tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20369193992689948202024-03-05T05:11:26.841-06:00Bill RaidPlay list archives, interviews, record reviews, other shenanigans stuck on a stupid Web URL.Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-31934288441373746032009-12-19T16:53:00.012-06:002009-12-19T19:43:42.196-06:00Best of 2009It's that time of year again, where I sit around for far too long and think about my favorite music of the year. Every single year I hear/read people saying things like "Oh nothing good came out this year" or "I can't make a list because nothing inspired me," crap like that. I bought less new music this year than years past (not having the most steady job in the world will do that to you) yet I still had to narrow down my initial LP list from the 30s down to its current 15, same with the EPs/7"s. If you think nothing good happened this year, it's your fault. So here we go.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >LPs</span><br /><img src="http://blogs.denverpost.com/reverb/files/2009/08/pissed-jeans.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Pissed Jeans - King of Jeans (Sub Pop)</span><br />If 2008 was the year of great anticipation and ultimately crushing disappointment (anticipating college graduation followed by the actual aftermath), 2009 was the year of apathy and shrugged shoulders, as summed up perfectly by the repeated mantra of "False Jesii Pt 2." "I don't bother/I don't bother" the line goes. This is life? Ok, I guess. Repeat ad nauseum. Lyrically and musically crushing, I can't believe that I used to write Pissed Jeans off.<br /><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://black-legion-shop.de/catalog/images/Baroness%20-%20Blue%20Record%20-%20CD.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Baroness - Blue Record (Relapse)</span><br />I shouldn't like this band nearly as much as I do but I just can't help it. Listening to any one song on this record out of context is not only awkward, it's fucking dumb. Every interlude, every tossed off guitar lick, every quasi-deep lyric has a place. When they rolled through town last month Reggie's was packed when the first opening band played. They're going to be rock stars soon and I couldn't be happier for them.<br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd74tCBlan1C-7sdPN7VUb8_ZZyYnhsHoKXSx1UmBjEGVacAq_SchCSmd2xqUBlGzWuCHh_T3ZhbfjVVYPw3_etuEODQntpZQeVbnxaGyA6kbeXLALWdbiGP95Dr1ulbqrdJOjhI-aJVU/s320/l_32a4b3f0b7ed4833b6e136482fb5f334.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Wasted Time - Futility (Grave Mistake)</span><br />Remember all that apathy I was talking about with Pissed Jeans? For the 17 minutes that I listen to this LP all that apathy disappears, replaced by a boiling rage so intense that I want to go out and punch the first person I encounter in the head, steal their car and crash it straight through the front doors of the nearest bank. This album defines hardcore circa 2009.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.matwrecords.com/catalog/images/nosloganlp.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. No Slogan - Aversion Therapy (Residue)</span><br />For a small period of time I took No Slogan for granted, as weird as that may seem. They seemed to play every third show I went to, always played a solid set of mostly newer tunes, did their thing. After finally getting my hands on the full length, never again. Usually when people use the term "Chicago Punk" they limit their references to the big hitters like Raygun and Pegboy when they should be including No Slogan's arsenal of big riffs and woahs.<br /><br /><img src="http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt47/allpigsmustdoe/destinofinal.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Desino Final - Atrapados (La Vida Es Un Mus)</span><br />Somehow the remaining Invasion members managed to simultaneously strip their sound down and increase the innate claustrophobia of the vocals. I'm going on record that I have had at least one confirmed hellish nightmare with Atrapados as the soundtrack.<br /><br /><img src="http://popmusicology.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/fotl.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. Future of the Left - Travels With Myself and Another (4AD)</span><br />Initially I wasn't that impressed with this album, but I kept feeling compelled to go back and listen. If I could somehow calculate the amount of time certain songs ended up stuck in my head then "Lapsed Catholics," "You Need Satan More Than He Needs You" and "Land of my Formers" would dominate 2009.<br /><br /><img src="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c65/tarantula____/chug%20life/punchlp.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. Punch - Punch (625 Thrash)</span><br />My tastes normally don't veer toward the general 625 catalogue, or fastcore or whatever inane microgenre name it has. That said, this album rules and actually makes an album with such a high number of breakdowns tolerable. Most paint scraping female vocals since Erika Daking of F-Minus.<br /><br /><img src="http://i38.tinypic.com/m8349h.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. Social Circkle - City Shock (No Way)</span><br />Being a super fan of Social Circkle actually ended up hurting this album's final numerical placement. How's that possible? Well from listening to the <span style="font-style: italic;">March 2008 Sessions</span> cassette and their original 2006 demo religiously, I already had half the LP basically memorized for well over a year before it arrived on my doorstep. Kind of a bummer but the new tunes mix right in with the old ones for an LP that should make even the most jaded of old farts take notice.<br /><br /><img src="http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt47/allpigsmustdoe/sacred-shock-lp-300x300.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. Sacred Shock - You're Not With Us (Residue)</span><br />Restraintcore? What? There's a quality about this record that I still can't quite get my head wrapped around nine months later. Don't get me wrong it's hardcore punk rock but there's a restrained, almost subdued nature to it that differentiates Sacred Shock from the field of mindless thrashers. None of this is probably making much sense but keep that in mind on your next listen and you should get it.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.20buckspin.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/spin029_kylesa4001-300x300.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. Kylesa - Static Tensions (Prosthetic)</span><br />I might be the only person that can honestly say that Pitchfork turned me onto Kylesa. Sure I'd known them, heard stuff in the background at parties or whatever but never really gave a dedicated listen until Pitchfork hosted a stream of this LP. By the time the two drum intro of "Scapegoat" ended with a massive guitar riff I knew I was hooked. I've explored the back catalog a bit now but nothing touches this. True crossover without a single galloping palm muted riff.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.thedwarf.com.au/var/plain/storage/images/albumreviews/love_flipper/5102292-1-eng-GB/love_flipper_album.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">11. Flipper - Love (MVD Audio)</span><br />By virtue of not sucking, this album gets on the list. Seriously. I love Flipper more than any so called "sane" man should so I feared the worst, especially when the first songs went up on myspace. Luckily in context they make sense and this album, while not an all time classic, does signify that there's still juice left in the old Flipper formula.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.deathwishinc.com/estore/graphics/00000001/conatfcdhi.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">12. Converge - Axe to Fall (Epitaph)</span><br />For 11 songs and 30 minutes my head explodes from the manic, monstrous, mega riffs contained in this record. Even without Jacob Bannon's vocals I'd play the hell out of this. On my first listen to "Dark Horse" and "Axe To Fall" my jaw honestly dropped. Unfortunately the last two songs, which total 12 minutes, bore the living shit out of me.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.deathwishinc.com/estore/graphics/00000001/cultrit.lp.hi.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://www.musicemissions.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/dscanland/2009/01/3bw1_propagandhisupportingcaste3x3coverpr.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">13. Cult Ritual - LP (Youth Attack) </span><span>&</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> 14. Propagandhi - Supporting Caste (G7 Welcoming Committee/Smallman) </span><br />This is the tale of two LPs that didn't hold up well over time at all. I listened to both of them like crazy on first release and almost never after about a month. They're not bad records by any means but I just got too wrapped up initially to really listen too much later on. Oh well.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.goner-records.com/cart/images/cococomanew.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">15. CoCoComa - Things Are Not Alright (Goner)</span><br />Sharing the same slot as Drunkdriver last year, I became obsessed with this album last week and only realized I really liked the band about a week before that. CoCoComa have been on the periphery of my interests for a few years but I never bothered to investigate. Luckily <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWYYMvR5QmE">a clip of them "performing" on Chic-A-Go-Go</a> came to my attention and next thing I know I'm listening to this LP twice a day for a week and a half right near putting this list together. I'll quote myself from last year's list "Time will tell if this is a smart or stupid choice driven by temporary infatuation."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Honorable Mentions</span><br />Mika Miko - We Be Xuxa (PPM). Government Warning - Paranoid Mess (Grave Mistake/No Way). Limp Wrist - one sided 12" (Limp Wrist). Marked Men - Ghosts (Dirtnap). Mi Ami - Watersports (Quarterstick).<br /><br /><a href="http://8tracks.com/blitzzkriegbill/best-of-2009">Click here</a> to listen to one song each from the top 15, courtesy of 8tracks.com. Everyone should use it.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >EPs/7"s</span> (no particular order or real write up because I'm kind of lazy)<br /><br /><img src="http://blogs.pitch.com/wayward/losing%20feeling.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">No Age - Losing Feeling (Sub Pop)</span><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1J-_S6kvGPwBDncy6Y0zCkW3dxlb1e9QL8nyz82_qCDbvMHlCEOzWXcoKUn8wRt6a5ThJ1sHc0H867wfh_oUu6LoeQjogImWszm1lGfyq0UIvbVPtdV1nXEpvVfzh-SnwLKkRw5mqr_e/s1600/Deep+Sleep+-+Paranoid+Futures+Ep.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Deep Sleep - Paranoid Futures (Grave Mistake)</span><br /><br /><img src="http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/307/condominiumep.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Condominium - Barricades (Fashionable Idiots)</span><br /><br /><img src="http://www.altrock.su/uploads/posts/2009-08/1251127409_170420.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Methadones - Gary Glitter (It's Alive)</span><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MjQmALKnCq-hr6vMtHPjCLvJPhaUPMAYtZGxW2Vy3xcULxKXypGRrSeO4auXPIy5-C5-iHMyU61b70l_WwOlEwX4OM7wp8Y6N4N-CAgfLP10tKCnG60XlItgIj3X-cIYrNGMqj-zemk/s320/firesalejpg.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Drunkdriver - Fire Sale (Fashionable Idiots)</span><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZk-MPsDpbO3XUmszV38IK7JptVFbN_d0sMODyb4TNsg3iGtR9w_kbd4Q8ltKrX2EUFUDy5c00ZwCkBt3PTALv2o3G0kZIC4K0wuccSl7SWWbleWcwAISyhZtpugpOKV_IqaxwOclPkDg/s320/eb409f8d28ac.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Obliteration - This Is Tomorrow (Nita/Disposable)</span><br /><br /><img src="http://www.vinylconflict.com/store/images/LOGIC%20PROB%20new%20ep.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Logic Problem - No Center (Grave Mistake)</span><br /><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n7AZtT7xeD0Z67nqcrLjdUb4d8KjAL1SE1NwpjJVDu-KD_Yy-IRODRbqvirESt2HXQjFKkwVzB6XkfKZAvHeOSFt5XRextVSzjU_6U58rQ-DFx8nQMh1Dd0D916nvARQe2LU7ssNJdM/s320/slices02.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Slices - Slices (Home Invasion)</span><br /><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 327px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4mHq4epe7vD5GT7EhPDOiJbHMAt_E8rZEwQBKLordexuSKK7wU7_87EdROMV7C0_sT2ABoV1mD7w05Ah7td7COaG6H0esq4gnLFKFzXL-31SnZK8v_97v40eat-ZM0bcFUDGGE0BdmUS/s400/LIFE+NUMBER+2+SMALL.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Loser Life - Life Number 2 (Rock Bottom)</span><br /><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GM_2nsqCj5J1ITeJO_hJxMxWM10fKHtQOVTjJW7uLGb1dd4rxNCZKqmsc-aSJfWjzxd_GPNpETBJg1vgkK_zo8YVkM9gavpRMF8hvGw0poOLrIvTi5YY625DtoCVmE9_u_S3440ewGx-/s320/LLR15cover.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Disnihil - Future Cancers (Lifeline)</span><br /><br /><img src="http://images.marketplaceadvisor.channeladvisor.com/hi/80/80096/classicslove_walkinginshadows.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Classics of Love - Walking in Shadows (Asian Man)</span><br /><br /><img src="http://bisaufsmesser.com/store/images/sorry13a.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Smart Cops - Smart Cops (Sorry State)</span><br /><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2J4Lo9UzhFw/Sw6XQvkRHYI/AAAAAAAADe8/pcxQc1R4dZU/s400/Crow.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crow - Flock of Beast (Prank)</span><br /><br /><img src="http://revhq.com/images/covers/250/warc01.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Warcry - Nausea (Warcry)</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh83/RockBottomWrex/HumanoidsYOFTSN7.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Humanoids - Year of the Snake (Rock Bottom)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><br />Best LP of 2008 That I Didn't Get Until 2009 </span><br /><br /><img src="http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/jawards/08/img/eddy_current_cover.jpg" /><img src="http://www.goner-records.com/cart/images/nobunnyreissuelp.gif" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Primary Colours (Goner) & Nobunny - Love Visions (1-2-3-4 Go!)</span><br />Nobunny dominated the late winter/spring and Eddy Current Suppression Ring dominated the late summer/fall. Picking between the two is just about impossible so I'll officially call it a tie. I can't wait for both of them to release new stuff in 2010.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Best Singles Collection</span><br /><br /><img src="http://www.scenepointblank.com/reviews/covers/02618.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Deep Sleep - Three Things At Once (Grave Mistake)</span><br />2009 was a weak year for singles collections. Off the top of my head and even after a little digging I can't really come up with too many good ones. Luckily there's this little compact disc, tracing Deep Sleep's trek from an above average hardcore band to a mind meltingly good technical pop punk monster.<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reissue of the Year</span></span><br /><img src="http://metrotimes.com/sb/143672/death-album-cover.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Death - ...For The Whole World To See (Drag City)</span><br />Clive Davis, I'm going to gouge your eyes out for making this sit unreleased for 34 years. Seriously, fuck you.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Demos of the Year</span><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://bandcamp.com/files/27/81/2781840120-1.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Manipulation </span><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRczVBIarBGe6mJGoJwvLfWybnE383wSdwk04TUROD8KedHR-T1zceqWaNdUsCXUbY6F85R6Gb9sPWXatLyGVmMmJHECN8K_ZmeeU2lqJCZ_5PmQU8F3A4vgn9ef5Ei0GQ9tWuxhOiJc/s320/1tapecover.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Raw Nerve</span><br /><br /><img style="width: 301px; height: 178px;" src="http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr134/pogolightning/gearwall_05.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Neurons<br /><br /></span>So yeah, that's it for now. In a year I know I'll look back and this and see something I missed or placed too high but that's the joy of this, the snapshot effect. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-43944941773205336722009-10-29T11:58:00.008-05:002009-11-05T14:42:35.331-06:00Live on, Chuck BiscuitsI'm just as bad as everybody else that fell for the hoax.<br /><img src="http://www.dementlieu.com/users/obik/arc/blackflag/img/splinterviews204.jpg" /><br />I'm totally taking the easy way out for this non-memorial post by dumping lots of YouTube links. Luckily Chuck was well documented with just about every band he spent time with. Punknews puts him being born in 1965 which means he was 12 when he started drumming with D.O.A. Fuck me, I thought I was cool learning to butcher Metallica songs on guitar at that age and this guy was drumming in D.O.A.!<br /><br /><b>D.O.A. - World War III</b><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/twSREBowTwQ&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/twSREBowTwQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><b>Black Flag - What Can You Believe/Slip It In 1982</b><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vcXaq6kQUSo&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vcXaq6kQUSo&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><b>Circle Jerks - Live @ RockPalast</b> (one of the best videos on all of youtube)<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zeRfk12BP6c&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zeRfk12BP6c&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><b>Danzig - Am I Demon 1988</b><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/C3yvw74J3zg&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/C3yvw74J3zg&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><b>Run DMC - Mary, Mary</b> (no seriously, Chuck did the drum tracks)<br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KaZxMrG5MJo&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KaZxMrG5MJo&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object><br /><br /><b>Social Distortion - Don't Drag Me Down/Untitled, 1997</b><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LP0rQ-5GheU&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LP0rQ-5GheU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><b>Chuck Biscuits Cerealogy</b><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xBv9TReG4MU&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xBv9TReG4MU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-73250794034287700452009-10-29T10:31:00.001-05:002009-10-29T12:56:02.354-05:00Report Suspicious Activity/Baroness/Coliseum - November 15, 2008.I uploaded these almost a year ago to my photobucket account but can't remember why I stopped short of actually posting them; laziness I guess. The all ages show was Baroness/Coliseum and Minsk with the late show being the mini-Articles of Faith reunion (<a href="http://billraid.blogspot.com/2008/11/i-sort-of-saw-articles-of-faith-last.html">covered here</a>), Report Suspicious Activity and Pegboy at the Beat Kitchen. So here are the pictures I guess. Also, everybody pick up the new Baroness LP because it's fucking stellar<br /><br /><b>Minsk</b><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 532px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5550.jpg" /><br /><br /><b>Coliseum</b><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 531px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5580.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 535px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5577.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 401px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5571.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5559.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5555.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5583.jpg" /><br /><br /><b>Baroness</b><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5587.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 533px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5589.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5591.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5592.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5598.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5601.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5607.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5608.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 401px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5609.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5613.jpg" /><br /><br /><b>Report Suspicious Activity</b><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5618.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5621.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5629.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5630.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5631.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5632.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5633.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5634.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 533px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5635.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5636.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 533px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5637.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 401px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5638.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 402px; height: 301px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5639.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5642.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5645.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5646.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 398px; height: 298px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5647.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5648.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5651.jpg" />Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-10367971794459859492009-10-26T15:45:00.001-05:002009-10-29T15:55:22.982-05:00Record reviewsI have a bunch of free time on my hands so I started writing record reviews again. These were all submitted to Punknews.org and so far the Drunkdriver one has been posted. We'll see about the others.
<br />
<br /><img style="width: 320px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtabGBgKMHwmv5OVaKp8EPErDFlJEnxOiUaqusRh2YV9nD_Rh4CjPLhySn8XGUJKsM_Dq60QxHiG5sCMQhLnT7DxXoF4RCeHQk_U0A5r3hsQIZKk2-j8d0UJ5uYEePrgewbc6swWMNbOOc/s320/raw_nerve.jpg" />
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CBill%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Raw Nerve – Teens In Heat 7” – Video Disease Records</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Raw Nerve is the new successors to the Sex/Vid and Cult Ritual throne of ultra-hyped hardcore.<span style=""> </span>Raw Nerve shares the “mysterious” aesthetic, the whole “immediate collector bait” shtick in regards to printing records and a general sound; noisy hardcore with huge Void and general Mark McCoy inflections.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Stay Staid” (the lone holdover from their demo) and “You Live” make up the A-side.<span style=""> </span>It’s 1:30 of chaotic hardcore where unless you’re giving the music your full attention you won’t notice the different songs.<span style=""> </span>The b-side’s title track is actually the strongest of the four tunes, what with having a couple different parts (slow intro, buried vocals, thrash part, slow part that’s not a breakdown per se, etc) that don’t sound arbitrarily forced together.<span style=""> </span>Though I’ve never enjoyed X-Ray Spex all that much themselves, the ending cover of “I’m A Cliché” is pretty goddamn fun, not a word you’d normally associate with this sort of thing.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Video Disease made up 300 copies of the record and all were sold over the course of one weekend in early October.<span style=""> </span>Already these fuckers are fetching $40 on Ebay, if you can believe that.<span style=""> </span>Do some investigating in distros to pay the intended price or go blog searching.<span style=""> </span>Despite the inane amount of hype given, Raw Nerve delivers musically.<span style=""> </span>The upcoming LP on Youth Attack (naturally) should be a doozy.<span style=""> </span></p>
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<br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 405px;" src="http://tchardcorejournal.com/fi/images/drunkdrivercov.jpg" />
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CBill%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C02%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Drunkdriver – Fire Sale 7” – Fashionable Idiots</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Though few probably expected it, the band Wives ended up spawning two of the more exciting rock bands around in 2009 in the form of No Age and Drunkdriver.<span style=""> </span>While No Age’s progression has led them to indie rock stardom with softened noise and tight tunes, Drunkdriver decided to go the complete opposite direction, almost daring listeners to make it through full records.<span style=""> </span>If you’ve watched blown out cell phone videos on YouTube you might recognize the trademark Drunkdriver sound, except they do it with just drums, guitar and vocals.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The A-side of Drunkdriver’s most recent single contains their most blatantly punkish song yet, “Fire Sale.”<span style=""> </span>The barely two minute track pummels the listener with a repetitive four chord riff, pounding drums and up front yowls.<span style=""> </span>As the song races on the volume of the music subtly increases until the end, by which time every new cymbal crash comes within striking distance of breaking an ear drum.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The b-side “It Never Happened” slows the approach down to a crawl, doubling the length of the title track whilst lurching forward with sporadic drumming and eye shaking feedback.<span style=""> </span>Michael Berdan’s anguished vocals move into the spotlight for this song until the last 45 seconds, which could possibly be classified as grind if only you could hear individual instruments in the swirl of noise.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Since this is 2009 and vinyl is all the rage again, let’s speak of the packaging for a bit.<span style=""> </span>The plain black record comes encased in a plain gray cardboard sleeve with an obviously photo copied sheet of paper glued on, both sides identical save for the song title; it’s ugly packaging for ugly music for ugly people.<span style=""> </span>Perfect.<span style=""> </span></p>
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<br /><img src="http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg175/Prankrec/crow400x400-3.jpg" />
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CBill%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Crow – Flock of Beast 7” – Prank</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Alright, as much as I claim to love just about all Japanese hardcore, early Crow records have always been weak areas for me.<span style=""> </span>The only records from Crow I’m familiar with are their stellar 2005 LP <i style="">Bloody Tear</i> and their brand new 7”, <i style="">Flock of Beast</i>. The Crow that I know is a crusty metallic monster and the new EP doesn’t disappoint if you’re looking for more of that sort of thing.<span style=""> </span>This EP has crossover appeal written all over it; it’s for the punks (not punx), thrashers, maybe even some noise fans and traditional metalheads.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span><i style=""><o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Even though I haven’t heard <i style="">Ride The Lightning</i> in probably twelve years the mid-tempo, palm muted gallops of “Flock of Beast I” are bringing me straight back to my pre-teen Rock 103.5 FM (what’s up Chicago heshers!) days.<span style=""> </span>Guitarist Tomy clocks in with some pretty wicked solo breaks and, fuck, there’s even a clean interlude that if you can believe it in a punk band in 2009, isn’t a complete Tragedy rip off.<span style=""> </span>Of course you still get Crow’s inimitable vocals, which to borrow an old cliché, separate the old Japanese men from the wacky thrash hat wearing boys.<span style=""> </span>The song is moody, suitably epic and actually pretty catchy in its own right.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Putting it lightly the b-side “Flock of Beast II” is a mindfuck.<span style=""> </span>The intro practically demands leg drumming, steering wheel drumming or whatever-other-hard-surface-you-happen-to-be-near drumming.<span style=""> </span>Soon the sinister descending riff that forms the early backbone of the tune comes into the foreground; “What a bitchin’, relatively simple thrash tune” you begin thinking to yourself.<span style=""> </span>However, the exact instant before one gets comfortably into the rhythm enough to head bang Crow begins to fuck with you.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">First you’ll observe the slightly muffled guitar solo in the background.<span style=""> </span>After that you’ll notice the drumming pace picks up, ever so slightly at first until it becomes a flailing mess.<span style=""> </span>Then swirls of guttural moans come into play and before you even know it “Flock of Beast II” has devolved into a virtual noise collage.<span style=""> </span>Cue feedback drone, song ends, needle stops spinning and clicks off, right?<span style=""> </span>Not this time friends, as the entire cycle repeats itself one more time, except this time the guttural moans never leave.<span style=""> </span>Even though you’ve heard these parts before, the anticipation of the switches still leaves you guessing at what the hell is really going on.<span style=""> </span>Only after a handful of listens will the structure of the tune come into full focus.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Chalk up another winner for Prank.
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<br /><img style="width: 189px; height: 189px;" src="http://www.interpunk.com/itemimages2/170420.jpg" /><img style="width: 187px; height: 187px;" src="http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/82056366/Images/17/methadones_exit.jpg" />
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CBill%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">The Methadones – Gary Glitter b/w Over The Moon & I Believe b/w Exit 17 – It’s Alive Records/Underground Communiqué.</p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In late 2009 the members of The Methadones have become involved with so many other projects that I guess we’re lucky to get these four songs out of them.<span style=""> </span>By my count the combined active family tree (let’s not even get into broken up bands of the past) includes at least six other bands.<span style=""> </span>Luckily before everything went completely crazy they completed these four songs, split between two records and two record labels.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Despite coming from the same recording session, the two records feature wholly distinct personalities.<span style=""> </span>If you’re the English major type that reads into every minute detail, even the record label names can give you clues.<span style=""> </span>No, seriously!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Gary Glitter” b/w “Over The Moon” came first, via It’s Alive Records.<span style=""> </span>It makes sense that this one comes out on the label with “Alive” in the title as it features two energetic pop-punk rave ups.<span style=""> </span>“Gary Glitter” was co-written by guitarist Mike Byrne and I’m willing to put down at least five bucks that the song emanated from one of his legendarily bad jokes.<span style=""> </span>“Over The Moon” sounds like a never before recorded power-pop classic (along the lines of the 2006 re-workings from <i style="">21<sup>st</sup> Century Power Pop Riot</i>); lots of fat drunk guys will be singing along to this at future Meths shows.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“I Believe” b/w “Exit 17” is the melancholy one, from Underground Communiqué.<span style=""> </span>Get it, it’s under, it’s down, all that type of thing?<span style=""> </span>See, I told you it would make sense!<span style=""> </span>“I Believe” is a full band version of formerly “Dan Schafer + acoustic guitar” tune off of <i style="">This Won’t Hurt</i>.<span style=""> </span>The same glum feeling hangs over the song, with Dan giving one of his most restrained vocal performances on record.<span style=""> </span>The addition of the full band honestly doesn’t add too much to the song though, as they just follow along with what we already knew from 2007.<span style=""> </span>“Exit 17” shifts back to the acoustic realm, yet allows flourishes of drums and electric guitar bits to fill out the sound.<span style=""> </span>However, coming straight after” I Believe” it sounds a bit like a re-tread and not very memorable.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Overall the two records compliment each other nicely when taken as a package but individually the edge goes to “Gary Glitter.”<span style=""> </span>7/10, then 4/10 leads to a solid 6/10.<span style=""> </span></p>
<br />Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-38840826028463583932009-07-02T14:20:00.004-05:002009-07-02T14:39:11.488-05:00Don Bolles (The Germs) Interview (June 2009)<img style="width: 315px; height: 315px;" src="http://strangereaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/don-bolles.jpg" />
<br />Well this one was a surprise to everyone involved. As I mention in the interview itself I was sitting around and my boss asked if I was going to the Germs show that night at Reggie's. I said probably, then he asked if I wanted to interview the band. Within about an hour I was on the phone with Don. With the minimal preparation time for the interview and hellish conditions (my tiny ass bedroom with all the windows closed and fans off in the middle of a 95 degree day) I think the interview came out pretty well. Full disclosure - I didn't end up making it to the show out of pure lethargy and cheapness. I felt kind of bad but oh well. I'm writing a feature around this, obviously. Call me a superfan but I'm excited to hear the new/old material.
