ON THE RAG E-ZINE INTERVIEWS & ARTICLES
Updated 12/21/07
Features: New Interviews with Bad Samaritans, The Voids, The Misguided, and Retching Red
Bad Samaritans
By Renae Bryant
The Bad Samaritans live up to their name,
if you’ve ever seen them live you would know it’s true. Playing for over
seventeen years, the band has survived several line-up changes and adversity, to
put out their best release yet. When they are not playing, they put on shows in
Ventura, loan their talents to some worthy causes, and do their part to keep the
punk scene thriving in their area.
OTR: Who makes up the Bad Samaritans?
Eric Lara: It's me on vocals. My brother Adam Lara is on bass. George Snow is on
guitar and we have Dave Perry on drums. Our buddy Neil is also our drummer, when
Dave can't do the touring
OTR: I first encountered the Bad Samaritans back in 2001. Give us a brief
history of the band and releases.
Eric Lara: Our first release was in 1990. It was a 7inch ep called "live
fast,die stupid." We toured the U.S. with Jughead's Revenge, to support the
release. On that tour we played with NOFX, Oi Polloi, and Destroy. We played
less frequently over the next several years due to line-up changes and drug
problems. In 1998 we recorded our first full length, "Ouch!!!" We played tons of
shows in support of that release with bands like FEAR, RKL, Youth Brigade, The
Adicts, Discharge, D.O.A., and a bunch more of our favorite bands. A few years
later we put out our second full length, "Dead from Dying". We did many more
shows with great bands in support of that cd too. In march of 2007 we released
our third full length called, "Re-Gur-Gi-Tate.” It's by far my favorite. We, I
mean I was clean and sober during recording. We were well ready for recording,
and I think it shows.
OTR: When did you first start wearing women’s underwear on stage and why?
Eric Lara: I used to get absolutely trashed before and during our shows and
would take off my clothes. Sometimes there would be women's underwear. Sometimes
you got the Full Monty. After much therapy it was determined that my nudity may
have been a weird cry for help, and I have since stopped dropping my drawers,
which I am sure disappoints many, many people.
OTR: I really like your new cd, Re-gur-gi-tate. Just out of curiosity, why the
need for syllabication of the word and of course, why the title?
Eric Lara: I am glad you like the cd. If you have been to our shows you may have
noticed that our crowd is a little on the unruly side. We figured, wow with four
syllables, people may not pronounce the word correctly so we decided to make it
easier on everyone and break it down syllable by syllable. The title fits well
with the cover photo which is an enhanced picture of a pile of puke.
OTR: My favorite song is the first song, “Walk Away.” Tell us more about these
lyrics.
Eric Lara: The lyrics, for us, tend to lean to the personal as opposed to the
topical. "Walk Away" I suppose reflects the desire to walk away from conflicts
instead of being defined by those conflicts. "I was Born Old" I guess is about
feeling tired, worn out by life, and feeling like you were born that way.
OTR: What are your favorite songs from the cd and is there an overall theme to
the writing?
Eric Lara: I like "Stuck in a Rut" a lot. George wrote that, and he does write
the majority of the music and lyrics too. I think (with writing for our band)
that since the lyrics are personal and come from issues with one’s life, well
defining a theme would be difficult. I guess continuing in the face of adversity
could be one take.
OTR: Is the Ted Offensive about Ted Bundy? Why the homage to the psychopath?
Eric Lara: I guess it could be taken to be about Ted Bundy. It's not an homage
to the guy. George wrote it and even though the lyrics are harsh, they do tell a
story. Sometimes people need to have some harshness thrown at them to make them
think a little.
OTR: You’ve done a lot of touring lately. How have the tours gone? What are some
of the highs and lows for you?
Eric Lara: I love playing live. Recording I could do without, but playing live
is awesome. Now that we have done this for a little while, we can plan things a
bit better and the whole experience is more rewarding. All the latest trips have
been great. We'd love to go to Europe and Asia soon. The only downside with
playing so much is it makes it hard to plan personal trips with our significant
others.
OTR: You play with bands that may be considered to have strong political views.
I don’t consider Bad Samaritans to be a political punk band though. All bands do
have some issues they embrace. What political issues do the Bad Samaritans care
about?
Eric Lara: We do play with bands who do wear their political views on their
sleeves, and I support them 100%. I don't consider the Bad Sams a political
band. I personally feel that writing about politics can make your music dated
and less relevant later on. With that said we have appeared on a compilation for
the National Organization for Women. We have played benefits for organizations
like Los Angeles Comission On Assaults Against Women, and Children Of The Night.
I and the rest of the band tend to lean pretty heavily to the left of the
spectrum in regards to politics. Pro-choice, anti-war, pro-homosexual rights,
pretty liberal lefty stuff.
OTR: I understand that you, Eric, are sober. How has that battle been for you,
as you still a scene that has a lot of drinking in its socializing?
Eric Lara: Well I have been clean and sober for almost four years. I have strong
support network. I did take six months off from the band to get my head
together. It isn't a problem for me to be around drinking. I drink soda or
water. If drugs are around, which does happen, I just excuse myself. My choice
to be clean and sober is just that, my choice. What other folks choose to do is
their choice and I would never slight someone for their personal choices.
