

BA: We've been playing as a band since about February of 2006. Or maybe it was March. Either way, it was cold that day. We all showed up in unintentionally coordinated outfits… we knew we had something.

KG: More and more bands are looking to stay independent. What would you say are the major goals for the band, if not to get signed by the majors?

BA: Our major goal is to write a good song about swords. Beyond that, we'd like to finish the full length this year and get it out there somehow. We'll put it out ourselves if need be. If someone wants to help, that'd be great! Other goals… maybe a guest spot on One Tree Hill, or any show on the CW?

KG: Do you think it'd be easier for bands to get recognized if fellow bands helped each other out along the way?

BA: Atlanta's got a really great, supportive music community (at least the part of ATL that we circulate in). Everybody seems to kind of look out for everybody else, even bands that play wholly different music. It's pretty amazing.

Outside Atlanta, we've been trying to contact the guys from LA Guns to give us some help for a while, but so far.... nada. Not to mention the restraining order preventing us from getting any help from Paolo Nutini.

KG: Where do most of your song ideas come from?

BA: Two or three chords. Embarrassing experiences. Suppressed memories…familiar melodies. Feral cats. The space between events.

KG: Do you think that it is essential to meet all of the "right people" in order to make a name for yourselves as a band?

BA: Not really sure, but we had a name even before we were a band. Brandon came up with it years ago.

KG: What kind of advice would you give upstart bands right now?

BA: Give up. No, scratch that…keep on truckin'! Just play music that you like and want to listen to, and there's bound to be someone else out there who wants to hear it to. Go to shows. Support other local bands. Have fun. And, more explosions/tighter pants! (Note: we do not wear tight pants)

KG: Who are you most excited to see perform this year at Corndog?

BA: Marc Crifasi. Actually, I think he's out of town this weekend.

Ummm…don't want to leave anyone out, so no list…There's a boatload of great bands on the bill. Looking foreword to some new discoveries.

We'd would also like to encourage folks to make an effort to get there early to support those bands who are playing first -- it's always hard to be first band out, playing to the sound person (Brandon's note: I'll make a personal plug that everyone leave work a little early and get there by 5 p.m. on Friday for Long Knives -- they rock). See you there!