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style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Hello?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>: Hey, it’s Don, what’s happening?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Molloy</span>:<span style=""> </span>Hey Don how are you?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bolles</span>:<span style=""> </span>I’m alright how are you doing?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>I’m not doing too bad; thanks for taking the call and doing the interview.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Suuuuure.<span style=""> </span>I mean there’s not much else to do; just sleeping on the bus you know?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>(chuckle)<span style=""> </span>Yeah I was looking at the tour dates and it’s a real tour, not just a press push or something.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Right.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>How’s it going so far?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh it’s been great, the shows keep getting better.<span style=""> </span>They’ve all been good.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Now the movie’s been out for about a year now to the general public so you’ve had some time to live with it.<span style=""> </span>What are your feelings on it now?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Uhhhh, well, (pause)<span style=""> </span>I don’t know, it got us our singer.<span style=""> </span>(long pause)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Are people still giving you shit about Shane singing in the band?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Until they see it.<span style=""> </span>(laugh)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Ha.<span style=""> </span>Yeah I have to admit I was one of the skeptical ones then I saw you a couple years ago and it blew my mind.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah that’s what it’s usually like.<span style=""> </span>We’re glad that people care that much The Germs as a thing, you know?<span style=""> </span>They want to help save it from ourselves.<span style=""> </span>That said, it’s cool that this thing is that important to them.<span style=""> </span>We wouldn’t do anything lame.<span style=""> </span>We weren’t even thinking of doing any more shows or getting back together or anything close to that until that stupid movie, but when we were showing the movie Germs how to play we ended up playing together in a rehearsal studio for the first time, really playing Germs songs for the first time since 1980.<span style=""> </span>And it was really great.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>What are your thoughts on the fact that this incarnation of the band has been around just about as long as the first one?<span style=""> </span>I know…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>We’ve actually been together longer.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>It is now?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah Shane’s been our singer longer than the other singer time wise.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>(chuckle)<span style=""> </span>Well how do you feel about that?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>It’s fine you know.<span style=""> </span>All the shows we did with Darby were basically instrumental musical shows with some vague performance art.<span style=""> </span>(laugh)<span style=""> </span>There wasn’t a whole lot of singing into the mic going on all the time, which was pretty frustrating.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, christ, especially with all the old footage I’ve seen…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah Shane does a really good job and it’s not like he has to write those lyrics, they’re already in place.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Mhmm.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>So right now we have the real, the real killer package going on.<span style=""> </span>Shane’s a little better at delivering those lyrics than the other guy was.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>(chuckle)<span style=""> </span>Slight bit.<span style=""> </span>I know you guys probably get this all the time, but do you know anything about the status of The Decline of Western Civilization?<span style=""> </span>The DVD’s been in limbo for quite awhile now.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh I don’t know.<span style=""> </span>Supposedly it’s going to get a release but I don’t know what Penelope Spheeris is thinking.<span style=""> </span>I don’t know, it’s weird.<span style=""> </span>I had a friend that used to sell bootleg copies at swap meets and she’d come around and give him shit.<span style=""> </span>She’d come around, and I mean he’d only sell one or two a year but she didn’t like that.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well that’s how I got my copy, a bootlegged version.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>: Yeah it’s weird.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Now you guys were inducted into Hollywood Rock Walk last year?<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah that was pretty funny.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>(laughing) How did <i style="">that</i> end up coming about?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oooooh, I don’t even know.<span style=""> </span>(pause)<span style=""> </span>But it did!<span style=""> </span>They had the mayor go down and congratulate us for causing trouble and chaos.<span style=""> </span>The same city that wouldn’t let us play suddenly is giving us a proclamation.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Slight revisionist history.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>It’s sort of like Martin Luther King Boulevard popping up everywhere after they assassinated him.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Ha!<span style=""> </span>Are there any recordings from the old days sitting in a vault?<span style=""> </span>I know your songs from the Tooth And Nail comp LP haven’t been reissued at all.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well the Tooth and Nail songs were done better other places.<span style=""> </span>I mean those Tooth and Nail recordings are all right, I mean considering they were done on an 8-track.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>It’s fun to listen to the alternate versions.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah they’re not so bad.<span style=""> </span>Not the best but… (pause)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Anything else like that, stuff that maybe you guys have thought about putting out?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well we’re going to record new stuff and we’re doing a whole boxed set of all the show recordings that we have.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh wow.<span style=""> </span>Do you have any more information about that?<span style=""> </span>I haven’t heard anything about that at all.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, it’s going to be called Lest We Forget: The Sounds of The Germs.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh that sounds awesome.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah it’s pretty cool.<span style=""> </span>It’ll be kind of like that Sounds of the Third Reich record that I have from the 50s.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>(hearty chuckle)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>It has a great cover too.<span style=""> </span>We’re sort of ripping off the cover idea.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Do you have any prospective release date for it?<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Not too late, probably next year.<span style=""> </span>We’re going to start working on it when we get back.<span style=""> </span>We’re going to put some new shows in it too; some of the new ones sound really good.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah some of the videos on youtube are pretty killer.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well they’re better than the old ones.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah.<span style=""> </span>At one point I paid $15 for a bootleg tape of that Live at the Whiskey show.<span style=""> </span>Probably should’ve just saved my money on that one.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah you should have.<span style=""> </span>But you know that was a weird recording, that video.<span style=""> </span>You can hear Darby a little bit more than you can hear the music on that because it was off the board.<span style=""> </span>And I don’t know, it just, it wasn’t really that bad, from the era.<span style=""> </span>They shot it pretty cool and you couldn’t tell that he was completely off time.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well it definitely wasn’t the worst of some stuff I’ve seen.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah that’s what they’re all like, as far as video goes.<span style=""> </span>It wasn’t like it is now where you have everyone with their fucking cell phones taking a video.<span style=""> </span>Back then to get a video tape together it took a lot of doing.<span style=""> </span>It wasn’t as ubiquitous a thing as it got later.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well just before you mentioned new material… <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well it’s actually new old material, so it’s still Darby and Pat compositions.<span style=""> </span>Like with all the Germicide stuff, we’re doing a lot of things from that like “Victim” and “Wild Baby” and “Get A Grip.”<span style=""> </span>We re-wrote some of those songs to make them be kind of how they were supposed to be back when no one could play.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>You’re all slightly more competent now.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, we’re sort of GI-ifying all the Germicide songs.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: That sounds kind of awesome.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>And we’re re-doing those Cruising songs too, making them not suck and be too long.<span style=""> </span>We’re messing around with the arrangements.<span style=""> </span>Jack Nitzsche wanted them to all be twice as long for that stupid movie for some reason, then they didn’t even use any of them!<span style=""> </span>Just “Lion’s Share” which was just the same.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah that’s the only normal one.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah that’s the only one that’s the right length.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Have you started on this project yet with the recordings?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well we’ve re-done the songs, re-arranged them and playing them live.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Ok.<span style=""> </span>Now last time Is aw you guys a couple years ago, it’s been killing me I can’t remember the name of the song but it’s what you guys ended with.<span style=""> </span>It was some sort of unreleased song.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh yeah it was a Darby Crash Band song “Out of Time.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>THAT’S what it was.<span style=""> </span>Will that be included?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh yeah we’re doing that one.<span style=""> </span>Yeah we’ve got a few more that we’re probably going to get to also.<span style=""> </span>There’s a song called “Golden Boy” that Celebrity Skin used to do that The Dickies did a version of I guess.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>That sounds pretty cool.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah.<span style=""> </span>Oh woah.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>What was that?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>What’d you say?<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>I’m sorry?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh I just got a text message on this guy’s phone.<span style=""> </span>No big deal.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Ah, alright.<span style=""> </span>So how much of your every day life is consumed by Germs related activities at this point?<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>My every day life?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, a normal day.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well a normal day, sit around on the bus until we get somewhere then we sit around at a bar unless the air conditioning doesn’t work.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Not too much exploring around?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah sometimes.<span style=""> </span>I lose some t-shirts at every show.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well it’s what you’ve got to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>I got this really cool t-shirt at a truck stop where, you know that Shepherd Fairy Obama “Hope” thing?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>It was that expect instead of Obama it was Jesus.<span style=""> </span>Then it said “Jesus is our only HOPE.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh no.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, fuck.<span style=""> </span>I lost that last night unfortunately.<span style=""> </span>Where did we play?<span style=""> </span>Oh yeah, Minneapolis.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well when you get back down in the Southern dates you can probably pick up another copy.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well we see a lot of stuff from the same company that makes it so I might find it at another truck stop around, at one of these truck stops I’ll find one.<span style=""> </span>I mean we need to stop at truck stops anyway to get diesel fuel.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Recently the Circle Jerks recorded a version of “The Slave” and they said it’s for a new tribute record.<span style=""> </span>Do you know anything about that?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>No I try not to pay too much attention to bands that nobody cared for!<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>(hearty chuckle)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>I mean they’re nice guys you know but we never really liked their band that much.<span style=""> </span>Which is too bad because they’re big Germs fans, I wish I could like their band more!<span style=""> </span>I like Keith and I like some of those other fuckin’ people.<span style=""> </span>Hold on I’m getting another phone call.<span style=""> </span>Eh, who cares they can call back.<span style=""> </span>So anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>So you don’t know anything about anything upcoming?<span style=""> </span>Because I know there was one back in the 90s.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah that one was pretty cool.<span style=""> </span>Didn’t really get anywhere or do anything because the company that put it out went under right away so it just disappeared.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>A couple years ago you had the soap incident. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh yeah.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Is that all cleared up now?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah they dropped the charged when they figured out it was soap.<span style=""> </span>(chuckle)<span style=""> </span>They sent it to the real crime lab, you know?<span style=""> </span>They figured out “Oh, this is soap.”<span style=""> </span>It was just Newport Beach cops.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Every time I go back and look at that crime report, when I was looking up stuff to ask about today, I can’t believe that actually happened.<span style=""> </span>That actually ended coming up the most, almost as much as the movie.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" >Don:<span style=""> </span>Yeah.<span style=""> </span>Dr. Bronner experienced an enormous spike in sales and made me friends with the CEO David Bronner.<span style=""> </span>He went on the news and did a Q & A thing and was wearing a Germs shirt.<span style=""> </span>It was pretty cool.<span style=""> </span>At one point they sort of handed me ten grand.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Become a paid celebrity endorser!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah it’ll get you a lot of soap.<span style=""> </span>Like when I went to their factory to visit everyone the employees were freaking out and everyone was crazy and jumping up and down and going (imitates screaming female) “This is insane!” because they were freaking out about the amount of orders they were getting because I said it gave me the complexion of a fifteen year old girl.<span style=""> </span>(laughter).<span style=""> </span>A loooot of people started buying that soap, it’s weird a lot of people tell me that’s what turned them onto that soap.<span style=""> </span>I’ve been using that shit for years you know?<span style=""> </span>Since the 70s.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>So after the initial hassle it ended up working out alright.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah I was in jail for four days.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh shit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah it was kind of annoying obviously.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Are you active in any other bands or any other musical projects right now outside of The Germs?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah I have a really great band actually called Fancy Space People where I play guitar, doing some singing and write a lot of the stuff.<span style=""> </span>This girl Nora from The Centimeters is also in it; she sings.<span style=""> </span>Then we get other people to play other stuff.<span style=""> </span>I actually play most of the stuff on the recording.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Now with this incarnation of The Germs, how much longer do you foresee this going on?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Gosh I don’t even know.<span style=""> </span>You know if we can do it now there’s no telling how long, when you’re our age.<span style=""> </span>We can keep going until we’re 400 as long as we keep on time.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well I’m all out of questions, do you have any last words or parting thoughts?<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well where are you, where are you coming from?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>I’m actually in Chicago.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>: Oh is that where this is happening?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah our tour manager just handed me the phone and didn’t tell me anything else.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah I was a little confused too, I got the number from Stormy, so I called Jerry and asked if it was cool if I do an interview with the band at the show, then he responded with “Oh yeah that’d be great to do it now, we’re on the bus!” so I responded “ok I guess, let me run home to get my tape recorder and call you back.”<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>So this isn’t going out live on the radio or anything like that right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>No no no, definitely not.<span style=""> </span>Just straight into my crappy old Radioshack tape recorder then I’ll have to transcribe for online.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well you’re in Chicago, people like us in Chicago, that’s where were the biggest except for LA.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Really?<span style=""> </span>That’s kind of funny.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah it’s really weird.<span style=""> </span>Chicago’s always been a place that loves my bands.<span style=""> </span>Celebrity Skin they were really into and The Germs they really like.<span style=""> </span>With Celebrity Skin we were big in LA, San Francisco and Chicago.<span style=""> </span>It was pretty weird.<span style=""> </span>The Germs, you know, we’ve been doing ok all over the place but Chicago’s kind of… they always seem to like us a little more than everywhere else, I don’t know why.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well yeah last time you were here a couple years ago you ended up playing two shows.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, and we would’ve done more if we could.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Alright cool, thanks for your time, I guess I’ll see you later tonight.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well yeah I’ll see ya!<span style=""> </span>Make sure to get there early because that’s when it happens apparently.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah it’s an all ages show tonight.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah that’s our base.<span style=""> </span>It’s like that’s the main portion of our audience, it’s young people, like fifteen.<span style=""> </span>It’s pretty awesome.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well that’s when I first heard GI and just thought “Holy shit, what is this!?!” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" >Don:<span style=""> </span>One of the ladies at the t-shirt company that makes some of our merch put it pretty well; she said “Every generation of fifteen year olds discovers The Germs.”<span style=""> </span>And the shows seem to bear that out.<span style=""> </span>I can’t say I’m upset by it.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Definitely not, it’s people coming to shows.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>It’s good to play for people on our emotional maturity level.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>(cackle) Spiritual age ends up about the same!<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yup!<span style=""> </span>Thanks so much for taking the time to help propagate our madness.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Definitely.<span style=""> </span>I was just sitting around at the office and my boss asked if I was going to the show so I said “yeah probably” then he responded with “how’d you feel about doing an interview with them?”<span style=""> </span>“Well yeah that’d be pretty cool!”<span style=""> </span>Then within an hour of that idea gestating I was on the phone with you.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" >Don:<span style=""> </span>Oh yeah.<span style=""> </span>Well Fancy Space People are pretty cool man, wait until you hear it.<span style=""> </span>Everybody fuckin’ digs it.<span style=""> </span>I don’t think I’ve ever been in a band where everybody digs it.<span style=""> </span>It’s kind of nice.<span style=""> </span>We’re going to finish up some of our recordings when I get back.<span style=""> </span>Paul Roessler from The Screamers is going to be on it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh that’s really cool.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah he’s engineering, I’m producing, then I play almost everything.<span style=""> </span>It’s coming along pretty good.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Do you still keep in contact with a lot of people that were back in the original scene at all?<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Sure.<span style=""> </span>There’s (can’t understand the name), there’s Paul Roessler, there are some other people too.<span style=""> </span>I see those guys all the time.<span style=""> </span>Yeah you run into everybody; if they’re still alive.<span style=""> </span>We’re seeing a lot of people on the tour too which is a lot of fun.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>All the expatriates.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah.<span style=""> </span>Yeah it’s been pretty fun.<span style=""> </span>Well wait, what kind of music do we do with the Fancy Space People?<span style=""> </span>It’s kind of heroic bitter rockers, kind of arena-psych-folk.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>(chuckle)<span style=""> </span>Slightly different than The Germs.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh yeah, it’s different.<span style=""> </span>It’s a, it’s high quality though, like The Germs.<span style=""> </span>I think it’s funny that The Germs are the last thing standing, you know?<span style=""> </span>It’s pretty hilarious.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well considering what it started as.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well it had a lot of depth to it that a lot of others didn’t have.<span style=""> </span>The difference between our album and a lot of that other stuff is that you can listen to it now and it sounds cool.<span style=""> </span>It didn’t age as badly as some of the shit, because it’s fucking good.<span style=""> </span>It’s a good sounding record.<span style=""> </span>Yeah this tour is good, the shows have totally kicked ass, crowds have been great.<span style=""> </span>It’s pretty fun even if our bus seems to have the troubles of Job!<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>(hearty chuckle) As long as it putters in.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>It’s still getting us around though.<span style=""> </span>Our trailer is covered in oil that blew out of the engine, crap like that.<span style=""> </span>It should make it though.<span style=""> </span>Hopefully we’ll see you tonight.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah definitely.<span style=""> </span>If I see you around I’ll introduce myself.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Ok, see you in a little bit then.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Alright cool, thanks Don!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:";font-size:11;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don</span>:<span style=""> </span>Take care.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-9845234684733761432009-06-30T14:44:00.005-05:002010-03-02T00:02:44.668-06:00Dave Smalley (Down By Law, Dag Nasty, DYS, All) Interview (June 2009)<img style="width: 412px; height: 276px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/down%20by%20law%202003/dbl21.jpg" />
<br />(Photo by me, August 2003)
<br />You guys don't know just how much of a treat this was. Dave is such a legend in punk rock circles and also one of the nicest, most down to earth people I've had the pleasure of knowing. I'll quit before my gushing gets too out of hand, but Dave is seriously the best. I might just run this as a slightly edited down Q & A because I don't think I can make what he said any better.
<br />
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New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Down By Law just completed a tour of South America. How did that end up coming about? Before the tour and the warm up show in Florida how long had <span style=""> </span>it been since DBL played any shows?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>It was really a great time. We had played twice in South America, in 1999 and 2000, and really loved the people we met there, and the shows, and the countries and cities. There's a special connection between Brazil and Argentina and DBL. A good friend of ours, Andre from Nitrominds (a really cool band in Brazil) got a promoter down there who was anxious to bring the band back to get in touch with us, and everything came together.
<br />
<br />It had been a while -- several years -- since DBL had done a proper tour, although we'd done a couple of one-off festivals in the interim. To be honest, it's pretty hard to coordinate everything, so tours are fairly rare at this point. But, it's kind of cool that when DBL tours now, it's a special thing, and hopefully people will be excited to see it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Is the rhythm section used on the South American tour the permanent lineup from now on?<span style=""> </span>Off the top of your head, is it possible to do a total count of ex-members of Down By Law?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh man, that's funny as hell. Off the top of my head ... no, no way. Can't do it. I will say that I've been really blessed to work with some amazing musicians over the years, and I value them as friends and artists. You know, bands are tough to stay in -- that's why most of them, even the uberhuge bands on major labels -- don't stay together. But it's great to have the opportunity to be creative and make music together, for whatever amount of time it ends up being. I kind of view every player in DBL as a permanent part of the family. For the current lineup, I hope so -- we played pretty damned tight every night, and that feeling of being a musical fist that I love so much -- that feeling was there. Kevin and Jack played on the newest DBL songs, one of which is "Bullets," which might be one of the best DBL songs. So we'll see how everyone is feeling when we do the next thing, which right now is apparently recording in the early fall.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>I recently read online that you’re working on a new record to be released on Jailhouse Records. Can you give any more information or possibly even a timeframe for its release? How did you get hooked up with Jailhouse initially? Will the new album’s title be smashed into one word?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Ha! I don't know about the smashed part -- someone posted that DBL's best records have been longonewordtitles (punkrockacademyfightsong and windwardtidesandwaywardsails). I'm not so sure -- I think "All Scratched Up!" is one of the band's stronger albums, and there's a lot of folks who love "Blue" or the first one too-- but it is funny that two of our albums had that kind of title.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">For the timeframe, etc., I am not really sure. I hope we will be recording in the late summer/early fall, and then that it would be released in the late fall, but I'm not 100 percent sure.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Jailhouse Records has recently undertaken several big re-issue projects with the back catalogues of Moral Crux and the Pink Lincolns. Has the idea of re-issuing the OOP Epitaph albums been tossed around at all?
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<br /><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, I've seen that's happening, and I think it's really really cool that they're doing that. I don't know about it for DBL, to be honest. I think some of those records would be great to have out there again. There might have been some discussion of that by Jailhouse, I think, but I defer to Sam. He's been talking more with the label about all the details. But if Epitaph were to be so kind as to let us do it, and someone wanted to re-release some of them, I would be stoked. What's really amazing is how many kids still know the songs -- on the South America tour, they were singing along to all of them, even the early ones.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>It seemed for awhile that every few months while record shopping I’d come across another Down By Law 7” from the 90s that I didn’t know existed; I’m pretty sure by now I have at least five or six scattered around a couple boxes of 7”s. On top of that, during the compilation boom of the 90s DBL seemed to be all over the place on those as well. Have you ever thought of doing a collection of those singles and compilation appearances?
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<br /><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Not until you just asked that question. But now that you did, I think that's a great idea.<span style=""> </span>Make it happen Bill.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br />Unfortunately I don't even have most of them anymore, because I always gave my copies to fans who couldn't find them after the initial run was all sold. And, I don't always know how to find everyone who ran those wonderful indie labels either. But it would be really a unique capturing of some rare Down By Law material. I still love our singles that we did that covered "Revolver" by Mission of Burma, and "Get Up Stand Up" by Bob Marley -- with guest vocals by the amazing Pete Stahl (Scream). Also always liked our cover of "What's so funny bout peace love and understanding" by Elvis Costello, on "Before You Were Punk." So yeah, it would be really cool. I'd even love it if you or someone could put a compilation of that stuff together that we could post a link to it on the MySpace or Facebook pages.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>During the last decade or so Down By Law has been working at a much slower pace than the first eight or nine years of its existence. During down times how often do you find yourself picking up your guitar, whether just to casually strum or to write new songs?
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<br /><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Great question. The honest answer is no, or at least, not nearly enough. I do record some songs here and there, and am often writing lyrics and/or a particular chorus or song title or random verses. But at this point in my career, I tend to be an objective-oriented guy about stuff like that -- if I know we're going to be recording in a few months, then I'll start taking choruses and verse lyrics that I've jotted down over the past X amount of months, or songs and segments I've recorded here just with the guitar, and start trying to mold them into completed songs.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br />The other thing is that Sam is really the main music writer at this point. He's one of the best songwriters in America, really. So when I hear we're going to record, I just wait for the sweetness from Sam -- he sends me the music and I then am inspired to come up with vocal melodies and lyrics. Of course I'll always write songs too, and love it, but getting stuff from Sam -- well, as a singer, it's like Christmas morning -- you never know exactly what you're going to get but you're excited, and pretty sure it's going to be awesome.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>It’s been over six years since the latest Down By Law LP’s release; since then the music industry has seen the rise of legal, pay MP3 websites and an intense resurgence in vinyl sales, yet many record labels (even ones as venerable and long-standing as Touch and Go) still struggle to make ends meet. As a veteran musician that’s been out of the record making scene for a while, what’s your take on the plight of the modern day record label?
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<br /><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>: That's a really tough one. I'm an old-school guy. As you noted, we've done so many compilations and singles, not to mention full length albums. So I'm a huge supporter of vinyl, of indie labels, of college radio stations -- I talk about some of that stuff in Down By Law lyrics, among other places, songs like True Music, for instance. And most bands, or most good ones anyway, make an album as a complete work of art -- meant to be listened to as a whole, ideally. But the downside is, I don't know how to fight the tide. I mean, it's understandable why the pay-per-song thing is so strong -- if someone just wants one or two songs by a group, they can get it. I think one misses the bigger artistic picture that way, but one also saves money.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br />And bands can now release things much easier themselves, though without the clout and marketing ability of a label. So the market has changed, and I pray indie labels and labels in general can ride the wave and figure out new ways to stay afloat and thrive.
<br />
<br />As others have noted, I still remember the days of when labels had a "sound," and you just bought it because it was on Dischord or X-Claim or Epitaph or Cruz or Touch and Go or whatever. I'd love to see those kinds of emotional attachments to labels come back for people. I do think there will always be labels, though, because ultimately most musicians would rather have someone else deal with all the headaches of marketing and distribution.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Your stints in bands had a reputation of being relatively short. Now almost twenty years later, the lifespan of Down By Law is much longer than your time with DYS, Dag Nasty and All combined. Why do you think Down By Law has survived for so long?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>I don't know, really. I think part of it is age, and just realizing when you have something special and knowing it's worth holding onto -- when I was in those other bands, I was a young pup, and probably didn't think abut the consequences of quitting. With Down By Law, I had enough perspective to realize this was a pretty special band, and I didn't want to lose that. I didn't have that perspective before. You know, everyone has what-if questions in life, and certainly one of mine would be what if I'd stayed in any of those earlier bands. But I'm just so grateful to have been a part of all them, from DYS to Dag Nasty to All and Down By Law, and to have played with the musicians I've been able to play with, and go all over the place and make music that has mattered to a lot of really sincere, wonderful people. I think people know me well enough to know that I'm not just saying it when I say that every fan, all over the world, that I've met, and the ones I never have met, all mean a lot to me. There's a bond through music that no one can ever take away from us, and that's what has kept me going all these years.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Did anything ever come of the Sharpshooters after posting those demo songs online? To my ear they sounded way more fleshed out and promising than the full length.
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<br /><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Thanks. I think so too. Unfortunately, everyone got distracted by life -- Keith moved to Nevada, our lead guitar player got married, etc. But since it was a mostly a project band, that's OK.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: <span style=""> </span>Have you been playing any solo acoustic shows lately?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Not enough. There's some talk of me going to Europe for a couple of weeks to do some solo shows, and if that happens, it would be great. There is a huge delight for me, and hopefully the audience, in those shows -- just getting to be more intimate with the audience, telling the stories behind the songs, and also of course being able to do songs from all the different bands, and those beloved traditional Irish songs. I am supposed to do a solo show sometime this summer as a benefit for a fomer co-worker who is now sick with cancer. So when I know the details on that, I'll post it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>How involved were you in the upcoming Slapshot documentary?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well, not in the filming part at all -- I was sent a rough cut by the director, who wanted me to narrate it. I ended up writing a chunk of the narration, as well as reading it, and it was really a cool process. Of course I've known the members of that band, or at least the original lineup, for many years, and to me, that Boston Crew feeling has never gone away -- I'm happy to do whatever I can for my brothers. So when Ian McFarland asked me to do it, I called up Don Zientara, at Inner Ear, and he and director got the details arranged, and I went up there and tracked it. Had a blast. The film is really good. It doesn't hide the warts that every band has. But it also gives you a good sense of what it's like in a band, how friendships form and then are sometimes, sadly, broken. And it's a good documentation of how Slapshot carried the torch for Boston Hardcore after SSD, DYS, etc. had broken up.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: <span style=""> </span>Do you still work as an editor for a local newspaper? The past couple years have seen a parallel develop between the music and print journalism worlds, wherein computers and digital technology have overtaken traditional distribution of the product and information. What do you think of the current state of print journalism and do you have any predictions or inclinations of what might happen next?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Very good analogy. And like with the labels question, I think it's a tough one. Newspapers are in somewhat of a better situation, because millions of people still love to read the newspaper every day. There is no comparison/substitute (in my mind, at least) between sitting at your computer skimming a news site, versus sitting on the couch with the newspaper, reading all the sections, holding it in your hand -- that's a wonderful, tangible advantage newspapers will always have. And of course the industry is adapting -- papers are getting better Web sites, online editions of the printed pages, etc. But no doubt about it, like labels, newspapers need to learn to ride the wave or they'll end up drowned in it. There are some innovative ideas and efforts going on, but I don't think the final verdict will be known for some time to come. But I will say that I think newspapers are a vital part of a healthy, informed citizenry.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Bonn Scott or Brian Johnson?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Bonn was a huge influence on me, and an unmatchable, brilliant singer. But, Brian Johnson is still an outstanding front man, and probably the only guy who could have kept AC/DC going after Bonn died.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Ozzy or Dio?
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<br /><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>: Depends. Ozzy's first two solo records were excellent. But then again, so was some of the Dio stuff...Dio is simply one of the best hard rock/metal singers ever. And he still sounds amazing - went to see Heaven and Hell last summer and it was fantastic. As for Sabbath itself, I'll call it a tie.
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<br />That's the problem with singer comparisons, be it for punk bands or other genres -- sometimes there can be two good singers, where you can enjoy and appreciate both for their respective contributions. I like chocolate and strawberry ice cream -- do I have to pick one?
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Roth or Hagar?
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Come on.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Bob Mould or Grant Hart?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Love both of them.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Bruce Loose or Will Shatter?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh man.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Red Sox or Nationals?
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<br /><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Red Sox. Love Beckett, Buchholz, Ortiz, etc., and equally important, love the tradition. And, I'd be kicked out of the house if I answered any differently.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Tastes great or less filling?
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<br /><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>You know, I think if you're drinking beer, drink it for the taste, and don't think about the calories, just enjoy. Go Guinness or go home, you know? It's like Coca Cola -- drink the real thing. Why gag on Diet Coke, which tastes like bad cough syrup mixed with urine, when you can enjoy the Real Thing (tm)?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: <span style=""> </span>Deep Dish or Thin Crust?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Deep. I'm a fan of the pan.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: <span style=""> </span>Repo Man or Suburbia?
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<br /><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Repo Man. I blame society.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Three way guitar duel: Stephen Egerton vs. Brian Baker vs. Sam Williams. Who will survive and what will be left of them?
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<br /><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>You're talking three brilliant players and three friends. No way am I answering that one. However, it would be one hell of a battle.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: <span style=""> </span>Shawn Brown or Peter Cortner?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Love all their contributions to music, and to Dag Nasty in particular.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: <span style=""> </span>Scott Reynolds or Chad Price?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Love all their contributions to music, and to ALL in particular.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: <span style=""> </span>Continuing to listen to Rush or getting paid two million dollars no-strings-attached to never hear Geddy Lee’s voice again?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>: As someone who has to pay for college tuition, I'll take the money, Regis. <span class="postbody">I've got the lovely voice of the mighty Geddy Lee imprinted in my heart. I don't need to hear it in order to hear it. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: <span style=""> </span>Any last words or parting thoughts?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>:<span style=""> </span>Just thanks to you for the interview, and for all you do for music, and thanks to all who've suffered through my rambling here. God bless ya, son.</p><p class="MsoNormal">BONUS CONTENT!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><img style="width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/down%20by%20law%202003/dbl22.jpg" />
<br /></p>August 2003, right before entering my senior year of high school. Look at that fucking nerd.
<br />Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-51714138203619549072009-06-15T13:54:00.002-05:002009-06-15T14:08:47.545-05:00Marc Ruvolo (Johann's Face, No Empathy, Das Kapital) Interview (June 2009)<img style="width: 335px; height: 400px;" src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2609/169/120/1486395832/n1486395832_47983_531437.jpg" />
<br />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.
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mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill Molloy</span>: Alright, for those not in the know, state your name and what exactly you do.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marc Ruvolo</span>: Marc Ruvolo, owner Johann's Face Records, sang and/or played guitar in No Empathy, Traitors, Das Kapital and a host of other bands.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: How and when did you end up first getting exposed to punk rock?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marc</span>: I started buying strange looking records in 1981, blindly stumbling on punk rock and fell in love.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: What inspired you to start up Johann’s Face?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marc</span>: 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Which release do you estimate is your best selling one? Is there anything that in hindsight you regret putting out?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marc</span>: 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Do you have any special plans for when Johann’s Face hits its 100th release?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marc</span>: Still trying to figure that one out. I'd like it to be special. Any ideas?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: 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?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marc</span>: 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
<br />around. It's the major label/corporate model of label that is going the way of the dinosaur.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Why did No Empathy break up back in 1997?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marc</span>: It had been thirteen years running, and we were all going in different directions.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Did you remain in contact with all of the other members of No Empathy throughout the years?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marc</span>: For the most part, we'd see each other off and on.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Was the impeding 20th anniversary the only reason for the reunion?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marc</span>: 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: 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?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marc</span>: 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: What exactly is the status of No Empathy beyond the two recent shows? Do you foresee any conflicts with your duties in Das Kapital?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marc</span>: 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: 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?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marc</span>: 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: 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?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marc</span>: 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: 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?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marc</span>: 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: 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?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marc</span>: 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Any last words or parting thoughts?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marc</span>: Come check us out at </span><a href="http://www.johannsface.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: blue;">www.johannsface.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">.
<br /> Support DIY labels and showspaces.
<br /> Start a band, it's one of the most rewarding things you can do!!</span></p> Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-34122091974563224092009-05-14T14:29:00.007-05:002009-06-15T14:10:40.071-05:00Jake Kolatis (The Casualties) Interview (July 2008)<img style="width: 399px; height: 266px;" src="http://photos.jaywestphotography.com/albums/userpics/10001/normal_IMG_0241WEB.jpg" />
<br />(Photo courtesy of JayWestPhotography.com)
<br />
<br />Welcome to the second and final installment of "Awkward Interviews That Were Going To Be Published As Straight Q & A's Because I Didn't Feel Like I Could Write A Story Around Them." This is with Jake Kolatis, better known as Jake Casualty. He's a nice guy, as are all of the guys in the band actually, but as you can see I wasn't exactly the best person to be interviewing them. This reads pretty close to some 14 year old kid putting together his first cut and paste zine (although now I guess it would be photoshopped zine?) rather than someone who has actual journalism experience. Oh well, live and learn. This is being posted for two reasons: 1) Get my name in on those sweet "The Casualties Interview" google returns! 2) For everyone to laugh at me.
