INTRODUCTION:
What’s
up!! It’s been a while I know. I took a much needed (and longer than
anticipated) hiatus from, like, EVERYTHING!! But I’m back on it and I’m
bringing you some cool shit. Got some sick ass interviews for you, a Devil’s
Claw zine review and an updated playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6QFM5GeQYEoPU3DQ8K5XKI
There’s also a few changes, Red’s pursuing other things
so he wont be writing articles for STN anytime soon but he’s more than welcome
to come back one day if he ever wants to. I won’t be doing live reviews for
this issue, might try something different for a while.
As for Brain Fragment we’re back in the studio after a
bit of time off and we’re writing new music, planning a show at the Void on
July 20th and trying to get a mini tour together for the summer so
keep an ear out for that shit!! But enough about us, let’s see what else is
going on..
LISTENING RECOMENDATIONS:
ARTIST: Alizarin
RELEASE: Zenith
LABEL: N/A
STYLE: Progressive
ARTIST: Courage,
You Bastards
RELEASE: Across The
Fires And The Dark
LABEL: N/A
STYLE: Punk/Hardcore/Metal
ARTIST: HELLFARM
RELEASE: I Want To Be
Ok Alone
LABEL: N/A
STYLE: Noisecore
ARTIST: Larkies
RELEASE: Demos-2
LABEL: N/A
STYLE: Punk/Garage
ARTIST: Beecher
RELEASE: Sour Cage
LABEL: N/A
STYLE: Psychedelic
FRUIT SMOOTHIE!!
OGDEN INTERVIEWS!!
Robert Selander of Tartar Control!
STN: So first thing I'm curious about is how you guys came up with the name
Tartar Control?
ROB: Ah, well we have always considered ourselves to be the Lord's
toothepaste, plus it sounds neato! Is that what you were asking? Or do you want
to know the how we literally came up with our name? Because we used pen and
paper. In a notebook! And I wrote it in a very nice cursive.
STN: Haha awesome!! Punk rock for the Lord!!
ROB: I actually joined because I've always wanted to host shows and help out
those bands. I don't play any instrument so me opening up the void and giving
my time and organization skills is how I contribute to a scene I love.
STN: You guys are always tearin' it up with your videos. What's the
inspiration behind that?
ROB: Thank you very much! Sean, Robot, and I just like making videos. I'm not
sure what you mean by the inspiration for them. Like the content or that we
make videos at all?
STN: That you make videos.
ROB: Oh! It's fun! And it's fun to tell stories accompanied by music. Also, the best way to convert is by visual
means
STN: Was there ever any other motivation behind film? Like did you guys ever
want to become filmakers or anything like that?
ROB: I think Sean and I like using the things we have the most fun doing as a
means of showing people The Holy Trinity. If we were both REALLY into working
at the DMV and doing taxes for people, I am sure that is how we would be
converting poor, poor lost souls and traffic violators. And tax evaders.
STN: Straight passion!! I love it. How did you Sean and Robot meet?
ROB: That sounds like a dime store romance novel.
STN: Hahaha I wouldn't be surprised
ROB: Sean and I both grew up together in Salt Lake. We met in choir and
became best pals. We also were able to sway our way into going on our mission
together in South Central LA. Robot was built for us when we decided to try and
be a punk rockin' band. We hired to Latino Gentlemen outside of the Home Depot
on Western Ave. to make him for us.
STN: Oh man, he must've been very handy.
ROB: Well it was two of them. Martine and Javier. The first time we paid them
in Master Burgers. Which is a delicious burger place near us. Then when we
upgraded him the second and third times, we had to pay in things other than
greasy delicious burgers. Money specifically. That sounds weird if I don't say
how we paid them I just realized. We used money. It's a shame they're both catholic.
Such beautiful minds wasted.
STN: Hahaha oh man, I'm guessing they couldn't be swayed?
ROB: No.
STN: It seems to me that Robot can't be swayed either.
ROB: Robot never even had a chance! He's a robot!
STN: Oh no!! Poor Robot!!
ROB: Though, his attitude and behavior may have landed him in a managerial
position in Robot Heck.
STN: I believe it. I hear he's rather difficult to travel with.
ROB: Oh no not at all! We turn him off when we travel. It's when he's on... Rehearsals
are always the worst. And the single mothers who are always showing up!
STN: Oh no!! Robot sounds like a handful!!
