What we have here is an interview with Marc Ruvolo of the infamous Johann's Face record label, the Lucky Gator Loft, No Empathy, The Traitors, Das Kapital and dozens of other awesome things. I've been a quite a few shows at Marc's space and never left unsatisfied. Hell, the man's been doing this whole "punk rock" thing since well before I was born and is still more passionate and involved than people my age. This guy seriously rules.
Bill Molloy: Alright, for those not in the know, state your name and what exactly you do.
Marc Ruvolo: Marc Ruvolo, owner Johann's Face Records, sang and/or played guitar in No Empathy, Traitors, Das Kapital and a host of other bands.
Bill: How and when did you end up first getting exposed to punk rock?
Marc: I started buying strange looking records in 1981, blindly stumbling on punk rock and fell in love.
Bill: What inspired you to start up Johann’s Face?
Marc: I needed an outlet to release records for mine and my friends bands. I had worked for Roadkill Records and Cargo Distribution and I wanted give it a shot using Dischord and Touch and Go as role models.
Bill: Which release do you estimate is your best selling one? Is there anything that in hindsight you regret putting out?
Marc: Smoking Popes "Get Fired" was my best seller. I don't regret any of the records I have put out, but it does suck when a band breaks up right after the record comes out.
Bill: Do you have any special plans for when Johann’s Face hits its 100th release?
Marc: Still trying to figure that one out. I'd like it to be special. Any ideas?
Bill: As a label owner what is your take on the increasing popularity of digital downloads and vinyl releases over the last few years? What do you see on the horizon for small DIY labels?
Marc: I love digital downloads. People seem willing to download tons of stuff that they wouldn't mailorder in a physical form. I blame alcohol. People will always want new music so DIY labels will always be
around. It's the major label/corporate model of label that is going the way of the dinosaur.
Bill: Why did No Empathy break up back in 1997?
Marc: It had been thirteen years running, and we were all going in different directions.
Bill: Did you remain in contact with all of the other members of No Empathy throughout the years?
Marc: For the most part, we'd see each other off and on.
Bill: Was the impeding 20th anniversary the only reason for the reunion?
Marc: Yes, but we all felt it was time, too. Our drummer, Kurt, had also recently moved back to Chicago after being away for seven years. The stars were aligned and ready to get drunk.
Bill: Was there always a plan to do the secret show at Lucky Gator before the “official” show? Where did the code-name Midnight Bacon come from?
Marc: Yes, we wanted to do a warm-up show before the Abbey and we were practicing at Lucky Gator. It was almost better than the real show. Midnight Bacon was just a name I came up with that I thought was funny. We also all love bacon. Lots.
Bill: What exactly is the status of No Empathy beyond the two recent shows? Do you foresee any conflicts with your duties in Das Kapital?
Marc: We agreed to get together and play once every year or two. We had a lot of fun doing the reunion. Das Kapital is my main focus, so there won't be any problems.
Bill: The Half Assed Chicago compilation LP recently came out; from the idea first coming about until its actual date how much time passed? Were there any bands that you would’ve liked to have worked with but couldn’t end up getting on there?
Marc: It took about a year to get it all together because I wanted unreleased tracks. I wanted Canadian Rifle and No Slogan to be on it, but they couldn't do it for various reasons.
Bill: Running a DIY show space in Chicago is notoriously difficult, yet you’ve been doing it in various locations for over 15 years. What’s the biggest challenge going along with this endeavor? Does it get more difficult to open your living space to strangers as you get older?
Marc: The biggest challenge is not letting the 1% of the crowd that are jerks and out to, for whatever reason, wreck what you're doing, get to you and make you stop. It's important to have an alternative to the various club/rock establishment venue so that young bands can be taught that making music is about fun first and money second.
Bill: Recently word has gone around that you have been evicted from the Lucky Gator Loft; is this true? Will the loft rise again in a new location and still do shows?
Marc: We've already moved to a new space a few doors down on Milwaukee. We always take a break in the summer cause it's just too hot to do shows. I'm sure we'll start up again in the fall. Maybe sooner.
Bill: You’re at an age where it seems that most people either drop completely out of punk rock or relegate it to a background role, yet you are still more active in the scene than many people half your age. Have there been any times where you got so frustrated that you almost gave it up? What inspires you to keep slogging it out after so many years?
Marc: I'm a lifer. I can't see myself doing anything else, and even though I get to feeling burned out sometimes, there's always somewhere new and fun and stupid to go to right around the corner. I love new beginnings. Also, I've jettisoned any delusions of rock stardom that so many musicians (even punk rock ones) seem to let poison their enjoyment of being involved long-term. I'm grateful for the few people that are into what I do, plus I've made thousands amazing friends.
Bill: Any last words or parting thoughts?
Marc: Come check us out at www.johannsface.com.
Support DIY labels and showspaces.
Start a band, it's one of the most rewarding things you can do!!
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