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mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Hello</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Hey Jake, this is Bill Molloy, I talked to you yesterday.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, how ya doing?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>I'm not too bad, how are you?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Good.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>I was wondering, do you have some time to do the interview?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Absolutely.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: <span style=""> </span>Alright, cool.<span style=""> </span>So The Casualties have been around for almost twenty years now, are there any special plans for when that comes up?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Nah, we don't even really care about shit like that.<span style=""> </span>I hate it.<span style=""> </span>I feel so jaded with bands that are like "yeah we've been around for twenty years" and really they've only been around for a couple of years back in the 80s and got back together now.<span style=""> </span>And I don't really want to be an old band that everybody thinks is getting back together for a fucking reunion.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>So you don't want to dwell on the fact that you've been around?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah.<span style=""> </span>You know, live for today.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Cool.<span style=""> </span>Now since you have been around for so long, and it always seems to me like you're on the road, have you ever hit a fatigue point where you're like "Fuck this, I'm done."</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, a lot more lately than before because it's harder as you get older.<span style=""> </span>People's lives get a little more complicated, things like that.<span style=""> </span>Jorge has a kid now and I have a tattoo shop now.<span style=""> </span>It definitely gets harder especially when the shows don't go as planned, stuff like that.<span style=""> </span>You definitely do get fatigued, there are those bad days where you're like "what the fuck are we doing any more?" you know?<span style=""> </span>But then the next day might totally erase that because it's so awesome.<span style=""> </span>Those feelings are definitely there sometimes.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Is there any major label interest in The Casualties?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>When we first started doing Warped Tour a lot of labels got in touch with us through Side One, but thing was that I feel... we weren't really going to change our sound, we weren't going to get softer to appease more people.<span style=""> </span>So I think it kind of went in the direction of them thinking "well they're not really going to change their sound."<span style=""> </span>And we talked to a couple of labels but we didn't really feel comfortable with it.<span style=""> </span>We just want to put out records, we don't want to be in debt to a label and owe a label a record.<span style=""> </span>When we make a record with Side One they just put it out, it doesn't matter.<span style=""> </span>They won't make us change it, they won't shelf a record.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well they have such a diverse lineup of bands on there that sound nothing like each other.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah.<span style=""> </span>With major labels they can take our record and just shelf it; they're in a position to do that.<span style=""> </span>So that kind of sucks, we never want to deal with that kind of shit.<span style=""> </span>When we work really hard on a record and a label's like "No, we're not going to put this out" we're pretty much burnt, there's nothing we can do at that point.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>You guys played Riot Fest last year, how was it?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh it was awesome, it was one of the best <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Chicago</st1:city></st1:place> shows we've ever had.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Are you excited to be doing it again?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>I think it's going to be even better this time.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Have you seen the lineup for this year at all?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>I haven't yet.<span style=""> </span>Ron (<st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Martinez</st1:place></st1:city>, Casualties booking agent) was telling me about it and it sounded good from what I can remember but that was a few months ago so I don't even remember.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>It's pretty stacked this year, the initial announcement is out and there's going to be more stuff announced next week.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>What are some of the bands?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>The Bosstones are playing, TSOL is coming in, DOA, ALL, Teenage Bottlerocket, Paint it Black, Municipal Waste and some others.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh cool.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>It's a good diverse lineup; it'll be interesting to see all the fans of all the different bands meshing.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Is it in the same place?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, the big show is in the same place, it's at the Congress Theater again.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>That's great, I love that place.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>The Casualties seem to be a gateway band for younger kids that are getting into punk rock.<span style=""> </span>Do you see a lot of your old fans sticking around or is it a constant influx of new kids?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>We're starting to see some older people now, and when I say older I mean our age group, but usually it is a solid influx of new kids.<span style=""> </span>A lot of the kids that... I mean we're not a flavor of the month band that'll be here today and gone tomorrow.<span style=""> </span>There are a lot of trendy punk bands that'll be really hot in <i style="">Maximum Rocknroll</i> for a minute and people will like them but then be onto the new thing.<span style=""> </span>We never want to be that so we never will be that.<span style=""> </span>I feel that with that it there is a constant influx of kids.<span style=""> </span>Our fans are from seventeen to twenty five?<span style=""> </span>Well no, maybe even younger dude, maybe like even fourteen or fifteen, you know?<span style=""> </span>I don't mind being a gateway band at all; I've heard that a couple times lately.<span style=""> </span>For people getting into punk, if we're like what The Exploited and GBH were to me then so be it; I'm totally comfortable with that.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>So do you feed off of the younger audiences?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah yeah, it's way more fun.<span style=""> </span>Once you see people getting into your band and the know the lyrics and you see a circle pit happen you totally feed off of that, I mean I know I do.<span style=""> </span>It's the kind of thing where it totally brings the energy level of the show up.<span style=""> </span>I mean we'll give it our all no matter what but if people are into it, it makes it even better for us.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>The band just put out a DVD recently, right?<span style=""> </span>Was that the last major release?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>It was a live album/DVD.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Are you working on any new material as of right now?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Right now no.<span style=""> </span>I mean we're writing a new record but there's nothing solidly done yet.<span style=""> </span>We're just writing right now, we don't even have any demos right now.<span style=""> </span>Well we have little scratch demos but we wouldn't send those to anyone.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>After re-doing vocals for <i style="">On The Front Line</i> in Spanish, has the band ever thought about doing an album of all new material in Spanish?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>It'd be cool, but I don't know if it's necessarily... It'd be cool but I don't know.<span style=""> </span>If we do that then we alienate a lot of people and I don't want to do that.<span style=""> </span>I'd rather do an EP or throw some Spanish songs on a record, that way it's something for everybody, you know?<span style=""> </span>I don't want it to be like "Well this one is just for this type of person."<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well I was wondering about that because I've seen in the last couple years, maybe this is just a <st1:place st="on">Midwest</st1:place> thing, but lots of younger bands are singing just in Spanish, their native language, kind of taking it back.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>: I've noticed that too, I've definitely noticed it too.<span style=""> </span>It's really cool.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Were you involved with PunkVoter at all in the 2004 election?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well I wasn't, but I voted.<span style=""> </span>We weren't directly involved, but do I think it's awesome?<span style=""> </span>Yeah!<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Does the band have any plans to do anything special for the 2008 election?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Not really.<span style=""> </span>I vote, and I'm going to go with Obama, but I don't see anything that we're going to do.<span style=""> </span>I feel kind of bummed because we did all that stuff, especially NOFX being the head of all that, but I just feel like it didn't do anything.<span style=""> </span>I mean everybody in the country was voting but somehow Bush still won.<span style=""> </span>It's fucking unbelievable.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Completely disheartening.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, just doing stuff every night, telling people from the stage to vote and trying to change what was happening, and it just sucked.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>How do you feel about explicitly politically active bands versus the more nihilistic "fuck everything" types?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>I think you have to find a balance; you've got to find a middle ground where punk can have substance but also be very fun and very angry.<span style=""> </span>That's what I feel it's supposed to be.<span style=""> </span>All aspects to me are important.<span style=""> </span>I'll listen to a wide array of music, and that's the beauty of punk is that you don’t' just get roped into one thing.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well that's all the stuff I really had prepared, do you have any last words or parting comments?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Not really man, we'll just see you guys in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Alright cool, looking forward to it.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Thanks for the interview I really appreciate it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>And thank you for your time, talk to you later.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake</span>:<span style=""> </span>Alright, see ya man.<span style=""> </span></p>Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-74837095786532149952009-05-14T14:22:00.002-05:002009-05-14T14:27:02.530-05:00Dave Kirchgessner (Mustard Plug) Interview (September 2008)<img src="http://z.about.com/d/punkmusic/1/0/M/6/-/-/davesmall.jpg" /><br />This week's theme on the blog is "Awkward Interviews That Were Going To Be Published As Straight Q & A's Because I Didn't Feel Like I Could Write A Story Around Them." First is an email interview with Dave Kirchgessner from Mustard Plug. This was obviously done over email and resulted in some good stuff but I just honestly don't know enough to make it a compelling Q & A let alone a feature story. Sorry.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: There was a longer than usual wait between Yellow #5 and In Black and White. Was there a particular reason for that?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>: In between albums, we went through some big line up changes with a new drummer and bass player. It takes time to find new people and teach the new guys the old material. Also as time goes on we just get a bit lazier about songwriting. I hate to admit but I think it’s true. Also we get a lot pickier about the songs that make it onto the album so we ditch a lot of songs and work harder on the ones we keep.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Who conceptualized the artwork for In Black and White?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>: For this album, we hired an outside photographer/art director for it. It was this local guy who we liked and was really excited about doing it. We worked together with him, basically giving him a rough idea of what we liked and let him run with it. It was actually really fun to have someone outside of the band who was really talented put his spin on it. It helps keep things fresh.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Are you working on any new material at this point?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>: Yeah, we’re finally working on new material. For pretty much the first year that the album was out we didn’t even bother working on new stuff, we just focused on getting the album out there. Now we’re just starting to come up with new stuff.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Over the years you guys have dealt with a ton of lineup changes, and on top of that you’ve been getting older obviously, but there hasn’t seemed to have been a decline in band activity. What would you attribute that to?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>: As we get older it gets a lot more challenging to keep up the same level of band activity. The older we get, the more outside responsibilities come up, such as families and jobs and stuff. But we try to keep the ball rolling and keep doing new things. I think the key is to take things at a reasonable pace. We’re not doing tours where we go out for 6 weeks and hit the entire U.S. We’re more likely to go out for 10 days and hit one region of the U.S. It makes it difficult to hit geographically distant places like Texas or the Pacific Northwest, but we try to hit the east and west coast at least once a year and the Midwest twice a year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Whose idea was it to release a greatest hits record?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>: It was mine actually. It was released at a time when we were having a hard time getting our cd’s in stores. Our last album, “Yellow #5” hadn’t sold that well and stores didn’t really know which of our back catalog to order, so that usually meant none of them. Most stores, especially ones like Best Buy or whatever wouldn’t bother to stock 5 back catalog cds of a band that isn’t exactly selling like Justin Timberlake. So, the best of album made it easy for them to at least stock one Mustard Plug album. The other thing is, with new fans, they don’t really know which one of albums to buy so we made it really simple for them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Are there any special plans for the band’s 20th anniversary?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>: I think I’d like to do something similar to what we did on the 10th, where we get a bunch of the old guys together to play a show and do a lot of old stuff. Maybe record it this time. We still have to make it to 20!.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: It’s been ten years since the big revival of ska in mainstream circles. Looking back on it from a safe distance do you have any thoughts?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>: Yeah, it’s really sad how the mainstream media built it up to a non-sustainable level and let it crash twice as hard. It seemed to ruin a lot of really good bands. I think it’s just really tough for bands to weather going from an underground phenomenon to the point where people are telling you that you’re going to be a big rock star and then kind of treating you like you’re a 10 day old package of hamburger that someone left on the counter too long. I think it also really hurt the unique culture and community of ska music. It really diluted the culture and dismantled the networks. Everything goes in cycles though, and there’s a lot of kids now that are into it that were so young in 1997 that they don’t really even remember that. Those are the kids that are going to build the next wave.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Mustard Plug played Riot Fest back in 2006 when the lineup was more heavily tilted towards ska. This year the lineup is much more diverse, with more garage and even some thrash metal thrown in. How do you think the crowd will react to Mustard Plug, and do you see the group as ambassadors of the genre?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>: I was wondering how we’d be received until I found out that the Bosstones were on the bill. After finding that out I realized that there will be enough fans of the ska-punk, where I’m sure we’ll be received ok. I’m actually really looking forward to playing with such a diverse group of bands. That’s one of the things I really like about Riotfest. I never really feel like we have to represent any genre. I just see us as ambassadors of Mustard Plug.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Care to explain what happened with the 2002 Warped Tour?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>: Part of me doesn’t even really know. The jist of it is, we were playing the Kevin Say’s stage, which at that point was more of a riser underneath a small tent. The sounds guys that had been running that stage for the week we were on, were basically being jerks to us that whole week. The last day was Detroit where we have a huge crowd. The sounds guys are used to no one really paying attention to the Kevin Says stage, so when 600 kids showed up in front of it to see us they basically freaked out. They kept telling us they’d cut the sound if kids danced which is basically an impossibility. Finally after our third song they cut the sound for good. We were playing the Beer Song and just kept singing and chanting acapella. By that time the security had showed up along with one of Kevin Lyman former assistants and nobody was pleased with the situation.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: When did you play a show with Weird Al and how did that end up happening? Is he really as frighteningly nice as he seems?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>: That was sometime in the early 90’s I think. Maybe 1994 or something. He very rarely has an opening bands but we begged the promoter to let us on the bill. He then showed up to one of our shows in Austin a few years after that. It was really cool. I could hardly believe he remembered us. He really is a sincerely nice guy. I have nothing but respect for Weird Al.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: What are some of your favorite up and coming bands?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>: I’m probably not the guy to ask this since I haven’t heard much new stuff lately, but I’m pretty psyched that there is a new crop of ska based bands that are getting out and touring. Bands like Deal’s Gone Bad, The Green Room Rockers, We Are the Union, Royal City Riot, Fatter than Albert, etc. It’s good to see a new generation take shape.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: As one of the pioneers of bad ska puns, what is the worst one you’ve ever seen?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>: There was a band called Skagina. That was pretty bad. There is a new one from Cleveland called Mein Skamf. That one is bad on so many levels I can’t go into it. At this point in the game they’re all pretty painful. I guess you gotta keep in mind that in 1992, with the exception of the Skatilites there really weren’t that many ska puns. So naming our cassette “Skapocalypse Now” seemed marginally original. We just didn’t realize how cheesy and overdone the ska pun thing would become over the next 15 years. Hindsight is 20/20.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Any last words or thoughts?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave</span>: We had an amazing time last time we played Riotfest and I’m really looking forward to doing it again. I never thought I’d have another chance to play and hangout with ALL or the Bosstones, so it’s pretty amazing to be able to do it with both on one show.Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-84807685611340473452009-05-05T15:33:00.004-05:002010-03-01T23:59:35.578-06:00Joe Shanahan (Metro and Double Door) Interview (April 2009)<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/Joe.jpg" />
<br />(Photo from TimeOutChicago.com)
<br />
<br />Oddly enough I was actually kind of nervous in the lead up to doing this interview. The Metro is one of the longest running and most well known "clubs" in the country and Joe is an extremely well known and respected man around town (except by Steve Albini, of course). Though my tastes have veered away from what they're booking a lot of nowadays it'd take me both hands and probably a foot to count the amount of amazing shows I've seen there. After a little initial phone tag we finally got started up and ended with a lot of material to write a pretty good piece for the site. Thanks Joe!
<br />
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CBill%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="Street"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="address"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Can you explain what exactly your role is in the Metro and Double Door?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well let’s see.<span style=""> </span>At Metro I am the proprietor and I’m involved with the running of the business as well as well as the booking aspects of the shows.<span style=""> </span>I mean I would say the owner but I kind of feel like I’m in the trenches.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Not an absentee landlord type set up.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>Ha, no!<span style=""> </span>I come to work every day at 10 AM, leave at 6 PM, go home; a lot of times come back for the show, that type of thing.<span style=""> </span>At Double Door I’m a partner in a partnership there with a couple other like minded music fans and music business colleagues.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>How did you initially get involved in the live music business or the industry in general?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>I don’t know if I’m actually in the industry (chuckle) but I just had friends that were in bands and either I helped them promote a show in college and in other aspects of things in the early 80s.<span style=""> </span>There were a lot of bands I was friends where I’d go to support them at local clubs and as I began to realize that I liked to promote concerts or events I invited some of them to join me.<span style=""> </span>It’s about as simple as it can be.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Now you’re involved in running two nationally well known clubs; do you see a distinction between what you do at the Double Door and at the Metro?
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>(Pause) Well the two are very distinctly different.<span style=""> </span>I look at Double Door and I think it’s one of the cooler, well equipped clubs in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city>; good sound, good lights, good stage.<span style=""> </span>That has more of a bar sort of atmosphere, and then Metro is sort of the “venue,” more of a “venue” or “concert hall” type presentation.<span style=""> </span>There are differences but there are similarities because they’re both clubs, and I think one of the best things about live music is that, you know, seeing things at Double Door sized room or a Metro sized room is really the proper way to see live music.<span style=""> </span>Going much larger there seems to be a disconnect possibly in the intimacy between the fans and the band.<span style=""> </span>Yeah, and even though I’ve seen great shows at the Vic, the Riv and the Aragon my mind always wanders back to when I first saw the band.<span style=""> </span>Oh, first time I saw Kings of Leon was at Double Door, first time I saw Smashing Pumpkins was at Metro.<span style=""> </span>So those kinds of ideas.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>You’ve been doing this for well over 25 years now; what do you think is the greatest shift that you’ve noticed since when you started?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>The greatest shit? (chuckle)</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>(hearty chuckle)
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well there are a lot of shits in our business!<span style=""> </span>Ha, no, I suppose the biggest shift, certainly you have to consider it to be the internet.<span style=""> </span>You have to consider that at one time we would put tickets at Wax Trax and Reckless and all these little record stores around town to sell tickets for our events with flyers and posters and handbills.<span style=""> </span>You know, sort of guerilla street team type things, where now a band has a website or a Myspace page or Facebook page or something.<span style=""> </span>You put a show on sale and 70 percent of the tickets sell online.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>We’ll still get some walkups and we’ll sell some at the box office, but it has to be that.<span style=""> </span>Information and the quickness of finding out about a show or a band coming to your market, coming to your club, your venues, your neighborhood; it has to be that seismic shift.<span style=""> </span>It’s not small, it’s massive.<span style=""> </span>And it’s good, I think it helps everybody.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Would you also say that’s one of the biggest adjustments you’ve made since then, embracing the internet and embracing technology?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>(pause) Embracing?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, using it.<span style=""> </span>And you know, you’ll hang on to handing out fliers and posters and such.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well I think that’s still an important part of what we do, and that goes back to the individual kind of promoting a band.<span style=""> </span>And I still think that word of mouth, whether it be word of mouth, whether it be internet, texting or email, I still find out about bands from people telling me something about a band.<span style=""> </span>I’ll see somebody and say “Have you heard of <st1:place st="on">St. Vincent</st1:place>?”<span style=""> </span>or “Have you heard Other Lives?”<span style=""> </span>or other bands that are under the radar at this point but probably won’t be for long.<span style=""> </span>You know, people talk about the bands that they like and they’ll tell someone like me that is also a music fan their favorites.<span style=""> </span>I think that that’s still the most important way of finding out about music.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Last summer (2008) you were a very big opponent of the Chicago Promoter’s Ordinance.<span style=""> </span>Can you give a little bit of information about it for people that might not know what exactly is was, and have you gotten any new status updates about it?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>I don’t know much about where it sits right now but I do think that it was taken off the table because of the amount of (pause) the overall positioning of venues and established promoters.<span style=""> </span>You know, back in 1982 when I did my first show at Metro I didn’t have the money to afford insurance or to afford a licensing fee; I went under the insurance and licensing fee of the venue that was currently here.<span style=""> </span>So I (pause)I can understand what the city is trying to do, I understand the regulations that they’re trying to create.<span style=""> </span>That sort of rogue, and illegal, sort of activity would not be focused towards live music venues and/or clubs.<span style=""> </span>Because that’s a big another difference, the difference between a club trying to do something cultural like a band or a DJ, and then someone just trying to fill up their Tuesday night by doing some kind of drink special and getting someone to email all their friends to come and have a liquor lobotomy.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Ha!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>That’s the dangerous side of it, you know what I mean?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, yeah.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>I get that, I understand that and why it might need to be regulated.<span style=""> </span>But it comes down to the facilities and comes down to the level of the law.<span style=""> </span>There are liquor licenses and venues licenses and if people would play by the rules that are currently established, there’s no need to have the young hip hop promoter or the young rock promoter or the young dance promoter going through hoops and going through licensing and getting all these regulations to satisfy something that’s, you know (pause) it would just impede creativity and impede the ability to find new bands and new music for a great city.<span style=""> </span>It’s just the wrong way to be going about it.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah that’s mostly what I got from reading about the ordinance last summer, they just didn’t really seem to understand what they were doing and I’m glad someone who knows…</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>But it’s a reaction to something kind of negative, in regards to E2, people died.<span style=""> </span>And a promoter got greedy and rammed his club full of people.<span style=""> </span>He didn’t adhere to the letter of the law.<span style=""> </span>But should the guy who does the jam bands like the Silver Wrappers or the Riot Fest people or whoever be lumped into that?<span style=""> </span>Because I don’t necessarily think that’s the same kind of thing.<span style=""> </span>I think some might say there’s a fine line between the two but I don’t think so.<span style=""> </span>I think it’s a sidewalk, I think it’s a whole street.<span style=""> </span>If you’re promoting concerts, if you’re promoting live musical presentations it’s a very different set of parameters.<span style=""> </span>You have to deal with, you have to promote and you have to work with people who own venues who are basically on the hook for it.<span style=""> </span>So I love this aspect of it, some day the mayor’s really hot to do the Olympics, and I think we should do it, I think it’d be great to have the Olympics in Chicago.<span style=""> </span>But what happens when the Parisian promoter calls me and says “Hey I want to do an event” and I have to say “Oh, I can’t do it, you have to be a licensed promoter here in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city>, you’ve got to go through the city and get your license, get an insurance policy.”<span style=""> </span>So what happens there?<span style=""> </span>We’re going to try to do something really cool with, you know, maybe Gogol Bordello, some European band or something?<span style=""> </span>(starting to get frustrated) I find it… you know what I’m saying?<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah totally.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>It would impede the business, it would impede commerce, and that’s not what we should be doing at this time with the economy.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Ha, yeah especially right now.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>We should be just like “Come on!<span style=""> </span>Bring it on!<span style=""> </span>Who wants to come to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city> and promote concerts or events with the well run facilities that are here!”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Now you mentioned the economy in your previous answer; have you noticed an effect from the economy on attendance at your shows?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>You know, everyone’s been affected by it; it’d be silly not to notice it, all business have been affected.<span style=""> </span>With Metro and Double Door, with both of them we’ve always been very cognizant of the fact that ticket prices really are controlled by what bands and what bands need to earn to come to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span>We need to keep those ticket prices in line; we have to keep the ticket prices in line with what the venues normally charge.<span style=""> </span>For instance, it’d be unlikely to see a $40 ticket at Metro.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, I’ve never paid anywhere close to that much for a show there.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah but at House of Blues, $40 is kind of normal, they have them there.<span style=""> </span>It’d also be kind of out of line if you saw $25 at Double Door; it’s $10-$15 there, you know what I mean?<span style=""> </span>It’s $10-$20 here at Metro.<span style=""> </span>I think you have to be cognizant of the fact that that’s what the business model is based on, which is people supporting local, as well as regional and national music on those price points.<span style=""> </span>Drink prices tool you don’t want to be too out line with your beer prices or your cocktail prices.<span style=""> </span>You need to be aware of those as well.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>If they’re too expensive no one’s going to buy them.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, it’s important.<span style=""> </span>We have definitely looked at that.<span style=""> </span>(pause)<span style=""> </span>Yeah, we’re affected and we fight the fight every day to make sure that it stays in line.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Within the last ten years or so there’s been a lot of talk about how record labels, especially major labels, are kind of… I don’t want to say dying out, but are hurting.<span style=""> </span>How’s the live section of the music industry faring in this sort of technological time?<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>(pause) What was that?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>How’s, um, concert promoting and… well let me re-phrase that.<span style=""> </span>There’s been a lot of stuff going around about labels hurting from MP3 technology and such.<span style=""> </span>Have you felt any negative effects from it, has that hurt you at all?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>Ha, run that by me again I’m trying to get my head around it.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well for example Touch and Go just shut down, so it’s not exactly the best time to be in the “music industry.”<span style=""> </span>How are Metro and Double Door faring in this type of climate?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>Remember, independent bands, independent clubs, independent promoters work in a network of independence.<span style=""> </span>I’m not reliant on major labels and major tours for all the things we do at Metro and Double Door.<span style=""> </span>Otherwise we’d just be showcase rooms.<span style=""> </span>The local and regional music communities support these facilities, whether or not it’s the first time we’ve looked at a band from Saddle Creek and they weren’t that far to drive to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span>Like The Faint were looking to play <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Chicago</st1:city></st1:place>; that’s a good example.<span style=""> </span>They played<span style=""> </span>I think at the Fireside the first time I saw them, a smaller venue.<span style=""> </span>Next time through it was something where we were like “talk to the band, talk to the manager, talk to the label.<span style=""> </span>You know this could be a good opportunity for us to do something.”<span style=""> </span>I wouldn’t say the first time through we were selling two or three shows out.<span style=""> </span>It’s a building process.<span style=""> </span>I think that whether it’s a band from <st1:city st="on">Milwaukee</st1:city> or a band from <st1:city st="on">St. Louis</st1:city> or a band from <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Stillwater</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">Oklahoma</st1:state></st1:place>, like Other Lives.<span style=""> </span>We’re in the building… we’re a rung on the ladder.<span style=""> </span>We’re part of that building process.<span style=""> </span>So that’s why I try to stay away from words like “music industry” or “business” or that kind of stuff because we kind of haven’t changed in twenty five years in that it’s a network of people who are like minded; independent bands, independent labels and independent promoters.<span style=""> </span>I think that’s an important thing to keep alive and I think it’s an important thing that everybody reveres and wants to take care of.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>Like just the fact of what’s going on with Mike and Riot Fest and Metro.<span style=""> </span>This is great that this is happening.<span style=""> </span>This is a smart organization working with another smart organization to create something that is really wonderful.<span style=""> </span>I don’t know if it would happen in another market but it happens in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city> because this is a very healthy community for that.<span style=""> </span>I think it’s also because of the fact that there are so many independent labels.<span style=""> </span>It’s crushing that Touch and Go is not what it was, but I mean Cory did it for a long, long time.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Almost 30 years.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah!<span style=""> </span>(exasperated gasp) I mean my hat is off to this guy.<span style=""> </span>I think running a club is probably easier than running a record label.<span style=""> </span>(chuckle)</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>You only have to deal with the bands for one night!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>Record labels, you’re married to them!<span style=""> </span>And that’s ok, we’re kind of married to them too.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>It’s an open marriage.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>(chuckle) It is an open marriage.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>One of the more curious things I’ve noticed about Metro and Double Door is that if you look back to when you opened the Metro in 1982 Wrigleyville was kind of a dead zone and when you think back to Wicker Park in the 80s and early 90s, there’s been a ton of changing in those neighborhoods.<span style=""> </span>Has there ever been any pressure on you to sell the property or threats of being kicked out because of eminent domain laws, things like that?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>(pause) Oh boy.<span style=""> </span>You just sent a shiver down my spine
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Ha, I apologize!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>When you think about it, we’re really fortunate in that our neighbors know what we do; I mean one of my neighbors is the Chicago Cubs, the big ballpark up here.<span style=""> </span>Back when we started I don’t think the Cubs were drawing 10,000 people per game.<span style=""> </span>Probably when you think about it, with 80 home games who knows how many hundreds of thousands of people were coming at that time.<span style=""> </span>Now what is it, I think it’s in the millions.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Over two easily.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>This is definitely an area that was aggressively working towards a better quality of life for so many reasons.<span style=""> </span>I do think that at the end of the day (pause).<span style=""> </span>Eminent domain?<span style=""> </span>It’s a very interesting sort of concept.<span style=""> </span>I don’t see that; <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Clark Street</st1:address></st1:street> is a major thoroughfare.<span style=""> </span>I think we’d hard pressed to see that ever happen.<span style=""> </span>Maybe if something was really to change with Wrigley that might be a sign of it, but I highly doubt that.<span style=""> </span>At least until the banks start lending money again.<span style=""> </span>(chuckle)</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>And who knows when that’ll be.<span style=""> </span>As one of the more experienced people around, do you have any predictions or inclinations about what you think is going to happen next?<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well I can tell you what I don’t want to happen next!<span style=""> </span>I don’t want Live Nation and Ticketmaster to become one company.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>You and me both.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>I think that is going to be so bad for the consumer.<span style=""> </span>But in the same breath Ticketmaster and Live Nation, they’re businesses from the top down.<span style=""> </span>With Metro and E-Ticks, it’s business from the bottom up.<span style=""> </span>It’s what they say, it’s the stuff that’s done in the trenches here.<span style=""> </span>That’s why I come to work here every day, that’s why the buyers come to work every day, that’s why Edie and Laurie at Double Door go to work every day.<span style=""> </span>There’s a reason for it.<span style=""> </span>That’s their job, but we don’t have the Rolling Stones or U2 or Bon Jovi to sweep millions and millions of dollars into our hands.<span style=""> </span>We’re working on the Presets!<span style=""> </span>We’re working on the reunion of Rights of the Accused, you know!<span style=""> </span>(chuckle)<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Ha, just a slightly different scale.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>I think maybe this is what it comes down to.<span style=""> </span>I can tell that you’re a music fan.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yes I am.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>I’m a music fan too.<span style=""> </span>Commodifying music, that’s what I’m afraid of.<span style=""> </span>I don’t want to see music become completely commodified or commercialized, whether it be through television ads or radio ads or whatever else, you know.<span style=""> </span>I think there’s a lot of great independent music and a lot of great independent bands that we should be working with.<span style=""> </span>And we’re going to go for that.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>How much longer do you see yourself doing this for?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>Uhm, that’s a good question, I don’t know!<span style=""> </span>Can’t answer that.<span style=""> </span>I suppose when it’s not fun or not rewarding.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Hopefully that’s not too soon.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>No.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Earlier you were mentioning a couple bands, and I like to think I keep my ear to the ground and pay attention to everything but you were throwing out a couple names earlier I hadn’t heard of that I’ll have to check out once I stop the recorder.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah and that’s what the whole thing is, this whole great word of mouth.<span style=""> </span>We’re working to keep that alive.<span style=""> </span>It’s very like minded people are we’re very fortunate to be in that position.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well I’m all out of questions, do you have any last words or thoughts you’d like to add?<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>: You know, again, just from the day that someone traded a tape with you to now when we’re sending MP3s around the internet together, music has got its own life, its own language.<span style=""> </span>No one’s a gatekeeper; we’re all just fans.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Cool, thanks a ton for your time and for taking my call.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>Absolutely!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>I’ll shoot you over an email when we get the feature up and running.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>Ok well thanks so much Bill.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Alright take care.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe</span>:<span style=""> </span>Bye.<span style=""> </span></p>
<br />Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-45396828850015806302009-04-30T13:16:00.005-05:002009-04-30T13:55:59.836-05:00Dr. Strange (of the label and record store) Interview (April 2009)<img style="width: 425px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.drstrange.com/images/store2.jpg" />
<br />What we have in front of us right now is an email chat with none other than a mysterious man also named Bill, but better known as Dr. Strange. I'm writing up a piece on him right now but here's the straight e-mail dope.
