Feature / Music
Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2010

January 3, 2011

Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2010
Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2010

Ben Weasel

What are your top five albums that were released in 2010? (In order 1-5)
  1. The Steve Adamyk Band – S/T
  2. The Manges – Bad Juju
  3. Statues – Holiday Cops
  4. The Queers – Back To The Basement
  5. The Visitors – Avenging The Visigoths
What band did you discover in 2010 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

A few actually, all from Ottawa, ON of all places: The Steve Adamyk Band, The Visitors, the Creeps, Sedatives, and a bunch of other terrific pop-punk and garage bands. Ottawa seems like a very lively and exciting place for music right now. I don’t know that music has too much significance for me these days beyond getting my toes tapping and my fingers snapping but these bands all deliver on that count.

How will you remember 2010? (In terms of music)

See above. The best of the newer melodic punk bands seem less willing to conform to genre restrictions than did the bands of the 00s. I don’t know how wide their appeal is – playing unabashedly fun pop-punk without copying the flavors-of-the-moment isn’t a recipe for success - but these bands seem to be the genuine article and they remind me that there are always ways to make the simple exciting and inspirational.

With more and more bands switching to digital methods of releasing music and communicating with audiences in 2010, do you think there's still a place for physical CDs and word-of-mouth shows in the future?

CD sales are in the toilet at the moment but I can’t imagine the vinyl craze lasting for too much longer. I hope it does if only so we can keep seeing our jacket art done up at a proper size. I prefer digital music but I’ve got a family and I don’t have the physical space for a lot of records. If I were single and in my 20s I’d be buying vinyl.

As for shows, if you’re relying on word of mouth you’re crazy. I’ve never done that and I never would. You’ve got to promote your shows.

What can we look forward to from you in 2011?

A new Screeching Weasel album called First World Manifesto, out March 15th on Fat. And a bunch of Screeching Weasel shows.

What three records are you looking forward to most in 2011?

The only one I’m aware of that’s coming out next year is Lemuria’s new one in January on Bridge Nine, and I’m chomping at the bit for it.

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— words by the SPB team • January 3, 2011

Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2010
Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2010

Pages in this feature

  1. Opening page
  2. Aaron Bridgewater (As They Sleep)
  3. Adam (Withdrawal)
  4. Andrew Seward (Against Me!)
  5. Ben Crew (In Defence)
  6. Ben Weasel
  7. Benjamin Gallaty (Andrew Jackson Jihad)
  8. Brent Eyestone (Magic Bullet Records / Forensics / Aughra / Meditative Sect)
  9. Brian (Seven Sisters Of Sleep)
  10. Brian and John (Shores)
  11. Chris (Caulfield)
  12. Chris (The Flatliners)
  13. Clifford Dinsmore (Dusted Angel, formerly of Gargantula, Spaceboy and B'last!)
  14. Colin (Kingdom (Bel), Blind to Faith, Amen-ra)
  15. Dave Hause (Loved Ones)
  16. Davey Quinn (Tiltwheeel, Dan Padilla, Too Many Daves, International Dipshit)
  17. David (All Teeth)
  18. Domenic Romeo (Pulling Teeth/A389 Records)
  19. Dwid Hellion (Integrity, Roses Never Fade, Holy Terror Records)
  20. Geoff Rickly (Thursday)
  21. Greg (The Mezingers)
  22. Hugo (Sainte Catherines)
  23. Jason Zabby (Big Action Records)
  24. Javier Vanhuss (The Mistake)
  25. Jeff Rowe
  26. Jihad (12 Gauge Records)
  27. Joey (Old Man Markley)
  28. Joey (The Banner)
  29. John Cate (John Cate & The Van Gogh Brothers; Tunecore)
  30. Larry (Think Fast! Records)
  31. Lemuria, Bridge Nine Records, Death Before Dishonor, Foundation
  32. Matt Armstrong (Murder by Death)
  33. Michael (hellfish.com)
  34. Mike (Parasitic Skies)
  35. Mike (Son of Man)
  36. Mike Apocalypse (Gehenna, Sangraal, Devil)
  37. Mike Bachich (Nothing)
  38. Mike Riley (Pulling Teeth, Firestarter Records)
  39. Nat Rufus (Blacklist Royals)
  40. Nate (Banner Pilot)
  41. R.J (Magrudergrind)
  42. Rick Jimenez (This Is Hell)
  43. Robin Lane (Robin Lane and The Chartbusters)
  44. Ryan (Think Fast! Records)
  45. Ryan Patterson (Coliseum / Auxiliary Design Records)
  46. Simon (War From A Harlot's Mouth)
  47. T (Vegas, Roses Never Fade, Black Sun Valley)
  48. Tony Foresta (Municipal Waste, No Friends, Best Friends Day (Co Organizer))
  49. Trevor Reddell (Let Me Run)
  50. Ty Vaughn (Broadway Calls)
  51. Westin Glass (The Thermals)

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