Epitaph Interviews

The Draft

I had a chance to have a conversation with The Draft's Jason Black. The Draft includes three quarters of the prolific and influential Hot Water Music who split up after the departure of co-vocalist Chuck Ragan.

Jason and I spoke about the split, mascara and some of what we can expect from the new band.

Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys)

Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys)

This past winter, I had a chance to talk to the legendary and larger than life Jello Biafra. Biafra, who began his tenure in punk rock as the frontman of the Dead Kennedys and continues to contribute to the scene with his label and dozens of projects from the Coup, Jello Biafra and the Melvins, Ministry, Napalm Death and many, many more.

In our conversation, Jello shows that even after more than 20 years, he is as radical and devoted to his causes as ever. We discussed his new projects, covers of DK songs, his label, Leftover Crack and also his disputes with his former band and the legacy of the Dead Kennedys.

Ferret Interviews
Every Time I Die

Every Time I Die

Mark Rowan sat down with Keith Buckley, vocalist of spastic metalcore band Every Time I Die, to chat. They two went over some thoughts about the band's upcoming album, the joy of Cheetos and the most worn out internet meme since All Your Base or First!.

We last spoke to Mr. Buckley in 2003, between the release of that year's Hot Damn! and 2005's Gutter Phenomenon.

Roger Manganelli (Less Than Jake)

Roger Manganelli (Less Than Jake)

While the band is on tour in Europe right now, I had a chance to exchange some emails with co-vocalist Roger Manganelli. We talked a bit about major labels, horns and even Rehasher.

The band is touring in support of their upcoming full length, In With The Out Crowd. The record follow the band's 2006 EP Absolution for Idiots and Addicts as well as their 2003 Warner debut, Anthem. In 2004, Roger also released a full length with his other band, Rehasher, titled Off-Key Melodies.

Aaron Barrett of Reel Big Fish

Aaron Barrett of Reel Big Fish

William_David sat down with Reel Big Fish ringmaster (fishmaster?) Aaron Barrett and shot the breeze for a bit. The two talked about being labeless, their new live CD and why exactly they keep recording cover songs.

The band released We're Not Happy 'Till You're Not Happy in 2005 on their former label, Jive.

Go Kart Interviews
Cougars

Cougars

We sent our special operative Greg Simpson to talk with Chicago's Cougars in anticipation of the release of their new album Pillow Talk on Tuesday the 25th. He talks with Matt and Bryan about living in the shadow of a ska band and how having 8 people in the band can cut in on your bottom line, recording with Steve Albini and the joy of pingpong tables.

Pillow Talk will be the band's second full length, following their 2004 Manhandler EP and their previous LP Nice, Nice. You can stream their new album in full here.

Revelation Interviews
Shook Ones

Shook Ones

Former MP3 of the Week and Bellingham, WA's own Shook Ones plopped down in their van / second home for an interview conducted by myself last week after the Long Island, NY stop of their ongoing tour with labelmates Sinking Ships. Interested in discussion surrounding Fritos, Black Flag tattoos, and other legitimate issues?

The band will soon head out on the West Coast for a week with Paint It Black and the Loved Ones on the Big Deal Tour. They're also expected to release their as yet untitled, sophomore full-length some time later this year on Revelation, following up both the recent Slaughter of the Insole 7" and last year's Endwell-released Sixteen.

The Misfits

The Misfits

As we continue to dig through our archives for more interviews, we've begun raiding our friends' as well. This time around, we have an interview from Dave "Monk" of Newest Industry with the Misfits. The interview happened circa 1997, with Jerry Only in the top of their tour bus.

If you enjoy the interview, be sure to pay Newest Industry Records a visit and check out their great roster.

Fearless Interviews
At the Drive-In

At the Drive-In

Since people seemed to appreciate our archival interviews, we decided to ask a friend if we could reprint some of his early interviews as well.

The second is our reprints from Fracture Magazine is an interview with At the Drive-In. The interview originally ran in the UK-based 'zine run by Dave "Monk" of Newest Industry. In it, Dave along with Hilary Ellis and David Stuart. spoke to Cedric and Tony in the months leading up to their final full length, Relationship of Command.

The band split in half in 2001 after nearly a decade together and members went on to form the Mars Volta and Sparta. In 2005, Fearless Records issued This Station is Non-Operational, which compiled both favorites and b-sides from the bands many albums.

If you enjoy the interview, be sure to pay Newest Industry Records a visit and check out their great roster.

Dischord Interviews
Fugazi (2001)

Fugazi (2001)

Since people seemed to appreciate our archival interviews, we decided to ask a friend if we could reprint some of his early interviews as well.

And what better place to begin than an interview with the legendary Fugazi? The interview originally ran in Fracture Magazine, a UK-based 'zine run by Dave "Monk" of Newest Industry. In it, Alan Willoughby spoke to Ian MacKaye about what would be the band's final studio album for the forseeable future: the critically acclaimed 2001 album, the Argument.

If you enjoy the interview, be sure to pay Newest Industry Records a visit and check out their great roster.

The Appleseed Cast

The Appleseed Cast

Mark Rowan had the chance to talk to the The Appleseed Cast shortly after the release of their full length titled Peregrine. The album is the first for The Militia Group and the follow up to Two Conversations, released in 2003.

The band will soon begin a tour Polyvinyl act Aloha.