INTERVIEW WITH...
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Tuesday, 06 May 2008 |
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There are a few bands that will always be more than you come to expect. Hot Water Music is one of those bands that have always been able to bring it all to every show, touring constantly and hanging around afterward to get to know their fans even when they had a long drive to the next city. They remind us that punk rock was, and is, about connecting with those around you and gaining strength from each other. Over all these years, Chuck Ragan has been much more than just a rough voice and an image. He has become an icon of a talented, humble and hard-working American – and he is a legend that is thankfully not yet done. Our Tim Rynders sat down with Chuck to talk about Hot Water Music's reunion. NR: How have the first few shows gone? Does it feel like you’ve never stopped playing as HWM or does it feel more like a distant dream? CHUCK: They’ve gone and felt absolutely incredible. The friends, fans and general turnout have been overwhelming and it’s just been everything and more than we all hoped it would be. As far as the feeling of HWM stopping or not, it’s been a little of both, I’d say. When I first flew to Florida to meet with the boys to play for the first time in 3 years, it felt as if it’d been a damn decade. Then it took about the first 3 chords and it all fell back into place. |
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Monday, 21 April 2008 |
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Mute Math's unique sound has been compared to U2 and Sting, but front-man Paul Meaney says Mute Math is an entity all its own. The band plans to prove that they're irreplaceable when they enter the studio this summer, by abandoning their roots to pursue the potential in each individual instrument. Our correspondent Mark Sherbin sits down to chat with Mr. Meaney... |
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Monday, 31 March 2008 |
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This week we present the first ever TLS video interview, and we were fortunate enough be joined by Jake Kiley and Chris Aiken from the legendary Southern California-based punk band Strung Out. The format is one of the most interesting ones I've seen in a while (Kiley and Aiken came up with it). It is a back-and-forth Q&A session based on questions submitted to their myspace page (myspace.com/strungout) by fans of the band. I have been a fan of Strung Out since their "Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues" album came out (I was 13), so it was especially interesting to have them be a part of our site. Plus, the video was hilarious. Thanks to Kameron Shannon for filming and Donald Frith and Matt Salamone for the editing. |
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Tuesday, 18 March 2008 |
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Interview by Rebecca Zaragoza Making new music is a daunting task for Doug Martsch. This could come as a surprise to Built to Spill's ever-appreciative fan base, according to the energy at their recent show at the Echoplex in L.A., and people cannot get enough of their artful sound. My favorite thing about Built to Spill’s music is its effortless melody and tone and voice that resonate with many seasoned-ears; it's nostalgia seems timeless in a season when music seems so easy and available and fashionable. So how is it that such a respected musician can find his creative process to be daunting? This interview took place over the phone one week prior to Built to Spill’s show in L.A. Thanks go to Warner Brothers for cooperating with New Reform to make this interview happen. NR: Hey Doug, how are you doing man? DM: Good, how are you? NR: I’m doing well, thanks. So I was researching past interviews you have done and I have noticed that many writers often use the interview to show how much they know about your music. In this interview, I really want to get to know you as the face behind Built to Spill. So my first question is- Do you enjoy being interviewed or is it something you would rather not have to deal with? DM: Oh, you know, I think the first few interviews I did were really fun. But then, you know… I think a person can only be interviewed a certain amount of times. NR: Definitely! You guys have been around for awhile- |
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