Red Tape Parade “The Third Rail of Life” part 1

Punk rock is a genre that is known for many things but musical collaborations isn't one of them. Sure, there are times but rarely will you see an album littered with guests musicians like you will on, say, a T-Pain album. Red Tape Parade hopes to change all that (the collaboration part, not the sounding like T-Pain part). Their new album, The Third Rail of Life, features a spree of guests including Joey Cape, Patrick Kindlon of End of a Year, Scott Freeman of Shook Ones and Funeral For A Friend's Matthew Davies-Kreye.

If this wasn't interesting enough, Punknews is running a very unique feature on the album itself. In our two part series, Red Tape Parade has asked the vocalists to explain their contribution to the album and then invites the guest to ask three questions of the band. What follows is an interesting examination of both the band and the inner workings of what it takes to make such a collaborative album This edition features some Q&A with Joey Cape and Patrick Kindlon. Stay tuned for the second half in the coming days.

Samiam

With 20 years under their belt, Samiam have recently released their rarities collection Orphan Works on No Idea. The album contains outtakes, B-sides, and live recordings from the Clumsy and You Are Freaking Me Out years. The band recently finished a handful of dates in central Europe supported by The Casting Out and A Death in the Family. Punknews interviewer Stephanie Thornton sat down with the guys after their show in Prague early in their tour last month. They discussed the differentiation of audiences world-wide, the secrets to keeping a band together for two decades, closing The Fest '09, and anagrams.

The Max Levine Ensemble

Celebrating ten years as a band this December, The Max Levine Ensemble has been a staple in the DC punk scene. The current lineup includes Benjamin "Bepstein" Epstein, David "Spoonboy" Combs and Nick Popovici. The power trio joined hundreds of other bands in Gainesville at The Fest this year. On a recent Sunday morning before band practice, punknews contributor Kira Wisniewski spoke with Ben and David about their upcoming UK tour, Punk Rock Sundays with Tom and their spankin' new music video for their song "My Name is John."

Buzz Osborne (Melvins)

You just can not categorize the Melvins. You can call them metal, but you'd be wrong. You can call them punk, but you'd still be wrong. You can call them rock, but, well, you'd still be wrong. Hell, even if you call them "The Melvins" you'd still be wrong because they've got like 900 different formations of the band as well as alter-egos. Touring incessantly since 1983, and led by Buzz Osbourne the Melvins, have sifted through and even created more genres than you can count. Early in their career, they created a unique creature which had the thick legs of Black Sabbath and Kiss, the broad powerful torso of Led Zeppelin, and the manic face of early punk. After smashing a name for themselves early on, they progessed to more menacing drone sounds on their seminal Bullhead only to record a creepy ambient album Pigs of the Roman Empire, as well as the best Dead Kennedys album not by the Dead Kennedys, Never Breathe What you Can't See with Jello Biafra at the mic. Oh, also, somewhere along the way they sort of created grunge and showed Kurt Cobain how to hold a guitar.

But, nearly three decades in their career, to merely call the Melvins "grunge" would be a severe injustice. Rather, on their newest album, The Bride Screamed Murder, The Melvins flip between crushing riffs, tribal drums, and highly distorted covers of the Who and traditional Irish Jigs. Currently composed of original members Buzz Osborne and Dale Crover, as well as newer members Jared Warren and Coady Willis (also of Big Business), the Melvins continue to defy genre and force their fans to expect the unexpected… or at least to expect to expect the unexpected. Anyways, Punknews interviewer John Gentile recently kicked back with Buzz to chat about the new album and see how the Melvins define themselves.

Anthony Raneri (Bayside)

There is no doubt that Bayside is an incredibly experienced band. Currently, their in the midst of a national tour, prepping for their third album in 4 years and adjusting to life on their new label, Windup Records. But, Bayside is more than productive, they're experienced, having endured more trials and tribulations than bands 10 years their senior. Punknews interviewer Justin Dickman recently sat down down with Anthony Reneri to talk about touring, switching labels and the memory of John "Beatz" Holohan.

