Matt Sweeting (Asshole Parade, No Idea Records)
SPB: What’s the last record you didn’t care for on first listen but has since grown on you?
Sweeting: Here's two answers (and this happens to me constantly by the way falling in and out of love with records).
Veronica Falls - s/t LP (Slumberland)
So first off, I buy and own a ton of records. That being said, I'm pretty picky about who I listen to about new stuff, I mean really listen to. I hear/read shit all day about so and so and how great they are at blah blah blah... but I do have a few friends that when they say, “Buy this,” or “Man, I love this,” I usually try and do it.
This record was one of those. One of my friends in the UK that works at Rough Trade told me that he was in love with this band—like borderline stalking them. At the time they only had a few singles, but he was all about them. He even harassed them into singing on his band’s record. So when I saw that they were putting out an LP I ordered it. When I first put it on it was pleasant enough, but it didn't grab me. It kinda sounded like guitar pop that I heard a lot of in the ‘90s so after a few spins I put it away. Last year I came across it again after quite some time and thought, "Hey that’s that band," so I threw it on. I don't know if it aged well or I was just in the mood, but I was hooked. The songs sounded lush and full and the record was brimming with a really cool energy. I know they put out a second one but I'm kinda sacred to buy it ‘cause I don't want to taint how good the first one is. It’s still in heavy rotation…It’s like sunshine on a rainy day, just about perfect.
Endless Blockade - Turn Illness into Weapons LP (Super-Fi Records)
I used to tour a bunch and when you are on tour one usually amasses a bunch of new stuff. Whether it’s ‘cause you are traveling to all these new cities with new stores you haven't plundered or because you make friends with the bands you play with, there is always a box to open at the end. Invariably there is too much to listen all at once so things get left behind. I play in a thrash/grind band that always plays with tons of other thrash/grind bands, so I always get a bunch of those kind of records--wanted or not. Luckily, I work at No Idea and can drop unwanted ones into orders--you know freebies. Anyway, we played with this band in Germany and I actually know one of the guys pretty well from his previous band. At the time he asked me, “Do you really want one or are you just being nice?” I said, “No, no I want it…but I didn't.” Live they were ripping but I wasn't sure it would translate and when I first opened the box after that tour, I listened to it once but I think I was doing other shit. I filed it on “eh” shelf.
Man was I wrong. I was doing a radio show for a while and needed records constantly so I was pulling shit out that I didn't listen to all the time at home or work. I was doing a grind show and found this record…Well, after the first song I ended up letting the whole side play. Fucking captivating. This kind of music is real easy to be bad at so, when you find a good one, watch out: this bad boy will tear you up. Thanks Andy. I did want it…just 4 or 5 years later, you know.