OTR: Now I understand that Eric has a side project, GG Elvis. Tell us about this
and how the concept came about.
Eric Lara: I am in another band called GG Elvis and The TCP Band. It's a punk
tribute to Elvis with me on vocals, George on bass. Tony Cortez, from Ill
Repute, on guitar. Dave Cassillas, from NOFX and Stalag 13, on guitar. Larry
White, from Agression and Dr Know, on drums, and our friend Sarah Merin on
back-up vocals. Tony was looking for a new singer and bass player for the band
and ask ed George and I in January 2007 to join. We dress in costumes like Elvis
and have a really great time playing together. Check us out at www.ggelvis.com.
OTR: Final Eric question [no I don’t have hard-on for Eric, I just know more
about Eric than any of the other members]. You do a lot of punk shows in the
greater Los Angeles/Ventura area. People have many preconceived notions about
shows in LA. What’s your take on the LA/Ventura punk scene?
Eric Lara: The scene in any city is what you make it. I subscribe to the DIY
ethic. I book shows that I'd like to attend. If I don't like a band, I won't
book them. The one thing that will ruin any scene is apathy. L.A. and Ventura
both have strong scenes with tons of great bands. As long as the music is there
someone will have find an outlet to get the music heard.
OTR: I’m always curious about the day jobs people hold in punk rock (especially
men who wear women’s underwear). What are your current day jobs and how do they
compliment your punk rock life?
Eric Lara: Well Dave is a salesperson for an electrical supply company. Neil
rents vehicles. Adam does medical billing. George is a finished carpenter. I am
an Anger Management Counselor, I am also a certified Hypnotherapist. I book
shows which at times can be financially rewarding. As long as you enjoy what you
do, I think it compliments our punk rock life quite nicely.
You can reach Bad Samaritans
at www.badsamaritans.com .
The Voids
By Renae Bryant
Hailing from Southern California, The Voids play old school style punk rock. With thoughtful lyrics and music, they are a band that the ontherag e-zine readers should know more about.
OTR: Who currently
makes up The Voids?
The Voids are:
Adri (Vocals / Lyrics)
Chris (Guitar)
Mike aka “Cheeseburger“ (Drums)
Joey (Bass)
Yoci (Guitar)
OTR: Time flies. It seems like yesterday that your band came out. Give the
readers, who may not be familiar with The Voids, a little Void history.
Adri: We formed in 1996 in Southern California. We started playing shows a
little after that and have been playing ever since. We mainly play locally but
have played in a few states on the west and east coast.
We have had many members come and go in the past but the ones that had stayed
the longest and have contributed most and are a huge part of our history are:
Alex aka “Brass” (bass on kill a generation / early demos), Matt (guitar on kill
a generation / early demos), Social Dave (Guitar on early demos), Mike S. (drums
on kill a generation) and Ruby (bass on Sounds of failure, Sounds hope)
"Kill a Generation" was originally release in 2002 on Black Noise Records. It
was later remixed and released on our current label Dr. Strange records in 2004.
"Sounds of failure, Sounds of Hope" has just been released (July 2007) on Dr.
Strange Records.
OTR: You have a new release called “Sounds of Failure, Sounds of Hope.” Tell us
about the inspiration for the title.
Adri: Before we even recorded, I knew this is what I wanted it to be called. I
wanted something that reflected all of the songs and somehow “Sounds of failure,
Sounds of hope” seemed just right. Those two words, “failure” and “hope” in some
way, relate to every song on this album. The word failure is a little harsh, but
in any kind of situation if we realize and address where we have somehow failed,
there is always hope for a change.
OTR: Who did the artwork for the cover and insert? The cover/mirror image
reminds me of a punk version of The Scream. Was that intentional?
Mike: I did it. damn what a bummer. that wasn’t intentional. damn that’s a
shitty movie.
Adri: I never even thought of that. That’s a great piece of art. It does kind of
portray the same emotion. Mike did the art, but as you can see from his answer
above, I guess that was not intentional…and apparently he does not like that
movie.
OTR: This is your second release on Dr. Strange, which is known as a store,
distributor and for putting out old school punk bands. It’s a real tribute to
your band that he chose to put your records. How did this come about?
Chris: A few years ago, after the first album was out of print, we were looking
for someone to put it out again, and he wanted to do it.
Adri: It is a real tribute, he puts out a lot of great bands. For the second
album, we did think about possibly finding someone else to put it out, but when
really thought about it, Dr. Strange is the perfect label for us. He has treated
us great, put stuff out when he said it would be out, that’s all we can ask for.
Dr. Strange has had faith in us, he likes the music and he wants to put it out.
That’s the label you want to be on.
Mike: Probably because I spend money there. It's down the street.
OTR: You’ve played some amazing shows in Southern California and the East Coast.
Which have been your favorite/most memorable shows?
Adri: No question about it, the most memorable thing for me was when we played a
few shows with the Subhumans. I had the worst cold, our van broke down in
California on the way to Washington, we got in a car accident, had huge fights
about who gets to take the first shower, but it was all worth it in the end.
