Feature / Music
Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2009

Posted pre-2010

ARTICLE JUMP

Magic Bullet Records /

Forensics / Aughra

(Brent Eyestone)

What are your top five albums that were released in 2009? (In order 1-5)

  1. The Marked Men - Ghosts

  2. Silversun Pickups - Swoon

  3. Made Out of Babies - Coward

  4. Doomriders - Darkness Come Alive

  5. Disappearer - The Clearing

What band did you discover in 2009 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

I got really into Scott Walker, mainly because it's such an interesting story. Mega-popstar goes dark ambient. Seeing some of his recording techniques and ideas was pretty captivating as well. I show the documentary to a lot of people. It usually goes the same: they start with a lot of "what the fuck are we watching"s that eventually turn into "this guy is so unbelievably cool."

How will you remember 2009? (In terms of music)

I'll remember 2009 in a couple of ways. It's definitely the year of Boston heaviness and a tight-knit group of dudes in particular. Three stellar albums from three incestuous bands. Disappearer's "The Clearing" connects to Doomriders' "Darkness Come Alive" connects to Converge's "Axe To Fall." All three were recorded at God City in very close proximity to one another. Something was really happening up there, as all three albums are light years beyond expectations from these bands. I suspect they will easily become classics when it comes to the genre. Outside of that, I'll remember it as a year of finally getting back out on the road a bunch. The last couple years were definitely trapped under a lot of the administrative and business side of growing the label, so it was nice to relax for a bit and have some great shows and adventures again.

2009 was a huge year for reunions. What reunion excited you the most? What band that has not reunited would you love to see play/record most in 2010?

I usually don't get excited for reunions at all. They are usually comprised of bloated men running out of breath playing embarrassing "emotional" ditties from their late teens/early 20's. But I got pumped when Charles and the Rorschach dudes asked us to play their reunion. They definitely brought it. The only band I'd care to see a reunion of at this point is the Afghan Whigs.

What can we look forward to from you in 2010?

  • Christie Front Drive "Stereo" reissue LP/CD/DVD

  • Christie Front Drive "Discography" 2xLP/CD
  • Made Out of Babies "The Ruiner" LP

  • Julie Christmas "The Scribbles and Scrapes of Amy Anyone" Book/Album/CD

  • Forensics "You Don't Have to Win, But You Have to Fight" 10"/CD

  • Jesuit "Discography" LP/CD

  • Suppression "Alliance of Concerned Men" CD

  • Years "Semblance" CD

  • Golden City - new album

What three records are you looking forward to most in 2010?

I don't even know what's coming out. So I'll just hope my favorites keep cranking stuff out: PJ Harvey, Mogwai, hopefully a really killer Jesu album?

Website Link (Website/Myspace/Blog/Etc.): http://www.magicbulletrecords.com

— words by the SPB team

Related features

UK Subs

One Question Interviews • November 6, 2025

Charlie Harper (UK Subs) SPB: As someone who is used to performing and being on stage, how has the book release process been similar or different than playing music to fans? Harper: It’s a bit of both but as I’ve made a few records, the book is so much more … Read more

Beth Seymour & The Lizzies

One Question Interviews • November 5, 2025

Beth Seymour (Beth Seymour & The Lizzies – vocals / guitar / production) SPB: You’re essentially releasing back-to-back albums this year. How did you choose that approach in getting these out to the public? Seymour: There are a few reasons that I chose to release back-to-back albums within 3 months … Read more

Brain Fog

One Question Interviews • November 4, 2025

Jeff “El Jeffe” Seeley (Brain Fog – guitar) SPB: What is a record you love that would surprise people? Seeley: Hi, It’s El Jeffe, guitarist and song writer for Brain Fog, an Okanagan hardcore punk band. My favourite punk rock record right now is Dancing With The Curse by Get … Read more

Serotonin Mist

One Question Interviews • October 24, 2025

Hiroshi (Serotonin Mist) SPB: The Bandcamp page on your new album states: No label, no producer. 100% DIY. Is DIY an important issue for Serotonin Mist (and why)? Hiroshi: I believe that being DIY has both good and bad sides. The good side is that we can control every aspect … Read more

Massa Nera

One Question Interviews • October 23, 2025

Mark Boulanger (Massa Nera – drums/vocals) SPB: What was your first live show? Boulanger: Our first show was on 05/09/16 at The Meatlocker in Montclair, NJ. We played with Wastelands, Without, Yashira, and an insane NJ powerviolence band called Uncle Mark. If you aren't familiar, The Meatlocker is an absolutely … Read more

More from this section

FEST LIBS 23 & Fest Moments

Music / Fest 23 • October 18, 2025

Are you ready for The Fest!? While we’re pretty sure you’re already counting down days until your trek to Gainesville, FL, we’ve got some Fest games for you to play, including a few samples from this year’s performers. Click here to play FEST LIBS -- like a fill-in-the-blanks word game … Read more

Guest List: ADD Records Picks 5 Favorite Leatherface Songs

Music / The Set List • October 18, 2025

This summer Little Rocket Records announced Leatherface: The Peel Sessions, a collection of live studio recordings with Leatherface from the 1990s with the late John Peel. While Little Rocket handled the release, ADD Records took on US distribution for a limited release. Available from ADD records here As Leatherface means … Read more

Bo Diddley Plaza: Behind the Scenes at Fest

Music / Fest 23 • October 6, 2025

For close to a quarter-century punk fans have flocked to Florida for The Fest. Boasting a lineup of 300+ bands and roughly a dozen venues these days, the festival has grown, shifted and evolved. For several years the main stage has been in a large downtown park called Bo Diddley … Read more