Features / One Question Interviews

Jon Ehler (Bangladeafy)

SPB: As a duo, you tend to maximize your sound or highlight things a “more traditional” 3-5 member band would not. Who is a musician who inspired you to look at new ways to use their instrument?"

Ehler: In terms of a duo that specializes in some degree of musical acrobatics, I'd have to say …

Rocco (Bankrupt – vocals/bass/lyrics)

SPB: You release albums both in your mother tongue and in English. Which do you prefer and why? 

Rocco: The original concept when we started the band was singing only in English, as most of our influences were British and American punk rock bands.

But while this made it easier to play abroad, …

Caitlin Edwards (Bumsy and the Moochers )

SPB: What was the first song you learned to play on your current instrument? 

Edwards: "Basket Case" (Green Day)

Battery Licker

SPB: As a synthy band, I’ll assume you keep up with tech changes. How has the increasingly digitalization of the music industry changed how you consume or listen to music?

Battery Licker: The increased digitization of the music industry has translated to us listening to a lot of artists through streaming services when we’re on the …

Courtney (Black Adidas)

SPB: Looking at the growth between your first and second albums, what stands out to you most about how Black Adidas is taking shape?

Courtney: I would say what stands out to me the most is that our live sound is really starting to feel more alive, and more exciting to us. The band is …

Burner Herzog

SPB: What is your favorite Werner Herzog film?

Burner Herzog: I have two: Aguirre, Wrath of God and Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans. 

Aguirre is the classic first film Herzog did with lead actor Klaus Kinski, a man so odious that his behavior was even worse than the decadent exaggerations he published …

Dan Nixon (Big Life – vocals)

SPB: You hadn’t played in a band for quite a while before Big Life. What struck you, whether personally or about “the scene today” when you first returned to the stage?

Nixon: The last band I was in (the Negatives, a million years ago), we were very much punk-teenagers-figuring-it-out, which was incredible …

Morgan (MEDTIMEMAGIC – drums/organ)

SPB: What nonstandard tweaks have you made to your kit setup to ease playing organ at the same time? (Feel free to walk us through your whole setup and include pics and/or videos.)

Morgan: If only I could find a way to make playing the organ and the drums at the same time …

Christopher Archuleta (Box Elder – guitar/vocals)

SPB: Do you have a favorite lyric/snippet ever? (What and why?)

Archuleta: Probably from the song “Minimums.” off of our EP of the same name. "Finding places to reset again. It all just felt so permanent. Just you and me in the backseat. Finding more in these minimums." 

It means a …

Curran Reynolds (Body Stuff)

Tell us what piece of gear “makes the Body Stuff sound,” in your opinion.

By The Spirits

SPB: Prior to putting this re-release together, when was the last time you revisited the bonus tracks that you ultimately chose to include?

By The Spirits: Bonus tracks included in the re-release of “We Are Falling” before the actual release were just sketches created after the original release of We Are Falling back in 2018. …

Ben Wixson (Bend – bass)

SPB: What model of bass do you play and how did you choose it?

Wixson: For the past 20 years or so I have sworn by the Music Man Stingray bass, which has been made by Ernie Ball for decades. The first time I ever heard one of these basses live was watching …

Kyle Green (Bend - guitar/vocals)

SPB: How has your musical taste evolved over the years? Do you think your “high school self” would appreciate the music you make now?

Green: My musical taste is ever-evolving. In high school I was into a lot of punk and ska. I also had a huge obsession with Kurt Cobain. The music …

Nicholas Pentabona (BEDTIMEMAGIC)

SPB: From when you started up ‘til now, is there any specific piece of gear or setup that’s come to define your sound?

Pentabona: The one piece of gear that has defined my sound over many years is a WOBO AB/Y pedal I bought from the maker …

BEDTIMEMAGIC

SPB: How do you typically find new music?

Nicholas (bass): My favorite way to find new music is through compilations and trading tapes. The "Reality" series, and the "Cry Now, Cry Later" series were integral to my childhood. Heck, even the "Punk-O-Rama" releases were pretty rad. Now I like to check out bands by following rabbit holes …

Lauren (Broken Record)

SPB: What is your guitar/amp combo and how did you choose it?

Lauren says:

Scott Turner (Black Sheep Wall)

SPB: What’s the most MacGyver-esque workaround you’ve made to connect different bits of equipment?

Turner: Using a $5 1/8” splitter cable and a few 1/8” to 1/4” adapters from Radio Shack to link up two live rigs at once.

Matt P. (Bummer)

What is your amp setup and how did you choose to pair that with your guitar?

Matt says:

Biznaga

SPB: What was the last live show you played and what stands out about it from your current, COVID-era perspective?

Biznaga: Our last show was in Miranda de Ebro, in the north of Spain, in a quite big and nice venue called "La fábrica de tornillos", a show that could happen thanks to the support of the …

Dan (By Surprise)

SPB: Do you have any vinyl that you own strictly for collector’s purposes and never listen to?

Dan: I don't really have any records that I own strictly for collecting purposes and never play. I play all of my records, because I feel that they're meant to be played and enjoyed.