It is always an honor to play with bands that you really love, everyone was
really cool and I had a really good time. Definitely ones of those unbelievable
moments, like “How is my band playing with this band?”
Chris: Playing with the Subhumans. We had the opportunity to play five shows
with them starting in Seattle and ending in Los Angeles. The shows were great
and it was really cool hanging out with them.
Mike: When everyone’s having FUN!
Joey: The Showcase in Feb 07....the band hadn't played in a while. the kids were
going nuts...bodies flying off the stage left & right!
OTR: I know there are punks all over the globe who would like to see your band
live. Do you have any plans to get on the road for a US tour or perhaps go
overseas?
Adri: As much as I would like to and even hope that we might, circumstances
would have me say that we probably won’t be doing much, if any, touring. Some of
us are a little older and have jobs that we just can’t leave. We might do some
very short things, maybe a week or so, but that’s about it. I have always wanted
to play overseas and although unlikely, I still hold on to that a little. It
could happen.
Chris: We have been talking about doing some short touring. Hopefully soon!
Mike: That would be most nice.
Joey: Nothing more that a week or so
Yoci: I hope so! I always wanted to see Europe.
OTR: I read all of the lyrics and am curious, which songs are your favorite?
Adri: “24 Faces” is my favorite. The lyrics are very personal. A few years ago
after being diagnosed with Cancer, I spent so much time feeling so defeated,
going over my life, unsure if I would live or die. I thought of all the things I
have never done or seen, the stupid or mean things I have said, the mistakes I
have made and everything I could have and should’ve done different. I felt like
I had somehow failed, everything was falling apart, I was so disappointed in
myself. The song reflects the struggle with what this situation made me realize.
Chris: “24 Faces” and “Disconnected”
Mike: “Disconnected”
Joey: “Grasping Hands” and “Romance & Heartbreak”
Yoci: “Disconnected” or “Money and Music”
OTR: Why did you choose to cover “Are You Happy” by Reagan Youth?
Adri: It was a little slower than we usually play, the lyrics fit us and it is a
good song. I can truthfully sing the lyrics, I believe them, and I wasn’t just
singing words.
Chris: We like Reagan Youth and that was a song we could all agree on.
OTR: “Grasping Hands”
almost reads as a straight edge/clean and sober anthem. Are any of the members
drug and alcohol free? Do you ever feel that alcohol/drugs can fuck up shows and
the scene?
Adri: We are not straight edge and I definitely love a drink or a few! But I do
have a concern about addiction and how it is a serious issue. I have seen so
many people have problems with this in the past and it’s a horrible thing. I
sometimes feel that some people in bands make excessive drinking or drugs to be
something that’s cool, meanwhile there are kids looking up to these people,
possibly thinking that’s its a good idea, when ultimately there’s nothing good
about it. I think that people that use excessive alcohol or drugs could make the
scene look negative and stupid when it is really smart and passionate.
Chris: I do feel that drugs can fuck up the scene. I think their needs to be
more of a positive message in punk. Drugs and alcohol can destroy people’s
lives.
Mike: "I can't even see, man!"
Joey: Alcohol free....not so much. Stupid people fuck up the scene, not alcohol.
Yoci: Nope! We’re NOT sXe.
MRR: This is a question for Adri. You had a serious health scare a few years
ago. Are you completely recovered and how has it changed your life?
Adri: I am a three year thyroid cancer survivor and so far so good. Besides
being crazy about every little bump and lump I feel (or think I feel), I am
healthy. Cancer changed my life more than I thought it would. Because of the
situation I was put in, I was able to realize what is real about my life. Who
was really there for me, and who wasn’t there at all. I appreciate what I have a
lot more.
One of my good friends who I also knew before I was sick once told me that
“Cancer made you not a bitch” which might be very true. It opened my eyes to all
the negative things that I knew needed change in my life. I want to live a life
that I can be proud of.
You always know that you can die, any day, any time, but you don’t really
realize was that means until you really face that. Overall, not that I would
want to go through it again, what was learned through that experience I would
not want to live without.
MRR: Many consider your band to be a political punk band. Are there any issues
you feel strongly about these days that you would like to share with the MRR
readers?
Adri: We have always had this thought about us, but I would not consider The
Voids to be a political punk band. Some of the early lyrics that were written by
“Social Dave” are political, but I think my lyrics are more social than anything
else. I write about my life experiences, most which are very normal and I think
a lot of people can relate to. It’s all very honest and real.
Mike: We're a punk band telling people about what goes on here there and
everywhere in the world and in our lives.
MRR: Now that the new record is out, what are the future plans for The Voids?
Adri: Play some more shows…
Yoci: Conquer the world.
MRR: Final thoughts and contact information?
Adri: Just a huge thank you to everyone that supports what we do. I have had
such a good time doing this and have met a lot of great people throughout the
years. You can get a hold of us at
contacctthevoids@aol.com or through myspace.
Yoci: Playing in this band rules. I’ve had too much fun so far.
The Misguided
By Renae Bryant
OTR: Who makes up The Misguided.
Clint Johnson- Vox/Guitar; Brian Johnson- Guitar/Vox; Josh Camacho- Bass/Vox; Rich Conklin- Drums/Vox.
