Features / One Question Interviews

Paula Lombardo (Venamoris)

SPB: It sounds like you were hesitant to return to music performance. What about the response to Venamoris has surprised you most?

Lombardo: Yes, I was hesitant. And now I’m left with the realization that my hesitancy was built on lies we tell ourselves.

There have been many surprises on this journey. But at …

[ASS][ASS][INS]

SPB: What was the first record you ever bought?

Gab of Thunder: If I'm not mistaken my first vinyl record I bought was the self-titled Adolescents album. My parents had a record player and a small stack of records that sat in our dining room and I put it in front so everyone could see it. This …

Jeff Dean (Heavy Seas – vocals/guitar)

SPB: What venue has the best food (for touring bands)?

Dean: Honestly, I think Beat Kitchen in Chicago has the best food for a music venue. I used to live down the street from there and I would just go there, whether I was playing a show or not, to eat. Also …

John Hoffman (Vacation, The Mimes)

SPB: From when you were starting out to now, what parts of your setup in studio have help to voice your sound as it stands today?

Hoffman: I'd have to say it's my Tascam 122 cassette deck. It's a two-track cassette desk that can monitor the recording of the cassette's audio in real …

Justin Baker (Neckscars – guitar)

SPB: What is your favorite protest song?

Baker: While growing up listening to punk rock, I was introduced to many perspectives that were foreign at the time. Propagandhi said "Fuck the Border" and the flag, Bad Religion challenged traditional spiritually and the Dead Kennedys spoke against corruption and war. Among the countless protest …

Martin (Mosaic)

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

Martin: I really like old-fashioned logos - like the old Tiamat or Katatonia logo - which are quite similar, to be honest. Those are really remarkable in their style, still have a classic feel, and represent the music best.

Suzi Moon

SPB: You’ve played in bands and, somewhat recently, shifted to a solo focus. How does it feel different “from the stage” when it’s your name on the bill instead of a band name?

Moon: Well, technically I am still in a band -- the gang mentality is still there. The Suzi Moon Band wouldn’t work without …

Dave Lombardo (Venamoris, Fantomas, ex-Slayer)

SPB: You’re known as a drummer: what was the first instrument you learned to play (and what else you play overall)? 

Lombardo: The first instrument I learned to play was the marching drum. I was in 4th grade, I believe I was 9 years old. Other than drums, I can get by on …

Mitch Vinokur (Two-Man Giant Squid)

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

Vinokur: To record our first album I actually did the mattress thing in my bedroom "studio." Basically. I took whatever mattresses and blankets I had and made a big square fort and put a mic and amp in …

The Berserker Blóthar (GWAR)

SPB: GWAR has an elaborate live show, to put it mildly. Is there a particular venue that stands out to you as a challenge for your live show that ultimately turned out to make it more unique in a good way?

The Berserker Blóthar: Tacoland in San Antonio, Texas. We were just getting started …

Stomatopod

SPB: What song has the best use of whistling? 

Elliot: “Young Folks” by Peter Bjorn and John....the whistle is the hook....and starts the song... (although that Guns ‘N’ Roses song probably sold more records...)

Sharon: “Love Is A Battlefield” by Pat Benatar.

Her album Crimes of Passion was the first cassette I ever bought (but …

Up For Nothing

What is your favorite stretch of highway to drive (on tour)?

Favorite stretch of highway for us would be the legendary I-95, which travels all the way across the east coast of the US. So many of our best memories as a band have come through driving up and down that highway. It’s a really …

Andy Pohl (Sell The Heart Records)

SPB: Have you ever signed a band you didn’t personally know?

Pohl: Yes, I've worked with many bands that I didn't personally know beforehand. Most have been introduced to me by other bands or musicians that I personally knew, such as Failing Up, Original Son and Heavy Seas. There have been a …

T.J. McFaull (The Bar Stool Preachers)

SPB: Noting that Terry Hall recently passed away, what is your favorite song by The Specials and what does it mean to you?

McFaull:

“Do Nothing”

Even a band as genre specific as The Specials could slow it down and write a balladic banger like this was life-changing. The lyrics, …

Kepi Ghoulie

SPB: Noting that Terry Hall recently passed away, what is your favorite song by The Specials and what does it mean to you?

Kepi: My favorite Specials song may be an obvious choice, but “A Message To You, Rudy“ is my jam! It is ALWAYS in my head, so I am glad you asked!! 

It …

Davey Warsop (Suedehead, Beat Union, Sharp/Shock)

SPB: Noting that Terry Hall recently passed away, what is your favorite song by The Specials and what does it mean to you?

Warsop: It’s so hard to choose but currently I’d probably say “Do Nothing” … The lyrics and melody are just so haunting. 

But they had so many great …

Rev (The Drowns)

SPB: Noting that Terry Hall recently passed away, what is your favorite song by The Specials and what does it mean to you?

Rev: My first band ever was a ska band when I was in high school over 20 years ago now. I learned how to play “A Message To You Rudy” and “Nite …

Victor Dowgiallo (Grizzlor)

SPB: You just released a collection of b-sides and rarities. Did you use any specific techniques in mixing to get a steady sound when merging different recording sessions?

Dowgiallo: No, I didn't use any special techniques, I just basically went into the old mixes and touched them up in a way with some things …

Jake (Painted Light – guitar)

SPB: What type of guitar do you play (and how did you land on this one)? 

Jake: Fender 1972 Thinline Telecaster! 

I love it because the tone is warm, not too bright -- but the highs come through well, and the pickups are hot enough to really project the tapping parts into …

Elle Reynolds (Endless, Nameless)

SPB: You’re named after a hidden Nirvana track. What other record “gimmicks” like bonus tracks are you a fan of?

Reynolds: There are a lot I’m a big fan of, honestly! My absolute favorites are little handwritten notes/drawings and things like that, the really special one of a kind stuff that you typically only …