Features / One Question Interviews

Thrin Vianale (winded – guitar/vocals)

Winded appear to live by DIY in the punk world, but with a wider range of influences. Who is a favorite band (not associated with "punk") who has influenced your style or approach?

I would have to say the band Low has probably been one of the most consistent inspirations for this project. …

Worst Ways

(Grant - Guitar, Ryan - Guitar, Trevor - Drums, Phil - Bass/Backing Vocals, Jonnie - Vocals)

SPB: What song in your current setlist is the hardest to nail live (what part is the most challenging)?

Grant: Oh, easy. "Better Off", the first half of the song when played how it's recorded is down picking as …

Won’t Stay Dead

SPB: As your recent releases have been called Purgatory and 3 Hits from Purgatory is there going to be a similar theme to your next release and what can we expect?

Won't Stay Dead: You can expect something a little different for the next album. We have finally made it out of purgatory. We can’t …

Watermelon

SPB: Who does the majority of the band’s driving? (Why? Any stories?)

Watermelon: Erika definitely drives the most even though she has the smallest car. Both Erika and Ali have mini stacks and Jared usually only brings breakables so we have the Tetris of loading in and out all figured out. When we opened for The Spits, …

Michal Kielbasa (Whalesong)

SPB: The band name seems uniquely fitting. What was its inspiration/origin?

Kielbasa: Many years ago I read an article which stated that whales never sing the same song twice. I really loved the concept of not playing the same, to let the music constantly evolve and to go in new directions. 

Not repeating ourselves …

Ray Gurz (WIPES – bass/vocals)

SPB: How likely you to pick up a record based off its cover with no knowledge of the band or music?

Gurz: I worked in are Double Decker Records for 8 years and during that time I became attracted to check out strange covers or just odd looking covers. I think the excitement …

Sean Frasier (Wise Blood Records)

SPB: Do you accept demos? What is the most surprising demo you’ve heard?

Frasier: When I launched Wise Blood Records, I knew I wanted to support and encourage new projects along with established bands. It can make a huge difference to a band when someone is paying attention and assisting in those first …

Gihwan (WinningShot)

SPB: What is the weirdest venue/place you’ve ever played a show?

Gihwan: We’re a pretty new band and have only had the chance to play normal venues here in Korea. But we’re hoping to tour in the US this summer and looking forward to playing in any bar, club, garage, basement, or living room that will …

Wingtips (Vincent Segretario)

SPB: Your work is often compared to ‘80s synth sounds. What are some contemporary artists who inspire you, either directly or indirectly?

Segretario: Some current artists which come to mind who we draw influence from currently are CHVRCHES, FKA twigs, 3TEETH, The Soft Moon, and HEALTH. Mainly, these are sonic influences whom I'd say we …

Kenny Feinstein (Water Tower)  

SPB: You’ve been through a lot and your songs reflect that. Can you tell us the symbolism or how you landed on the Water Tower name?

Feinstein: Thank you for asking. Thank you for taking the time to listen to and understand my songs. I think it takes someone who has been through …

Vern (War//Plague-bass)

SPB: What type of bass do you play (and how did you choose it)?

Vern: I am currently playing a Gibson RD bass. I also have an LTD Eclipse bass with EMG active pick-ups but was looking for something classic with passive pick-ups. I stumbled upon the RD at a local guitar shop in town and …

Chad (War//Plague – drums)

SPB: Walk us through your kit and how you chose its various pieces?

Chad: I've always been a huge fan of TAMA DRUMS ever since I was a kid! This hasn't always been my traditional set up, like everyone in War//Plague it has been a series of decisions over time to get my set …

Andy Lutz (War//Plague-vocals and guitar)

SPB: Do you use any special equipment to emphasize your vocals when playing live?

Lutz: Generally, I just use a Shure SM58 microphone. I like to throw some subtle effects on vocals, like maybe a little delay, and then have some bourbon to warm them up, but that's about it. My vocal style …

Nick Hertzberg (Wet Cassettes-owner)

SPB: What band has the best logo of all time?

Hertzberg: This is a tough one. First of all, as someone who grew up a metal-head, my mind goes THERE first. Most "ordinary bands" change fonts and imagery and don't have a logo that sticks with them during their tenure, right? But, when I …

Michael J. Wolf (Wolf-Face)

SPB: How has Wolf-Face’s mission/concept changed since the band first formed?

Wolf: My mission to spread the word about the trials and tribulations of being a teenage werewolf remains unchanged—that we all have things that make us different from our peers. Everyone can relate to the idea of not being like other people and …

Andy Lefton (War//Plague – guitar)

SPB: What guitar model do you play in War//Plague and how does it lend to “the War//Plague sound”?

Lefton: It took some time to get the signature sound we wanted. Staying heavy and retaining clarity while playing blistering fast was something we strived for. As we grew, we knew we were in for …

Western Addiction

SPB: Was the mic’ing of your kit in the studio for Frail Bray fairly straight-forward, or were there some things you and the engineer did to find the right mics or experiment with sounds? 

Jack Shirley (producer): The mic’ing was pretty straight forward. I have a default configuration I like to start with. If it sounds …

Jeff Moses (World Domination, Inc. / 월드 도미네이션 인코퍼레이트)

SPB: How do you find the international artists who are on the label? 

Moses: All of the bands on our label come from the personal connections we've built from being involved in the punk scene for over 20 years. With the bands from outside Korea, it's not different.

…

Ryan Kennedy (Wake-bass)

SPB: You've recorded split EPs before. Which band(s) are on your wishlist for future splits?   

Ryan:

• Gadget
• Swarrrrm
• 324

Mike Law (Wild Arrows)

SPB: What is the most valuable thing you’ve lost on tour?

Mike: I almost lost a show, does that count? On tour I have a tendency to want to walk around and see everything I can, sometimes until four or five am. It's usually one of the big positives for me about traveling. Last …