<br />
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name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Alright, for those who may not know, who are you and what exactly do you do?
<br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >I'm "Doc" of Dr. Strange Records and I run a mail order and "real" Record Store speculating in RARE and out of print punk records, CDs, t-shirts, boots, Fred Perrys, etc... If it's "punk" (or related) we have it! I also run a Label. The mail order was first (started in 1988) followed a year later by the label (100+ releases) and the record store has been open to the public for 11 years.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >You ran a mail order distro along with your record label for many years before starting up the brick and mortar store. What inspired you to take the plunge into a physical location? Can you give a brief history of your shop?
<br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Well, I always thought it would be "cool" to have a record store. I started the mail order out of my apartment and then moved it to my house. It was really just a combination of luck (finding a place) and necessity (running out of space) that made me open a store. Having 3-4 employees show up daily at my house got tiresome real fast. Plus I was newly married so I knew it wouldn't work. Opening the store was a lot of work but a lot of fun too. It took 4 months of hard work (mostly by my good buddy who can do it all). We had to paint, new floor, new signs etc... We barely had it opened in time for the grand opening. We were up until 3 of 4:00 in the morning putting the front doors in the day before!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Are the label and record store completely separate or do you draw from a community pot?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >It was at first. I'd keep the Label and mail order separate but that has changed over the past few years. It's all the same.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >At what point did you first become aware of MP3 technology? Also at what point did you notice it starting to affect your sales and revenue flow at the shop?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Because of the record store and people the "walk-ins" I found out REAL FAST! My first awareness of technology affecting me was when a group of kids would walk into the store and one would pick up a cd and then his buddy would tell him, "Don't worry about getting it. I have it and will burn you a copy.”
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Has the economic situation had a noticeable effect on your shop? I know from personal experience that I’ve had to slash almost my entire record buying budget over the last year and it’s slowly but surely killing me; I’m sure that I’m not the only one with a similar story. You’ve been in the business for long enough to probably have a good sense about these types of things; do you have any inclinations or predictions of what’s coming next for non-big box record stores?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Oh yeah, of course. This Recession was not the first "hit" for record stores. It was the third. First was cd burning, second was downloading and then the Recession. It's a huge reason why so many stores have gone under. I have seen this day coming (decrease in sales due to technology) so several years ago I made a plan to sell more clothing and other items you can't "burn", copy or download. Selling shoes, Fred Perrys, belts, t-shirts etc has helped but it's still rough out there. I've seen a huge difference in sales trust me. I just need to be a little (a LOT) smarter when making decisions that pertain to the store.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >What is your take on the current resurgence in popularity of vinyl, both as the head of a label and a record store? Are you worried that people have become so concerned about the color of the wax and ultra-limited pressings that they only see records as collector’s items and not a musical format? Has the resurgence caused any headaches on your end trying to get new releases out because of a back up at the pressing plant?
<br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Good question. Well as I said early, technology has hurt us but it has also helped us. (which I didn't expect). Because of new technology you can now buy a turntable that is automatically set up to plus into your computer so you can download to you iPod or whatever. So that has helped with vinyl sales for sure. CD Sales are a lot slower (hey, that's fine with me, vinyl RULES!). I do hate what I call the "Trophy Hunter" mentality usually found on ebay. You know, those fucking morons that spend way to much on a rare record just so they can say they have it and rub it in their friends faces. I guarantee most of those idiots don't even listen to the record they spent so much on. I don't have a problem spending money on a record that you honestly want. I just cannot stand those that buy it as a "collectible" item and nothing else. Fuck you Poseur!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >I never noticed before a couple days ago that you also run a distro for punk clothing (bondage pants, etc). When did that start up and why?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Yeah, it's been a couple years. Just another way of trying to sell something else that people cannot copy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Is the store big enough for bands to do in-stores? If so, who have you brought in and have the appearances made a difference in your sales?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Yeah, it's about 2300 square feet. We have had bands play like: Casualties (10 years ago), several Dr. Strange bands, Ed Colver (world famous punk rock photographer) and more do in-stores. I plan on more. Once again in an effort to help bring people in. It IS a major headache but it's worth it (so far).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >You recently released a limited LP to commemorate the 20<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the record label. What exactly is on the LP and do you have any other plans to celebrate?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" > <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >No, I think just the LP is good enough. I didn't want to make that big of a deal out of it. Maybe for the 30th?<span style=""> </span>Here's a listing of all the bands on it. I basically just made a cool comp using Dr. Strange bands: <span style="color:black;">dsr-100 v/a lp “Dr. Strange 20<sup>th</sup> Anniversary lp” Only 300 made, picture disc, with bands spanning 20 years of</span></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14;color:black;" > </span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;color:black;" >Dr. Strange Records: Manson Youth, Rhythm Collision, The Bollweevils, The Freeze, Whatever, The Marshes, Mad Parade, Government Issue, The Skulls, Threats, Chiefs, Black Market Baby, Texas Thieves and 999. Strictly limited to 300 copies! Mastered by Tom Lyle of Government Issue w/ big booklet, discography photos and more.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >I’ve talked to some other record store workers/owners and they’ve all mentioned traveling abroad to bring in some stock for their shop. Have you ever done this and has it been worth the trip? What’s the one record you found in an out of the way place that forced a double take to make sure it was real?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Sure, my wife and I used to make regular trips to the U.K. years ago just for that reason. We’ve been to Sweden as well. Basically ANYWHERE we go I'm always on the hunt for records. It hasn't been as necessary lately because so many people e-mail me from all over with lists or people come into the store. I think the best/coolest store (now longer in business by the way) was Beano's outside of London. Three stories of records!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >While doing some research online I came across you speaking at the upcoming Los Angeles Punk Con. Can you give any details about what it will entail and what your role in it is? Do you foresee this becoming an annual thing?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" > <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Really? That's news to me. I do plan on going there for sure but Mike (putting it on) hasn't asked me to speak. I don't think I would to tell you the truth. The thought of Public Speaking does NOT sound fun to me!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >What sells better at your store, the older classics or new releases? Over the years which album do you estimate you’ve sold the most of at the store to impressionable young minds?
<br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Easy. The best selling has to be one of MY all time fav's: The Adolescents cd/lp "s/t". It's a GREAT release and a must have. Also, Circle Jerks "Group Sex" and Suicidal Tendencies "s/t". It's great because these releases sell to people of all ages. Why? Because they ruled back then and STILL rule!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Within the last couple years the label of Dr. Strange has taken to working more with older bands, either on re-releases or on new material after a long break; was that an intentional shift?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Yes, for sure. I decided to work with bands that were/are my favorites that have a similar mind set as I do. You know, these older bands (most of) are no longer together and don't tour. They just want their music out there to be heard. It's less stressful for sure.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >What newer bands have you excited about punk rock these days?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >The first band to come to mind is Government Warning from Maine? Back east somewhere. <span style="font-style: italic;">(ed note - Richmond, VA, and they do fucking rule)</span> Great early 80's style hardcore. It's not that they're doing anything original or new, it's just that they do it REALLY well and with a lot of energy. But the truth is, for the most part, I'm still listening to the same stuff I did in high school!
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Any last words or thoughts you’d like to add?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Yes, as I always do in interviews I want to give a very sincere "thank you" to everyone who has ever bought anything from my mail order, label or record store. Without those people I wouldn't have the best "job" in the world! If you want more info on me or want to e-mail to say "hey" check the site:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><a href="http://www.rarepunk.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue;">www.RAREPUNK.com</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-74057294416716573622009-02-27T15:29:00.009-06:002009-02-27T18:16:14.913-06:00Last Chinese Telephones show. Borg Ward, 2/26/2009Over the last year or so the amount of road trips that I'm supposed to take have been piling up to an obnoxious number. I took care of one last night by heading up the fine city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the last Chinese Telephones show. They've broken up before and frankly, even though they seem pretty dead set that it's over, I'd be surprised if they actually stay broken up this time but since the lovely gentlemen of Pigs on Ice were opening and I hadn't hung out in Milwaukee for over a year I figured what the hell, I'll go.<br /><br />Whenever I travel into the great state of Wisconsin something invariably goes wrong. Whether it's a car breaking down in the middle of nowhere, a hippie snoring so loud that he keeps everyone in the house awake, traffic problems forcing the band I'm traveling with to miss their slot or heat in the house we're staying at being broken, Wisconsin and I have a complicated history. Luckily for me the thing that went wrong this time was relatively minor and early on in the day. By now I should know better, but I assumed that going two stops on the blue line would not take over a half an hour and I'd have plenty of time to hop on the Metra train to the south suburbs to meet up with my ride. WELL I'LL BE DAMNED, IT DID TAKE OVER 30 MINUTES! I would've been better off walking. I missed the 1:30 train and had to kill an hour in the Metra station at LaSalle. Oh well.<br /><br />After the CTA debacle everything transit was smooth sailing for awhile. The always gracious Kevin was to be our escort to Milwaukee, but before the real journey could begin we had to head out to Palatine to pick up the other members of our travel company, the J's known as Jerry, Jason and Jen. It was cold and rainy but that wasn't dampening our spirits as we crossed the Illinois/Wisconsin border and drove past the never-gets-old-novelty of the "Bong Recreation Area" sign and the mystery known as the Mars Cheese Castle. We had plenty of time before the show had to start so finally, after years of waiting and ridiculous expectations, we pulled off the road and entered into the promised land of the Mars Cheese Castle.<br /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5703.jpg" /><br />Tiny Jerry in amongst the fog.<br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5705.jpg" /><br />So we get in there right before closing time and I'm honestly overwhelmed by the amount of cheese I'm surrounded by. Rows upon rows upon rows of varieties that haven't even come to me in my wildest dreams. Then to my delight there's a little sandwich counter and a novelty store in the back. Being the smug asshole that I am I had to get a grilled cheese; I couldn't keep the shit eating grin off my face as I place the order and waited. Holy hell was it good.<br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 533px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5706.jpg" /><br />Jen and Jason trying the samples at the front.<br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5708.jpg" /><br />Oh novelty bumpers sticks, how I've missed you.<br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5710.jpg" /><br />Pictures like this are why the term "FIBs" exists.<br /><br />In the fifteen minutes we were in the Cheese Castle the weather went from not great to terrible. The fog overpowered the feeble lights of the car and the rain picked up speed, making navigation of the back-roads around the Cheese Castle a white knuckled drive. At one point we weren't 100% sure if we were going the wrong way on a one way road but we survived. Within a half hour we're in the city and putzing around inside the Borg Ward. Standard punk time was in effect so we had plenty of time on our hands to explore. I call my friends Brian and Katie to ask what's cool to do. They point out that there's a gas station a block down and that's it. We were already in said gas station.<br /><br /><img style="width: 401px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5711.jpg" /><br />I should've bought the water gun, damnit. Marveling at the local candies soon turns tedious (but seriously, a BBQ watermelon sucker? Sounds gross) so we hop back in the car to putz around some more. Eventually happening upon a liquor store I accomplish the second thing on my list of "Things to Do in Wisconsin" by picking up a case of Blatz and some Schlitz Malt Liquor, both fine delicacies that aren't available to those of us south of the border.<br /><img style="width: 401px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5814.jpg" /><br />Isn't it beautiful?<br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5713.jpg" /><br />As a dedicated Schlitz fan, let's just say this was my Christmas.<br /><img style="width: 397px; height: 297px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5715.jpg" /><br />Jerry the cop breaks a law. This is totally going to bite you in the ass when you want to run Palatine with an iron fist.<br /><br />We head back towards the Borg Ward and kill some time in the car until Brian calls at 6:45 to tell me the show was operating only on semi-punk time and the first band had already finished up. Hmm, alright. We walk in right before some band plays and I can't remember for the life of me what they're called; the only thing I remember is that I was told they're ex-members of the Modern Machines, a band I never really dug that much and that the new one was pretty boring too.<br /><br />I was really impressed with the Borg Ward as a whole. The front is an art gallery and behind a divider is the show space. For you Chicagoans, it reminds me a lot of what The Humility Gallery (RIP) had. The back room had more than enough space for a decent sized turn out and if you weren't too into the band, just head back to the front and chat; hell, they even had chairs set up so you could sit down! Whether you were discreetly drinking a Pabst from a glove and getting semi-rowdy or chowing down on Subway party sub looking at the murals, you were having a blast. I give The Borg Ward a pretty big thumbs up.<br /><br />So back to the show. Possible Fathers came up next and played what seemed to me to be a 12 minute at the most set, with at least three of those minutes taken up by instrument switching. They veered between traditional punk and slightly more oddly timed stuff. Either way I liked the music and the absurdity of the instrument switching.<br /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5717.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5718.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 399px; height: 299px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5721.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 398px; height: 531px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5722.jpg" /><br /><br />Coming up next was the in-imitable Pigs on Ice. Last time I saw these guys was a complete disaster of a show. A Sunday night bar show to four non-paying customers with cheese metal bands and equipment problems. They hated it, I loved the train wreck aspect of it. As is to be expected, seeing them in their own town and in a much better environment meant they played a much better set. Also since the last show they've added a full time lights person, so if you will, imagine a snuff film of Scratch Acid, the Butthole Surfers and Shoot it Up having a knife fight. You kind of get the idea. I deduct one level of awesomeness because they packed up their stuff and left before I got a chance to pick up the split cassette with Possible Fathers, which was part of the reason I decided to drive up there. So Eff You, Pigs on Ice, you beautiful bastards.<br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5724.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 532px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5726.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 384px; height: 512px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5732.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5736.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5737.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 399px; height: 299px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5743.jpg" /><br /><br />Penultimately came Ohio's The Dopamines, a strictly formulaic three chord pop punk band in the Weasel/Ramonescore vein. Don't read that last sentence as an insult though, because if you know me you know I eat that stuff up, especially at shows. I enjoyed the brief set quite a bit and will most likely check them out again next time they pull through town.<br /><mg src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5743.jpg"><br /><img style="width: 399px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5746.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5748.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 399px; height: 299px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5752.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 533px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5753.jpg" /><br /><br />I'm still not quite sure how I feel about pre-announced last shows. On one hand it's great to know that you get one more chance to see the band and lose your mind, but the lead up and the aftermath of said last show just leaves me bummed out, whereas an abrupt break-up announcement is painful but brief; "Like a band aid, RIGHT OFF" to quote Jerry Seinfeld. Either way, it was time for Milwaukee and the whole world to say goodbye to the Chinese Telephones again. Doubling as a release show for their CD collection of out of print vinyl releases, they delved pretty deep back into the catalog to play some songs I'd never had the pleasure of seeing live. The crowd was actually quite a bit smaller than I was expecting considering it was a home town show but those that actually showed up got decently rowdy and into the show; lord knows I did my fair share of shouting and fist pumping. R.I.P. Chinese Telephones, you'll be missed. Probably see you again in a few years when Razorcake throws a million dollars your way for the stadium reunion tour.<br /><br /><img style="width: 399px; height: 299px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5754.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5760.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 399px; height: 532px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5767.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 397px; height: 297px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5768.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5772.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 394px; height: 295px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5776.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 398px; height: 298px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5778.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 533px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5779.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 399px; height: 532px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5785.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 401px; height: 534px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5786.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5787.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 398px; height: 298px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5791.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 399px; height: 299px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5796.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 401px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5800.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5803.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5805.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 533px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/February%2026/DSCN5806.jpg" /><br /><br /><b>Set List</b> - stolen by Mr. Jerry<br />Tell Me Tell Me<br />Better Than The Next<br />I Think I Can Breathe Now<br /><br />It's Starting Again<br />Smiling<br />Game Of Pricks (Guided By Voices cover)<br /><br />Those Hot Milwaukee Nights<br />Stay Around<br />Live Like This<br /><br />Back To You Again<br />Basement Child Super Rock Fun, Go!<br />I Can't Be Right<br /><br />-Encore-<br />Crying In The Chapel<br />This Time Next Year<br /><br />Video of "Live Like This" and "Back To You Again" with crappy sound. I apologize in advance for my impulsive grammar nazi-ness.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WOZETssc198&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WOZETssc198&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Here are the last two songs EVAR from the Chinese Telephones, "Crying in the Chapel" and my personal favorite "This Time Next Year."<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ar8SPk9nfVI&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ar8SPk9nfVI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></mg><br /><br />After the show I finally met fellow Daghouser Dan Celebrity and just as expected he's a stand up individual. Thanks a million for the 7"! The drive home was smooth sailing, completely devoid of the fog, rain and wind that plagued us on the drive up. Overall I can't think of a better way to have spent my Thursday night.Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-1472500944295687632009-02-02T17:15:00.006-06:002010-03-02T01:16:25.063-06:00Darius Koski (Swingin' Utters) Interview (January 2009)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsF7PzdiCifhJK3YoY-DlSE0kEJKlOYVS5MeDfs7TlRmHhRWL7rrWdNQwVS2x0RPJjN259KlMh4wqP8h4G3AlCX-iv7cCoBxvj2ksWH5sD3LP7ZEboZQVkQ-ck8wlg8wJkC0Hk2B0uqZz/s1600-h/darius.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsF7PzdiCifhJK3YoY-DlSE0kEJKlOYVS5MeDfs7TlRmHhRWL7rrWdNQwVS2x0RPJjN259KlMh4wqP8h4G3AlCX-iv7cCoBxvj2ksWH5sD3LP7ZEboZQVkQ-ck8wlg8wJkC0Hk2B0uqZz/s320/darius.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298343121992013714" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"\0027Times New Roman\0027"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-alt:"Times New Roman"; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:auto; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >By the time this tour rolls through Chicago it will have been five and a half years since the last time I saw the Swingin' Utters. Damn. Obviously an email interview but it gets the job done.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill Molloy</span>:<span style=""> </span>First off, just out of curiosity, what is the current count of side projects emanating from members of the Swingin’ Utters? My last count had it around nine or so but I’m pretty sure I’m missing some.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Darius Koski</span>:<span style=""> </span>Here's a little breakdown... There are 6 at the moment (7 if you count the Utters), but I think it was around 8 or so a while ago... It's kind of convoluted and incestuous, but we're a <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">San Francisco</st1:place></st1:city> band, and that's just how we do it out here...<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >Darius: Filthy Thieving Bastards, Re-Volts<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >Jack: Dead To Me, Re-Volts<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >Spike: Filthy Thieving Bastards, Gimme Gimmes, Re-Volts<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >Johnny: Druglords of the Avenues, Filthy Thieving Bastards<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >Greg: Viva Hate<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" > <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>I’ve read different reports on when the band actually formed, but based on the several dates I’ve seen thrown around you guys have passed your 20th anniversary as a band within the last year or two. Was there any sort of celebration for it? I’d seen something online about Kevin Wickersham coming back and playing a show or two, was that true/related to the anniversary?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Darius</span>:<span style=""> </span>Kevin just filled in for a show that Spike couldn't make... which was fun, and the first time we'd played on a stage with him in 12 years, I think. It would have been nice to have some sort of celebration, but I've always thought it was kind of tricky to nail down exactly when we started. Greg, Kevin, Johnny and Aric Mckenna started Johnny Peebucks and the Swingin' Utters in '88. From '88-90 they were a cover band that played mostly parties and a few small shows. I joined in '90, Aric left soon thereafter, and we started writing originals pretty immediately, and playing more shows. Our first release was, I think in '91, maybe '92... We had 2 singles and a 9-song 10-inch before our first full length, which was in '95... so, I don't know, I guess it's been twenty years... It's pretty much been the same band for that whole time. Kind of. I don't know, see what I mean?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>What was the impetus behind the recent b-sides collection? Is there anything missing from the compilation that you know of?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Darius</span>:<span style=""> </span>I've been wanting to compile all this stuff and release it for several years now. We recorded a lot of stuff from '90-'95, before our first full length release, and since then there have been songs on 7-inch singles and compilations that most people haven't heard-- a lot of them didn't make the record we were recording at the time, but I think a bunch of them should have... There are also some really badly recorded (like, recorded on a ghetto blaster at a practice session) songs that have never been released, mostly because they're just not good songs. I've saved everything over the years (like all those cassette recordings of our practices.... YAWN). There are also plenty of different versions of previously released songs--we released several of these on Hatest Grits, but we didn't want to release them all, because really it gets a little redundant. We tried to pick versions that really were different in some real way, no just "different" versions because they were from another recording session... It wouldn't have been all that interesting, believe me. So, I think there's always gonna be some stuff that people won't here, but I think it's, uh... for the better.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Darius, in an interview with AMP Magazine a few years ago, maybe late 2005, during the promo period for the last two Filthy Thieving Bastards records you mentioned that you don’t really listen too much punk rock any more. Was that in reaction to preparing and promoting the folksier project, and now that the Utters seem to be getting more active have you been delving more into punk again? Are there any younger bands out there that you’ve gotten into lately?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Darius</span>:<span style=""> </span>I almost regret saying that, because it sounds like I just don't like punk rock anymore, which would make my being involved in the Swingin' Utters kind of silly... but really I don't listen to a whole lot of punk rock, mostly because I'm so fucking judgmental of music in general, and there just aren't a lot of (new) punk rock bands I like all that much. I like the Spits, and I like a bunch of songs by the Soviettes. There's a band out of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Sacramento</st1:place></st1:city> called Boats! that are pretty cool... I don't know, I'm not really obsessing over any new punk band at the moment, but that's probably because I don't really go out that much, and the only bands I really see are either my friends' bands that come to town, or bands that are playing with one of my projects. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>During the downtime of the last few years how active have the Utters been? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Darius</span>:<span style=""> </span>We play every few months, really just long weekends. We never really completely stopped playing live for more than, I don't know, maybe we went for a 10 month stretch or something. I mean, when you're not making records, you're just not an active band, are you? But we've basically covered the west coast--mostly northern and southern California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona... not much, which is frustrating because I REALLY miss touring... but we were just in Texas a couple of months ago for the first time in several years, and it was great.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Dead Flowers, Bottles Bluegrass and Bones</span> seemed to be noticeably faster and harder than your previous albums. Was this a reaction to the forming of the Filthy Thieving Bastards and having a different outlet for some of the softer material?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Darius</span>:<span style=""> </span>I pretty purposely wrote harder songs for that record, because it just felt like that's what we needed to do. I don't really know why, it just seemed like it was actually a different direction for us or something. I mean, there's only so much "experimentation" that you can do when you're a punk rock band. There was the hard stuff, like Elation or No Pariah, but then If You Want Me To and Shadows and Lies were really soft, really mellow. I like that contrast, and that's what I've always gone for, as far as the songs I've written for the band. We all have really eclectic tastes in music--we all listen to just about every genre. I don't care if it's traditional Greek music, big band, rap, soundtracks or Throbbing Gristle--if I like it, I like it. I like listening to music. Filthy Thieving Bastards has made it a lot easier, though. I write a lot of country/folk/pop/mellow kind of stuff--way more than I write punk rock--but in the last few years I know which songs are Utters songs and which songs are FTB songs.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>How do you decide what band your songs go to? Is the writing process different for each band? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Darius</span>:<span style=""> </span>I generally consider FTB to be my "country" band, or kind of also my "pop" band, as in more or a 60's, Kinks kind of pop. Johnny writes punk stuff for that band as well, but I just refuse to write any punk for that band, because I don't really think of it as that kind of band at all--but Johnny writes pretty much in every genre for that band, which I love. He's really raised the bar, as far as songwriting goes for the Filthy Thieving Bastards. I haven't written much for the Re-Volts. That's got a bit of a more specific post-punk kinda vibe to it, I think. I don't know, it can get a little confusing I guess.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>How long exactly has Jack been with the band? Has the dynamic changed with getting someone a bit younger?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Darius</span>:<span style=""> </span>Jack's been with us since either late '03 or early '04.... and I think we sound better than we ever have. I know that sounds like something some asshole rock star or professional athlete would say, but it's true. He's an old friend of ours, he's an awesome rhythm player, has a beautiful voice, and we all just adore the guy to death... oh and HA! I always thought he was a lot younger than us as well, but I'm only 6 months older than him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>How involved is the band with the upcoming tribute record on Red Scare Records? What was your initial reaction when Toby pitched the idea? Is there any information you can confirm about the status of it?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Darius</span>:<span style=""> </span>I'm not all that involved in it. I've been asked to be more involved, but that feels a little weird and self-important to me. I have no idea what the status is, as far as when it's coming out or anything. It's really flattering.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Are there plans for any new Utters releases in the near future?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >Darius:<span style=""> </span>I'm hoping that we'll be in the studio in May, for a new full length on Fat.... but who knows if it's gonna happen in May, so I'd say you can expect a new record somewhere between fall '09-early spring '10.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>It’s been over five years since the band last hit the <st1:place st="on">Midwest</st1:place>; has it been that long for the East Coast as well? Do you have any hopes or expectations for this upcoming tour after such an absence? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Darius</span>:<span style=""> </span>I'm just really excited. We're going to be touring more regularly again, finally. I really just want to be a real band again, that releases records and goes on tours--so as long as the Utters exist as a band, we'll be doing what we're supposed to do--touring and recording. Maybe not as much as a lot of other bands do, but as much as we can--we've got jobs and kids, etc. so it's not as easy for us, but we're all into it and we're all ready.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Now that Bush is finally out of office, will Spike have to retire the “Fuck Bu$h” stickers on his bass? On a more serious note, the Utters have always been extremely outspoken advocates of the working class. Are you optimistic about the incoming administration’s ability to deal with this economic crisis or are we already too far down? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Darius</span>:<span style=""> </span>I've got stickers on my guitars as well! I think we should take blow dryers to them and retire them. Be done with that piece of shit, finally... What a fucking stain on our country's history. I'm as optimistic as a reasonable person can be about Obama. I like the guy, but I only trust politicians so much. Either he's for real (like, a real person), or he's just another great politician like Clinton or Kennedy--which isn't always a great thing to be, as far as I'm concerned. I like to think somebody like MLK was for real, you know... and everybody's got this wish that Obama is gonna be that guy... As far as the economy, I can't really say I'm very educated about economics, but... recessions always end, don't they? I'm not sure it's going to be Obama that digs us out, but I'm sure things will get better, economically at least, in the next couple of years. In all other areas, I think the future is pretty bleak and kind of terrifying, what with the environment, and people hating us and all, but that's another discussion entirely...<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Any last words or thoughts?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Darius</span>:<span style=""> </span>Fuck Bush?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-57065392563207497732009-02-02T17:02:00.006-06:002010-03-02T00:00:28.631-06:00Mike McColgan (Street Dogs) Interview (January 2009)<img src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b241/SECRETIONS999/MIIIIKEtheProm.jpg" />
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<br />Something tells me this guy has done some interviews before. <a href="http://riotfest.org/features/street-dogs/">