ROB: We try to help them out with passage readings and atonement, but we just
get called honkeys a lot and are accused of eating a lot of mayonaise. Which we
do. It's our collective favorite sandwich.
STN: Haha mayonaise sandwiches!! So do you have any other projects outside of
Tartar Control?
ROB: Those aren't as funny as they are delicious
STN: I bet they're amazing.
ROB: You know it! Right now I am in another fun band called Street Jail!
STN: Oh cool, what kind of music do you guys play?
ROB: It's a silly band that plays punk rock music.
STN: Sounds fun, do you guys have anything out for people to listen to?
ROB: Not yet. We've only had one show so far and a cake got everywhere. This
next show we're all going to be stressed out office workers. We have a few
songs recorded, but things keep changing and getting better was we move along
so we may re-record some stuff we have already.
STN: Rad, I'm definitely going to keep an ear out.
ROB: Please do!
STN: Well I think that about wraps it up, is there anything else you'd like
to say? Or anything you'd like to promote?
ROB: Well we're working on another album and it should be done and out later
this year. It's our third album and it's called Trinity. There will be 20 songs
and a lot of sketches.
STN: Yes!! Definitely looking forward to that.
ROB: Also, more videos are planned. Also, also Robot has his own DJ project. Please
do look out for that. It is all EDM.
STN: Oh what? He would..
ROB: I'm sure he'll release it on Soundcloud and start getting face tattoos.
Time will tell.
STN: We’ll be waiting to hear it.
ROB: Also, also, ALSO Sean has his second solo album out now and his third
coming out soon.
STN: Oh too cool. I saw him solo once, good stuff!!
ROB: And Street Jail will be making a few videos and may release a small
record.
STN: Oh too cool. I saw him solo once, good stuff!!
ROB: Sean can sing! And Street Jail will be making a few videos and may
release a small record.
STN: Yeah he can. I'm excited to hear everything. Sounds like you've all got
a lot going on.
ROB: We do, though we don't have time limits on any of it. We work on the
Lord's time. There's plenty of time for Him!!
STN: The only time that matters.
ROB: You got it!
Jay Sin of Narcoleptic Youth!!
STN: So how did you first get involved with music?
JAY: As a teenager I first listened to music. I was a big fan of guitar rock
and it was a natural progression that I eventually decided to do it myself.
Playing guitar I mean. I notice most musicians are always big music nerds.
STN: Yeah true that, I think that's what drives most to become musicians. What
bands were you listening to when you decided to pick up the guitar?
JAY: At first it was as I suspect similar to a lot of guitarists. Led
Zeppelin, Hendrix, Cream, Ac/Dc and at the time Nirvana was a big thing, at
least for me.
STN: AC/DC fucking rules. Let There Be Rock is like my favorite music video
right now haha
JAY: I have always liked straight forward guitar rock! I am a guitarist. I
like it snotty and direct.
STN: Hell yeah, what kinds of bands were you playing in prior to Narcoleptic
Youth?
JAY: Just playing in the house with friends. The first show I ever played I
was 18 years old and was with Narcoleptic Youth. It was a backyard party at the
University of Redlands at some frat house.
This was me that day
STN: Oh shit!! So Narco was basically your first band then? How'd you guys
meet?
JAY: Yes. NY was the first band I played live in front of people. We met as I
was in college and a girl in my class told me her boyfriend was in a band. I
was new to the area and ended up playing guitar with him and they were looking
to add another guitar. I met everyone and they let me in. This was in late 1996.
The girl in the story ended up having one of our songs written in her honor.
STN: Hahaha I think we can all imagine which one!!
JAY: She had a large personality to say the least... anyways I’m glad she
didn’t have a muzzle on that particular day.
STN: True that!! What were your guys shows like back then?
JAY: They were fun. I was younger than everyone else and it was all new. Our
shows and the crowd, even the scene in Corona at the time just seemed to be
growing faster than we could ever have expected. Those days were wild. We were
meeting and playing with all the bands we looked up to and the kids at the
shows were really taking to us. It was a really fun time in my life. So much
going on and so young and ๐
๐ซ๐๐ from worries.
STN: What were some of the bands you got to play with?
JAY: DI, SUBHUMANS, TSOL, the Adolescents, Peter and the Test Tube Babies. I
remember going on a tour with the Adicts and them being the nicest and most
helpful guys a young kid in a band could ever imagine. This along with the
bands we were playing with as we came up together. The atomic bombs, the voids,
justified anger and the aborted. We were all just real close knit and causing
ruckus everywhere we went together.