OTR: The Misguided have been around for some time, persevering some line-up changes (like other bands). Give us a brief history of the band.
Clint: Trying to be brief….. I’ve gone through three drummers, 3 guitarists and 2 bass players, all in a matter of ten years. I don’t know, maybe I smell bad? In all seriousness, I still talk to all of the past members. People grow up and go to other bands, like the Aggrolites and Strong Arm and the bullies. This newest line up, for over two years, has been the best yet. So I have heard. I have always just wanted to keep the Misguided alive.
OTR: How did Baseline Records emerge as the label to put out your latest cd, "Home Town Zeros?"
Clint: Before Baseline Music Co. came to be, we had all thirteen songs done. We were keeping our eyes open for anything that came along. First, Smut Records hit us up and we were really interested. But then out of the shadows, Baseline Music Co. emerged and wanted to sign us. They saw something they liked and here we are today.
OTR: Is there a major theme/tone lyrically to this record?
Clint: The album is so diverse that it is hard to pin point an overall theme or tone. It’s just an aggressive, fist in the air, street punk rock n’ roll album.
OTR: I noticed the lyrics of "home town zeros" talk about how "we followed the stars to LA." Most of your band lives in the " Inland Empire", have you ever considered moving to LA? What keeps you in the IE?
Clint: All of the band members live here in the boondocks of the I.E. Yeah, the heart of the dead city. This is where most of us grew up. At the time, when “home town zeros” the song was made, nothing was happening for us out here. So we would take the forty five minute trip, west, into L.A just to play shows. L.A always treated us good. We always kept it real and the true to the scene.
OTR: Keeping with the lyrics, could you explain where the inspiration for "kid mariposa" came from?
Clint: Back in high school, we used to go to this elementary school called Mariposa. At midnight, we would walk to the nurses’ door, knock and sometimes you could hear a knock back. The story goes that in the 50’s, a boy was walking home from school and got hit by the school bus. People quickly rushed the boy to the nurses’ station and soon after that the boy died. The spirit roams the hallways now, lost forever.
OTR: I love the fact that you wrote and sing a song in Spanish. How do you feel about the immigration issues here in the United States?
Clint: Yo no se nada.
OTR: What touring have you done so far? What does the rest of 2006 hold for you? Will you be doing some more extensive touring in 2007?
Clint: We have never done a full blown tour. We’ve just done some 4 and 5 day tours and a bunch of weekend tours; up to Nor Cal, Arizona and Utah. We have yet to reach the East coast. But, with this new album we working on, we are going to hit the road hard. We want to conquer the west coast first, and eventually reach the east. 2007 definitely has more in store for us.
OTR: Looking at your cd insert, you've played some pretty amazing shows. What are some of the best bands you've played with?
Clint: Where do I start; the Business, Bonecrusher, Ch3, the Dickies, Youth brigade, Street Dogs, Mad Parade, the Gears, the Skulls, Angry Samoans, Decry, Pistol Grip, Beerzone, Schleprock, the Forgotten, Brain Failure, just to name a few.
OTR: Many of the people reading MRR, may not have seen your band yet. How would you describe The Misguided's live show?
Clint: Four guys playing their hearts out, doing what we love. We feed off the crowd. The crazier they are, the crazier we get!
OTR: It's important that bands are seen as being made up of real people. What are some books The Misguided would recommend to the readers and why?
Clint: I feel like I am on Reading Rainbow answering this question: “I like this book. Check out where the wild things are….” No, but seriously, I am not much of a reader but check out George Orwell’s 1984.
OTR: Reading Rainbow rules. Do you think punk rock has the potential to create real social change through music?
Clint: Yes, it has for two decades now. With bands from The Clash to Green Day, statements and movements are being made every day.
OTR: Is there anything else you'd like the MRR readers to know about The Misguided?
Clint: Yes, we put our blood, sweat and tears into this album. We are just doing what we love, to our standards and not to anyone else’s. So have an open ear and check it out.
OTR: How can people contact you?
Clint: Just check out www.myspace.com/themisguided or www.baselinemusiccompany.com.
Retching Red
Interviewed by Renae Bryant
One fine day, several months ago, I collected my mail, and there to my surprise was a cd from a band I had never heard of, Retching Red. Upon further investigation I discovered that this was a new band, a kind of punk rock underdog super group, fronted by one of my favorite women in punk rock, Cinder Block. I popped in the cd. I was pleasantly surprised to hear pure rage and old school style hardcore. I could not wait to find out how Joe, Mike, Crash, and Cinder wound up in a band together, and what their plans were.
How did Retching Red come together? Cinder: We just emerged from the smoldering Oakland underground punk scene. Cyco Loco (Mike) and I met at the infamous Slaughterhouse a punk rock speakeasy which has since been demolished. Our first show was August 29th 2004.
Mike: Cinder and I wanted to start a new project, I really wanted to get back to playing bass and originally we were looking for all sober musicians, but sometimes if you want someone good, then you can’t be too picky. We went through a few guitar players, they were great, but they didn’t quite cut it. I’ve known everyone that’s in the band for years and we all click well and they are experienced musicians.
