Behind Punk is a D.I.Y. punk blog/fanzine/record label based out of Moscow


We need to focus on positive change in the world, and it starts with our scene and the people within it. More hugs, less shrugs!


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Friday, May 16, 2014

Interview with James of Beach Slang


I’m so happy to finally be posting this interview. So Beach Slang made the record of the year and I'm absolutely infatuated with these songs. Thanks to James for taking the time out to answer some questions.



. Hi, James! How are you doing?

I'm doing rather well. I just (like minutes ago) saw some Beach Slang photographs we recently shot and, man, I hardly look as uncomfortable as I felt. So, yeah, I'll take it.


First off, introduce yourself and members of the band:

James (I write songs and sing them with my guitar), Ed (he plays the bass like magic) and JP (he plays the drums like thunder).


and how Beach Slang originally came together?

The first of us coming together was Ed booking an Ex Friends show. He and JP become mates and started to toss around the idea of starting a band. JP liked my smile and my songs so he wrote me. We got together, played a few minutes of some dumb thing I had lying around and knew we had something. And now we are Beach Slang.


Why did you choose the band name Beach Slang?

I used to skate with this girl who referred to the way I spoke as 'beach slang'. I guess it's all the 1980s Valley Girl speak I can't shake. Anyway, she was a real sweet heart and a much better skater. And that dumb phrase just never slipped off. Sometimes, it makes me remember how soft some of my growing up was. I like hanging on to those small parts.


"Who Would Ever Want Anything So Broken?" has been out for just about a month now. How has the reaction been from fans?

Wildly sweet. I mean, I walk around now feeling fuzzed up and flattered and humbled and all the good things you want to feel. I cross-my-heart plan to smother all of them with hugs on tour. My arms and heart are ready.


What are your thoughts on the finished product?

I think it's exactly what it's supposed to be. We rehearsed it for a month, recorded it in a day and mixed it in another. It's not perfect, but it's honest. There's no gunk to it. Just 3 guys plugging in and bleeding it out. I think that's what people are connecting with.


What’s your experience been like with Dead Broke Rekerds?

Mike and Dead Broke have been bullseye. I mean, it's why we sent our demos to him. If I'm going to hand out these things I've been working so hard on, I want it to be to someone I respect and trust and find incredibly charming. Mike is all of those things.


How do you adapt to downloading music illegally? Do you support downloading music?

I don't. It's all very Abbie Hoffman to me. If a kid downloads a Beach Slang song and emails it out to a whole bunch of friends, that's a whole bunch of people getting turned on to what we're doing, you know, instead of just one. And I'm stoked about that. If we're really doing something that connects, that deserves to have a place, it will.


How do you think small bands make a profit?

Play shows and play them hard, be honest and humble, write things that people will give a damn about. Right? Most importantly, don't worry about making a profit. Worry about making something so fucking heart-swelling that it makes you not worry about money. Do that and you're there.


Do you think it's necessary for independent musicians and bands to have a form of ethics?

Not necessary, but a good idea, yeah? If you don't have any of those things, go work for some gutless corporation or something. What indie kids built is meant to be cared for. Look, I know I tend to romanticize the underground scene, but it deserves that. I hold it as this place where outsiders can belong, where kids think thinking is a good thing. The ethic-less, sadly, will always have a back door to sneak in, but they tend to die very early, thankful scene deaths. That's why we're still here.


What's your biggest gripe with the punk scene?

I don't have any gripes. I'm hardly sure I believe in them. I mean, in the scene, I surround myself with people that I believe, that mean it all. Once you do that, you're bulletproof. I leave drama to people who are fascinated by it. I am not one of them.


Could you please talk about your involvement in the DIY punk community, how you got involved and how it affects your lives?

The first show I ever went to was The Ramones at this hall in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. I was a kid, like pre-teen. I walked in there and it was like fucking outer space. I loved every big part of it. When The Ramones came on, kids went loose. But what I really remember, what really made me know I was going to be a lifer was getting knocked down in all that good energy and picked right back up by a bunch of older, smiling punks. Fuck yeah. Man, I honestly just got goosebumps writing that bit. I always tell my Mom that was the day I was actually born. She hates that.