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<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike McColgan</span>:<span style=""> </span>Hey Bill this is Mike McColgan how are you?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>I’m not too bad.<span style=""> </span>Do you have time to do the interview now?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah absolutely.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Alright.<span style=""> </span>So the new record was your first on Hellcat and I always kind of wondered, Brass Tacks was your own label but under DRT?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, we still control the rights to that imprint.<span style=""> </span>So it’s likely in the future that we’ll re-visit putting out artists and putting out releases but right now we’re just tied up with promoting <i style="">State of Grace</i> and getting ready to tour the US and Canada and Japan and Europe so we’ve got a full plate but down the line that’s something we’ll re-visit.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>I was always kind of curious about that.<span style=""> </span>A lot of bands seem to be doing the opposite of what you’re doing, leaving established labels and starting up their own stuff.<span style=""> </span>So <i style="">State of Grace</i> has been out for about six or seven months now, so you’ve had some time to live with it and have done some touring on it already, how does it compare when you’re playing the songs live to the older ones that your fans know better now?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>I think songs like “Kevin J. O’Toole,” songs like “Mean Fist,” songs like “Free” (pause) and even when we play the cover that was on <i style="">State of Grace</i>, <span style=""> </span>“Into The Valley,” those get big responses from the crwd and it feels like the more we tour the more the songs become well known, you know, like “Not Without a Purpose” or “Back to the World” or “Savin Hill” or “Fighter.”<span style=""> </span>They start to carve out their own niche when you present them to fans and give it time to permeate.<span style=""> </span>And when you play it live as opposed to when it’s on a record it always takes on a different manifestation, there’s always a different vibe and I think people lock into our stuff more when we play it live than they would if they just listened to it sterile at home or in a car.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>With the new record, at least what I got from listening to it, it definitely seemed a little more scaled back on the pace; it seemed much more of a traditional rock record.<span style=""> </span>Was that an intentional thing?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>I think… (pause) Any time you make a record, creatively, the outside influences influence you directly or indirectly.<span style=""> </span>You know, with <i style="">Savin Hill</i>, <i style="">Back to the World</i>, <i style="">Fading American Dream</i> and <i style="">State of <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Grace</st1:place></st1:state></i>, each release is a window into where we were at the time we made it, with what we’re listening to and what we’re feeling.<span style=""> </span>I don’t think it was a conscious decision of “well let’s slow it down and go for a big arena rock record” or anything like that.<span style=""> </span>That never came up.<span style=""> </span>I think what we just did was we just worked on the songs we had and we tried to make ‘em sound as good as possible.<span style=""> </span>The thing with us, our mantra has always been to say, play and do whatever we want, you know what I mean, and not be afraid of the outcome.<span style=""> </span>I mean if we’re going to be true to music and true to making records and doing it on our own terms that’s how you have to operate.<span style=""> </span>You can’t play it safe and say “well we have to move at this clip tempo-wise to keep the kids happy or to keep our listeners happy.”<span style=""> </span>You have to please yourself first creatively and it has to mean something to you legitimately or it’s not going to resonate or translate when you play it live.<span style=""> </span>It’ll be contrived and distant.<span style=""> </span>You have to be honest about it and present the songs win, lose, die or draw.<span style=""> </span>I’m not concerned if we… if we were to succeed or again if we fail miserably I’m happy with either.<span style=""> </span>I’m happy with either.<span style=""> </span>To be as far along as we are now, to have four records and be on Hellcat and to have done all we’ve done, it’s gone beyond our expectations.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah because when you started off it sort of a project type deal, play a couple shows and see what came from it?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, we had real humble expectations.<span style=""> </span>“Well let’s play, play local shows and maybe record.”<span style=""> </span>When we did that it took on a life of its own, and there was more of a demand for us than we had anticipated when we started so we kind of got swept up in it and I don’t think I have any regrets about that.<span style=""> </span>I’m happy about all that we’ve done, all the tours we’ve been on and going from doing it half-way to all the way, 100%, you know.<span style=""> </span>This band is a full time endeavor now, and it has been for quite some time actually, since September 2004.<span style=""> </span>I mean, I’m just eternally grateful for being able to make records and being able to play live and do what I’m doing.<span style=""> </span>Touring with the bands we have, doing the Warped Tour, being on Hellcat Records and having the opportunities we have, it blows my mind every day.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Since we’re getting back into the older days of the band, at what point did you notice that your audiences became an actual Street Dogs crowd instead of the curiosity seekers that knew you from Dropkick and the other guys from previous bands?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>I’d say around when we released <i style="">Fading American Dream</i> in ’06 and we went on the road on our own, then I could see that there was a Street Dogs crowd.<span style=""> </span>There were even kids who didn’t know that I had sang for DKM before and would come up to me at the merch table and say “You guys sound a lot like the Bouncing Souls or DKM.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>(hearty chuckle)</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>I don’t feel beholden to let the kids know I was in another band or “this is my pedigree.”<span style=""> </span>I feel more comfortable with people finding that our on their own, you know what I mean?<span style=""> </span>Because even though on stage I’m a ham and very gregarious and out-going, when I talk to the fans I’m not a grandstander or an ego driven guy.<span style=""> </span>I don’t like saying “this is what I’ve done.”<span style=""> </span>I even cringe a little bit when I read or bio and see all that stuff written about it, but it’s our story.<span style=""> </span>It is my story and it is what I’ve been through but I don’t want to ever bee construed as a guy who’s full of himself.<span style=""> </span>I try to stay right, keep my feet on the ground, just do the best I can.<span style=""> </span>But to get back to your question, yeah it was around ’06 that I started to realize that we did have an audience and it was exclusive to us.<span style=""> </span>I’ve seen it on the Warped tour this summer and the follow up tour, the <i style="">State of <st1:state st="on">Grace</st1:state></i> fall tour in the <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>Even in <st1:place st="on">Europe</st1:place> when we went with Flogging Molly I could see our people coming out too.<span style=""> </span>I’m grateful for it.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>It’s kind of funny that say that time period because I remember the first couple times I’d seen the band it was a good show, great always, but in Fall of ’06 on that Bouncing Souls tour is when you started playing at least one Dropkick song.<span style=""> </span>I can’t remember for the life of me what it is but I know there was one.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>I think it was either “Road of the Righteous” or “Get Up.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>That’s it, it was “Get Up.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>When we were rehearsing for that tour I just thought for fun “let’s kick a couple of them around” and we ended up doing it on The Gold Tour.<span style=""> </span>I think once we’d completed The Gold Tour I felt comfortable walking away from doing that because we had a pretty deep arsenal of songs on our own.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah by that time you had three records already.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>I just wanted to present those to people, things of that nature.<span style=""> </span>I don’t really get much of that anymore.<span style=""> </span>I mean when we first started I got a lot of that but now I don’t get that any more at all, which is kind of shocking because I had expected that to continue at least on some small level, but it really hasn’t.<span style=""> </span>And the Bouncing Souls, you want to talk about an institution or a band that does things on their own terms, they were coming up on their twentieth anniversary.<span style=""> </span>Those are the greatest guys and truest guys in this genre, or in this business, period.<span style=""> </span>They’ve been nothing but friends and a great positive example to us.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Yeah I’ve worked a couple shows with them and they’re always super nice, really helpful.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>They really are an amazing band and great people.<span style=""> </span>We were very, very grateful for the opportunity they gave us in ’06 to be on that tour.<span style=""> </span>It was a really big tour for us.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>It definitely was.<span style=""> </span>In <st1:city st="on">Chicago</st1:city> you played The Metro, and before you were playing at the old Bottom Lounge and the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Irish</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Heritage</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on"></st1:placename><st1:placetype st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place> then all of a sudden you’re playing in a place that holds one thousand people.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>Last time we were in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city> we played Reggie’s Rock Club with Flatfoot 56, that was a great show.<span style=""> </span><st1:city st="on">Chicago</st1:city>’s almost, I mean <st1:city st="on">Boston</st1:city>’s where we’re originally from and that’ll always be home, but <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city>’s like a surrogate home.<span style=""> </span>It’s an amazing city, you’re lucky to live there.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah it’s a pretty awesome scene, there are always at least one or two shows every week.<span style=""> </span>I’m low on money so I can’t go most of them.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>Common problem these days.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Now obviously you started in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Boston</st1:place></st1:city>, but was it just you that moved to LA, are the rest of the guys still in there?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>Actually I’m in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Los Angeles</st1:place></st1:city> and… it’s a funny story.<span style=""> </span>I’m in <st1:city st="on">Los Angeles</st1:city>, our drummer Paul is in <st1:city st="on">Los Angeles</st1:city> and the other guys are in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Texas</st1:place></st1:state>.<span style=""> </span>Johnny moved to <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Texas</st1:place></st1:state> because his wife and her family live there.<span style=""> </span>You know we have a pretty rigorous touring schedule every year.<span style=""> </span>We’re clocking in at about an average of eight months out of twelve ever year.<span style=""> </span>My wife is from <st1:city st="on">Los Angeles</st1:city>, his wife is from <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Houston</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span>We just wanted to be considerate of their needs and how difficult it is when we’re out on the road and away.<span style=""> </span>That kind of precipitated my move over here and his move to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Houston</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span>I mean that’s where we’re all living right now but at the end of the day we started in a little club in <st1:city st="on">Somerville</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">Massachusetts</st1:state>, just outside of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Boston</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span>In our minds, our hearts, our souls and our spirit that’s our home.<span style=""> </span>It’s where it all started so that’s what we feel comfortable saying, that we’re from <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Boston</st1:place></st1:city>, because that’s where it all started and you can hear it in the music and how we present ourselves.<span style=""> </span>As the sports fanatics that we are that’s where we choose to keep it.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Has the geographical distance made the writing process more difficult?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well generally when we go to make a record, we’ll allot a certain amount of time, usually about a month, for writing, demoing, pre-production.<span style=""> </span>Then on the heels of that we’ll go into tracking in the studio which takes about the same amount of time.<span style=""> </span>I think what we plan on doing with our next release, we’re looking at January or February of 2010 to do our next release on Hellcat, start up the next release cycle.<span style=""> </span>Until then we’ll just promote <i style="">State of Grace</i>, go all over the world for that.<span style=""> </span>That’s how we do our records, get together for that time to work on songs, whether it’s in <st1:city st="on">Los Angeles</st1:city> or <st1:city st="on">Houston</st1:city> or even if we travel to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Boston</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span>Maybe find a little place in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Cambridge</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span>We find a way to make it work.<span style=""> </span>Where there’s a will, there’s a way.<span style=""> </span>When people are in all the way for a project they make it work, you know?<span style=""> </span>There are a lot of bands that are spread out in where they live.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>With this upcoming tour, the Crooked Drunken Sons tour, on the promo poster it’s billed as the first annual.<span style=""> </span>Are there any grand ambitions to make this a yearly thing?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>(pause)<span style=""> </span>Um… (pause).<span style=""> </span>I wouldn’t like, I’d like to see it go more than one year.<span style=""> </span>We have the Swingin’ Utters headlining shows with us and to have Shot Baker there it’s a dream come true.<span style=""> </span>I mean, that’s a bill that I would pray for and then it happens.<span style=""> </span>It might go beyond on year.<span style=""> </span>If it does, it does.<span style=""> </span>If it doesn’t, it doesn’t.<span style=""> </span>It’d be nice to be able to go every year around this time and take some bands you love out on the road, have some big shows and get people their money’s worth, you know?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>You’ve been doing work with OxFam lately.<span style=""> </span>Care to explain how that came about and what exactly you do?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well I bumped into some of their representatives at the Shamrock Fest several years ago.<span style=""> </span>Basically what they’re trying to do is help impoverished people, people hit by a natural disaster, trying to empower people to grow food, empower them to be educated, help people get the inoculations and shots they need to stay healthy.<span style=""> </span>I don’t think they have a political agenda; they just want to help people, so that appealed to me.<span style=""> </span>That appealed to all the guys in the group.<span style=""> </span>We put them out on front street because, we just… there are kids out at shows and they want to make a difference, they want to do something.<span style=""> </span>They’ll tell you stories about their lives and they want to help out.<span style=""> </span>We feel like OxFam gives a chance to people to maybe donate a little bit or volunteer.<span style=""> </span>I feel like it’s a positive thing, for change, for one person at a time.<span style=""> </span>It’s pretty wide sweeping.<span style=""> </span>So that’s why we got involved.<span style=""> </span>It’s just the right thing to do to help people and reach out to the less fortunate.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Is the food drive for the upcoming tour going through OxFam?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well basically what we want to do when we go out on the Crooked, Drunken Sons tour is collect canned goods, find local food banks in the cities we’re playing and just hand the food over to them to get to people that are homeless.<span style=""> </span>I think generally speaking in most cities, food banks and homeless shelters and places like that, when they distribute food, not only can they locate canned goods but they can find who to hand them over to.<span style=""> </span>As far as fire department relief funds, we think what we want to do is split up the dates to alternate canned goods and donations to fire relief agencies.<span style=""> </span>I think what will most likely happen is that people will contribute to both so each city will get something to the right agencies.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Now when you were talking about why you worked with OxFam earlier that it’s not very political.<span style=""> </span>Now going back you’ve said things like that for awhile, I know on the first record you had “Don’t Preach To Me” about celebrities talking about politics.<span style=""> </span>But within the last couple years, the Street Dogs have gotten huge and within certain circles you are a celebrity.<span style=""> </span>How do you deal with that?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>You know it’s funny because the last… (pause) In our way of thinking in the band we definitely don’t think we’re huge.<span style=""> </span>We’re not you know, selling millions of records or showing up on TV or radio or anything like that.<span style=""> </span>So we feel like we’re still grassroots, accessible, organic, not on a bus, know what I mean?<span style=""> </span>So in our way of thinking we aren’t so huge.<span style=""> </span>And even if we did, if that happens, the big thing with us is that we want to stay accessible to the people that come and see us.<span style=""> </span>Whether that’s just talking at a show, in the club, at the merch table or afterwards, because without for fans you’re zero, you’re nothing.<span style=""> </span>They sustain you, maintains you and allows you to do what you’re doing so there’s a big level of gratitude on our part, towards that.<span style=""> </span>I think what I mean to say is that when I talk to them, there is debate and discussion over certain things.<span style=""> </span>When we express things through song or our website, our myspace, our facebook, whatever, we’re not trying to indoctrinate people.<span style=""> </span>We’re not trying to say “if you don’t think like us, you’re wrong.”<span style=""> </span>We firmly believe in freedom of speech and freedom of choice.<span style=""> </span>And I stress that when I talk to people when I’m at shows or even in interviews.<span style=""> </span>We’re not heavy handed or self righteous or raging from a bull pulpit.<span style=""> </span>That’s not our style at all.<span style=""> </span>The weirdest thing about standing up on stage, it’s definitely going to bring you under some scrutiny or under the spotlight sometimes, but I don’t think I would ever tell people “you gotta think like me” or “you gotta get this or you’re wrong.”<span style=""> </span>That’s certainly not how we conduct ourselves.<span style=""> </span>We want to write about what’s inside of us, what compels us, what alienates us, what makes us happy, what makes us sad or glad.<span style=""> </span>So that’s how we’ve always liked it.<span style=""> </span>I think when I wrote the song “Don’t Preach To Me” I felt that in certain instances there are celebrities, actors, actresses, even big sporting figures that express their views and got a little too self righteous, got a little too full of themselves and made it into “this way or the highway.”<span style=""> </span>In a democracy and freedom, the first amendment always gives space for people to have different opinions and different beliefs.<span style=""> </span>That’s what the whole system’s based on anyway as far as our government.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Alright, I just have one more written down question and it’s not even a real question actually.<span style=""> </span>What are the top five worst things about the Yankees?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>(chuckle) Top five worst things about the Yankees.<span style=""> </span>I’d say number five, A Rod.<span style=""> </span>Number four, Derek Jeter.<span style=""> </span>Number three, Jason Giambi.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Cheater.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>Two, Brian Cashman.<span style=""> </span>And number one, George Steinbrenner.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, you got pretty much what I would’ve said.<span style=""> </span>Any last words, thoughts, questions or anything?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>No, just thanks for the interview and hopefully this year coming up we can play Riot Fest.<span style=""> </span>We talked to the Bosstones about it and they said it was great.<span style=""> </span>They love <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city> just like we do so it’d be fun to play there again.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah I’m kind of bummed you guys aren’t able to play the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city> date on this tour with the Utters, but it happens.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>I think what we may do potentially is in the summer go out with The Aggrolites and swing through Chicago, maybe even do two nights in a smaller venue.<span style=""> </span>Generally every time we go through there, and I’m not just kissing your ass because you’re giving me an interview, we genuinely love the city.<span style=""> </span>It’s the type of city where there’s so much stuff and it’d be great to live.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Alright, cool.<span style=""> </span>Thanks for your time.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike</span>:<span style=""> </span>Alright Bill, take care man.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>You too.<span style=""> </span>Bye.<span style="">
<br /></span></p> Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-4018991007492492602009-01-26T13:10:00.007-06:002010-03-02T00:00:59.883-06:00Brandon Carlisle (Teenage Bottlerocket) Interview (September 2008)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiby1RuBZlfQjOXManZklTejnNB4j8eosJ9N_iiW-1U8CL44VO4cuQpG5UAUOk9lD9n0EL_MoEMn069ZucQrYP8Pg-dkVzuZ3KFhPVnLoj9fVkjW5bmaC8nSE2sS_di1uMG5TcFhmQlOH3t/s1600-h/Brandon.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiby1RuBZlfQjOXManZklTejnNB4j8eosJ9N_iiW-1U8CL44VO4cuQpG5UAUOk9lD9n0EL_MoEMn069ZucQrYP8Pg-dkVzuZ3KFhPVnLoj9fVkjW5bmaC8nSE2sS_di1uMG5TcFhmQlOH3t/s320/Brandon.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295682003431193810" border="0" /></a>This is another case of me thinking I posted this interview a long time ago but in reality, I didn't. Brandon was coming off working an all nighter so he was a bit groggy at first but eventually loosened up and it was a good chat. In fact after I turned the tape recorder off we ended up bullshitting for another hour or so just because. Super nice guy in a fantastic band. <a href="http://riotfest.org/features/teenage-bottlerocket/"></a>
<br />
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill Molloy</span>:<span style=""> </span>How exactly does it feel to be so huge, at least in pop-punk terms?<span style=""> </span>You guys were in Spin a couple months ago and the shows have gotten a lot bigger lately.<span style=""> </span>There’s been a revival the last couple years, how do you feel about it?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Carlisle</span>:<span style=""> </span>(stammering) Wow, ha, I’m a deer in headlights.<span style=""> </span>I think it’s great, it’s awesome.<span style=""> </span>I wasn’t expecting it at all.<span style=""> </span>It was pretty crazy, when we started the band in 2001, Ray and I were having conversations about what we’re doing now and it’s just amazing that it worked out.<span style=""> </span>We weren’t expecting it.<span style=""> </span>We feel pretty lucky about it.<span style=""> </span>You have to be happy with what you’ve got and we definitely are.<span style=""> </span>As far as pop punk, you can only go so far with that; I like to think of us as a good punk rock band, not just a pop punk band.<span style=""> </span>We do play that specific genre but other people get into us that might not be into some of those other bands.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Earlier in the year, back in the Spring around March or so you played a pretty gigantic tour.<span style=""> </span>How many shows in how many days was it?<span style=""> </span>Do you know?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah I think it was 39 shows in 36 days.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>How’d it end up working out, did everyone get through it alright?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah it was the best tour we’ve ever done and it was amazing.<span style=""> </span>We played with a lot of cool bands, especially in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Austin</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span>We supported Dead To Me for the first five or six shows and it was great and then we headlined the rest.<span style=""> </span>It was really good, better than we expected.<span style=""> </span>Really fucking killer.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>I was checking out your tour dates and it looks like you have some more stuff set up, and you just got back from <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region> too.<span style=""> </span>Is it feasible enough to make Teenage Bottlerocket your full-time thing now?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>Nope.<span style=""> </span>I’m in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Alaska</st1:place></st1:state> working right now, working the graveyard shift.<span style=""> </span>That’s why I missed your call earlier.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh, sorry about that.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, it’s not a full time thing; we’re not getting rich off of this music or anything like that.<span style=""> </span>We’re breaking even and that’s good enough for any band I think.<span style=""> </span>For the first five years we were around we were dumping money into it because that’s what you do to keep it going; being in a band’s not free.<span style=""> </span>We’ve just been lucky the last couple years to break even.<span style=""> </span>We do better than breaking even sometimes but for the most part it’s not a thing that’s great financially.<span style=""> </span>We don’t do it full time; if we wanted to it wouldn’t pay the bills.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>You just put out a split 7” with Broadway Calls pretty recently and it came out on Adeline.<span style=""> </span>How did you end up hooking up with Adeline Records?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>Adeline sent us an email that said “Toby from Red Scare is lucky to have us” and it blew us away because we’re big fans of the label and we’re always been big fans of Green Day.<span style=""> </span>I’ve always wanted to hook up with those guys, maybe play a show or go get ice cream or something.<span style=""> </span>When we got the email it was kind of sweet.<span style=""> </span>“Green Day!<span style=""> </span>Awesome!”<span style=""> </span>It turns out that we didn’t get to meet Green Day or anything like that at all! (chuckle).<span style=""> </span>It was cool to do though.<span style=""> </span>When they emailed us saying that Toby was lucky to have us it was flattering so wrote them back and told them that we had a couple extra songs if you guys have anything in mind, and that’s where the 7” developed.<span style=""> </span>It’s cool to put it out on Adeline because of the Green Day affiliation even though we didn’t get to meet them, it was the reason we did it.<span style=""> </span>We’ve always loved those guys and just to have our little footprint on Planet Green Day was great.<span style=""> </span>Also Broadway Calls are an amazing band; we really like them.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Were the extra songs recorded during the <i style="">Warning Device</i> sessions?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, that’s what it was, just two songs that were from the Warning Device sessions.<span style=""> </span>When we sat down to discuss what songs should go on the record and which ones shouldn’t, those were the two that got left off.<span style=""> </span>It wasn’t unanimous with everyone saying “these two songs suck!” because they’re really good songs but after a lot of interchanging and hammering out, trying to make <i style="">Warning Device</i> it’s own thing and having those two songs be on their own is the way it panned out.<span style=""> </span>We’re happy with the way those songs came out, for sure.<span style=""> </span>And with a cover song it’s easier to put it out in a small quantity, you know.<span style=""> </span>When you press a limited amount of 7”s it’s easier to pay the royalties to the original artist as opposed to when you put out large quantities like we did with <i style="">Warning Device</i>.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>There’s a split 7” coming out with The Ergs! pretty soon too, right?<span style=""> </span>Is there any more info or details you can give on that?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, we recorded a Green Day song, haha!<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh cool!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>I guess if you can’t tell yet, we like them.<span style=""> </span>We did “Having A Blast” off of… well wait, back up, rewind the tape.<span style=""> </span>It’s a split 7” on Suburban Home Records and it’s called <i style="">Under The Influence</i> and you’re supposed to do a cover song.<span style=""> </span>When he told us about it we thought it was great and we do Ramones “Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue” pretty well so we were going to do that.<span style=""> </span>Then we were on that big tour, the one we just talked about, someone mentioned that Green Day might make more sense because with the Ramones, we’ve established that we like the Ramones, it’s known.<span style=""> </span>If we were to do that it would be more expected.<span style=""> </span>So when someone mentioned Green Day we went “Fuck yeah, Green Day is just as big an influence on us as the Ramones ever were” so we did “Having A Blast” off of <i style="">Dookie</i>.<span style=""> </span>It turned out really cool; Kody sings it.<span style=""> </span>So that’s what that split 7” is about.<span style=""> </span>I don’t know what song The Ergs! are doing.<span style=""> </span>I just read that they broke up, or they’re breaking up?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah they’re stopping in mid-November, which is a huge bummer.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah those guys are the best.<span style=""> </span>Hopefully they’ll finish the 7”.<span style=""> </span>Maybe I should call ‘em up.<span style=""> </span>“Hey guys, I heard you’re breaking up, that’s really sad man,<span style=""> </span>Um, well what about that split 7” stuff?”<span style=""> </span>(chuckle).<span style=""> </span>I don’t know what to do at this point so I guess we’ll just wait and see.<span style=""> </span>Maybe we’ll do it with someone else, maybe Nothington or something.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>That’d be a cool combination too.<span style=""> </span>Do you know what Joel and Zach are up to, the former members?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>Joel we stay in touch with for sure.<span style=""> </span>When Zach split that was in 2001 or 2002; he was only in the band for a few months so it was a real brief thing.<span style=""> </span>He was sort of a stranger.<span style=""> </span>He lived in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Laramie</st1:place></st1:city> while going to a trade school that was just a short nine month school; we met him right at the tail end of that.<span style=""> </span>He was into punk rock and at that point in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Laramie</st1:place></st1:city> there weren’t many people listening to punk rock, or at least the kind of stuff we were digging on.<span style=""> </span>We hooked up with him and he was into the Ramones, the US Bombs and a few other bands we liked so we started to play with him.<span style=""> </span>Then he was like “ok, school is done, see ya guys later!”<span style=""> </span>When he left we figured we wouldn’t stay in touch and we haven’t heard from him since.<span style=""> </span>I guess it’s kind of weird but he just split.<span style=""> </span>After that we got Joel, and Joel we had known for a long time.<span style=""> </span>He’d played with The Fantastic Sams and we’d played with them and Kody’s old band The Lillingtons had played with them.<span style=""> </span>Our old band The Homeless Wonders had played with The Fantastic Sams too.<span style=""> </span>So when Zach moved out we said “let’s start jamming” and really got Teenage Bottlerocket rolling at that point.<span style=""> </span>We got him a leather jacket and started playing more!<span style=""> </span>He graduated school and moved to <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">California</st1:place></st1:state>; that’s the reason he left the band.<span style=""> </span>We always talk to Joel and when we play in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">California</st1:place></st1:state> he comes out and we have a good time.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>How did Miguel end up joining?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>Well Miguel’s one of our oldest buddies.<span style=""> </span>He’s a little bit younger than us but we’ve been running around with him as long as I can remember putting on shows in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Laramie</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span>(pause).<span style=""> </span>We’d been doing shows in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Laramie</st1:place></st1:city> for a long time and he’d been coming out since somewhere in the 90s.<span style=""> </span>He’s a kid that as he grew older was liking to the same stuff that Ray (<st1:place st="on">Carlisle</st1:place>, guitar/vocals) and I were listening to so when we started Teenage Bottlerocket he was digging it.<span style=""> </span>At that point he was still too young as far as considering him being in the band.<span style=""> </span>By the time things started rolling with Toby, and getting <i style="">Total</i> out, I think Miguel was 20 and he had a van and we didn’t.<span style=""> </span>We were going to go on tour and asked “hey, can we borrow your van?” and he was like “if I can go along!”<span style=""> </span>So he came along and he was the merch guy selling our shirts, and he was playing in bands by that point too so we knew he played bass and guitar.<span style=""> </span>So he was kind of a member of the band before he joined via being the merch guy and driving us around in his van.<span style=""> </span>When Joel said he couldn’t do it Miguel was a natural choice.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>When you’re coming back for Riot Fest, this will be the third time you’re playing <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city> in less than a year, right?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>Yup, that’s true?<span style=""> </span>Is that bad?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>No no no!<span style=""> </span>It’s definitely not bad at all.<span style=""> </span>Each time I see you guys here it’s been exponential growth from the time before.<span style=""> </span>I remember seeing you in 2005 and there were only a few people paying attention and now the last two times you’ve sold out the shows.<span style=""> </span>It’s almost like you’re a local band here.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, we should move there!<span style=""> </span>It’s the best city in the world; the shows there are always the best.<span style=""> </span>All around <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city> rules and we always do great there, I can’t believe how well they go.<span style=""> </span>It’s great, everyone’s singing along and they think the world of us.<span style=""> </span>What more can I say, I love <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span>We all do.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>I was looking up some older tour dates, and you played with All a couple years back in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Laramie</st1:city></st1:place>?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:city st="on">
<br /></st1:city></st1:place></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:city st="on">Brandon</st1:city></st1:place>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah that was one of our first shows, that was in 2001.<span style=""> </span>So that was way back what, seven years ago?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh wow.<span style=""> </span>So you’ve worked with Bill Stevenson, recording a couple times with him.<span style=""> </span>How do you feel about playing with All again?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>It’ll be awesome to play with All again.<span style=""> </span>I kind of wish Chad Price was singing!<span style=""> </span>(laugh) I shouldn’t be saying that, maybe we should erase that from the tape, back up back up!<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>(hearty chuckle)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>No, it’ll be great.<span style=""> </span>Maybe they’ll watch us but probably not.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Have you started working on any follow up material to <i style="">Warning Device</i> yet?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah we’ve been writing as best we could lately.<span style=""> </span>Right now we have… one song? (chuckle)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Still progress!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>So don’t worry the record should be out any day here!<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Limited, one sided LP with the grooves spaced three inches apart!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>Yup.<span style=""> </span>Maybe we’ll put the same song on 14 times and no one will notice.<span style=""> </span>But yeah, <i style="">Warning Device</i> came out in January and we’re always writing songs and doing our best.<span style=""> </span>Every time I try I fail miserably so it’s mostly up to Ray and Kody.<span style=""> </span>We just let it happen naturally and not push it.<span style=""> </span>It’s kind of weird, it’ll go “no songs, no songs, no songs” and then a month will come around where Ray will write two and Kody will write three.<span style=""> </span>It’ll be “wow, we went three months with no new songs and then a ton pop up.”<span style=""> </span>It’s interesting how that happens, no one knows.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Do they come in with fully formed songs?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>When Kody writes songs he writes a title first and then a lot of times he’ll do the lyrics and put the music to that.<span style=""> </span>When Ray and I write songs we get together with a guitar and drums, we’ll write some chords and he’ll sing “blah blah blah,” some melodies with no words, melodies with just gibberish.<span style=""> </span>Then the next time we jam we’ll bring it back and try it again and try it again until the melody becomes more defined.<span style=""> </span>We do it a little different than Kody.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>That’s interesting, I’ve never heard of people doing the melodies first and then trying to write the words around them.<span style=""> </span>That’s pretty interesting.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Brandon</st1:place></st1:city>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, that’s the way we’ve always done it.<span style=""> </span>It’s just one of those things I guess.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Sort of a secret twin language.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:city st="on">
<br /></st1:city></st1:place></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:city st="on">Brandon</st1:city></st1:place>:<span style=""> </span>(laughter) Maybe!<span style=""> </span>Yeah!<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>That’s really about it, that’s all that I’ve got.<span style=""> </span>Do you have any last words or thoughts?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:city st="on">
<br /></st1:city></st1:place></p><p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:city st="on">Brandon</st1:city></st1:place>: (pause) Nope!<span style=""> </span>(laughter)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Alright thanks for you time.</p>
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">BONUS CONTENT!!!!</span></span>
<br />Check out this video from the <span style="font-style: italic;">Warning Device</span> record release show last January. It's kind of nuts. Look for the asshole with the Dee Dee Ramone haircut and leather jacket diving around the 56 second mark. Give you two guesses as to who it is. Punk rock.<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oTvEBePN1BM&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oTvEBePN1BM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed><a class="ucjrfqfidglwztpfznxp" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/oTvEBePN1BM&hl=en&fs=1"></a></object>Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-80269268925312706892009-01-26T12:49:00.006-06:002010-03-02T01:17:03.164-06:00Pat McGowan (Reagan Youth) Interview (July 2008)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w191/patdistraction/cambridge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 294px;" src="http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w191/patdistraction/cambridge.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
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<br />I really could have sworn I already posted this one a long time ago but I guess not. Here's Pat, the new singer of Reagan Youth giving some perspective on his role in the band. It's a good read, particularly the part about them playing an Oi! Fest a little while back.