Crash: Mike and I were in a band for a short while…HOT PLATE, after we broke up I ran into both Cinder and Mike at an RKL show and they asked me if I was interested in starting a new project. I really didn’t think they were serious at the time as it was prior to their sobriety. And boy were they fucking hammered that night. I gave them a kind of a “sure whenever you are ready” comment. 3 months later it actually formed and the rest is history.
Joe: I’ve known Mike for awhile. I always thought he was a little bit crazy (come to find out it’s true). He sent out an email asking if anyone knew of a guitar player who would be able to learn a shitload of songs for some shows they were playing. I emailed him back saying I would be up for it, and they just sorta kept me around. I think for the comic relief factor.
For all those who are ignorant out there…what bands were each of you in prior to this one? Cinder: I’ve been in so many damn bands, most of which didn’t record more than a demo or tour. The most significant one was TILT. We were on Lookout! then Fat Wreck Chords and we put out 5 full length records and toured extensively.
Mike: I’m also the singer for OPPRESSED LOGIC for the past 11 years. I formerly played bass for LAST ROUND UP, ANGRY SAMOANS in 1996, STRUNG UP, HOT PLATE and a few others.
Crash: I’m in TROUBLE MAKER now and have been for about a year now. I was also in HOT PLATE, THE EDDIE HASKELLS and some minor projects over the past 15 years.
Joe: Currently I’m the bass player for Strychnine and have also played with Naked Aggression, Los Bombers, I Madman, Custard Pie, Iron Vegan, etc., etc,
Is there any significance to the name, Retching Red? Mike: Puking Blood!
Cinder: I like the image it conjures up. Those who are retching red are none too healthy.
Crash: Pictures are worth a 1000 words.
Joe: When I first heard the name I thought it had something to do with a visit from Aunt Flo.
These are perhaps the angriest Cinder Block lyrics I’ve read, any response? Mike: I think that’s what happens when you start hanging out with me!! Still it’s not my fault! After our set with the band CRANKED UP, Pat the singer came up to me and said “Damn, what did you do to Cinder??” HA! She was already pissed off and hated pop punk, so don’t blame me!
Cinder: Like I really needed any outside motivation! It’s all been building up in me for as long as I can remember. I always tried to push Tilt into a more aggressive sounding direction but the pop sensibility of the other members thwarted my efforts. I kind of succeeded with Collect ‘Em All. We set out to make a basic, hard and driving record in a short amount of time. But Retching Red really hits the spot for me, it’s the kind of music I’ve always wanted to do. No holds barred hardcore! As far as the lyrics go they really come from the gut. I’m not worrying about being poetic. I’m just trying to get to the core of the shit I’m feeling without over thinking it. Most of it is very pissed off, I can’t help it. I’m not out to posture, it’s just what’s going on inside me. I’m not trying to say what I think people want to hear or to write in a style that’s expected of me. I still have that dark humor though. Some songs are very satirical. I have fun with using the image of a dominatrix to personify speed addiction for example. I’ve had my brush with amphetamines and I’ve seen what it does to people. So in the song “Plentiful” I am taking the role of the addiction, personifying it, speaking to my prey. I’ve gotten great reactions to the content of the songs. But it’s not the kind of thing people seem to want to chat about at shows, I wish they would, so it’s hard to know the real reaction. Sometimes the irony I use in my songs gets misinterpreted or taken literally. That’s always pretty funny. No folks, I have never and will never rip a rooster’s head off. So vegans, get off my ass!
Joe: I think she’s hella pissed off.
How are fans of Oppressed Logic and Tilt responding to Retching Red? Mike: I think it’s been good. A lot of Oppressed Logic fans seem to really like Retching Red and to me Retching Red is a lot like Oppressed Logic, but with angry female vocals. I get a lot of positive reactions from people who like both bands.
Cinder: I was expecting fans of hardcore to dislike us because I used to be in Tilt and Tilt fans to hate us because I’m not singing melodically anymore. But it’s quite the opposite. Both camps seem to dig us.
Joe: I try not to associate with fans of Oppressed Logic or Tilt.
Why do you think it’s important to keep playing…why is punk still relevant to you all (since so many seem to “graduate” from the scene at 21)? Mike: It’s just something I’ve liked doing my entire life, I got my first bass at the age of 10 and been into music my entire life. I’m 36 now and without playing music and punk rock I would just fizzle away. I don’t want to be one of those fuckers who pack it up and conform. This is what I do and who I am. I am a lifer and I don’t like to be told “not to do something” and if someone is a hater and disagrees with my views, they can fuck off!
Cinder: We’re all lifers. I never grew out of my “punk phase” like most people my age have. Oh well. I love punk rock. I’ll keep on doing what I love. I don’t want to sit back in my armchair watching a RAMONES documentary and get all teary eyed for my long lost rock ‘n roll youth. Not when I can feel it coursing through my veins and out through my lungs when I’m up there singing. The powers that be want you to fade into passive obscurity and just turn into an obedient consumer. I choose to keep using my voice to show my objection to the bullshit world that the fat fucking politicians want us to just accept quietly.
Joe: If you “used to be punk” then you never were.
Why should the West Bay fuck off? Mike: Funny you should ask that, since this band tends to play in San Francisco (West Bay) quite often. I think that song is mostly about the snobby know it all better than thou hipsters that have their fucking nose’s in the air, kind of like the PC Full Of Shit!!