STN: Dude that's so cool!! I was mad stoked when my band got to play with DI.
Touring with The Adicts must've been amazing!! The Voids and The Atomic bombs
are bands I grew up listening to along with you guys. Hella inspiring to young
musicians!! Man that's epic!! I'm curious where the name "Narcoleptic
Youth" comes from.
JAY: In comes from the twisted mind of Joey Bondage. Something about him
sleeping in class all the time.
STN: You said before that NY was the first band you played live with, but
have you played in other bands since?
JAY: Some fill in stuff for some friends and a small project with my best
friend and my current guitarist and drummer called Modern Age Decline. But
nothing serious. I am a one band kind of guy!
STN: Haha I feel it, I'm the same way. So I think that's about it but is
there anything you'd like to promote or mention? Or anything you'd like to say
to the readers?
JAY: Just our music. Check us out. If you haven’t seen a show then try to
make it to one. I don’t know when this prints so I won’t be specific but just
don’t be that person who only sees big bands or bands you know about. Search
out those smaller, newer or obscure bands that are a little harder to find. Go
to shows and expose yourself to different styles or points of view. You will be
better for it. I assure you!
Adam Harmless of Tiger Helicide and GAD!
(both the zine and the podcast)!!
STN: Where did the name Tiger Helicide come from?
ADAM: It's a kinda-sorta Ramones reference. Our definition of
Tiger Helicide is "the killing of helicopters through the use of
tigers". This is not to be taken as a threat to pilots or passengers. The
lifeless husk of a helicopter is still very much capable of flight. It's like
building armor out of a large tortoise shell. The turtle is dead, but the armor
is still armor. But we love turtles and would never hurt one. It's a name
derived from a misheard lyric that we thought sounded cool. It matches us
because it sounds intense and ridiculous and over-the-top but also mysterious.
STN: What inspired you to get started as a punk musician?
ADAM: The beautiful genius of punk rock is that anybody can do
it. I was never good at guitar. I could literally only play the stuff I made
up. Mostly all I do is down-strum with one finger going up and down the frets.
But it's enough. I couldn't sing, but I could holler and I could write weird
poetry. Punk rock is so personal and raw. The various arts and fashions are all
interesting. The authenticity of just being creative with your friends. Dressing
up and acting crazy. I love the idea of the "undercover rock star".
That's what we are. We're all undercover rock stars.
STN: Do you guys have any plans to tour out to SoCal by chance?
ADAM: We don't have any current plans, but we would absolutely
love to. There is an up-side to us not touring much lately: If we're not
playing live a bunch all over the place, we're likely writing and recording a
crap-ton. So at least if you like what we do, we usually have something going
on in some way to entertain you.... or push you further away enough that you
won't miss us.
STN: What's the scene like in Gadsden, Alabama? (I'll be honest you never
really hear about bands from Alabama around here)
ADAM: Gadsden has some of the best bands in Alabama, but we
currently don't have much in the way of venues. We kinda end up adopting
surrogate homes. So Tiger Helicide is almost more of Huntsville band.
Meanwhile, one of our drummer's other bands, Russian Love Machine, is probably
more of an Anniston band. Alabama is packed with a rich history of punk rock
and alternative music. Just a small sample of great current bands from Alabama
include: The Go-Go Killers, The Abusements, Concrete Journal, Swiss Army Brat,
Random Conflict, The Devil's Got A Hold On Me, Rapid Randy, The Old World
Underground.... I gotta stop. This list can go on forever. We have a directory
of Alabama bands online. Investigate further at alabamaundergroundmusic.com.
STN: What got you started writing the GAD! zine and hosting the podcast?
ADAM: I made a few zines in high school in the 1990's and I
made a cool one later on with my wife, Darlene Vile, called Sink Approach.
