Davey Warsop (Suedehead, Beat Union, Sharp/Shock)
SPB: Noting that Terry Hall recently passed away, what is your favorite song by The Specials and what does it mean to you?
Warsop: It’s so hard to choose but currently I’d probably say “Do Nothing” … The lyrics and melody are …
Kepi Ghoulie
SPB: Noting that Terry Hall recently passed away, what is your favorite song by The Specials and what does it mean to you?
Kepi: My favorite Specials song may be an obvious choice, but “A Message To You, Rudy“ is my jam! It is ALWAYS in …
T.J. McFaull (The Bar Stool Preachers)
SPB: Noting that Terry Hall recently passed away, what is your favorite song by The Specials and what does it mean to you?
McFaull:
“Do Nothing”
Even a band as genre specific as The Specials could slow it down and …
Andy Pohl (Sell The Heart Records)
SPB: Have you ever signed a band you didn’t personally know?
Pohl: Yes, I've worked with many bands that I didn't personally know beforehand. Most have been introduced to me by other bands or musicians that I personally knew, such as Failing …
Up For Nothing
What is your favorite stretch of highway to drive (on tour)?
Favorite stretch of highway for us would be the legendary I-95, which travels all the way across the east coast of the US. So many of our best memories as a band have come …
Stomatopod
SPB: What song has the best use of whistling?
Elliot: “Young Folks” by Peter Bjorn and John....the whistle is the hook....and starts the song... (although that Guns ‘N’ Roses song probably sold more records...)
Sharon: “Love Is A Battlefield” by Pat Benatar.
Her album Crimes …
The Berserker Blóthar (GWAR)
SPB: GWAR has an elaborate live show, to put it mildly. Is there a particular venue that stands out to you as a challenge for your live show that ultimately turned out to make it more unique in a good way?
The Berserker Blóthar: …
Dave Lombardo (Venamoris, Fantomas, ex-Slayer)
SPB: You’re known as a drummer: what was the first instrument you learned to play (and what else you play overall)?
Lombardo: The first instrument I learned to play was the marching drum. I was in 4th grade, I believe I was 9 …
Suzi Moon
SPB: You’ve played in bands and, somewhat recently, shifted to a solo focus. How does it feel different “from the stage” when it’s your name on the bill instead of a band name?
Moon: Well, technically I am still in a band -- the gang mentality …
Martin (Mosaic)
SPB: What band has the best logo of all time?
Martin: I really like old-fashioned logos - like the old Tiamat or Katatonia logo - which are quite similar, to be honest. Those are really remarkable in their style, still have a classic feel, and represent …
Justin Baker (Neckscars – guitar)
SPB: What is your favorite protest song?
Baker: While growing up listening to punk rock, I was introduced to many perspectives that were foreign at the time. Propagandhi said "Fuck the Border" and the flag, Bad Religion challenged traditional spiritually and the Dead …
Jeff Dean (Heavy Seas – vocals/guitar)
SPB: What venue has the best food (for touring bands)?
Dean: Honestly, I think Beat Kitchen in Chicago has the best food for a music venue. I used to live down the street from there and I would just go there, whether …
[ASS][ASS][INS]
SPB: What was the first record you ever bought?
Gab of Thunder: If I'm not mistaken my first vinyl record I bought was the self-titled Adolescents album. My parents had a record player and a small stack of records that sat in our dining room and I …
There are a lot of misconceptions about the life of a musician. Most musicians have day jobs – and not just to pay the bills. Jobs provide new challenges, personal fulfillment and, yes, some rent or gas money. And usually when somebody is writing a new record or scheduling a …
Paula Lombardo (Venamoris)
SPB: It sounds like you were hesitant to return to music performance. What about the response to Venamoris has surprised you most?
Lombardo: Yes, I was hesitant. And now I’m left with the realization that my hesitancy was built on lies we tell ourselves.
…
Kieran (The Restarts)
SPB: What was the first punk show you ever went to?
Kieran: Growing up in a small Canadian town, Squamish BC, I only just started to discover punk on day trips into Vancouver city going to import record shops and second hand clothing boutiques that …
Mike Terry (Jukebox Romantics – vocals/guitar)
SPB: How nervous were you the first time you played a live show?
Terry: The first show I ever played was a basement show. It was basically inviting people over to our band practice in our drummer‘s basement on a Friday afternoon …
Shaun Osburn (Middle-Aged Queers)
SPB: What was the first concert you went to?
Osburn: I want to parse this out into three different answers, because I think all of them are important milestones in shaping my musical interests and influences.
FIRST CONCERT: Jimmy Buffett. I believe I …
Jason St. Angelo (Tired Radio – bass/backing vocals)
SPB: What type of detail or opinion do you like to see in reading music coverage?
St. Angelo: This is incredibly self-centered, but I love when reviewers or journalists can hone in on the subtleties of a bassline and pick …
Mike (DeeCRACKS)
SPB: What show, outside of Austria, have you been most excited to play (either because of the city, the venue, or the rest of the lineup)?
Mike: Tough question actually. We've done a lot of touring in our 20 years as a band and basically every …