Cinder: It’s a fucking JOKE! Most people get it. How absurd is it to hate an adjacent piece of real estate? I just think it’s funny. Just flipping shit to my friends for never making over to the East Bay to hang out. People in S.F. don’t like it when you call it “Frisco”. They call us the “East Bay” so I thought it would be funny to call them “West Bay” in retaliation. But it’s a friendly jibe. It’s not like we have this diehard East Bay allegiance. But then again Oakland does RULE so bring it on you pansy ass ‘friscans, we’ll kick your ass!
Joe: Why shouldn’t they? Everyone need’s to FUCK OFF!!
Why the Agression and Gits covers? Mike: We got asked to be on an AGRESSION tribute comp, Insomnia was a song that wasn’t taken and we were really happy with our version that we recorded, so we decided to put it on our CD as well. Who knows when the comp will ever come out, but it will be on a really cool tribute comp with some great old punk bands sometime this year hopefully.
Cinder: THE GITS were so inspiring to me in the early 90s. I was about to quit singing because I just thought the scene sucked especially for women. A friend turned me on to The Gits and I was bowled over. Mia Zapata was a force of nature. Watching her sing I could just see the music coming up through the soles of her feet and then out through her mouth came this amazing torrent. I remembered why I started singing in the first place. When she was brutally murdered we lost one of the greatest female rock singers ever. So doing Spear and Magic Helmet was a natural choice. Joe Spleen, The Gits guitar player told me that the song itself was meant to be a generic hardcore song but of course once Mia got hold of it and turned it into an amazing and prophetic anthem. It is a true story about a friend of hers that gets attacked and left in an alley way. Sadly, this is what happened to Mia. When we play it I always send it out to her. There’s a new movie about The Gits by Jessica Bender. Check it out if you get a chance.
Joe: Because they both rule, duh.
Cinder Block Printing was featured in AP this last month, do you have any more connection to the business that you help found? Cinder: As of right now I’m still half owner, but that will change in the near future. I’m really very proud of what Jeffery and I created together out of nothing. Both the band and the business were labors of love. People assume we were some kind of trust fund brats or something, but nothing could’ve been further from the truth. Jeffery was one of 12 kids and his family was poor. I came from a middle class background but never got any money from my family since my Mom died of cancer and my Dad was hit with huge medical bills. We built Cinder Block and Tilt with no capital other “sweat equity” and $600 or so we scraped together. We’ve taken separate roads but we’re still family. Jeffery has been helming the ship and will continue to do so. I wish him all the luck in the world.
Since all of you have been in the punk scene for awhile now…what do you think is the potential for the organization for the scene to create true lasting positive change in society, or do you disagree that punk even can take on this role? Mike: I have no idea, especially with the kind of shit we play, I don’t think so.
Cinder: I think the punk scene itself will probably never really “organize” since punk is intrinsically anarchic. Organization means rules and power structure and all the shit that punks hate. Punk music will always have an effect on society as long as it exposes the crappy state of things. Some people say that’s just complaining without action but you need the complaining. It helps reach the youth who recognize these feelings in themselves and don’t feel so alone anymore. This in turn will provide hope and motivation for their own individual political lives. I think it takes individual grass roots efforts for change to really soak into the fabric of society.
Crash: I don’t think punkers will ever get to the point of being that organized. But there is an underground scene. That is our contribution to society. There is a place for people to go to that is distant from the societal norms. We like the scene to be underground. I don’t think anyone wants to be in spotlight so to speak. As long as there is an underground scene, it is our way of telling society to fuck off. I give a lot of credit for the people that go through the hassle to put on shows. I am fortunate to be associated with the underground music scene.
Joe: Punk has a lot of different meanings to different people. It’s just what you make of it ya’ know? My definition of “punk” is probably totally different then yours. Or maybe it’s the same, that’s the beauty of it.
Many kids want to get involved in making some kind of difference, but don’t know where to start. What are some non-profit organizations that you support or are a part of? Mike: I DJ on Pirate Cat Radio 87.9 in SF Tuesday nights 10pm-12am, people can listen live online as well at www.piratecatradio.com, I’m hoping to start my own internet radio station sometime soon. I also book a lot of DIY punk shows and help out some touring bands when I can.
Cinder: Food Not Bombs has been diligently providing food to the homeless for years. I think we desperately need nationwide needle exchanges. I contribute a lot of money every year to Christmas in April, an organization that fixes up low income housing here in Oakland. But it’s really hard to know just who to give money to. For instance I’m Pro Choice but I’m not convinced that money I give to NARAL will really get into the hands that can help the cause. I’d rather write a song about the realities of young women who die from botched homemade abortions because they were subject to the new “parental consent” laws that are spreading all over the country. I wish people would pay attention to local elections and vote against shit like that.
Joe: Food Not Bombs, the I.W.W., the A.R.A, any place where you think you can make a difference, even if it’s just recycling you’re doing something.