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill Molloy</span>:<span style=""> </span>What exactly was the impetus behind the band re-forming initially?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">McGowan</span>:<span style=""> </span>Basically… (pause)<span style=""> </span>Uh, Paul would be the best person to answer that question but I can answer with what he says.<span style=""> </span>He just wanted to get it together.<span style=""> </span>It was supposed to be only for one show, when we originally got together, just to do it for the sake of it.<span style=""> </span>It snowballed into more after that.<span style=""> </span>Paul felt like he had more music to play and to make it a tribute to Dave Insurgent, his best friend since he was a little kid and doing the band.<span style=""> </span>He felt it was the right time to come back because of the way things are in the world.<span style=""> </span>All the songs have great messages and all of Dave’s lyrics are still poignant today so it was a good time to come back.<span style=""> </span>It wasn’t meant to go on so long but people kept asking for more and now it’s snowballed into a new Reagan Youth album in the process.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh really?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, we’re working on the new album right now.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>That’s awesome.<span style=""> </span>That was actually one of the questions I had for you.<span style=""> </span>I was reading some interviews and Paul mentioned he was working on new material but wasn’t sure what was coming of it.<span style=""> </span>So you guys are actually working on them now?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah yeah yeah, we just came back from <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region> and at every show we played a new song.<span style=""> </span>We played a couple of songs that are ready and some that are just half done, so we’re getting to work on that.<span style=""> </span>We’ve kind of got our fingers on twenty different things; we want to play shows but we’re also trying to get the album written.<span style=""> </span>Basically, the new album is coming together from all of us but Paul wants to do it about the life and times of Dave Insurgent, an album based on his life, with the way things went for him and all the phases of it.<span style=""> </span>We’ll be playing new songs and probably by the time we come out to play the fest we’ll have a few new songs peppered into the set with all the old originals. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>What was the crowd reaction to the new songs?<span style=""> </span>Were they digging them or?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, basically.<span style=""> </span>The one new song called “In the First of the Hour,” once or twice we didn’t mention it was a new song, and people thought it was an old Reagan Youth song they didn’t know.<span style=""> </span>So people have been really getting into it on the first time hearing it, singing a long.<span style=""> </span>It’s going to like the last Reagan Youth album where it’s all different styles, you know.<span style=""> </span>There was never one consistent “This is the Reagan Youth sound” you know?<span style=""> </span>There was just too much, their songs came from all over the place, all kinds of different inspiration.<span style=""> </span>One song will sound like an old school Reagan Youth song, some will have the, you know (pause)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>The weird acid vibe to it?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>Ha, yeah, the weird acid sort of vibe.<span style=""> </span>Some songs are slow, some songs are fast, some songs are in the middle, some songs are just grooves, you know?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>That’s cool.<span style=""> </span>This kind of going back to the first thing that I asked about, but did you the guys for a long time before they asked you to start singing with them? </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>No, basically Paul… wait, hold on a second.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Ok.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>(indistinguishable chatter) What was I going to say?<span style=""> </span>When I…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">(Person outside says something)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>(to the other person) Ha, I’m doing a phone interview for the band!<span style=""> </span>I’m actually at a wake right now.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh shit!<span style=""> </span>I’m sorry!<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, it’s a friend of my girlfriend’s family.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh shit, if you need to call back later that’s fine.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>No no no, it’s totally cool we’re just getting ready to go actually.<span style=""> </span>What was I saying?<span style=""> </span>Paul was still floating around in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:state> and he ran into a girl I’m friends with, and she became the manager and they were trying out singers.<span style=""> </span>She called me and asked me if I wanted to try out so I went down and I sang for Paul.<span style=""> </span>I’d been a Reagan Youth fan so I was like “oh my god” and thinking it was cool just to try out but they said “no, you sound great” so they took me in.<span style=""> </span>Like I said it was supposed to be one show and then it kept going, so I had to step into Dave’s shoes and try to sing these songs the best I can.<span style=""> </span>My reaction to it was shock at first.<span style=""> </span>I was like “I don’t know if I want to do that!” you know?<span style=""> </span>It’s such a massive thing.<span style=""> </span>I’ve kind of adopted the songs and made them my own while at the same time making sure that people remember who was the original singer of this band, who wrote the lyrics, you know?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>Does that answer the question? </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, it does.<span style=""> </span>Another thing I noticed with Al, Javier and Paul was that the three of them never played <i style="">together</i> in the original incarnation, but they were all in the band at various times.<span style=""> </span>Were there any problems getting on the same page with that?<span style=""> </span>Were you around for the initial rehearsals?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>: Well there have been a lot of people in Reagan Youth over the years.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, a ton.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>The original lineup, if you want to go back to the real original, the guys they had when they got the band together in high school, it was always Dave and Paul and two other people.<span style=""> </span>The thing about Al and Javier is Al played the bass on the first album and then Javier played the drums on the second album.<span style=""> </span>So they were both there and wrote the songs.<span style=""> </span>Like, Al wrote songs like “No Class” and “I Hate Hate,” he was a contributor to a lot of great songs.<span style=""> </span>It wasn’t too hard, they both played a lot with the band, you know?<span style=""> </span>There was never any friction or anything like that.<span style=""> </span>It was natural, they both knew the people and the history of the band, and Al and Javier have become great friends through the band.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>I was looking through some of the older tour dates on your website and one of the ones I noticed was that you guys played Oi! Fest in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Allentown</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">PA</st1:state></st1:place>, right?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeah.<span style=""> </span>Yeah.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>(laughter) I saw that and was just kind of surprised, because when you think of the typical oi! audience, bands, and the general feeling of it…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>We were actually asked to play that!<span style=""> </span>We were very surprised that they asked us to play and at first we were like “why are we going to go play an oi! fest?<span style=""> </span>That’s not us.”<span style=""> </span>At first we resisted and then they said we wanted us to play and we were like “well, maybe it would be interesting.”<span style=""> </span>We knew there were going to be bands there that didn’t agree with our politics.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Ha, well yeah.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>We sort of thought “why are we going to go play there.<span style=""> </span>We wouldn’t want some of these bands to play a punk festival, why would we want a punk band to be playing their festival?” but then we thought “they want us to play, they asked us to play.<span style=""> </span>We’re not forcing ourselves on it” and we thought it may be interesting to spread our message to people that didn’t like us.<span style=""> </span>When we were playing there were some skinheads with their arms crossed standing around us, you know?<span style=""> </span>But there was a big enough crowd of punks there to see us.<span style=""> </span>There were some good punk bands on that show.<span style=""> </span>The decision after that show was definitely to never play another oi! fest!<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>(laughter)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>(laughter) It just didn’t fit, we didn’t fit.<span style=""> </span>It was nice to do it and we got a great reaction from people that wanted to see us.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>It’s one of those things you do just once.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, it just wasn’t our element.<span style=""> </span>Why are we doing this?<span style=""> </span>It wasn’t good for us to be there, for many reasons.<span style=""> </span>The way we were handled, the way it was, so I don’t think we’ll ever do it again.<span style=""> </span>The way Paul put it was “You have to go into the den of lions sometimes to spread your message.”<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>You mentioned a European tour earlier, how’d that go?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>That one went great, we had an awesome time.<span style=""> </span>It was the first time Reagan Youth was in <st1:place st="on">Europe</st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>We played in <st1:country-region st="on">Belgium</st1:country-region>, <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Berlin</st1:place></st1:state>… It was interesting playing in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region>, you know?<span style=""> </span>One of the first places we went was <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>The history of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region> played a lot into the imagery of Reagan Youth and the lyrics.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Did you run into any problems with that?<span style=""> </span>I know that they have really strict Nazi memorabilia laws there still.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, it was funny, we did the song “Reagan Youth” there which has “Sieg Heil” in it and a lot of people told me up front that we shouldn’t do that song.<span style=""> </span>Even the person that booked it said we shouldn’t do it.<span style=""> </span>But we were just like “nah, we’re gonna do it.”<span style=""> </span>It was interesting, right in the heart of <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Berlin</st1:place></st1:state> singing that song.<span style=""> </span>I made sure people knew why were singing it.<span style=""> </span>People told us no, but we did it and it went over great.<span style=""> </span>People know what Reagan Youth is about so it wasn’t anything<span style=""> </span>(pause)<span style=""> </span>Yeah people know what Reagan Youth is about so I don’t think anyone was going to have a problem with it, you know?<span style=""> </span>We have the marching soldier on all the merch, a lot of people were buying it so I don’t know what they’re going to do!<span style=""> </span>If they’re putting that on their cars or something, I don’t know.<span style=""> </span>Were weren’t worried about the people as much as we were about bringing our merch through customs, having to declare it and having people open the boxes up and say “oh what is this!<span style=""> </span>Nice, is this a little Nazi soldier on all your stuff?”<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>“It’s satire, I swear!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>It’s just with people who don’t know you or your politics.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>That’s when you’re going to run into shit.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>The lady who booked us told us that in some places no one would ever book us because of that but I’d still like to go there and perform.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well it’s like the Oi! Fest thing, you just go in and do it</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>You know, it is like the Oi! Fest.<span style=""> </span>We have a message, good music too but there’s a message there and I don’t care who is watching or where we’re playing, we’re going to say what we have to say.<span style=""> </span>If there’s one thing that most of the people can get from it and what they can get behind is hatred is hatred of the American government.<span style=""> </span>(chuckle)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>(chuckle)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>It’s President Bush so, you know?<span style=""> </span>We talked to some German kids and I guess in school they’re taught to hate Bush, so it’s like, wow.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Jesus.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>But it went over well, we played well.<span style=""> </span>We played the first two shows with The Adolescents.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Oh cool.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>It was great playing with those guys, you know?<span style=""> </span>It was two old school punk bands, it was really fun.<span style=""> </span>We also played with White Flag.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Huh, I didn’t even know they were still together.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>The second day we played a festival with Reagan Youth, Adolescents, White Flag and… ah, brain fart.<span style=""> </span>Angelic Upstarts, that’s who it was.<span style=""> </span>That was a really fun show.<span style=""> </span>Europe was really cool, we might be going back later this year to play <st1:country-region st="on">Spain</st1:country-region> and <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>It’s hard to do a long tour for us.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>For me, no, but the other guys</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>The older guys.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, they’ve got day jobs and families to support so it’s hard to go there for a long period of time.<span style=""> </span>We’re thinking we might after the new album is done, hopefully next year.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah do you have any time frame on that?<span style=""> </span>You said you had a couple songs completely done and a couple still in the writing stage.<span style=""> </span>Is there any sort of, I don’t want to say deadline, but sort of a guesstimate on how long?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>Guesstimate we’re hoping to have it done by next year, have it done and out by next year so we can go out and support it.<span style=""> </span>The reason why it’s taking so long is that we’re scrutinizing the songs, you know?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah, you don’t want to put out crap.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah we definitely don’t want crap.<span style=""> </span>If you ask Paul, he says over and over again “you know how bands get together after not doing anything for twenty years and they make an album and it sucks?<span style=""> </span>We don’t want to do that and we will NOT do that.<span style=""> </span>Reagan Youth never wrote a bad song and we never will.”<span style=""> </span>I’m listening to the new songs and I feel like they will be great songs.<span style=""> </span>I don’t know if people are necessarily looking for songs like the first album, like they’re looking for another “Degenerated” are going to find it here.<span style=""> </span>Paul and the rest of the guys have become great musicians and it’s hard to go backwards to re-write a song you wrote in tenth grade.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>You can’t.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>You can try.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>But that’s when you end up with the shitty reunion records.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>Exactly.<span style=""> </span>There’s a natural progression to the way they sound and the songs are good.<span style=""> </span>They’re Reagan Youth songs.<span style=""> </span>I don’t know what the initial reaction will be but I’m pretty sure once they hear it and get the album and listen to it a few times they’ll be into it.<span style=""> </span>We’re hoping to have it done by next year, at least the way we’re going right now.<span style=""> </span>It’s taking awhile because we’re all working and we have to pick a day during the week to get together to work on stuff, record it, all that stuff.<span style=""> </span>It’ll probably be released on the label that the other stuff was on.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>New Red Archives?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yup.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>That’s cool, I’m looking forward to hearing it.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>The more we tell people we’re doing it the more we actually have to.<span style=""> </span>(laughter)<span style=""> </span>I say to Paul “you know Paul, you told everybody you’re doing a new Reagan Youth album and now you have to deliver.”<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Just kind of resigned to fate that it’s going to happen.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>Yeah you can’t go back on your promises.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>At the shows do you mostly see older guys that were there the first time around or is it generally younger kids, or is it a decent mix?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>It’s a mix, definitely a mix.<span style=""> </span>You get a handful of people who saw the band back in the day and also a lot of people that never saw Reagan Youth the first time around.<span style=""> </span>That’s one of the great things about the band getting back together, is the kids that never had a chance to see you.<span style=""> </span>Reagan Youth got very big, a lot of their success… well I shouldn’t say success but a lot of their notoriety, how known they were, came after the band dissolved, so there were a lot of people who got into them and never thought they’d have a chance to see them in any way, shape or form.<span style=""> </span>Even with the new singer, even with me singing it’s still got guys that wrote these songs.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Mmhmm.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>Paul wrote these songs along with Dave and the other guys.<span style=""> </span>It still has the spirit of it.<span style=""> </span>No one plays these songs like Paul.<span style=""> </span>They’ve been covered endlessly over the years but no one plays them the way that he does.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Well I’m just about out, you have any last words or thoughts?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat</span>:<span style=""> </span>Um…<span style=""> </span>Uh…. Nope!<span style=""> </span>(laughter)<span style=""> </span>The eye is always watching.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>:<span style=""> </span>Alright, cool, thank you very much for your time.<span style=""> </span></p> Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-26335895969134830142009-01-12T17:24:00.003-06:002009-01-12T17:45:42.668-06:00The Althea Era: Feature StoriesOne of the reasons why I love Maximum Rocknroll and The Big Takeover is that they run straight Q & A's a lot. That is my favorite medium to read in all of music journalism because there's a minimal amount of bullshit involved; what is said is what you read and it's very hard to manipulate. Don't get me wrong, I love writing stories and reading them as well but my love of the Q & A format is no secret.
<br />
<br />Well during The Althea Era all Q & A's were stopped. Completely. She didn't want 'em so we didn't run 'em. She even exerted fascistic control over the blog section. The. Blog. Section. Fuck my life.
<br />
<br />I don't think a single idea that one of the four original staff made it onto the site without some sort of mutation first. Outside writers were brought in and we had no say in it. Something as innocent as wanting to post a story called "AirRaid Summer 2008 MixTape" literally led to three full days of bickering and infighting. Six months later I still can't even process that.
<br />
<br /><a href="http://billraid.blogspot.com/2008/07/timmy-hefner-chaos-in-tejas-interview.html">Timmy Hefner</a>, the man behind the yearly Chaos In Tejas festival in Austin did Joe and I a huge solid by getting us on the list for all of the main shows in 2008. The intent for this was to talk to him and do a feature length story/interview on how Chaos In Tejas has grown into one of the largest punk rock festivals in the world yet still remained completely devoid of corporate sponsorship. That was what it was supposed to be, what it was before Althea came in and flat out told me that wasn't going to happen. "Why would we run a story about something that already happened?" she asked. Well, it wasn't just a wrap up because that could easily go into the live reviews portion. This was a profile piece and a damn interesting one I thought. Nope, not allowed! We had to water it down into a less than 500 word piece about "Punk Fest Trends." I had so much golden stuff in <a href="http://billraid.blogspot.com/2008/07/timmy-hefner-chaos-in-tejas-interview.html">my interview with Timmy</a> that it could have been a great piece. That was how it was going to go.
<br />
<br />The Forgotten piece never even got a chance to run because by that time their album had been out for a whole month. A whole month! Never mind that once again Josh over at TKO Records had done me a favor and gotten me in contact with the guys and helped set stuff up, or the fact that the band had been on hiatus and gone through some turmoil in getting the new album recorded because THE RECORD HAD ALREADY BEEN OUT FOR A MONTH SO OBVIOUSLY NO ONE WAS GOING TO CARE WHAT THEY THOUGHT!!!!!!!!!!!
<br />
<br />The DIY Comics thing came out alright in her eyes from start to finish because by that point I was so thoroughly defeated that I didn't give a flying fuck.
<br />
<br />The Jack Rabid piece I originally wrote as a sophomore in college and had been on AirRaid for months by the time she came in. It was the only thing that survived her cleanse when she started. I'm not quite sure how to be honest but it did. I'm extremely proud of it and got an A+ when I handed it in.
<br />
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Punk Fests</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Organized Chaos</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Bill Molloy & Joe Carson</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Imagine walking down the pristine streets of downtown <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Austin</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">Texas</st1:state></st1:place> on a cool night in mid-May. Just a few blocks away, past all the obvious tourist-trap novelty shops selling oversized mesh cowboy hats and “Fuck You I’m From Texas” T-shirts, sits a seething mass of people.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Upon closer inspection there is an overabundance of black shirts with stark images of war printed onto them, countless denim jackets covered in patches, and an as yet undiscovered body odor smells become apparent.<span style=""> </span>Panic sets in. Frantically scurrying away to catch a cover band down the street tearing through its inspiring take on “Sweet Caroline” and slamming down $1.50 domestics, the harsh image of hundreds of dirty punks all but fades away. For now.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span><b style=""><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is obviously not a <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype> Of <st1:placename st="on">Texas</st1:placename></st1:place> nightclub scene; it’s Chaos in Tejas, one of the country’s largest annual punk rock festivals. It is not isolated either, as punk rock festivals around the country have collectively gained steam in the last couple years, with new ones popping up each year to challenge the old guard.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Inspired by fun and not profit, these fests are a reflection of the mastermind’s personal tastes more than the urge to profit off of the underground. Mike Petryshyn of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city>’s Riot Fest simply states, “I wanted my favorite bands to play a show. All the bands that play our fests we generally all love.” Similarly, Derek Black of Dude Fest, which takes place in Indianapolis each June, says, “A lot of this fest flies in the face of what is ‘hip.’ It's mostly created in the vacuum that is my personal tastes and interests.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">One guy who is expanding the notion of what a punk rock fest can be is Timmy Hefner, the man behind <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Austin</st1:city></st1:place>’s annual Chaos In Tejas fest.<span style=""> </span>This past year’s incarnation, the fest’s fifth, featured none other than psychedelic garage pioneer Roky Erickson headlining alongside reunited Latino hardcore legends Los Crudos and <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place>’s melodic punk kingpins Leatherface.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Hefner noted “Roky brought out new faces, a lot of older people and more just random hipsters.” <span style=""> </span>Past years have had unconventional “punk” bands like Clockcleaner and Dead Moon stacked against numerous crust and hardcore bands. Hefner’s ambitions for diversity haven’t been quenched either: “I want to mix it up even more next year; more shows at different clubs.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">One of the more interesting things about punk fests versus most other corporate rock festivals is the dedication to traveling that fans have.<span style=""> </span>People trek far and wide to see the odd combinations of bands in one concentrated setting, explore different towns and make new friends.<span style=""> </span>“The amount of people from the local area interested that actually attend and are interested in this fest is usually dwarfed by the people that come and travel to it from many other places . . . The people willing to travel to the fest are very passionate and interested in the bands playing and it makes for an awesome time,” says Black.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">More than anything else, these fests are done out of a love of the music, not a sense of obligation or higher purpose.<span style=""> </span>When asked what the impact of his fest is, Heffner replies, “I doubt much more than everyone seeing all of their friends from all over the world, drinking and watching good bands with said friends; but that’s enough for me.”</p>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Forgotten</span>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rising From The Ashes</span>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill Molloy</span>
<br />
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal">The cover art of the new self titled album from The Forgotten is fairly apropos, with a phoenix determinedly rising from a pit of fire, just about to start flying anew.<span style=""> </span>2008 signals a new starting point for The Forgotten, who have weathered lineup changes, marriages, record label switches, and overall realities of life, resulting in four years of inactivity.<span style=""> </span>“No hiatus was planned,” guitarist Johnny Gregurich explains, “the cards were just dealt and we played ‘em the best we could.”</p><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal">Vocalist Gordy Carbone chimes in “I had hit burnout too.<span style=""> </span><strong><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-weight: normal;">There were like three years where I was touring 10-11 months out of the year. Usually that is nothing to complain about but I was really grinding myself down mentally without knowing it… in ‘05 I took time off and got married and recharged my batteries.”</span></strong></p><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-weight: normal;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-weight: normal;">Any fans showing up to see The Forgotten they remember from 2002 might be a bit confused.<span style=""> </span>Founding guitarist Craig Fairbaugh left the group in 2003, prompting then bassist Johnny Gregurich to switch positions.<span style=""> </span>Other personnel switches ensued over the years, with the current lineup playing its first show in December 2006.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-weight: normal;">Despite the musical chairs, Gordy remains optimistic: By hook or by crook, (The Forgotten) is better than it’s ever been and all the time off got us the right people with the right mindset”
<br /></span></strong></p><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-weight: normal;">With the new lineup finally intact, The Forgotten went back to the basics, rehearsing and crafting music slowly, demoing the new self titled album twice before heading into the studio.<span style=""> </span>According to Johnny, “Although it delayed the album's release date quite a bit, I believe it had a huge factor in the success of the recording and quality of the songs.<span style=""> </span>We're super proud of it and hope everyone enjoys it as much as we do.”</span></strong></p><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-weight: normal;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-weight: normal;">The result is <i style="">The Forgotten</i>, a record that combines the best elements of all the band’s previous LPs; it contains ’77 style rave ups, hardcore head smashers and anthemic rock shout alongs.</span></strong></p><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><strong><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-weight: normal;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-weight: normal;">The new full length also sees the band moving back to their old stomping grounds of TKO Records.<span style=""> </span>Johnny explains the split in saying “… with BYO Records, we signed a 1-record deal (2002’s <i style="">Control Me</i>) with an optional 2nd record. (They) decided to pass on our new material for whatever reason.”<span style=""> </span>He then ads “We continue to stay in contact with BYO Records and consider Shawn Stern and Mark Stern life-long friends.”<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-weight: normal;">Gordy philosophizes: </span></strong><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">I feel that everything happened for a reason with this album… (it) required a lot of personal attention from everyone, including the label, and I believe only TKO has the personal investment and history to really care as much as we wanted someone to care about this album.</span></p><p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="MsoNormal">Despite all the commotion in the world of The Forgotten over the last few years, don’t expect the band to stop any time soon.<span style=""> </span>Gordy emphatically states: <span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">I guess if I had one thing to say it would be to my brother and sister punks out there; I know a lot of them are like me and don’t take their punk with milk nor sugar. I just want to say thank you to them.<span style=""> </span>Every scene will have the tourists and the lifers. It’s the fucking lifers that make this shit go ‘round.</span></p>
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Underground Comics</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Imagine funny pages that are actually funny</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Bill Molloy</p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Getting bored with <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Garfield</st1:city></st1:place> kicking Odie off of a kitchen table?<span style=""> </span>Are Fantastic Four not so fantastic any more?<span style=""> </span>If so, the ever growing world of underground and DIY comics awaits.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">One of the more successful DIY comics in recent years is <i style="">Multiplex </i>by Gordon McAlpin, which he describes as “the infantile antics of a bunch of kids working at a movie theater.”<span style=""> </span>Originally started as a fun offshoot of a more rigid web project, Gordon now publishes Multiplex twice a week on <a href="http://www.multiplexcomic.com/">Multiplexcomic.com</a>.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">McAlpin’ vehicle of choice for getting his comics out is the internet.<span style=""> </span>Outside of the obvious financial ease, he sees the internet as giving more artistic license as well.<span style=""> </span>“I like that I don't need to think about space; if I need eight panels to do an idea, I make it eight panels. I don't need to try to squish down my idea into whatever little tiny box a newspaper has given me,” McAlpin continues “Another advantage is that you can take an idea and put it online in far less time than in print.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Mike Conway of the zine <i style="">Hot Food</i> follows the same free-form muse, but has chosen a different model for distribution.<span style=""> </span>Instead of simply making a blog, <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Conway</st1:city></st1:place> painstakingly lays out, photocopies and re-produces several hundred copies of <i style="">Hot Food </i>to either sell or give away.<span style=""> </span><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Conway</st1:place></st1:city> proudly proclaims “Print is the natural format for comics.<span style=""> </span>Digital media is cool and everything… but I will resist it until the bitter end of the printed word.”
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Born out of lazy nights watching TV and getting wasted with buddies, <i style="">Hot Food</i>, according to Conway, is drawing “tons and tons of pictures to… make a few of my friends crack up.”<span style=""> </span><i style="">Hot Food</i> follows no strict formatting rules, with single panel, non-sequitur drawings transitioning into stories that go on for several pages.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">However, where others see limitations, Jason Swearingen sees opportunity.<span style=""> </span>A staunch devotee of the daily newspaper format, Swearingen’s currently developing a project titled <i style="">The Treehouse</i>, which he explains as “a newspaper comic about a boy, his sister, a butterfly, a penguin, a squirrel/dog hybrid and the girls that live next door.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Swearingen grew up idolizing the giants of newspaper comics like Bill Watterson and Gary Trudeau, and wants to bring meaning back to the dailies.<span style=""> </span>He protests “the newspaper comic is one of the few art forms left that is this unexplored, yet it remains stagnant.”<span style=""> </span>He laments that newspaper comics have been left to “…the likes of Cathy or, God help us, Frank and Ernest.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Within this scene, the promise of hitting big acquires different reactions.<span style=""> </span>When speaking about the possibility of doing traditional newspaper work, McAlpin deadpans “Not a four-panel strip like <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Garfield</st1:place></st1:city>, no.<span style=""> </span>I've never had any desire to be locked into the regular newspaper style format.<span style=""> </span>There are plenty of people who do great work in that format, of course, but I would not be one of them… I like swear words way too much.”<span style=""> </span>Swearingen, on the other hand would do it “in a second… as much as I love reading comics created with the vast freedom of self-publishing online, I relish in the restrictions of the newspaper genre”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Attempting to define the world of small cartoonists with blanket generalizations is slightly ignorant and ultimately impossible, as seen by the varying opinions and methods of McAlpin, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Conway</st1:place></st1:city> and Swearingen.<span style=""> </span>If variety is the spice of life, then consider the world of DIY comics the curry on the industry’s stew.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: 200%; font-weight: bold;" align="center">Headline:<span style=""> </span>Rabid Fervor</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: 200%; font-weight: bold;" align="center">Subhead: Twenty-seven years of The Big Takeover</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: 200%; font-weight: bold;" align="center">Journalist Profile: Jack Rabid</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: 200%; font-weight: bold;" align="center">By: Bill Molloy
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>Jack Rabid is the editor, publisher, ad director and chief writer for <i style="">The Big Takeover</i>, a magazine born out of the DIY spirit of punk rock and based in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">New York City</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span>Within the established journalism industry a fanzine like <i style="">The Big Takeover</i> is an anomaly.<span style=""> </span>How can a magazine published only twice a year and with only 20,000 copies in distribution survive for so long?<span style=""> </span>Simple; Jack Rabid cannot be contained by the confines a typical journalist.<span style=""> </span>Rabid himself even admits that he would not be a very effective traditional news reporter.<span style=""> </span>Almost every path to his current state separates him from the average online blogger or <i style="">Rolling Stone</i> reporter.<span style=""> </span>From being around at the onset of DIY hardcore and starting a zine to doing multiple tours and albums as a musician, the figurehead of <i style="">The Big Takeover</i> is anything but typical.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;">Rabid along with friend Dave Stein started <i style="">The Big Takeover</i> in 1980 as a one page ode to their favorite local band The Stimulators.<span style=""> </span>Jack and Dave took their one page zine and made one hundred copies at the public library, one dime at a time. These were then given away for free at local shows.<span style=""> </span>Rabid claimed “this vital music needed coverage.<span style=""> </span>There was no mainstream coverage of bands I loved like The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, or The Clash.<span style=""> </span>At the time the popular bands were Fleetwood Mac, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Boston</st1:place></st1:city> and Foreigner.<span style=""> </span>Great bands like The Weirdos and The Skulls were barely eking out singles.<span style=""> </span>I wanted to say ‘this is important, pay attention to this, not the spoon fed celebrity garbage.’”<span style=""> </span>Taking cues from older fanzines such as <i style="">Search & Destroy</i> and <i style="">Slash</i>, <i style="">The Big Takeover</i> began to widen its focus after the first issue into interviewing other bands and writing editorials.<span style=""> </span>Dave Stein left soon afterwards and Jack took on his current role as the figurehead of <i style="">The Big Takeover</i>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>In its current formation <i style="">The Big Takeover</i> is published twice a year and has a print run of 20,000.<span style=""> </span>The days of stapling together photocopied pieces of paper are long gone.<span style=""> </span>An average issue of <i style="">The Big Takeover</i> now contains at least 250 pages and retails for six dollars.<span style=""> </span>Rabid declares “I don’t feel very limited by the format.<span style=""> </span>It’s not a news organization that needs information out <i style="">now</i>.<span style=""> </span>He likens the size of the magazine to putting out a new book every six months instead of a typical music magazine.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;">Rabid went on to say “I still like reading books and magazines.<span style=""> </span>A lot of the instantaneous news seems inaccurate so I’d rather not be instantaneous.”<span style=""> </span>The average issue contains around ten to twelve feature articles that focus on one major band.<span style=""> </span>The features generally begin with an introduction by the writer (most of the time it’s Rabid) and then, unlike other music magazines like <i style="">Rolling Stone</i> or <i style="">Spin</i>, a direct transcription of the interview.<span style=""> </span>Many times the interviews are so long that they have to be broken up and published over two issues.<span style=""> </span>Rabid, in sarcastic shock, exclaims “what, me talk for a long time?<span style=""> </span>No!”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;">The internet has radically democratized the world of music journalism and Rabid is a bit skeptical, but hopeful.<span style=""> </span>“Is it too easy now?” Rabid pondered when the subject of the internet came up.<span style=""> </span>He continued “you might not be able to see the forest through the trees. <span style=""> </span>It’s not just a town crier anymore; it’s anyone with a computer.<span style=""> </span>But given the choice I’d take this one… I just hope the web does not make it too hard to find the good stuff.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;">One more distinguishing trait is the reviews section.<span style=""> </span>Because of the twice a year publishing schedule the backlog of reviews can get pretty large.<span style=""> </span>Jack presents his “Top 40” of the last six months and the rest of his personal reviews, and then other writers tackle the rest.<span style=""> </span>The reviews section regularly tops one hundred pages and takes up nearly half of the magazine.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>Objectivity is difficult to achieve in music journalism.<span style=""> </span>Jack says “most of what we do is subjective; one person is going to like something and someone else won’t.”<span style=""> </span>One way that objectivity comes into play is in who gets covered in <i style="">The Big Takeover</i>.<span style=""> </span>At a time when other fanzines like <i style="">Maximum Rocknroll</i> were tightening their coverage in an effort to maintain a ‘punker-than-thou’ attitude <i style="">The Big Takeover</i> actually expanded its coverage away from pure punk rock.<span style=""> </span>Rabid exclaimed “I make the decisions, it’s my magazine.<span style=""> </span>I can do it if I want.<span style=""> </span>No one tells me what I can and can’t write.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;">According to Rabid “you try to be an expert and tip people off.<span style=""> </span>You see an article about Belle & Sebastian and then maybe they’ll find out about Left Banke from the same issue.”<span style=""> </span>The only requirement to be covered in <i style="">The Big Takeover </i>is, per the slogan, to be “Music with Heart.”<span style=""> </span>However, Jack is quick to add “I’m not going to cover the Red Hot Chili Peppers or the Smashing Pumpkins or other bull crap pop stuff.”<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>Another thing that sets <i style="">The Big Takeover</i> apart from other music magazines is the emphasis on editorials in the front section of every issue. Jack, who graduated from <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">New York</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place> in 1985 with an economics degree, hopes that they have an effect on the readers.<span style=""> </span>The editorials have usually been more on the political/economical side rather than musical.<span style=""> </span>“Punk rock reflects the real world,” Rabid says. “I never found an escape listening to a Clash record… as a journalist you try to make people tune in, not out.<span style=""> </span>It’s an extension of the music, it makes you more interested.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;">He continued “hopefully someone who bought it for the music won’t say ‘what’s this healthcare stuff?’… I hope what they get out of [the editorials] is to pay attention to things.<span style=""> </span>You need to seize an issue and bring discussion.”<span style=""> </span>Rabid adds that “[The editorials] can become politically partisan but these things are fact.”<span style=""> </span>However, even if the readers skip over the editorials in favor of the music related articles, Rabid does not plan to stop writing them.<span style=""> </span>He states that “the main thing is that it keeps me using my brain.”
