I was fortunate enough to get an interview with these dudes after a clustered house show in Long Beach. In this interview, you'll read about the new album dropping this year, upcoming shows, and other shenanigans they've been up to. Enjoy!
Last month you guys didn’t play many shows. You played with Dangers at Chain Reaction and there was also a Che Cafe show; but from what I know, you were periodically going up to San Francisco to record your new album. How was that?
Matt: Yeah, we went up in mid November to record.
Barry: the first time we attempted to record the record we had this whole approach where it was like, how about we don’t practice the songs too much so when we play them they’ll be fresh and exciting and we’d be really excited about the songs and it’ll come through on the takes. We basically tape recorded and it was the third time we ever played the songs. We thought that maybe we’d be like ‘Damn I love this song, it’s so cool!’ --and that would come through on the take. But it didn’t. It just sounded like we hadn’t practiced in a long time, we weren’t really that locked in, and not everyone was on the same page.
Kurt: Yeah, it was definitely very loose and none of us were on the same page.
Barry: So, we went home and practiced a lot and re worked the songs . The first time we went up we made a whole record and we were just like ‘I don’t really like this, this isn’t very good. This is not what I want to put out, this is not what I want our second record to sound like.’ So we came home and had like a month, and with that month we wrote the songs and practiced a bunch and just took a whole new approach . So when we went back up we had 3 days; and in 3 days we recorded the whole record. We were a lot more focused and prepared.
Chase: I think we only took a few drum and bass tracks?....
Barry: Yeah, we took a drum and bass track from 2 songs, but other than that we recorded the whole record.
So as if now you guys are satisfied with the recordings?
Barry: Very satisfied, I think it’s great.
As far the progress for the album goes, it’s already recorded, just needs to be mixed?
Barry: Yeah, we’re just waiting on mastering and pressing. It’ll be out in March.
So you guy are signed onto Asian Man Records and this is gonna be your first album being released by the label. How does that feel?
Matt: It’s really cool- when I was about 12/13, Asian Man Records was the most important thing to me in the world. And I can say that for the rest of the guys as well. We were all so fucking into Asian Man Records’ bands like The Chinkees and all the Mike Park stuff. All that old ska stuff. It’s really a childhood dream come true. When Mike asked us to do a record with him we were just like ‘what? you wanna do that shit with us?’ It’s especially flattering because he doesn’t really put out that many records anymore, so I feel that if Mike is willing to do a record with you nowadays, it means he really likes you so it’s fucking cool. It feels good.
Barry: Yeah it’s great, I’ve been a huge fan of Asian Man Records since I was a little kid. I grew up loving ska and stuff. The Lawrence Arm, Alkaline Trio, all those bands are just the coolest.
Chase: Yeah, It’s awesome.
Kurt: And Mike Park is, like, the nicest guy.
Barry: Yeah! And Mike Park is the best dude in the whole world. We actually just got an email from Bridge 9, asking us if we’d be interested in releasing an album with them. But at this point we’re staying with Asian Man.
You guys feel more comfortable with Asian Man Records.
Barry: Yeah. It’s way more fitting for us.
As far as upcoming shows, I saw you have a show lined up with The Max Levine Ensemble and another show with H2O and Rotting Out at the Echo?
Barry: Yeah! H2O I really like.
Are you guys stoked to be playing a show with Max Levine?
Barry: Oh, I love that band. Their new 7” is fucking great. Elephant in the Room is so fucking good. Last of the Assholes is one of the better songs I’ve heard all year. Definitely in my top 2...or 3. Really high on my list.
Right on. I saw that the Max Levine show is going to be at the VLHS Warehouse in Pomona.
Barry: Yup. We actually haven’t played there yet.
Matt: Yeah, it should be really fun. I’ve never actually been there yet. Donna and Tim(run VLHS) are so fucking cool. We played so many shows at the old warehouse, 12th & G. We played our first six months of shows there, so it should be great playing our first show at VLHS.
I’ve been there a few times and it’s fucking legit. Always good times. I’m stoked to see you guys there.
Chase: Yeah totally. We love all those people.
Barry: It’ll be cool to play to a crowd more our age and respectful, kind of, I guess. It’ll be fun.
I saw that FYF is putting on the H2O show. What’s your relationship with Sean Carnage like? How’s FYF been treating you guys?
Matt: We’ve been working with Sean quite a bit the last few months. He’s an awesome guy. He believes in us and he hits us up every now and then to play one of his shows. He put on a Japanther show we played a few months ago- and all the shows he puts on are crackin’. He’s one of those guys in LA that has his shit together and puts on good shows. So we’re always stoked to play “Sean” shows.
Barry: Sean has seen us a couple of times and done a couple shows that we’ve been a part of - Like the Lemuria show and uhhhh, what else? (looking over at Chase)
Chase: We played with The Men and Milk Music. Another FYF show.
Barry: Yeah, and with Touche Amore. The pre-FYF show. He just liked our band and wanted to work with us more. He told us we’re gonna be playing FYF Fest this year, which is going to be cool because my favorite band, Guided By Voices, played last year.
You guys didn’t play FYF last year, but you did play Awesome Fest in San Diego.
Barry: Yeah! Scared of Chaka was there. Another one of my favorite bands.
Chase: Barry, Matt, and I actually saw Guided By Voices on their first reunion tour on Barry’s birthday.That was incredible, so I didn’t feel too bad missing them at FYF.
Barry: Yeah, it was amazing. I didn’t wanna roll the dice and have it be a bad experience. I was happy playing Awesome Fest.
Glad to hear. So are there any tours coming this year that you guys are stoked on?
Barry: In March we’re doing a 2 week west coast -up to Seattle -and back, and in the summer (July) we’ll be doing a full US. No plans to go to Europe yet, but...
Kurt: Eventually.
Barry: Yeah, eventually. We’ve gotten a lot offers and the offers just get better.
Kurt: We’ve just gotta save up for that.
Barry: Gotta save up and get more established here in the US.
Matt: yeah, as far as international goes, I don’t know if we’re gonna have time to do anything this year. I’m just concentrating on our west coast dates and the record release shows.
Cool. So you guys are taking it one step at a time it seems like.
Barry: Yeah, definitely not a over night thing.
And as far as your fan base goes-- I mean, this whole house was packed with tons of people screaming their lungs out to your music. People love what you guys are doing.
Barry: Yeah, I mean, a lot of it’s Touche Amore. They kind of took us under their wings , had us play a show with them, and as soon as we did that we got offered a record deal on 6131 Records who put our their record. All the guys in that band are really cool guys and it’s real nice that they gave us that leg up.
That’s great to hear. Those guys are really nice. Great band. So, I heard that you guys have an upcoming show with Classics of Love? (Jesse Michaels’ of OP Ivy’s band)
Barry: We are, over in the bay area. We’re playing their record release show.
And where’s that going to be at?
Barry: Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco. I mean, we’re part of Asian Man Records now, they’re part of Asian Man Records-- We’re practically family and it’s great. It feels fucking great to be opening for Jesse Michaels.
Matt: I’m really excited. Just to be opening for any band Jesse Michaels is in is fucking fantastic.
Seriously! I’m a huge fan of Asian Man Records, myself, and OP Ivy was literally one of the first punk albums I owned as a kid. It’s inspiring seeing you be a part of that.
Barry: It’s fucking mind blowing! And Jesse Michaels is very, very handsome. I was talking to him and was just lost in his eyes..
Hahahaha good times. Well, thank you guys for doing this interview for Bored To Death. I’ll be at the Max Levine and H2O show. Stoked for the new record this year!