Freddy Cricien (Madball)

Madball. So very few bands are able to conjure up such a loyal fan-base alongside such ire from outsiders. One of the first NYHC bands, Madball seems to be able to communicate on an incredibly direct level with their fans, but outside the scene, their detractors sometimes seem to be legion. Certainly, the group has paid its road dues, with lead singer Freddy Cricien touring behind his band or Agnostic Front since the tender age of 14. And certainly, it's not due to their exposure. Other punk influenced have become much more popular internationally than Madball, but have not had the torch of criticism applied so directly.

As both a defiant declaration and a call of comrade, Madball has just released Empire, an album that lays claim to New York while thanking its supporters in one half hour swoop. Empire acts almost as a manifesto, focusing the bands previous statements as well as acknowledging that they get a lot of guff from both inside the punk circle and out. In order to get the insider perspective, Punknews interviewer John Gentile got out his nicest basketball jersey and mesh shorts, and then sat down with Freddy to get his explanation of Madball's significance, a little bit of history, and what he thinks of the intense loyalty of Madball's fans compared to their vitriolic critics…

Mixtapes

Mixtapes are an extremely young band, having not even celebrated their one year anniversary, yet they've already come out with a full-length entitled Maps, an EP entitled Thought About Growing Up, a split 7" with Direct Hit and an acoustic EP. Frontpersons Ryan Rockwell and Maura Weaver spoke with Punknews Interviewer Matt back in August over the phone, while sitting on top of a roof in Pontiac, Michigan, about the band, about new material, guns, tattoos, and more guns. The interview was over 50 minutes long, but has been shortened for the sake of time and space.

To hear the entire audio interview, go here.

Bad Religion (Video)

Once again, our favorite videographer across the pond, Wauz, has outdone himself with another great interview. This interview was conducted with punk icons Bad Religion, who recently released The Dissent of Man.

Check out the video by clicking Read More.

Brent Eyestone (Magic Bullet Records/Forensics)

For almost fifteen years now, Brent Eyestone has been a busy dude. In 1996, he started his own label, Magic Bullet Records, and put out Boy Sets Fire's first cd, This Crying, This Screaming…. Since then, Eyestone has expanded his operation and now runs the label in conjunction with Magic Bullet Skateboards in Fredericksburg, Virginia. While Magic Bullet isn't necessarily a household name, a few of its artists--i.e. Charles Manson, All-American Rejects--certainly are. Don't let those two names shape your opinions though. Eyestone's Magic Bullet roster is chocked full of punk and hardcore mainstays, and all sorts of interesting side projects and reissues. Punknews interviewer, Michael Dauphin, recently caught up with the no-bullshit Eyestone to discuss his label, the artists and the shape of independent music.

Jordan Burns (Strung Out)

Strung Out has talent, longevity and a strong work ethic. As a testament to that they are still riding on the success of 2009's Agents of the Underground a year later, touring in support of the critically acclaimed, fanbase approved record. Punknews interviewer, Jason Epstein caught up with drummer Jordan Burns at their show in NYC on September 17th to chat about vans, bands and future plans.

Benji Madden (Good Charlotte)

Even though they're based in LA now, Maryland band Good Charlotte are still very much in touch with their roots. After breaking into mainstream popularity with their second album, The Young and the Hopeless in 2002, the 4-piece outfit of best friends and brothers have steadily released records with the intent of mixing it up with each new release (to the distaste of some fans) while still staying true to themselves. Their fifth album, Cardiology, came out Tuesday, and with it, the band is toying with a few changes, including a new label, last minute producer change and more personal lyrics. Punknews interviewer Laila Hanson had the chance to chat with guitarist Benji Madden about some of the changes the band has faced, and how they're standing strong throughout it all.