We're proud to introduce a new series here at Scene Point Blank: One Question Interviews. Follow us at facebook or twitter and we'll post one interview every Monday-Thursday. Well, sometimes we miss a day, but it will be four each week regardless.
After our social media followers get the first word, we'll later post a wrap-up here at the site. Check out our quickie Q&As below with members/staff of Arms Aloft, Bright & Barrow Records, Iron Tongue, and Mercy Ties.
Seth Gile (Arms Aloft)
SPB: Do you do anything to minimize the cost of gas while on tour?
Gile: The best way to minimize the cost of gas at this point is to book a smart route and keep yourself as busy as possible. There's no way to change the fact that it's 4000 miles from our home to the west coast and back. And that's going to cost a shitload of money. But what you CAN control is whether you play 5 shows to get out there or 15. If you can get two shows in a night, take them. If you can get tagged onto a house show last minute on what was supposed to be a night off, do it. And maybe most/more importantly, just don't expect your punk band to make you any money. Gas is expensive. Not working for a month is expensive. Just have a good time and you won't care whether you make it home broke or not.
Ryan Raichilson (Bright & Barrow Records)
SPB: What do you think of Record Store Day?
Raichilson: I have nothing but good things to say about Record Store Day. Although Bright & Barrow hasn't actively participated by putting out a record on RSD, I've really enjoyed it as a consumer. I know there's been some reports out there talking about how the bands don't really benefit, but just from the perspective of someone who loves going out and buying records, I've had a blast hunting down some of the exclusive releases, and it feels like a big win when I find one or two of them. I spent this past RSD at Iris Records in Jersey City, NJ and it was a lot of fun. They really turned that shop around and it was jam packed with people...it was really great to see! Everyone was in a good mood, sifting through crates of records, yelling out when they found the limited release they were looking for. There was a DJ and some other live musicians playing. All in all, I love RSD because if nothing else, it's just an excuse for record collectors - and music fans in general - to get together and celebrate the act of going out to a store and hunting down the music you want...and if you're lucky you'll also find something else you didn't even know you wanted. And of course, it's always great to go out and support your local independent record shop...doing that, everyone wins.
Stan (Iron Tongue)
SPB: What is your all-time favorite record and why?
Stan: KISS - Hotter Than Hell
It's everything you'd want in a rock record. Oh, and they had stars over the girls nipples in the cover, which was awesome when I was 10.
Trevor (Mercy Ties)
SPB: What is the longest tour you’ve been on (in terms of time)? How did it go/would you do it again?
Trevor: Our longest tour was 24 days. Started in Seattle, we did the west coast, 4 days in texas, some of the midwest, and ended in Portland. The goal of our band is to put out records, make friends and tour; so we definitely would do it again. I would tour year round if I could make it work. I love touring. Its just hard to make it work economically.