How long have you been playing in bands?

Since 1995.


What's your motivation

I'm pushed by the same thing now that I was then—too much energy, too much social awkwardness and too much quiet angst.


and how has it changed over the years?

You know, at its basest level, it's still pretty much the same thing—restless kids picking up guitars, misfits looking for a place to belong. Dear Scene, don't ever change.


I was actually going to ask you what you were listening to lately. What are your favorite recent releases?

I listen to very little. Whenever I do, it starts to sneak into things I'm writing and then I feel thief-y. The only time I really ever have music on is when I'm doing art stuff. It feels less intentionally absorbable that way. So yeah, for that stuff I just looked at the last five things I played: Jay Reatard, The Only Ones, Swervedriver, Richard Hell and Diiv.


I am huge Weston fan, Got Beat Up is one of the best albums ever. What does the future for Weston/Beach Slang look like?

Ah, thanks so much. It's strange, my throat got all damaged a few years back and those songs are so hard to sing now. I listen to them and feel like I could've been a shoo-in for the Vienna Boys' Choir, you know? Anyway, the future for Weston is pretty non-existent. I mean, but who knows, right?

For Beach Slang, it's pretty blinding, man. We just signed with The Agency Group, just finished writing our second e.p., have a run of shows with Crow Bait in June and, of course, are gearing up for Fest in the fall. It will be my first time there. And, honestly, I'm pretty much just trying to shove time forward.
Thanks for your time. Any last words/wishes?

Thanks for having me

Umm, listen to Beach Slang?
(beachslang.bandcamp.com)


Friday, May 2, 2014

Interview with Erik of Dowsing/Kittyhawk/Pet Symmetry



Thanks to Eric who was kind enough to take the time to answer some questions. 
Read up it bellow.


Hey, Eric. How are you doing? How's Chicago?

Hey! Feeling good and staying warm.  Chicago is great.


First off, introduce yourself and members of the band and how Dowsing originally came together?

My name is Erik and I play Guitar and Sing in Dowsing. Currently we have Mikey Crotty on Guitar, Michael Politowicz on Bass, and whoever can play drums. Dowsing songs were written before I moved to Chicago, but the idea to start a band was forged near Wrigley stadium with Gooey Fame and Delia Hornik over some pizza.


Can you name a band that inspired you to play music? 

Green Day


Where did you see your songwriting progress from "It's Still Pretty Terrible" to "I Don't Even Care Anymore" and where do you maybe see it going in the future? 

Many people don’t realize the songwriting process is long and arduous. We’ve realized 2 LPs but it took me a long time to mold the songs the way I wanted them before I even showed them to other band members.  ISPT there was a lot more time put into the “crafting” of the songs, and I think that shows. IDECA was my Pinkerton and is more raw and has a certain atmosphere to it. I see our sound becoming more rock oriented, but until I can do that rock stance... we can be an emo band.



What’s your experience been like with Count Your Lucky Stars records? How do you adapt to downloading music illegally? Do you support downloading music? How do you think small bands make a profit? 

I have nothing but respect and admiration for Keith and Cathy.  They have put a lot of hard work into my band and their label, in addition to helping me through some personal tribulations.  As far as downloading music it’s hard to adapt.  At this point you have to run with them.  When it comes to illegal downloads I support providing music to others in the form of “Pay What You Want.”  With that said though I think if you can find my record and you want to eventually buy it physically go for the illegal download.  Go for it no matter what I won’t find you.  Thanks for listening to my band!  Which brings up your last question.  It’s not easy being a small band, but I get a lot of joy in touring and making friends and hanging out.  Staying afloat and making money at this level requires a lot of groundwork.  It’s taken us 2 years to be able to afford basic necessities for the band without paying out of pocket, but when it happens it is the best thing in the world though.  In short, you have to tour a lot and people have to support you.  I am no longer the band Sugar Daddy (that’s a lie).


