Jim Gies (Boilerman/Hip Kid Records, Gidim)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2015? (In order 1-5)
Note: This list is just full-lengths. There were a lot of great EPs that came out this year, but five is such a small number, I thought I’d stick to proper albums. Also, figuring out just five of these was hard enough, so these are in no particular order:
- Vacation – Non Person
- Royal Headache – High
- Meat Wave – Delusion Moon
- Warhead – s/t
- Muerte - s/t LP
2. What band did you discover in 2015 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I think one of the most significant bands of the year was G.L.O.S.S. The first time I heard their demo was like getting slapped in the face. It’s been hard to make me immediately latch on to a straight forward hardcore punk band recently, but G.L.O.S.S.’ EP has great production, really memorable riffs, perfect drumming, and, maybe most importantly, a palpable, legitimate anger on top of everything else.
Seeing old friends get some well-deserved attention for working really hard and consequently use that attention to open up super important conversations in punk makes me feel really good and I think the music scene in general is already better off for it.
3. How will you remember 2015? (In terms of music)
2015 is a year that I did a lot of digging back into older music, especially metal. There were a lot of new releases I liked, but not a ton that I totally went nuts over. I did see some really great live sets though, from bands like AT THE GATES, VACATION (a bunch of times), AMERICAN HATE, DILLINGER FOUR, BLACK PLANET.
I also went on the longest BOILERMAN tour in several years and got to play with great bands like LAIKA’S ORBIT, NOTCHES, SWIM TEAM, and WITCHES WITH DICKS, plus do a weekend of seeing SCOUNDREL every day which was awesome.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2016?
There are a few Hip Kid releases on the way that I can’t talk about just yet. But in terms of bands I’m in, there will be a new BOILERMAN LP released, there will be a new RASH LP, and there will be a GIDIM/CRACKED VESSEL collaboration, as well as more GIDIM material.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2016?
I’m looking very forward to the CRACKED VESSEL LP, any SWIM TEAM and NOTCHES releases that may come to light, the DARK THOUGHTS LP, and new material from THE BUG. I’m sure there will be a ton of other great stuff as well, but those are some things I know are happening that I’m excited to hear.
6. How relevant is the physical format record/cd/tape in 2015 and going into 2016? What do you see changing in terms of physical vs. digital discussions?
I think it’s pretty similar to how it’s been the past few years. Physical formats are important to a lot of people, myself included, who want to get the most visceral, complete experience out of listening to music. Digital music holds an important place and is super convenient, but records, tapes, etc are still my favorite and I think there are still many who would agree with me.
One thing that is worth noting, though, is that pressing plant turnaround times have gone up tremendously which is something that’s forcing smaller labels to rethink how they budget and plan for releases. It also has stretched the time it takes for artists to see a physical version of a recording which I think increases reliance on digital be it as a means of previewing or earlier release of material.