About 6 years ago, as Tiger Helicide was finally recording and playing shows, I
became more seriously involved in local music again (rather than just making
noise projects for myself). A zine just seemed like a logical thing to do. I
mean, printing and stapling will always seem logical to me. I make racket and I
make zines. It's just what I do. GAD! really took off because there are so many
supportive readers and active contributors, not to mention all the crazy
artists and musicians and writers inspiring us. There are so many folks that
have made this thing special. Kevin Spann, Adam Jackson, Salina Brilla, Alabama
Sharp, Dakota Gilliland, Kolbey Leek... again with the lists! A little over a
year ago, Andy Smith and Jay Dubya Hyde (both current members of TH) came to me
with the idea of a GAD! podcast. I love podcasts, so that was a no-brainer. I'd
always wanted to do one, but I'm less-than-super just being the only dude
yapping for a long time. If I know you (or if I'm mad enough at ya), I can talk
your ear off. Otherwise, I can be kinda awkward and nervous-sounding. Talking
with those two idiots, I knew we could be an entertaining listen. Eventually we
were asked by PoDunk Radio if we wanted to be a part of their network. We
jumped at it, but recognized that the GAD!cast was too erratic for a weekly
show, so we came up with the GAD!cast Radio Show. It's like our regular
podcast, but with a lot more music. Lately I've been hosting it solo, but the
whole gang do plan to reappear. We sometimes have our friend Randy Hughes
co-host with us, as well as other cool guests.
STN: Is there anything you'd like to promote? Any links or anything upcoming
you'd like to put out there?
ADAM: We've got soooo many projects going on. On the Tiger
Helicide end of it, we've been writing material for our 3rd album. We're
talking about releasing the demos for some of the songs as a rowdy teaser EP.
We're also writing a Tiger Helicide "Work Out" EP. We've already
begun recording our 4th album, which is a gonzo acoustic deal. We're also
teaming up with Rapid Randy Hughes (Backseat Virgins, Model Citizen) to record
an album as The Brain Drainers. We're basically resurrecting a band he and I
formed in the early 2000's that evolved into a messy precursor to Tiger
Helicide. We'll also be releasing our first slab of vinyl, a TH best-of, either
late this year or early next year. Oh yeah, and there's gonna be a Tiger
Helicide book.... As far as the zine, we're currently working on issue 21 and
we'll be posting on gadpunkzine.com more often. If you want us to review
something you're putting out, our email is gapunk@gamail.com and our snail mail
is GAD! P.O. Box 1308 Gadsden, AL 35902. Again, if you wanna know more about
bands in AL, check out alabamaundergroundmusic.com. Oh yeah, we're also
releasing a various artist tribute to the late Chuck Mosley (Faith No More, Bad
Brains, Cement) on our Murder Boy Music label in June. I think his fans will
approve....
STN: And finally, is there anything in particular you'd like to say to the
readers?
ADAM: All of us are capable of making art. Don't look at
somebody else's work and say, "I'm not good enough." Don't look at
somebody else's work and say, "I can beat that!". Just make honest
original art that you enjoy. We need more creativity in this universe.
Join this punk rock chick in a dystopian world as she
goes through the same things you and I go through on a daily basis, hangovers,
breakups, Gang shootouts, mutant raider attacks, rogue robotic mayhem and much
more! TrixySparks.thecomicseries.com
DEVIL’S CLAW ZINE REVIEWS!!
Title| Faces by Strangers: 100 Drawings Made
by Total Strangers in my Super Top Secret Notebook
Press/ Distro| Jล Rรกn Studios
Author| Jล Rรกn
Price| $15 bux (buy it at Book Show LA in
Highland Park)
I remember in college someone left a notebook tied to a bench with one of those
classic blue bic pens sitting on top at a bus stop on campus. Out of curiosity,
I opened the notebook and on the front page there was a disclaimer. It said
something about not stealing the notebook and leaving it where it was for an
experiment. The experiment was simple. First, it asked the curious (like
myself) to draw out or write what they were waiting for the bus for. Second,
the writer wanted to see if people would play along or steal the notebook. I
don’t know what became of that but its progeny lies within the covers of this
zine.
Faces by Strangers is exactly what it sounds like, an art
book, unpretentious and as varied as are the artists who made each image. I
have to admit that when I first picked up the zine, I skimmed through it
quickly like a flip book and put it back down. I came back to it about halfway
into a zine event while looking for a means of procrastination. This time I
slowly flipped through each page and tried to imagine the artist of each image.
It’s this process of imagination that makes the zine great.
The faces of Faces by Strangers span
from meth-induced horror squiggles to anime inspired hipsters, and from
hyper-realist sketches to the completely flat near stick figures that define
about the limit of my own ability. It’s a great zine for your night stand,
coffee table, or for those so inclined, the bathroom for regular viewing.
The zine was lovingly made and bound by Jล
Rรกn, an artist living in Los Angeles.