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>One more differentiating factor about <i style="">The Big Takeover</i> is Jack Rabid’s musical background.<span style=""> </span>He drummed for three different bands over the course of the last twenty-five years: Even Worse, Last Burning Embers, and Springhouse.<span style=""> </span>He likens his position to that of a former baseball player who makes a second career in the broadcasting booth.<span style=""> </span>Jack explains “You can’t help but have a different perspective, whether it’s good bad or indifferent.”<span style=""> </span>Another colorful explanation revolves around the <i style="">Wizard of Oz </i>and the great Wizard himself.<span style=""> </span>With his experience in the music industry as a band member Rabid has “gotten behind the curtain. <span style=""> </span>I’ve seen the Wizard, and it’s a great show.<span style=""> </span>It definitely makes me different.<span style=""> </span>Most journalists haven’t done albums and tours.<span style=""> </span>It’s a leg up for sure.”<span style=""> </span>Rabid says that he has to use his experience otherwise “it won’t be interesting, it will just be another airhead opinion.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span><i style="">The Big Takeover</i> has hit several rough patches in its twenty six years of existence.<span style=""> </span>One particular hard time came in 1995; Jack was unsure if he wanted to continue writing and working on the magazine and contemplated becoming a high school history teacher.<span style=""> </span>Rabid recalls “as you get older you think ‘is music all that important?’”<span style=""> </span>Thankfully the internet began to grow in popularity around the same time frame.<span style=""> </span>According the Rabid the net “made it easier, made me take a look at the magazine again.<span style=""> </span>Plus, teaching will always be there.”<span style=""> </span>Ten years later another hit occurred, except this time it was not personal.<span style=""> </span>Within the last few years several leading distributors have gone out of business and left smaller magazines in danger of financial ruin.<span style=""> </span><i style="">The Big Takeover</i> alone was never paid $14,000 it was due from its largest distributor for the spring and winter 2005 issues.<span style=""> </span>According to Jack “the people pay for the magazine and you get nothing.<span style=""> </span>Consignment is stupid.<span style=""> </span>We’ve come back a little bit but it’s still hard.<span style=""> </span>It’d be nice if I was on the <i style="">New York Times</i> staff but I’m not.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;">Problems with distributors are only the tip of the iceberg though.<span style=""> </span>In fact, Rabid goes as far as saying “contemporary journalism sucks.<span style=""> </span>It’s set up to sell ads, not to tell the truth.”<span style=""> </span>At this point George W. Bush and the Iraq War come into the discussion.<span style=""> </span>Jack believes that the industry “…is failing people when it comes to the Iraq War.<span style=""> </span>It’s their fault for not covering the dissent.<span style=""> </span>They parroted the administration’s claims, even when they were wrong.”<span style=""> </span>When this happens, Rabid simply states “humankind is disserved.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%;">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style=""> </span>At the end of every interview Jack asks if the subject has any last words or thoughts.<span style=""> </span>When presented with a mirrored situation, he responded with “find things that inspire you.<span style=""> </span>You’ll become and expert and inspire other people.<span style=""> </span>An inquisitive mind is the best.<span style=""> </span>I’m 44 and I’m still learning; that’s the way it should be.”<span style=""> </span></p> <p></p>
<br />Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-14539957615454586562009-01-12T16:52:00.003-06:002009-01-12T17:10:06.086-06:00The Althea Era: The Live Show ReviewsWe started up show reviews during The Althea era. For a long time it was poking around in our heads but for some reason we never pursued it until then. Whatever. While writing live reviews I was given the infamous, could-not-disagree-with-you-more directive to "only write about the headlining bands, they're who people go to see and want to read about. Cover the openers in passing." I don't know if it's an exact quote but that was the directive, essentially saying "fuck the little guys." Wow.
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<br />By this point I'd been writing show reviews since I was 16 for Punknews.org and had gotten decently known for a couple of my longer, more exhaustive ones. I'm not even shitting you, they helped me get the job in the first place. Six years of practice and a unique style went right out the fucking window with Althea. We had a harsh word limit in place, reverse chronological order imposed on us and disproportiant coverage of the bands demanded. This isn't the Tribune fer chrissakes!
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<br />I swear to christ I worked on the review for the last Punch In The Face show for three solid days to get it up to her standards. A review for fucking Punch In The Face ate up days of my time. Like I said, she was completely clueless about not only my scene but also my writing. This isn't meant as a personal attack but rather an airing of facts.
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Punch in the Face/Straightjacket Nation/I Attack/Cardiac Arrest/Thought Crusade</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Beat Kitchen</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">May 31<sup>st</sup>, 2008</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Pre-announced last shows bring mixed emotions for a band’s fans. On one hand, it’s great that they’re giving you one last time to hear all your favorites but in the back of your head, you know for certain that it’s the last time and get bummed out. If all goes well, the last show closes the band’s legacy with an explosive bang and not a quiet whimper. Luckily, Punch In The Face’s last blast falls into the former category.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Punch In The Face formed in 2001, long before the recent comeback of the 1980s USHC sound. However, as the sound it championed grew in popularity, the band took a reclusive stance and waited on the sidelines, performing live only six times in the past two years. Less than a year after finally releasing its debut LP <i style="">At War With Everybody</i> (after two highly sought after EPs and several cassette demos and compilation slots) PITF announced that after this show, the band was breaking up.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Punch In The Face obviously practiced long and hard for this show, pulling out almost every song it released, and even a few rarities, for its final half hour on stage.<span style=""> </span>High points of the set included standards like “Cut The Shit, Start The Pit,” “Worst Episode Ever,” “At War With Everybody,” and “Not Here to Make Friends” on top of rare compilation track “We’ve Got Bush.”<span style=""> </span>Barely coming up for air, PITF blitzed through multiple four or five song blocks without stopping; naturally the kids raged heavily in response. Not one song went by without multiple stage dives, reckless slam dancing and passionate fist pumping. Unfortunately, PITF decided to end its legacy with a Cro-Mags cover (who were undoubtedly one of the worst things to ever happen to punk rock), but one misstep can’t take away from a truly transcendent final show, or a spotless seven-year career. Punch In The Face will definitely be missed by all fans of, per the name of its second EP, “Dumb Hardcore.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The penultimate band of the night was Straightjacket Nation, representing <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Melbourne</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">Australia</st1:country-region></st1:place>. On any other night, it would have completely stolen the show.<span style=""> </span>Straightjacket Nation worked the crowd into an agitated frenzy via its sharp take on classic hardcore with bleach-drenched vocals. Its tour still has one month and a whole West Coast swing left before it ends, so don’t pass up the opportunity to see the group before it leads back to Oz.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Third on the bill came the recently re-formed I Attack, formerly one of the most caustic and exciting skate-core bands in the <st1:place st="on">Midwest</st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>Unfortunately since the comeback the band has been off their game, leaving I Attack a shell of its former self.<span style=""> </span>I Attack shouldn’t be totally given up on; quite a few of the newer songs show potential, but the road ahead looks grim.<span style=""> </span>
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Despite being the second band, the night really started to move when <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">St. Louis</st1:place></st1:city> veterans Cardiac Arrest took hold of the stage for a short, scorching set of non-pretentious punk rock.<span style=""> </span>Thought Crusade opened the show with fifteen minutes of rather juvenile take on late 80s <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:state> style hardcore.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">-Bill Molloy</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">The Meatmen/M.O.T.O./Vicelords</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Subterranean, <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Chicago</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">IL</st1:state></st1:place></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">June 20, 2008</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Is juvenile humor best left to those that can’t legally vote?<span style=""> </span>Or can another level of absurdity be added to puerile statements when the person saying them is old enough to be a grandfather.<span style=""> </span>Tesco Vee and his new lineup of The Meatmen answered this question Friday night, and the answer resounds even three days later; dirty old men are just as funny as their young counterparts.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After a twelve year break, The Meatmen are back with a new lineup and ready to terrorize all PC punk rockers again.<span style=""> </span>The group first gained notice back in the early 80s hardcore scene with their attempt at being the most offensive band ever.<span style=""> </span>Unlike most bands from that scene that have reunited, The Meatmen played songs from every era and sound they attempted.<span style=""> </span>Later, more metallic compositions like “War of the Superbikes” and “Rock N Roll Juggernaut” fit right in with first EP classics like “Tooling For Anus” and “Meatmen Stomp.”<span style=""> </span>Other high points of the night were Tesco’s updated ode to The Beatles “2 Down, 2 To Go,” “Mr. Tapeworm,” and their closing cover of obscure <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> legends The Fix’s “Vengeance.”<span style=""> </span>Tesco’s loving and tender between song speeches about the inspiration and deeper meaning of these tunes only heightened the gross out quotient.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Bringing to mind an alternate universe where Carrot Top might be funny, Tesco kept a box full of props stage left all night, employing them when needed.<span style=""> </span>The most over the top prop undoubtedly had to be a four foot tall cardboard penis with “Veiny Bulger” scrawled in black paint across the shaft.<span style=""> </span>Other noteworthy props included a light up Detroit Tigers hat, an LCD light belt with “Fuck You” scrolling across all night long, Jim Varney masks, American Flag jackets, cowboy hats, a hankie with “God is an Asshole” scraled on it, and much more.<span style=""> </span>At points it almost resembled a demented performance art act.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">M.O.T.O. provided direct support Friday night.<span style=""> </span>Around for over 25 years in some form or another, M.O.T.O. has quite a few catchy-as-crabs songs in their vast repertoire of power-poppy punk rock.<span style=""> </span>The only problem is that M.O.T.O. always end up over staying their welcome.<span style=""> </span>A 20 minute set from them would be excellent, yet they always play for over 45.<span style=""> </span>Crowd pleasers like “I Hate My Fucking Job” and “I Talk In Clichés” brightened up the much too long 15+ song set.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Featuring members of Apocalypse Hoboken<b>, </b>The Brokedowns and <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Vacation</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Bible</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">School</st1:placetype></st1:place>, Vicelords played a distinctly Midwestern brand of melodic punk that doesn’t differ much from their other, better known bands.<span style=""> </span>In a different atmosphere they might play better, but most of the old folks in attendance weren’t having them.<span style=""> </span>Squared Off opened the show but taking unreliable public transportation to the show all but ensured that they wouldn’t be seen.</p><p class="MsoNormal">-Bill Molloy</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Off With Their Heads/The Brokedowns/Das Kapital/Love & Squalor</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Gruff, Midwestern punk rock</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Beat Kitchen, <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Chicago</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">IL</st1:state></st1:place></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">June 25, 2008</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Life's got the best of me and I just want to drop to my knees/Scream and punch the concrete until my hands bleed/It's all a fucking joke to me/I wake up and work, and get fucked up and sleep/And then wake up and work and get fucked up all over again,” sang OWTH’s enigmatic frontman Ryan Young, as dozens of fans sang along with him on Wednesday night at Chicago’s Beat Kitchen. There’s something to be said for a band that can take the darkest, most depressing feelings possible in a human being and somehow turn them into celebratory songs; that is the essence of <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Minneapolis</st1:city></st1:place>’s Off With Their Heads.<span style=""> </span>The happy melodies act as a foil to the dark as hell song content, working through the demons in the process.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Its <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city> appearance kicks off a lengthy tour of the lower 48.<span style=""> </span>It also happened to be the birthday Young’s 27<sup>th</sup> birthday.<span style=""> </span>Not surprisingly by the end of the night he was too trashed to play any longer; however, the group got through 25 minutes of top notch, gruff Midwestern punk rock before that happened.<span style=""> </span>The group’s set was comprised of several songs from its upcoming debut full-length album as well as crowd favorites like “That Must Be Nigel With the Brie,” “Your Child Is Dead,” “Hard To Admit,” and the rambunctious closer “Die Today.”<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Despite the short set length no one left too unsatisfied – to be frustrated with this band is to love them; it’s almost Replacements-esque.<span style=""> </span>This group of lovable losers is capable of such great heights yet always ends up sabotaging themselves.<span style=""> </span>Were they to actually reach that plateau though, they’d lose what made them so special in the first place.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Leading up to OWTH was the much less depressing and exponentially jokier Brokedowns; the biggest crowd reaction of the night came with <i style="">its</i> take on the gruff, Midwestern punk rock formula.<span style=""> </span>Since releasing its Thick Records debut <i style="">New Brains For Everyone</i> last May, the band’s profile has risen significantly, and the band’s set outlasted the headliners. The witty stage banter helped along the pacing of the set, but The Brokedowns is a band best seen occasionally, not very often.<span style=""> </span>Die hard fans love them, but for casual fans the shtick wears thin pretty easily.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Early set openers worth mentioning were Love & Squalor ad Das Kapital., While only one L&S member sported a beard, their Gainesville-via-Chicago take on gruff, melodic punk rock would fool the average punker into thinking their neck beards were fuller than Paul Bunyan’s.<span style=""> </span>The group mostly stuck to songs off of their 2007 full length <i style="">New Blood, New Songs</i>, but closed their set with a pretty awesome cover of “Pauline” from Screeching Weasel.<span style=""> </span>Meanwhile DK was the odd band out on this bill, running through a spirited bunch of bouncy, poppy tunes reminiscent of the early-‘90s.<span style=""> </span>To further push along this parallel, the bass player was wearing a backward <i style="">Wayne’s World</i> hat.<span style=""> </span>Holy shit, its 1991!<span style=""> </span>These guys definitely fall into the category of bands where the records aren’t that great but they’re fun to watch live.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">-Bill Molloy</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Sludgeworth/The Effigies/Magnafux</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Reggie’s, <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Chicago</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">IL</st1:state></st1:place></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">June 27, 2008</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A far-less-than-capacity crowd filed into Reggie’s in Chicago’s South Loop on Friday for the return of Sludgeworth, one of the unsung heroes of early-‘90s pop punk.<span style=""> </span>The crowd consisted mostly of older gents who no doubt were around for the band’s original go-round. So, the night was a time to re-live past glories, not for new fans that never got a chance in the first place.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Finally taking the stage at 1 a.m., Sludgeworth powered through a sloppy, yet charismatic set.<span style=""> </span>Each member took their turn making low-key mistakes.<span style=""> </span>Being that they were never the most serious band around, the slight musical goofs were greeted by smiling band members and simply shrugged off.<span style=""> </span>During the triumphantly closing rendition of “You And I,” vocalist Dan Schafer completely blanked on the last verse and simply tossed the mic to fans that knew the words better than him.<span style=""> </span>The ever more intoxicated crowd didn’t seem to care very much, as they continued to awkwardly balance their beers and slam dance on hobbled knees.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">One interesting moment came in the form of a surprise guest.<span style=""> </span>Sludgeworth superfan/former alterna-rock poster boy and Ataris lead vocalist Kris Roe was in attendance and was singled out by Schafer to come on stage to help sing the group’s signature song “Someday.”<span style=""> </span>Roe’s contribution to the song remained minimal however, as the mob singing at the front of the stage easily overpowered the PA.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Roe incident was par for the course of the night, with the slightly thin but dedicated fans screaming over the PA to each song.<span style=""> </span>Sludgeworth touched all the bases of their career, running through faster songs like “Another Day” and “Never Say Never,” mid-tempo jumper “Follow,” and even the overtly funk rock “Plunger.”<span style=""> </span>As far as reunion shows go, Sludgeworth delivered the goods, albeit with some rough edges.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The reason why Sludgeworth started so late was The Effigies, who plodded through a bland and almost hour-long performance.<span style=""> </span>Since reuniting for good in 2004, the stock of The Effigies has plummeted to almost bargain-basement level; no more than 30 people watched them play,while most others went outside to smoke.<span style=""> </span>Though their 2007 comeback record <i style="">Reside</i> is above average, it’s not nearly powerful enough to dominate the set list as it did Friday, when seven of the 10 songs made an appearance.<span style=""> </span>Even the classic material like “Security” and “We’re Da Machine” seemed to fizzle in the context of an uninspired band playing to an apathetic crowd.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Opening the show was the Magnafux, who no doubt were on the bill because they feature 3/5 of Sludgeworth.<span style=""> </span>At heart, the Magnafux are a bar rock band that happen to play punk rock; it keeps the mood light, never challenges the audience, and most importantly, helps the bar sell more drinks.<span style="">
<br /></span></p> <p><span style="">-Bill Molloy</span></p>Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-68188166392472321942009-01-12T16:01:00.004-06:002009-01-12T16:29:27.277-06:00The Althea Era: The Record ReviewsSo AirRaid is dead. For good. Permanently ka-put. It's been that way for six months but the site hosting finally ran out so now all traces are gone.
<br />
<br />I'm re-posting my writings that were on the site during what I'll call "The Althea Era." Around the start of May the brass had the AMAZING idea to bring in an editor to reign over us and take away control from the four people who had been in charge of the creative side for an entire year. Althea came from a completely different world than us, the world of newspapers, print media, word counts, and fake "major label" indie rock. Everything we worked for was tossed out the window and the tone was completely changed overnight. It was a total power grab and my side lost. My writing style was fucked with, word counts were placed on all of us and we were forced into almost daily squabbling over content. It was not fun in the least and definitely not what I signed up for when I started. Everyone was miserable and it showed not only every single day we all walked into the office but I stupidly took it home with me and into my personal life. Think of how I was in June; I was completely fucked in the head and I knew it.
<br />
<br />Not ten weeks after "The Althea Era" started AirRaid was shut down "Temporarily" yet never returned. Coincidence? I think not.
<br />
<br />Here are some record reviews I "wrote." We were only allowed to cover stuff before it was realeased, essentially shackling us to our small promo list and illegally downloading leaks. We were also only allowed to cover stuff that Althea approved; take a look at the stuff covered here and you can see what i mean. Each one went through intense re-writing, editing and paring down, even when they were already under the completely arbitrary and useless 200 word limit. This is some of the worst stuff I've ever written but since I had to deal with so much bullshit to just get it online in the first place I'm sure as hell not letting it languish on my computer. You've been warned.
<br />
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><i style="">Total Brutal<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">(Metal Blade)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Think of all the bad one liners Arnold Schwarzenegger has delivered over the years.<span style=""> </span>Now imagine those one liners stretched into full length, semi-well developed metal songs.<span style=""> </span>That’s what Austrian Death Machine has set out to do.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This high concept record is the product of As I Lay Dying vocalist Tim Lambesis‘s imagination. Lambesis also takes care of all the music on the record excepting a few guitar solos here and there.<span style=""> </span>However despite those obstacles, <i style="">Total Brutal</i> is actually a pretty solid modern speed metal record.<span style=""> </span><i style="">Total Brutal’s</i> breakdowns are tasteful and don’t seem forced, the pace rarely drops below a steady gallop, and the skits, with Lambesis doing his best Governator impression, end before getting stale.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For a record that’s little more than a one note joke it surprisingly warrants repeat listens.<span style=""> </span>If Lambesis chooses to do another album in this vein it’ll be overkill, but for right now few things will beat hearing a grown man growl “Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers” in his best metal voice.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">6/10</p> <p class="MsoNormal">-Bill Molloy</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="Street"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="address"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">CHRONIC SEIZURE</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><i style="">Ancient Wound<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">(Fashionable Idiots/<st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">No Way</st1:address></st1:street>)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Unlike most bands that crank out a new album whenever they have ten songs written, Chronic Seizure took almost two years crafting the songs that make up <i style="">Ancient Wound</i>, their debut LP.<span style=""> </span>Songs like “Over My Shoulder” and “Slow Death in the City” have been staples of their frantic, often sub-fifteen minute live shows since mid 2006.<span style=""> </span>By refusing to fall into the trap of releasing new music before it was ready, Chronic Seizure solidified their place at the forefront of the current <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> hardcore scene.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="">Ancient Wound</i> represents a massive leap forward in songwriting and performance for the band.<span style=""> </span>Instead of slapping four chords and some yelping on top of a fast drum beat, the guys wrote real songs with intros, bridges, breakdowns (but not of the “chugga-chugga” variety) and memorable choruses.<span style=""> </span><st1:city st="on">Austin</st1:city>’s vocal delivery has shifted from a simple snotty shout into a snarling shit-storm of a scream, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bryan</st1:place></st1:city>’s guitar tone matches with a buzzing resonance while Pat and Craig’s rhythm section work holds together the back end.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="">Ancient Wound</i> is a front runner for record of the year and possibly for hardcore LP of the decade.<span style=""> </span>They are not allowed to break up any time soon.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">9</p> <p class="MsoNormal">-Bill Molloy</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">FOXBORO HOT TUBS</span>
<br /><i style="font-weight: bold;">Stop Drop and Roll </i>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (Warner Brothers) </span>
<br />
<br />By now the secret is out about this album; it’s the guys in Green Day and a few of their assorted hanger-ons playing Kinks/Question Mark And the Mysterians style garage rock. One listen to the title track is all that’s needed to figure out this fact. <i>Stop Drop and Roll</i> starts off as a wildly successful experiment, perfectly reproducing the sound and artistic aesthetic of a bygone era. It’s fun, toe-tapping music to put on at a little league game or a Memorial Day barbecue.
<br />
<br />The only problem is the achievement doesn’t last. <i>Stop Drop And Roll</i> might be the most top-heavy record released in ages. Literally all of the weak songs appear on the second half. The choruses are less memorable, the required ballad appears and immediately puts the listener to sleep, and the record simply limps along until “Pieces of Truth” offers a little redemption at the end.
<br />
<br />Stick to the first six songs they put up for free download a couple months ago.
<br />4
<br />-Bill Molloy</p> <p></p> <p></p>
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">HATCHET</span>
<br /><i style="font-weight: bold;">Awaiting Evil</i>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (Metal Blade)</span>
<br />
<br />Ever seen <i>Heavy Metal Parking Lot</i>? Remember the dude in the striped shirt who says "Heavy metal rules! All that punk shit sucks! It doesn't belong in this world, it belongs on fuckin' Mars man!" Now imagine the guy and four of his closest dudes locked away in a basement for 25 years with no contact with the outside world and the only form of entertainment was band practice. Got it in your head? That band would probably sound a lot like Hatchet.
<br />
<br />One can almost define this album by what it’s not as much as what it is. There’s no post-1985 influence anywhere on <i>Evil Awaits</i>. This is the most classic sounding metal to come out in eons: blast beats are non existent, death metal grunts don’t make the cut, no punk rock/crossover slam dance energy seeps in, and the guitars are all in standard tuning. Shit, the dudes are even wearing gauntlets on their arms in their promo pictures!
<br />
<br />Hatchet sounds like a power metal band taken straight from the genre’s early 80s heyday. No song (well, minus the required acoustic introduction track, naturally) clocks in at under four minutes. Marcus Kirchen's vocals are clean, yet he still tries to sound threatening by exactly mimicking the inflections of Slayer’s Tom Araya. Banshee screams occur at least once a song. The numerous solos are vintage 1984 Kirk Hammet, meaning that there are so many hammer-ons and pull-offs per minute that your head will be spinning.
<br />
<br />This is a totally enjoyable record that came completely out of left field. Death to false metal.
