Feature / One Question Interviews
Vassals

Words: Loren • October 17, 2017

Vassals
Vassals

Jonathan Smith (Vassals – drums)

SPB: What’s your preferred listening medium/in which order would you rank cd, vinyl, digital, cassette, (other?)?

Smith: Vinyl all the way! I’m really into ritual. I like the idea of looking through a library and choosing a record, having to physically drop the needle and be a part of the process. Not to mention the larger format makes for a nice canvas for the album art, credits, etc. Then you gotta flip the thing over. All of it sort-of keeps you involved at a higher level than just clicking on something in spotify or whatever and tuning out, so to speak. Also, I dig the warmth that is a result of the physical constraints from the medium.

Rated: #1 Vinyl, #2 digital and then throw out the rest. There’s no reason CDs should still be around. Same with tapes. Tapes are sorta cool if you don’t have the money to press records but want to be able to sell music at shows for cheap. But honestly, to me that’s just a gimmick -- no one is taking these things home and putting them in tape players (at least this kid isn’t).

Loren • October 17, 2017

Vassals
Vassals

Related features

PANEL

One Question Interviews • November 25, 2025

Annie Sparrows (PANEL) SPB: What does the name PANEL mean to you? Sparrows: I feel like PANEL is an aesthetically pleasing 5 letter word with multiple meanings that, in different contexts, appeal to me. "Panel of experts," as in everyone's a critic. "Wood panel," as in something nice looking that … Read more

Cheap Perfume

One Question Interviews • November 24, 2025

Jane No (Cheap Perfume - guitar/co-vocals) SPB: How has the band’s mission or message evolved since when you first formed? Jane No: When we started, our focus was feminist rage, calling out sexism and celebrating women’s power. That’s still who we are, but over time we’ve zoomed out to see … Read more

Fest 23 – The Wrap

Music / Fest 23 • November 15, 2025

Pure Joy The 23rd FEST in Gainesville, Florida recently wrapped up. Scene Point Blank has been to the majority of them over the past two decades, beginning at FEST 5. I've personally attended roughly half of them. And at FEST 23, I saw 44 bands in 3 days (an even … Read more

The Saints

Interviews • November 14, 2025

As The Skids sang, The Saints are coming!.......Storming North America! The Saints ’73-’78 land on North American soil in early November and will feature original Saints members, guitarist Ed Kuepper and drummer Ivor Hay, and filling out this lineup is singer Mark Arm (Mudhoney), guitarist Mick Harvey (The Birthday Party … Read more

UK Subs

One Question Interviews • November 6, 2025

Charlie Harper (UK Subs) SPB: As someone who is used to performing and being on stage, how has the book release process been similar or different than playing music to fans? Harper: It’s a bit of both but as I’ve made a few records, the book is so much more … Read more

More from this section

PANEL

One Question Interviews • November 25, 2025

Annie Sparrows (PANEL) SPB: What does the name PANEL mean to you? Sparrows: I feel like PANEL is an aesthetically pleasing 5 letter word with multiple meanings that, in different contexts, appeal to me. "Panel of experts," as in everyone's a critic. "Wood panel," as in something nice looking that … Read more

Cheap Perfume

One Question Interviews • November 24, 2025

Jane No (Cheap Perfume - guitar/co-vocals) SPB: How has the band’s mission or message evolved since when you first formed? Jane No: When we started, our focus was feminist rage, calling out sexism and celebrating women’s power. That’s still who we are, but over time we’ve zoomed out to see … Read more

UK Subs

One Question Interviews • November 6, 2025

Charlie Harper (UK Subs) SPB: As someone who is used to performing and being on stage, how has the book release process been similar or different than playing music to fans? Harper: It’s a bit of both but as I’ve made a few records, the book is so much more … Read more