You've played a lot shows in many cities. What are the main differences between playing shows in the U.S. as opposed to European shows? 

Well, it can be rough in both spots, but in the past I’ve tended to think that America was harder to tour.  Let’s just say across the board that our foreign friends tend to be better hosts.


What's your favorite and least favorite part about touring? How do you handle the rigors of the road? Do you try to go out and see things when you are in different cities? 

Sleeping and sleeping.  Sleeping is great but you can miss a lot of what is going on if you sleep the whole time and you start to feel like you live in a dreamland.  We use to tour in a conversion van but now we have a modified short bus, which is excellent for sleeping.  I guess sleeping is not so bad now.  We’ve made it a goal to see at least one thing a day (depending on where we are), eat one “good” meal, and sleep.


Other than Dowsing, what other bands/projects are you all involved with? 

I play guitar in both Kittyhawk and Pet Symmetry.  Both of these bands will have full lengths out this year.




Could you please talk about your involvement in the DIY punk community, how you got involved and how it affects your lives? (putting out your music, going on tours and playing shows, etc) 

I’ve lived in “punk” houses for the past 7 years.  I have run basement shows, garage shows, put up touring bands for the night, made travelers food.  Being a good host to strangers can make you some of the best friends you’ll ever meet.  I’ve been lucky to meet so many people over the years who continue to help me and I them.  My only complaint is that I go to too many shows, but that is my lifestyle it’s what I love.


Do you think it’s necessary for independent musicians and bands to have a form of ethics? 

I think it is more important to be a good person and to understand others.  I don’t preach I listen and I respect others opinions.  I think that just basic humanity is nice.  Some people just need to get off the internet (including me).


How is the Chicago scene? Any acts we’ve been unfortunately overlooking? 

Right now the Chicago scene seems to be in an upswing.  I’ve found it hard to find young bands that I like.  This band Churchkey (Glocca Morra Core) http://okcupid.bandcamp.com/ and Mothlight (Screamo) https://mothlightchicago.bandcamp.com/ are really good.



What's your biggest gripe with the punk/hardcore scene? 

Sometimes people take things way to seriously.


What does the future for Dowsing look like? 

There is a split with an “unnamed” band coming out soon.  We are currently demoing 7 new songs, but have not decided yet if it could be a full length or just an EP.  We are looking to tour a lot this Fall and get something new out by the beginning of 2015.  


What are some of your biggest influences outside of music? 

 Urban Landscapes and my Grandfather.


Thanks for taking time out to talk with me Eric! Anything else you'd like to add/share?

Thank you so much for asking me to do this interview!

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Behind Punk Mixtape #12


Here's the 21 awesome bands and 21 newest songs, basically the songs I’ve discovered in the last months and been listening to constantly. If you enjoy the music on this mix, support the artists by purchasing their albums or songs. It really does help! Thanks.


1. Andrew Jackson Jihad - Temple Grandin
2. The Menzingers - My Friend Kyle
3. Beach Slang - Get Lost
4. Spraynard - Internet May Mays
5. Hard Girls - Plan
6. Omar - Nick Sells Out (And Tries To Move To Fishtown)
7. Tiny Empires - Air Condtioning, Full Blast
8. Apologies, I Have None - Coffee, Alcohol, Codeine, Repeat
9. The Van Pelt - The Betrayal
10. It Looks Sad - Radical
11. Dikembe - Healer Of The Pride
12. Sunny Day Real Estate - Lipton Witch
13. Braid - Many Enemies
14. Tiny Moving Parts - Fair Trade
15. Have Mercy - Pete Rose and Babe Ruth
16. Special Explosion - If Only
17 - The Hotelier - In Framing 
18. Mapmaker - Preoccupied
19. Pissghetti - Earth Sucks Without You
20.  Antarctigo Vespucci -  Don't Die In Yr Hometown 2
21. Frankie Cosmos - Buses Splash with Rain