How do you feel about being role models in the punk scene? [Whether we like it or not the youngsters look up to us.] Mike: I think it’s cool when I hear that from kids and people that respect what I do. I’ve been in this scene for over 20 years now, playing and booking shows, and if that inspires someone to do the same, then I think that’s rad. I don’t really see myself as a role model, but when I have fans singing along with me, asking for advice or even my autograph (HA!), I think that’s awesome. So if I am a role model to some kid, then killer!
Cinder: I agree with Mike. I hate to think of myself as separate from the audience. I am part of the audience. But kids do look up to you. I dig it when someone says they were inspired to start singing or to start a band.
Crash: I do not feel like a role model, just trying to keep the scene alive with good music for people to check out. Get people out of the house.
Joe: Be yourself. You definitely don’t want us as anyone’s role models.
Mike: Yeah, especially not you mother fucker! HA!
Cinder, is your MS in remission? Do you mind talking about it? Cinder: I don’t mind talking about it but I get sick thinking about it. Talking about it may help someone else. It’s always there, ever-present sensations of tingling and numbness. It’s really not that bad. In this last year however, I came down with a condition probably triggered by the MS that has caused terrible chronic pain. I’ve been through the ringer but the pain is finally getting under control. I am so pissed at the health care system. Both Kaiser and Blue Cross washed their hands of me. When I went to find better treatment at Stanford University and in San Francisco neither company would cover those costs. I’m double insured for fuck sake!!! And they still don’t cover shit!
How did the tour go with MDC? Mike: All the shows went great. We played 10 shows with MDC throughout California, 5 up North and 5 down South. Those guys were really cool and took care of us killer. We ended in San Diego with Cinder breaking her teeth on the last song.
Cinder: I fucking LOVE MDC. They rule. I will always hold those 10 days in high regard. When the new Nazi Pope was chosen I was dying to hear what Dave was saying onstage. He was probably having a field day what with a former Hitler Youth pope named Joseph Ratzinger! That name you couldn’t make up.
Crash: For me it was fucking amazing… I’m one of MDC’s biggest fans and to go on tour with them was a dream come true. MDC rocks, if you get a chance check them out.
Joe: It fuckin’ ruled.
What kind of reaction have you gotten to your logo? (A graphic depiction of a woman with a demonhead crotch and blood belching forth spelling “Retching Red”) Cinder: Awesome! People love it, We’ve only had a couple of complaints. There’s one “punk” magazine that won’t run our ad because they disapprove of our logo.
Who thought of it? Cinder: I came up with the concept and described it to an artist on the Cinder Block staff, Damon Wallace. He did a great job interpreting my idea.
Mike: Now that we’re on the subject there’s something I’d like to clear up. Recently I’ve run into a couple of people have suggested that our artwork is similar to Butt Trumpet’s. Let there be no mistake our artwork came long before theirs.
Cinder: Butt Trumpet’s singer Thom Bone co-produced our record, saw the logo, loved it and insisted on having the same girl and the same artist for his t-shirts. At the time I thought it was a funny idea but now I regret letting it happen. People are getting confused and think we ripped off their art when nothing could be further from the truth. Thom will tell you just that if you ask him.
What are the future plans for Retching Red? Mike: Well we will be on a US tour starting July 1st in Portland and will be hitting places in Washington, Minneapolis, Detroit, Canada, New York, Texas and others. We also are writing new songs for a 2nd full length CD, as well as playing a lot of shows and touring a lot.
Joe: To piss off rednecks.
Any words of wisdom you’d like to pass on to all of us in the scene? Mike: DIY!! Book your own shows, fuck pay to play clubs and bullshit promoters and put out your own records! Keep it real and do what you want to do, just be true! Come see us live and pick up our CD Get Your Red Wings!
Cinder: Keep carrying the torch! Come out to the shows and scream with me. I promise not to hurt you when I drag you into the pit (if you’re good). Please check out our site, it’s the first one I ever built. Leave a comment on our “Talk Shit” guestbook. Also ask your record store why the hell they don’t have Retching Red cds. We are our own distributor so it’s kinda hard to get stores to order our stuff.
Crash: Support, Support, Support. Keep the scene alive. What else you got to do anyway, watch non-reality TV?
Joe: Avoid the Clap!
Contact information…
RETCHING RED- 4096 Piedmont Ave. #216, Oakland, CA. 94611-5221 or email us at info@retchingred.com also check out our website at www.retchingred.com
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The Voids
Interviewed by Renae Bryant
The Voids are: Adri-vocals, Chris-guitar/vocals, Brass-bass, Heckyl-guitar and Mike-drums
OTR: Please give the OTR readers a brief history of your band.
Adri: Well, we have been The Voids for about two and 1/2 years. In that time we have had a couple different members but I'm pretty sure we are stable now. I think that all of us are going to be in this for a long time. There is a longer history that Brass would probably be better at telling. We have a six song EP that has been out for a while now. It was recorded in 1998. We will also be releasing a split 7" with Narcoleptic Youth. We haven't really toured but we want to. We went to San Francisco to play a couple of shows that were slightly disastrous! I won't go into it but the shows were not the greatest. We have been playing locally in OC and LA. for a while and we have a lot of fun doing that.
