Features / One Question Interviews

P. Bohner (SPELLS)

SPB: The band name is almost refreshingly simple. How did you choose it?

Bohner: Well first off, I would like to say that I am personally not a fan of being IN bands that contain the article "THE". I love bands that have articles in their name but I personally gravitate to names without it. …

James Woodard (The Grasshopper Lies Heavy – guitar)

SPB: I have two #1 guitars; one for stage; and one that stays home for recording and practice.

Woodward: My old #1 is my 1982 Gibson Les Paul Standard in a tobacco burst finish. It came into a guitar store I worked at about a decade ago and instantly knew …

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 …

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. 

André Foisy (Locrian)

SPB: From when you were starting Locrian until the present, what parts of your setup have really helped voice your sound over the years? 

Foisy: That’s a compliment to say that I have a sound so thank you.

My rig has remained fairly consistent over the years. Primarily I have used the same guitar …

Tristan Shone (Author & Punisher)

SPB: You are well known for building your own instruments in Drone Machines, and they have been part of your music since the beginning. How has your process for creating or modifying these instruments changed through the years?  

Shone: In the beginning of A&P, I was in art school and my machines were …

Dennis Jagard (Ten Foot Pole-vocals/rhythm guitar/songwriter)

SPB: What was the most striking or memorable moment of your first practice when you reunited?

Jagard: It sounds silly, but my strongest memory is of us all pulling our cars up to the rehearsal area and seeing baby seats in nearly every car. We were no longer punk rock kids, we …

Chris Murphy (Seven Crows)

SPB: Coming from the band’s perspective, how does it feel in 2020 to release a new record (as compared to releasing a record under different circumstances with live shows etc)?

Murphy: 2020 has been a challenge from all perspectives but I’m trying to make the best of it.

My music background is in …

Mike Novak (Holler House – drums)

SPB: You released the split earlier this year. How different is it to release new music but not play live shows (do you expect the new songs to feel fresh when live music resumes)?

Novak: Yes, we did release a split earlier this year. It was an odd roll-out of an album... …

Tired of Everything

SPB: Who is your favorite 1970s artist? 

Will: Yes

Matt: The Cure

Dylan: The Doors

Eli: Motörhead

Markus (Van Dammes)

SPB: Do you listen to any Christmas or holiday music?

Markus: Christmas time particularly is very important to us because Santa Claus comes from our home country Finland. Then we usually listen only to Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight) by Ramones, except sometimes, when we listen to Weezer's Christmas EP or Joulusydän …

Eric Quach (Thisquietarmy)

SPB: In recording your new record, did any particular piece of gear (or combination) stand out for how it captured or delivered the final tone that you were seeking for the album?

Quach: Not anything in particular per se. Though to further elaborate that answer, here are some photos of our setup at Méduse Audio's …

Matt Bernard (Coach’s Son)

SPB: What is your favorite record store, locally or one that you’ve found while on tour?    

Bernard: By far our favorite record store is Princeton Record Exchange (PREX) in Princeton, New Jersey. We have been going there since we were kids. They are a small store located off the main drag of downtown Princeton, …

Big Chungus

SPB: Wet Cassettes released your latest so we think you may be biased. Anyway, rank your preference of music media formats for listening: cd, vinyl, cassette, digital, (other?)

Big Chungus: As a former subterranean creature, I, like so many of you human Americans, prefer things that taste good versus what's good for me. And yeah, I …

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 …

Chase D. Spruiell (Big Loser)

SPB: What is the largest crowd you’ve played to (back when people did that)? Did you approach the set differently than a “normal” show?

Spruiell:

1. One time I was opening up for this famous K-Pop singer in San Francisco. I can’t remember her name, but she was playing a sold-out show …

Laura Larson (Scrunchies)

SPB: What is the highest number of bands you’ve been in at one time?

Larson:

Tony (Barren Womb)

SPB: Were there any amps, cabs or anything else that stood out in the studio when you recorded Lizard Lounge?

Tony: There was nothing very unusual about the amp setup for the Lizard Lounge recording sessions, in fact it was very similar to the setup we’ve been running live for years. I split my signal …

Jake Robertson (Alien Nosejob)

SPB: What was the inspiration to start Alien Nosejob?

Robertson: I listen to a lot of different types of music, but often bands are restricted to one style. I love hanging out with friends at the pub and band practice and all that, but I also have a fondness for locking myself in a …

John Payne (Heart & Lung-bass/vocals)

SPB:I hear you work closely with Karamu House. Tell us a bit about how you got involved and what it means to you, personally.

Payne: Karamu House is the oldest Black theater in the country, and virtually no one in Cleveland has ever heard of it! I most definitely hadn’t until I …