Red Scare Industries (Tobias Jeg)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2018? (Preferably in order 1-5)
Not sure about albums, but how about… 5 good songs!
- “Would It Kill You?” – Dead To Me
- “Fun” – Vince Staples
- “Out Of It” – Tightwire
- “Pale Blue Island” – Alkaline Trio
- “Led Zeppelin III” – The Brokedowns
2. What band did you discover in 2018 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I heard demos from a Minneapolis band called Tightwire and wanted to work with them right away. We put out their debut called, “Six Feet Deep” and I call it “Doom Pop” because it thematically reminds me of bands like Crusades and Dear Landlord. And of course they’re the nicest guys, which is the main requirement for a Red Scare band.
3. How will you remember 2018? (In terms of music)
Kids sure are dressing funny, eh? It’s like, “Let’s see what Punky Brewster donated to Goodwill and top it off with some tie-dye!” I thought the '90s skatepunk look was bad with the JNCOs and chain wallets, but this latest hobo garb… OH WAIT, you said “in terms of music”! I dunno, music journalists pay ZERO attention to our bands, but the shows and tours are great and the royalties we pay are only getting better, so this year belongs to the listeners. They’re more supportive than ever, even if the gatekeepers are not.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2019?
Lotsa stuff! We’ve already announced the addition of Philly’s Ramona. They’re recording their debut album in February. MakeWar is also recording stuff. The Lillingtons' Death By Television is turning 20 next year, and we plan to do something special for that. Brendan Kelly just told me that he has a covers EP coming, and I don’t think I’m supposed to talk about that, but it’s such a goddamn squirrelly idea, I’m not sure how to handle it. New bands and records are definitely in the works, and we will announce all that jazz in due time. Check the FB and Twitter and website, OKAY?!
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2019?
I am looking forward to the first Red Scare release that goes Multi-Platinum. Any day now.
6. Right now there are two primary types of digital services: subscription streaming and the bandcamp approach that's more individualized. Do you have a preference and what direction do you think future streaming/download services will move toward?
People can consume music any way they want, and the more options the better it is for the art. I love the digital platforms because they’re so much cheaper for the listener, more profitable for the bands, and easier on the planet. My “preference” would be for DLs like iTunes and Bandcamp, but I also don’t discourage the use of streaming services, because some compensation is better than none. And also: no one gives a flying, flaming fuck what labels and bands prefer. People will consume how they want.