Heckyl: It's tough to say exactly when we really started. I think the Voids actually started in January 1998 when we found our singers. I mean a lot of us used to goof around playing covers, trying to write songs, etc. for a long time before that but it sort of all came together after Adri and Maria joined the band. It wasn't long after that before we hit the studio. After Maria left the band we played shows with Adri singing by herself while we were looking for another singer. We tried some other girls out and even played a few shows with them but it just didn't seem to work. We realized that things just worked better for us with just Adri singing, so we just left it at that. We've had other band members change since then but now I think we have a very dedicated group of people in our band.
Brass: We released our self-titled EP in January of 1999. We will be releasing a split 7" with Narcoleptic Youth in September 2000. We will be on a four way split with Media Blitz, Undergirl, and perhaps the Menstral Tramps [if they agree to it] on On the Rag Records which will be released in the late fall of 2000. We have been on a couple of compilations and will begin recording our full length this summer and hope to release it in early to middle 2001.
OTR: Why are you playing punk instead of pop or top 40? Why is punk important?
Adri: We don't play pop because that stuff is just fucking stupid. There is something about punk that no other music has. There is all this energy and aggression and passion. It is about whatever the fuck you want it to be. I sing in a punk band because I like punk. I can express myself. I can say what I feel has to be said.
Chris: I like playing punk because it is real. It's not fake and plastic like all that pop shit. It's real in your face and gets you worked up when your up there playing on stage.
Mike: I have a lot of fun playing punk.
Brass: I play in a punk band because I like the unusual and aggressive nature of punk rock. Top 40 style pop is about 95% manufactured bullshit. Punk is important to me becuase it is a genre that is still real and honest. It is an outlet that allows communication and self-expression in such a way that it would most certainly be shunned by main stream top 40 society.
OTR: Who is the lyricist and what is the inspiration for the songs? Which do you consider to be the most important?
Adri: Some the lyrics were written before I was even in the band. Those were written by Dave. Once I was in the band I slowly started writing and now I do mostly all of it. Anything that I have some feeling for is what I usually write about. I am usually inspired by what is going on or things that have happened. One of the first songs I wrote is a song called, "Big Business." It is about this area just down the street form my house where there were all these huge vats of shit. I mean, I don't even know what is in them. Every night all kinds of smoke would come pouring out of them and the air was fucking stinky. This kind of shit happens everywhere. People get cancer because they live so close to these factories and companies that are doing something harmful to our health and environment. It's all for the cause of some greedy bastard making something so he can make more money. It's just stupid, so I wrote about it. I am sure that all of our songs are equally important. I can't think of one that is more important than the rest. They all have something important to say even if it is not as serious as the others.
Chris: Adri is the singer. As for inspiration I think everything is an inspiration whether it is something going on in the world or something going on in the world of something we personally believe in.
Heckyl: In the early days Social Dave wrote all the lyrics. Now Adri writes the lyrics. It's not because we feel like she has to because she is the lead vocalist or anything, just sort of worked out that way. I think she has a lot of things to say and she feels most comfortable expressing them in lyrics.
Brass: All the earliest lyrics were written by Social Dave. Social Dave used to sing and play guitar until he quit about a year ago. Now Adri writes the lyrics. I think I probably consider "The Cause" to be one of most important songs because the issues it addresses are so serious and direct.
OTR: Who or what inspires you (or the whole band in any way)?
Adri: As a band we are all inspired by different things. Musically, I'm inspired by a lot of the older punk bands, especially English ones. I listen to a lot of older punk and Oi. First, I'm completely inspired by most '77 punk bands. Thy were the first to try something different. They were the first to be aggressive and say something different. They were the beginning of punk. I'm inspired by almost any female-fronted punk band. Punk was and still is mostly male dominated. I get excited when I hear a good female singer. One that is not timid one that's not just singing stupid shit like her boyfriend or being in love, one that really has something to say. I can't stand it when I see a girl up on stage and there is nothing to her. It is like the length of her skirt and the size of her boobs are the only things that make her something. That is stupid!!! I always tell Chris that I want to be up there with the boys. I don't want the Voids to be a girl band. I mean, I can hold my own ground. There is nothing that separates me form the guys...except the obvious. So anyway, getting back to the point, I am completely inspired by female vocalists that give a shit about what they are doing the ones that have all the energy and passion coming from them. There are singers like Bekie Bondage or Eve Libertine that I am completely amazed by. They have such a good sound and don't sing about stupid shit.
Chris: I am mostly inspired by old punk especially old oi! bands such as Angelic Upstarts and the 4skins to name a few. We are all influenced by different bands which gives a different sound when it comes to writing songs.
Heckyl: It is inspiring to meet people in the scene who understand what is is all about. It seems like so many people are trying to live up to some kind of an image. Everyone should be individuals and not feel like they have to look or act a certain way to fit in.
Brass: That is a little tough for me to answer because the whole band is made up of five individuals. We all perceive things a little different and have different inspirations. Personally, most of my inspiration comes from life experiences and events. I think about the way they make me feel and try to translate it to music. Musically, I am mostly influenced by 70's and 80's British and California punk rock like 7 seconds, Avengers, x-ray spex, Siouxsie and the Banshees, etc.
You can contact The Voids at www.myspace.com/thevoids .
© 1998 - 2008 On The Rag Records.