<br />6
<br />-Bill Molloy</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">ONE-WAY MIRROR</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><i style="">One-Way Mirror<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">(Metal Blade)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Being in this band has to be like being on the 1940 Washington Redskins, the team that lost 73-0 to the mighty Chicago Bears in that year’s NFL Championship Game.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Much like the Redskins, One-Way Mirror probably put some hard work into getting to where they are.<span style=""> </span>It takes hard work to get to any championship game, and yeah, congrats on the record deal with Metal Blade, a pretty legendary force in certain circles.<span style=""> </span>However, much like the Bears did to the ‘Skins, reality is about to pummel this band into total submission and back to the suburbs.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Isn’t nu-metal dead yet?<span style=""> </span>Isn’t it 2008?<span style=""> </span>Can someone please stick a shotgun in its mouth and do the deed once and for all?<span style=""> </span>This disc screams “Family Values Tour 1999 Second Stage.”<span style=""> </span>Following the Limp Bizkit formula to a T, this record even features a nu-metal version of the Frankie Goes To Hollywood song “Relax.”<span style=""> </span>WHERE THE FUCK IS THAT SHOT GUN, OH MY GOD?!?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Shame on you Metal Blade; the only allowable excuse for this is that it’s somebody’s cousin’s band.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">1/10</p> <p class="MsoNormal">-Bill Molloy</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">STREET DOGS</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><i style="">State of <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Grace</st1:place></st1:state><o:p></o:p></i></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">(Hellcat)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Disappointment is the word of the day.<span style=""> </span>In 2006 the Street Dogs finally made the record that they were always capable of with <i style="">Fading American Dream</i>.<span style=""> </span>That album combined the best elements of Billy Brag, The Clash, Cock Sparrer, and Bad Religion into a diverse, yet thoroughly punk rooted album.<span style=""> </span>They finally escaped the self imposed Oi! straightjacket.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="">State of Grace</i> sees the restraints re-shackled with new, rock and roll strength Masterlocks.<span style=""> </span>The brisk, fast paced songs have been replaced with paint-by-numbers, radio-ready rock songs.<span style=""> </span>“Rebel Song” could be the theme song of the next Sturgis Rally, the “sha-la-la” sing-a-longs of “Elizabeth” almost beg for people to cheesily wave their hands and lighters in the air, and any live performance of of the obvious first single “Two Angry Kids,” with its bouncing slide guitar riffs, will almost certainly be preceded by a speech with vocalist Mike McColgan screaming “I WANT TO SEE ALL OF YOU JUMP!” or some other inane and patronizing demand.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Not all of the songs are terrible; the group’s ode to Joe Strummer “The General’s Boombox,” the catchy opener “Mean Fist” and the looping bass line of “Guns” save it from pure cut out bin status.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">With <i style="">State of Grace</i> the Street Dogs seem poised to break into the lower echelons of mainstream recognition.<span style=""> </span>It’s just a shame it will come on the merits of a transparent and disappointing album.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">3/10</p> <p class="MsoNormal">-Bill Molloy</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">THE OFFSPRING</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><i style="">Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">(<st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Columbia</st1:city></st1:place>)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What’s the opposite of the Midas Touch?<span style=""> </span>The Bob Rock touch, obviously.<span style=""> </span>Try to think of a good record that guy’s been involved with.<span style=""> </span>It’s tough, isn’t it?<span style=""> </span>The Offspring is the latest victim of this super producer/enemy of good music with their latest album <i style="">Rise And Fall, Rage and Grace</i>.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here’s the breakdown of what you’re getting with this new record: three galloping skate punk tunes that could have been written in 1994 (Half-Truism, Trust In You, Hammerhead), a late period Green Day rip off (Rise and Fall), a Gary Glitter style stadium glam rocker (Stuff is Messed Up), three ballads that scream out for airplay on the local ‘adult alternative’ radio station (A Lot Like Me, Kristy Are You Doing OK?, Fix You), a couple mid tempo rockers, and no novelty songs.<span style=""> </span>Musically it’s easily the band’s most eclectic album.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Do the experiments work?<span style=""> </span>Kind of, but not really.<span style=""> </span>Nothing on <i style="">Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace</i> is offensively bad, but not too many songs demand repeat listens.<span style=""> </span>The attempt at diversifying left The Offspring playing away from its strengths and putting out a pretty limp record.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">4</p> <p class="MsoNormal">-Bill Molloy</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">THE STEINWAYS</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><i style="">Gorilla Marketing<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">(Cold Feet)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Straddling the line between being a band with funny songs and being a complete joke band takes a delicate touch.<span style=""> </span>If it swings too far to the novelty side your band will be written off in moments, but if it’s too serious no one will laugh; for the last five years or so The Steinways have been able to toe this rope better than most bands.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="">
<br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="">Gorilla Marketing</i> is the group’s second full length and sees a marginal bit of maturity creeping into the basic, three chord pop-punk song structure. The shortest song on the record is 1:04, as opposed to the numerous five second goof songs that populated previous records.<span style=""> </span>In fact, “Half Baked Heartache” and “Oh Angela” can be described as downright melancholy.<span style=""> </span>
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Lead guitarist Ace and bassist Michelle take several lead vocal turns; their smooth voices contrast nicely with main vocalist Grath’s raspy whine to create a varied sonic palette.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">On the lyrical front the band remains as slap happy as ever.<span style=""> </span><i style="">Gorilla Marketing</i> tackles hard hitting subjects like masturbating at work, being hated by journalist Jessica Hopper, stupid girls who only date hipsters, and the plight of a man who no one want to make out with (solely because he wears sweatpants).<span style=""> </span>Crass this is not.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p>-6</p><p>Bill Molloy</p><p>
<br /></p><p><span style="font-size:180%;">BONUS REVIEW!!!!!</span></p><p>This Off With Their Heads half review was what I was working on on July 17th around 3:30 or so when Juan called me into his office and let me know that my hours were cut in half and that simultaneously the Althea era and AirRaid were dead. Check it out, I was caught in the middle of a fucking sentance!</p><p><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cwmolloy%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">OFF WITH THEIR HEADS</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><i style="">From The Bottom<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">(No Idea)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">By this point Off With Their Heads is such a household name in certain circles that it’s kind of hard to believe that <i style="">From The Bottom</i> is its first full length.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For most of the record the lyrics follow suit with the best of OWTH’s past material.<span style=""> </span>Ryan Young’s words make the listener want to pound back shots of cheap whisky to forget their shitty life, yet oddly celebrate the bitterness at the same time. However the album’s final track “I Hope You Know…” has Young showing a previously unseen vulnerable side, plaintively begging for forgiveness with “</p> <p></p>Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-23033472620685319682008-12-18T14:50:00.011-06:002009-01-05T16:37:50.567-06:00Best of 2008It's late enough in the year where this is allowable so here we go.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><br />Top 15 LPs of 2008</span><br /><img style="width: 297px; height: 302px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/ChronicSeizure.jpg" /><br />1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Chronic Seizure - Ancient Wound</span> (Fashionable Idiots/No Way)<br />As if this is a surprise to anyone. Chronic Seizure know that simply slapping four chords and some shouting over a fast drumbeat for 35 seconds doesn't make a song. Some of these songs gestated for over two years before finally getting the vinyl treatment and it was well worth the wait. This is how hardcore is supposed to sound; if you can't get into this then you're probably an idiot, you love youth crew or chugga-chugga beatdown shit. You decide which is the worst.<br /><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/teenage-bottlerocket-warning-device.jpg" /><br /><span>2. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Teenage Bottlerocket - Warning Device </span>(Red Scare)<br />Anticipation is a double edged sword. TBR had been playing a decent chunk of these songs for almost two years before the record hit the streets and by the time I actually got it, it was safe to say that I knew fully half the songs. Luckily for them the energy of their live shows carries over to the album because it's stuffed to the brim with the same Ramones-Weaselcore pop punk that the world needs. These guys are getting huge and totally deserve it.<br /><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/OffWithTheirHeads.jpg" /><br />3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Off With Their Heads - From The Bottom</span> (No Idea)<br />To put it lightly, I didn't have a very good summer. As my graduation from college and transition into the real world got closer I thought I had most stuff figured out. Then the bottom dropped out of pretty much all those plans; it wasn't a whole lot of fun. Listening to this record helped me a lot, because as cliche as it sounds, hearing someone else having the same problems or in quite a few case worse ones, it lifts you up. It also doesn't hurt one bit that Off With Their Heads finally reached their long hinted at potential with this LP. "I Am You" indeed.<br /><br /><img style="width: 299px; height: 293px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/TotalAbuse.jpg" /><br />4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Abuse - Total Abuse</span> (Deranged)<br />This makes me want to stab myself in the leg every single time I listen to it, and that's a compliment. Total Abuse added in a healthy dose of noise and experimentation to their already roaring hardcore formula and came out a "total" winner. HA HA HA HA GET IT!?!?!? If they actually do break up then we're all fucked.<br /><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/thebronx.jpg" /><br />5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Bronx - The Bronx (III) </span>(White Drugs)<br />Finally free of their major label contract, The Bronx made hands down their best record so far. They managed to combine the manic energy and pure adrenaline rush of their first LP with the more measured songwriting skills of the second. Lyrically this thing is paranoid as fuck and Matt has never sounded better.<br /><br /><img style="width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/Invasion.jpg" /><br />6. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Invasion - La Caza</span> (La Vida Es Un Mus)<br />Six songs just isn't fucking enough. Each time I throw it on I want more and end up listening another two or three times it seems. The most obvious thing that makes these guys stand out is the insane echo effect that makes the whole thing sound like the inside of a fever induced nightmare, but even without that they'd still make the list. This is some next level shit people.<br /><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/disfear_live_the_storm_cover.jpg" /><br />7. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Disfear - Live the Storm</span> (Relapse)<br />Is "professional crust" an oxymoron? It might be but listeners can't argue with the results if they sound like this. Forget the At The Gates reunion, remember Disfear at Subterranean.<br /><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/annihilationtime.jpg" /><br />8. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Annihilation Time - III: Tales of the Ancient Age</span> (Tee Pee)<br />Thin Lizzy and 1983 era Black Flag. Denim jackets and empty cans of Schlitz. Dudes and punks. Hot summer days and Annihilation Time.<br /><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 299px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/terribletwos.jpg" /><br />9. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Terrible Twos - Terrible Twos</span> (X!/Criminal IQ)<br />Imagine this scene if you will. The essence of the early New Bomb Turks walk into a bar and sees keyboard atmosphere of more recent Locust recordings hitting on his girlfriend. A scrum ensues but in the end the two reunite over a cold beer; they're both missing some teeth and a little bit uglier but they're friends now. That is the most accurate musical description I can give of this band. Not even joking.<br /><br /><img style="width: 299px; height: 303px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/WorldBurnsToDeath.jpg" /><br />10. <span style="font-weight: bold;">World Burns to Death - the Graveyard of Utopia</span> (Prank)<br />The most historically accurate band of all time? This LP has Jack Control ranting about the atrocities of Russia over some period that I can't remember. Recorded in Japan, it features guest guitarists from Japan's finest bands laying down solos on just about every song. Completely seriously the credits of the LP list who wrote the lyrics, the music, and who played on the solos. Holy fuck. I just wish it was more than eight songs.<br /><br /><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/warcry.jpg" /><br />11. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Warcry - Not So Distant Future</span> (Feral Ward)<br />Look at the cover art. Look at the name. Know that they share members with Tragedy, Remains The Day and Hellshock. Know that Todd Burdette sings. Know that they strip music down to its most d-beat essentials for eight raging songs. Come on.<br /><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/pennywise.jpg" /><br />12. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pennywise - Reason To Believe</span> (Myspace)<br />The band who put out the first punk rock record I ever bought gives away for free their best album in ten years. Say what you will, I clearly don't give a fuck.<br /><br /><img style="width: 280px; height: 286px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/SexVidLP.jpg" /><br />13. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sex Vid - Communal Living</span> (Dom America)<br />This came super late in the game so who knows, maybe it would rank higher if I had more than a few scant weeks to listen to it. One of the most hyped and also mysterious bands of the last decade finally puts out a 12", but it's still barely over EP length. Annoying and great until the end I guess.<br /><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/Triclops.jpg" /><br />14. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> Triclops! - Out of Africa</span> (Alternative Tentacles)<br />I seriously don't even feel qualified to write about this album. A mindfuck of an acid freakout that has vocal effects than render the guy sounding like a tortured baby layered on top of music that in one song managed to combine psychedelic freak outs, pressurized build ups, quiet breakdowns and blastbeats. If you aren't comfortable leaving your comfort zone then don't listen to Triclops!.<br /><br /><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/drunkdriver.jpg" /><br />15. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Drunkdriver - Born Pregnant</span> (Parts Unknown)<br />Time will tell if this is a smart or stupid choice driven by temporary infatuation. I heard this band for the first time literally less than two weeks ago in a record store and immediately I knew I had to find out who/what it was. It sounded like the worst, most blown out YouTube video I could imagine with tortured screams heaped on top. I almost feel wrong for liking this as much as I do.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Honorable Mentions</span><br />Dustheads - Little Pieces (Don Giovanni). Pisschrist - Victims of Faith (Yellow Dog). Paint it Black - New Lexicon (Jade Tree). Protestant - The Hate The Hollow (Halo of Flies). Report Suspicious Activity - Destroy All Evidence (Alternative Tentacles). Socialcide - Unapproachable (Even Worse). Victims - Killer (Combat Rock/Havoc).<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><br />Top 7"s of 2008</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> (no particular order)</span><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/Youths.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Youths - Generationless</span> </span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">(Regulator/S.H.O.)</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><br /><br /><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/SexVid7.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Sex Vid - Nests</span> </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">(Dom America)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><br /><br /><img src="http://www.interpunk.com/itemimages2/156262.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Needles - Twisted Vision (Lengua Armada)</span><br /><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/PinheadGunpowder.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Pinhead Gunpowder - West Side Highway</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> (Recess)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><br /><br /><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/Homostupids.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Homostupids - Cat Music</span> </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">(Fashionable Idiots)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><br /><br /><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/doublenegative.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Double Negative - Raw Energy EP</span> </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">(Sorry State)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><br /><br /><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/DeepSleep.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Deep Sleep - Manic Euphoria </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">(Grave Mistake)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><br /><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 302px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/DaylightRobbery.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Daylight Robbery - Washtenaw </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">(Residue)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><br /><br /><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/canadian_rifle_amer_cheeseburger_7i.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Canadian Rifle/American Cheeseburger - split </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">(Rock Bottom)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><br /><br /><img style="width: 280px; height: 300px;" src="http://ihateyouthattack.com/images/AEROSOLS%203rd%20EP.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Aerosols - 3rd EP </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">(Youth Attack)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><br /><br /><img style="width: 299px; height: 293px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/agendacover.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">The Agenda - Pessimism of the Mind, Optimism of the Will</span> </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">(Fashionable Idiots)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><br /><br />LP of 2008 That Pitchfork and I Actually Agree On</span><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/noage.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">No Age - Nouns </span>(Sub Pop)<br />And you know what, if it wasn't for the stupid fucking interludes it might have made the actual list instead of making me create a little category for it.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">LP of 2008 That Should Have Come Out In 2005 And While Pretty Good, Is NOT The Second Coming Like Lots Of Annoying Idiots Think It Is</span></span><br /><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/DillingerFour.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dillinger Four - C I V I L W A R </span>(Fat Wreck Chords)<br />This is directed at you, Punknews.org comment community.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Most Overtly Metal LP of 2008 That I Love In A Totally Non-Ironic Fashion </span></span><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 296px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/lairoftheminotaur.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lair of the Minotaur - War Metal Battle Master</span> (Southern Lord)<br />Look at the cover art. Look at the album title. Investigate song titles like "Horde of Undead Vengeance," "When The Ice Giant Slayed All" and "Black Viper Barbarian Clan." Listen to the riffs. Fucking shred. Repeat.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Best Album of 2007 That I Didn't Get Until 2008 </span></span><br /><img style="width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/pissedjeans.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pissed Jeans - Hope For Men</span> (Sub Pop)<br />I have no idea why I thought I didn't like this band until recently. At least I can admit to my mistakes and own up to the fact that this album rules.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Singles Collections of 2008 (3-Way Tie <span style="font-size:78%;">[for last[minutemen references!]}</span>)</span><br /><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/ergs.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Ergs! - Hindsight Is 20/20 My Friend </span>(Dirtnap)<br />Why did they have to break up? WHY!?!?! Further proof that there is no god.<br /><br /><img style="width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/JayReatard0607.jpg" /><img style="width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/2008%20Best%20Of/JayReatardMatador.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jay Reatard - Singles '06-'07</span> (In The Red) and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Matador Singles '08</span> (Matador)<br />One of the most prolific guys out there today proves it by the mere fact that he needs two fucking singles collections in one year! I prefer the '06-'07 one slightly but the more recent offerings show the progression to where he's headed.<br /><br />So there you have it. If I think of more stuff I'll add it on but probably not. If you didn't find something good this year then it's your own fucking fault.Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-37631290393513439262008-11-17T01:30:00.009-06:002008-11-17T12:21:41.159-06:00I sort of saw Articles of Faith last night<img style="width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/15/l_74f4b9fc70d74f2f901a1b6a762593d5.jpg" /><br /><br />3/5 of them at least. Vic Bondi's new (and pretty stellar) band Report Suspicious Activity played a show and thanks to a little goading from Larry Damore of Pegboy, something special happened. Bondi called up Dorian Tajbakhsh, who then called up Dave Shields. Both were into it and showed up with bells and whistles (or in Dorian's case, a shirt with his last name across it). Rounding it out were the brothers Haggerty, John and Joe, on guitar and drums respectively. "Articles of Pegboy" is what Vic called it.<br /><br />Oh hell, let's have Vic tell you the story in his own words...<br /><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-05523210078178163 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/JjHd4pEw7IY&hl=en&fs=1"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-05523210078178163 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/JjHd4pEw7IY&hl=en&fs=1"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-05523210078178163 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/JjHd4pEw7IY&hl=en&fs=1"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-05523210078178163 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/JjHd4pEw7IY&hl=en&fs=1"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-05523210078178163 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/JjHd4pEw7IY&hl=en&fs=1"></a><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JjHd4pEw7IY&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JjHd4pEw7IY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />What did we do without YouTube? They played four songs. The opener was "Bad Attitude" which you can watch above (listen around the 3:44 mark, I think those are my horrid screams) then came probably the ultimate AoF anthem "What We Want Is Free." A gigantic dose of humor showed up next as Vic announced "This shit has been going on for 25 years!" before they played of all things, The Effigies' "Mob Clash." For those not in the know AoF and The Effigies had a vicious feud going back in the olden days and pretty much nothing has changed. I heard the first couple notes, did probably a quadruple take in my head, then burst out laughing at the complete absurdity of what I was seeing. Sadly this take blew away the last couple times I've seen The Effigies do it but that's another story. Then, as all good things do, AoP as we'll call them ended their mini-set with "5 O'Clock."<br /><br />Seriously, how fucking lucky was I to see this? I'm going to steal a quote from my good buddy John Duggan to sum it up - "I never thought I'd have Vic Bondi shoving a mic in my face."<br /><br />Here are pictures I took. I don't know how to re-size them to properly display on Blogger, but I think clicking the image might do it? If that doesn't work then right click it and hit "View Image." Bonus game, try to find the two punk rock legends that <i>AREN'T</i> on stage, merely on the periphery. Hint: how much throbbing can you take?<br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5654.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5655.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5656.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5658.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5659.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5660.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 500px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5661.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5662.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5666.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 500px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5667.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 500px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5668.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5669.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 500px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5670.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 500px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5672.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5674.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 500px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5675.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5679.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 500px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5680.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5681.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 500px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5682.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5683.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 500px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5684.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 500px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5685.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 500px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5686.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5688.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5690.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 500px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5691.jpg" /><br /><img style="width: 400px; height: 500px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/November%2015/DSCN5692.jpg" />Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-223874868935258872008-11-04T14:53:00.004-06:002010-03-02T01:17:44.340-06:00From the things that never got published file: Chicago RiotsBack in the summer we had an idea to do a pamphlet for people that were visiting from out of town. It'd have the standard touristy stuff, standard punk rock stuff and a little bit extra. Together, Kevin and I concocted humorous histories of the largest riots to ever take place in Chicago. With the hustle, bustle and chaos that is my life in this company, the pamphlet idea fell by the wayside. But luckily enough for you, I have my contributions saved and READY TO PUBLISH. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.gocontinental.com/photos/dahl_steve2a.jpg" /><br /><b>Steve Dahl’s Disco Demolition Nightmare<br />Disco Sucks, Fuck Everything<br />By: Bill Molloy</b><br /><br />No matter what shitty music is bugging you today, it’s probably not as ubiquitous as disco was back in the late 70s. Discerning rockers were bombarded from all sides by slick drumbeats, flared pantsuits and high pitched wails. The line in the sand needed to be drawn, and rock DJ Steve Dahl took care of it.<br /><br />On July 12, 1979, Dahl, the management at WLUP 97.9 FM, and the Chicago White Sox teamed up for one of the most infamous promotional stunts in history. Anyone bringing a disco record to the game was able to get in for a mere 98¢. More than 50,000 people got into the stadium and thousands more were locked outside; the stage was set for total mayhem.<br /><br />In between games of a doubleheader with the Detroit Tigers, Dahl, dressed in military regalia as the leader of the anti-disco revolution, collected as many records as he could, placed them in a crate in center field, and blew the shit out of it. The crowd roared, and the promotion seemed to have worked, but obviously we wouldn’t still be talking about it more than 25 years on if the shit didn’t hit the fan.<br /><br />The crate that Dahl blew up unfortunately wasn’t big enough to hold all the records that his minions brought to the game, so they were left hanging onto the music of the enemy. Despite their drunken haze, some of the fans realized that the LPs and 45s worked much in the same way as a Frisbee; they started to hurl the records at each other as well as onto the field. When those ran out, they moved on to throwing beer and even fireworks. <br /><br />Pretty soon the night moved into its final phase when thousands of fans stormed the field; the scene slightly resembled a jock version of Woodstock with thousands of people milling about, bonfires raging, the dugouts being looted, and copious amounts of weed smoke filling the air. Pretty soon the CPD showed up on horseback to disperse the ever growing crowd. The second game of the doubleheader had to be forfeited to the Tigers but no major injuries were reported. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/08/14/Weather_060814091219358_wideweb__300x375,1.jpg" /><br /><b>Days of Rage<br />The Weatherman Bust Out. Literally. <br />By: Bill Molloy</b><br /><br />One offshoot of the Students for a Democratic Society decided to take elevate anti-war protesting to a brand new level. For the first time these demonstrators turned outwardly violent, and appropriately enough, it happened in Chicago, where only one year earlier Mayor Richard J. Daley’s massive police riot at the Democratic National Convention garnered national attention. <br /><br />Set up to coincide with the trial of the Chicago 8 (read up about it on Wikipedia when you get back home), The Days of Rage officially started with the bombing of a statue of a police officer erected in Haymarket Square. With shards of the statue falling onto the nearby Kennedy Expressway, they moved onto their next target; the Gold Coast<br /><br />The Gold Coast has long been a bastion of commerce and upper class housing in the city. Naturally The Weathermen chose this neighborhood as their first target. On October 8, 1969 more than 200 protesters took to the streets wielding billy clubs and baseball bats. The activists indiscriminately began smashing up cars, storefronts, and bank windows for several blocks before more than 1,000 riot cops approached the scene, clubs and tear gas at the ready. Even though the Weathermen anticipated the conflict and wore protective gear, the cops aimed for their necks and ankles, taking down the protesters one by one. This protest left 28 cops injured, six protesters shot, 68 arrested and an unknown amount injured. <br /><br />The next day and a half the remaining Weathermen fell silent and let other groups peacefully protest the Chicago 8’s trial outside the courthouse. On October 10th a group of 300 Weathermen reassembled in The Loop to restart their cause. With a large battalion of policemen watching, they spontaneously began smashing up cars and business storefronts again. This one wouldn’t last very long, as more than half the protesters were arrested within 15 minutes. <br /><br />All told the damages ended up costing the state of Illinois over $183,000. Following the Days of Rage, the Weathermen Organization continued to stage increasingly more violent protests before dissolving in the early 1970s.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/haymarket.jpg" /><br /><b>Bombs Away! <br />The Haymarket Affair<br />By: Bill Molloy</b><br /><br />I’m guessing that it’s a pretty safe assumption to say that most people would prefer an eight hour work day in decent conditions to say, a thirteen hour shift in a blazing hot factory; any objections? Yeah, I didn’t think there would be on that one. Ever wonder how an eight hour day became the norm in this country? You’ll have to bone up on your history books if you want the full story, but the Haymarket Affair of 1886 played an important role in it. <br /><br />Labor unrest in Chicago was nothing new, but the Spring of 1886 held a new promise in the air that had been absent before. Emboldened by an unprecedented sense of unity, numerous labor unions set May 1, 1886 as a deadline date; if the eight hour work day wasn’t instituted by then, to quote Joey Shithead and D.O.A., it was high time to stand up, to stand and unite; it was time for a general strike. 40,000 workers walked out of their factories that day and more than 80,000 marched down Michigan Avenue. An estimated 500,000 workers across the nation joined the picket line.<br /><br />The next couple days led to more demonstrations and the inevitable clash with the police. May 3rd’s rally outside of the McCormick Harvesting Machine plant turned violent when a few dozen scabs tried to exit work; the skirmish ended with six workers dead and thousands outraged. Workers all around the city awoke on the 4th to news of the confrontation and a leaflet urging “Workingmen arm yourselves and appear in full force!” Obviously something interesting was about to happen.<br /><br />For the first several hours the rally at Haymarket Square was peaceful and effective. Numerous speakers passionately delivered speeches to the growing crowd, which included then Mayor Carter Harrison, who soon left the rally because he deemed it non-threatening, which it was at the time. Around 10:30 the police broke up the rally before the final speaker finished up. An unknown person chucked a bomb at the police line, instantly killing one officer. Soon the square erupted in a hail of gun fire and random violence that left several more dead and countless injured. <br /><br />Within several days eight men with connections to anarchist and labor groups were rounded up and put on trial for the bomb. No physical evidence connected these men to the bomb throwing yet they were all convicted and seven were sentenced to death; four met their fate at the gallows, one committed suicide, two had their sentence commuted to life in prison. In later years all the defendants were officially pardoned and the police chief who ordered the dispersal was convicted of corruption. To this day no one knows who threw the initial bomb. <br /><br />The event temporarily demoralized the labor movement but later became a source of pride, with May 1st becoming synonymous with labor unions and political protest. So next time you clock out at five, take a second to think about the cheerful, mustached anarchists who helped make that possible.Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-83058170565215536792008-10-23T16:17:00.002-05:002008-10-23T16:35:35.908-05:00Chronic Seizure - Live WHPK 7"<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/ChronicSeizureLive7.jpg" /><br /><b>Chronic Seizure - Live WHPK 7"<br />Fashionable Idiots Records<br />October 2008<br />By: Bill Molloy</b><br /><br />Anyone who knows me knows that I'm basically a Chronic Seizure fanboy. Ever since seeing them in a sweaty-as-fucking-get-out classroom at DePaul in the Summer of 2005 and getting their first demo tape they've pretty much been my favorite Chicago hardcore group. Astoundingly enough they've only managed to keep getting better, rising to the top ranks of national hardcore, as witnessed by probably my favorite LP of the year, <i><a href="http://airraidlive.com/review.php?id=60">Ancient Wound</a></i>. To steal from my own review, Chronic Seizure write actual SONGS instead of simply slapping four chords on top of a fast 4/4 drum beat.<br /><br />That said, I don't count this in the steady upward trajectory. If you couldn't glean it from the title, this 9 song 7" is a recording from a summer 2008 set at the University of Chicago's radio station WHPK. The record includes eight songs from the aforementioned <i>Ancient Wound</i> as well as "Violent Opposition" all the way back from the <i>Brainsick</i> 7". The performances are pretty representative what you'll get from a CS live set; awesome. The sound on the 7" sounds like it was taken from a cassette dub from the broadcast rather than the actual master recording in the booth. Whether that was intentional or not I can't vouch for but it does give you the feeling that you're listening to the original broadcast.<br /><br />For hardcore fans <i>Live WHPK</i> is a cool addition to the collection but for the casual ones it's not really necessary. HOWEVER, for those nerds out there like myself, the first 100 copies come in the above pictured acetate sleeve, and there will only be 500 pressed all told. If you're a super fan snap it up; if you want to get know the band (what took you so long) pick up the LP and the two other 7"s. RIYL: the 80's hardcore revival (which I'm actually beginning to get a little sick of, amazingly enough) <br />7/10.<br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/chronicseizure">Chronic Seizure Myspace</a>Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-1746990487112716922008-10-23T15:39:00.003-05:002008-10-23T16:12:19.687-05:00Pisschrist - Victims of Faith LP<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/pisschrist.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pisschrist - Victims of Faith</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yellow Dog/Havoc Records</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">October 2008</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">By: Bill Molloy</span><br /><br />In reality it's been a year and a half, but it seems like only yesterday that Australia's Pisschrist came to the USA and thoroughly destroyed my brain and forehead (care of several knees to the face from vocalist Yeap). When a band is good enough to steal a show from the mighty Wolfbrigade, they're onto something. After the show I bought up everything I could from them: t-shirts, CDs, stickers, whatever. I had a new favorite d-beat/crust band.<br /><br />Now it's late 2008 and they're back with their second full length (not counting the singles collection) entitled <span style="font-style: italic;">Victims of Faith</span>. It's a definite journalistic cop out to use the phrase "they're not reinventing the wheel," but this is more of the same super blown out crust that you'd expect from Pisschrist. The difference between Pisschrist and just about every other band doing this style is that they're simply better. Beneath the pounding drums, ultra-distorted guitars and the grizzly bear vocals lie actual melodies. I said it, real melodies. You'll be pumping your fist while the actual record is on and drumming on your knees when you're at work. Take one listen to the re-recorded "Run For Your Life" and you'll know what I mean.<br /><br />Taking a cue from any number of generic Youth Crew (ugh) bands, Yeap has decided to include explanations of several songs. Most revolve around the typical themes of atheism (this is Pisschrist after all), nihilism/anarchy and the horrors of war, but with some variation including a how-to-guide on how to get out of perfunctory military service and rants on immigration. Yeap I believe emigrated from Malaysia into Australia so it's obviously an important cause to him. The opening song "Punk is Love" for example is an ode to what makes punk rock great, in a few simplistic lines.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"DIY Punx Under One Flag</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Music and Idea</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Empowers Our Life</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Good Friends Playing HC</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Around The World</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Punk Is Love</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This Is Our Life</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Different But It's Right</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">International HC</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Without No Pose</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Punk Is Love</span>"<br /><br />The US distribution of Victims of Faith is through <a href="http://www.havocrex.com/">Havoc</a>, so head over to their website to order it. My only minor complaint is that my copy is a little beat up but shit happens when a record comes from Australia into MPLS then into Chicago. If you're into d-beat, crust or even good old fashioned punk rock there are literally millions of worse bands to listen to than Pisschrist. This is definite top 15 of the Year material. RIYL: Framtid, Discharge, Mob 47, bands that begin with "Dis-"<br />9/10.<br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/dbeatholocaust">Pisschrist Myspace</a>Bill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2036919399268994820.post-89751302378452422008-10-20T15:52:00.007-05:002010-03-02T01:18:05.878-06:00Valient Himself (Valient Thorr) Interview (September 2008)<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/BillRamone2/ValientHimself.jpg" /><br />(Photo cropped and re-sized from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.ryanrussell.net">RyanRussell.net</a>)<br />E-mail interview that gave way to wacky, sleep deprived feature article.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: How is your health after the kidney surgery?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Valient Himself</span>: I feel as though I am fully recovered now. My strength is back, my energy is back, & I'm trying to take care of myself health-wise now. My father is doing very well too. We just had dinner together about a month ago in Charlotte. It was so great to see him out of the house.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Immortalizer seemed to take longer to get out to the public than previous releases; is there a reason? What was it like working with Jack Endino on the record?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Valient Himsel</span>f: hmmm. I don't know, I don't think it took longer did it? Well, we wanted to take our time on all of our forthcoming releases to make sure we have excellently crafted the best product possible to give to the people, but, I feel as though things always get crazy & feel rushed. Jack was amazing to work with. He's having sort of a renewed interest with tons of bands coming to him these days for work. We'll definitely be working with him again in the future.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Immediately, the Immortalizer artwork struck me as unique; I can’t recall ever seeing anything like it. Who came up with the concept for the Immortalizer artwork and -who is the artist behind it?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Valient Himself</span>: I actually did the artwork and came up with it myself. It shows Morpheus, the time master (son of father time) trying to grab a hold of the tiger owl (which represents our band ((something knowledged, but something that's also buck wild))).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Are there any plans to re-press Stranded On Earth or either of the two early demos?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Valient Himself</span>: No plans as of yet. I always think there's the possibility of releasing Stranded on Earth someday again. Maybe it'll have demos and old weird early live footage of us, but that’ll be for sometime down the road.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: What is the status of the groups DVD? What will be featured on it?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Valient Himself</span>: In Heat comes out on November 4th. It’s a feature length flick on us traveling over the last 5 years throughout the US & Europe. It’s pretty funny, I can t wait for everyone to see it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Did the Thorriors grow out of actions taken by the band or is it a purely fan driven phenomenon? Has there been a national gathering of the Thorriors yet, and if not, is it a possibility?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Valient Himself</span>: It was mentioned by us, & then totally swooped up into a whirlwind of crazed party dudes & ladies who like to eat good food & listen to good music. We are planning an event called the Thorrendezvous for 2009. More details about that are forthcoming.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: How did the upcoming tour with Motorhead come about, and do you have any thoughts or expectations of it?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Valient Himself</span>: We toured with Motorhead in Germany in December, and in the UK & Switzerland during the summer, so we became friends. I think its going to be one of if not the best tour we've ever been on.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Will you ever attempt to topple your own record of 272 shows in 2006? Can it be done?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Valient Himself</span>: Maybe... Not this year, and probably not next year. We are going to be doing a world tour next year. Playing places we've never played; hopefully Japan, Australia, & more European spots.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: What governing body sanctions the Rock and Roll Championship of the World, and what will it take to defend your crown in the coming years?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Valient Himself</span>: Well, it’s a conglomeration that claims to be involved with various nefarious organizations including the "record industry". They don't really like to recognize us. They'd like to put a band like Wolfmother out there, but you see what happens when a band’s not ready! BANG!!! They implode from the weight of their own consciousness. Luckily we hold the title for the Rock n Roll Championship of the UNIVERSE, so we get to duck thru certain loopholes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Has the addition of Voiden changed the sound of the group at all?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Valient Himself</span>: A bit, I think we evolve every time, and it’s funny because our sound is always different, song to song, not just album to album... That's because we all bring our own parts to each song. These definitely sound tougher because Voiden plays a more metal guitar picking style.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: If there is one specific thing that you want a fan to get out of listening to or seeing Valient Thorr, what is it?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Valient Himself</span>: A boner.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Let’s pit Earth and Venus against each other in the ultimate showdown; which would come out on top and why?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Valient Himself</span>: Earth, b/c Venusians are (were) trying to settle this planet and practice peace. The earthlings are the warlords. I don't think there are any Venusians left up there. If there were, they would’ve tried to contact us by now.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill</span>: Any last words or parting thoughts?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Valient Himself</span>: I have last words, but I don't wanna say them for a LOOOOONG time<br />Thanx,<br />Valient himself<br />Sent from my handheld space communicator deviceBill Raidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08267451482008820117noreply@blogger.com0