Ain’t Dead Yet: An Interview with Skinny Puppy

Ain’t Dead Yet: An Interview with Skinny Puppy
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In 1995, it was thought to be over. After 13 years, Skinny Puppy was dissolving and it seemingly came to a close with the overdose of Dwayne Goettel. In the years that passed between now and then, a multitude of side-projects by members of the legendary act resurfaced. Download, The Tear Garden, OhGr, Ritalin and

Just Another Fan on Stage: An Interview with Matt Freeman

Just Another Fan on Stage: An Interview with Matt Freeman
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Matt Freeman is the best bass player out there, and he’s been proving it for years in Rancid and, before that, in Operation Ivy. When longtime Social Distortion bassist John Maher quit in order to spend more time with his family, Social D went looking for a new bass player. Mike Ness went straight to

The Inevitable Evolution of Isis: An Interview with Aaron Turner

The Inevitable Evolution of Isis: An Interview with Aaron Turner
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In September of 2002, a Boston-based band called Isis released its second full-length album, Oceanic (Ipecac Recordings), and shattered the boundaries of heavy/aggressive music. Back in 2001, the group released Mosquito Control EP (Escape Artist), which was epic in its heaviness, but still experimental enough to immediately draw comparisons to metal and punk heavyweights Neurosis

In Camera

In Camera
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“Reverse cowgirl indie-rock with a cigarette after;” said In Camera when asked to describe themselves. Six months together, this group of musicians are all barely 21, all live in the same house, and all work for the same employer. They’ve successfully toured once and have a lot of humorous drunk stories to go along with

Localized: Victrola

Localized: Victrola
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Localized is a monthly showcase of local bands. This 8th of October, we bring you (although you clearly don’t deserve it) On Vibrato and Victrola. This would be a good time to mope over your last ineffectual and failed relationship or to pensively sip a beer and consider the hypothetical events following. As always, the

Localized: On Vibrato

Localized: On Vibrato
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Localized is a monthly showcase of local bands. This 8th of October, we bring you (although you clearly don’t deserve it) On Vibrato and Victrola. This would be a good time to mope over your last ineffectual and failed relationship or to pensively sip a beer and consider the hypothetical events following. As always, the

Speak Nonfiction, Bleed Nonfiction: Q and Not U Bring a Message to the People

Speak Nonfiction, Bleed Nonfiction: Q and Not U Bring a...
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I have always been a member of the music-and-politics-don’t-really-mix-because-no-one-cares-what-musicians-have-to-say-anyhow camp. Obviously, I can’t ignore the glaring exceptions to the rule. For instance, consider the reverence that Bob Marley and his music are still, in the present day, granted by the Jamaican populace. Yet with artists such as Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie often still serving

Flogging Molly

Flogging Molly
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I was assigned to interview members of Flogging Molly. I was looking forward to it; particularly the part about talking to Matt Hensley, the accordion player. I’ve hung out with him before and he’s always been a real nice guy. For those who may be unaware, he also was a skateboarding legend. In the early

Thunder and Lightning: A Late-Night Encounter with Modey Lemon

Thunder and Lightning: A Late-Night Encounter with Modey Lemon
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While Phil made a final comment, “If you like the Liars new record, then you will like our new stuff,” the three of them stepped out into the night. The door slammed shut and I was alone, quaking from the encounter. The storm raged outside. My mind began to deconstruct the events of the evening,

Red Eyed Legends – October 2004

Red Eyed Legends – October 2004
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“We’re the red-eyed legends from the night before, the TV babies from the media war.” – The Germs. [Red Eyed Legends: “Red Eyed” doesn’t have a hypen, you grammar-purist assholes.] Frontman and living legend Chris Thomson, Red Eyed Legend that is, lives in Chicago, where he says “It’s all right, some days, but it’s a