Life Stinks interview with Chad, Whitney and Vinnie
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© Monique R
Life Stinks is everything that is right and holy about punk
music, all the while channeling the recent psych garage rock revival by turning
it on it’s head. A little atonal
sometimes and certainly confrontational at points, Life Stinks not only has
audible lyrics but they didn’t mix their album on a children’s cassette
recorder so you can hear every dissonant, brash chord that’s strummed or string
that’s picked. Harsh, brutal, distorted
guitar riffs do an excellent job of carrying the songs, while you can hear the
drums thrashing around in the background keeping frantic time a points much
like The Stooges or MC5. And that’s
another thing, it’s been forever since I heard an actual punk band that
bothered to write real lyrics or give any sort of thought to vocal
delivery. There’s definitely a sense of,
“who gives a shit about all of this” that drips off of the music, but it belies
an incredibly strong performance in a genre famous for its shortcomings
particularly in that area. It’s
interesting to hear The Velvet Underground run through the perspective of Iggy
Pop or the Germs, and it’s damned catchy I might add. For all of the comparisons that I could draw
and names I could drop, I’d rather concentrate on the fact that songs like
“Cemeteries” lodged themselves like a tumor in my brain refusing to go
away. I haven’t heard a punk band that
kicked me in the balls this hard and didn’t take away their foot since I was in
high school. They’ve been perfecting their
own VU-worshipping punk rock technique for a while now and recently unleashed
their righteous Self-Titled debut album on S-S Records, it was time. I had to talk to this band. Three members of the band including one of
the founding members, bassist Whitney, along with two other members, drummer
Vinnie and lead singer Chad agreed to sit down and talk shop with me. Despite their name, and what song titles and
lyrics may imply, Life Stinks is anything but just another cathartic half-assed
punk band, plodding through the same four chords over and over again screaming
about how their mother yelled at them and their childhoods sucked. It’s more than all of that, in an important
sense. Life Stinks might be one of the
last real punk bands in the great tradition of The Stooges, Germs and
Flipper. People who had absolutely no
fucking clue how to play music other than they’re gut instincts and reactions
to what’s happening around them. It’s
music in its rawest and truest sense.
Catch a sense of self-loathing and get some killer tunes stuck in your
head at the same time, come on, what else have you got to do anyways? Life Stinks…
music, all the while channeling the recent psych garage rock revival by turning
it on it’s head. A little atonal
sometimes and certainly confrontational at points, Life Stinks not only has
audible lyrics but they didn’t mix their album on a children’s cassette
recorder so you can hear every dissonant, brash chord that’s strummed or string
that’s picked. Harsh, brutal, distorted
guitar riffs do an excellent job of carrying the songs, while you can hear the
drums thrashing around in the background keeping frantic time a points much
like The Stooges or MC5. And that’s
another thing, it’s been forever since I heard an actual punk band that
bothered to write real lyrics or give any sort of thought to vocal
delivery. There’s definitely a sense of,
“who gives a shit about all of this” that drips off of the music, but it belies
an incredibly strong performance in a genre famous for its shortcomings
particularly in that area. It’s
interesting to hear The Velvet Underground run through the perspective of Iggy
Pop or the Germs, and it’s damned catchy I might add. For all of the comparisons that I could draw
and names I could drop, I’d rather concentrate on the fact that songs like
“Cemeteries” lodged themselves like a tumor in my brain refusing to go
away. I haven’t heard a punk band that
kicked me in the balls this hard and didn’t take away their foot since I was in
high school. They’ve been perfecting their
own VU-worshipping punk rock technique for a while now and recently unleashed
their righteous Self-Titled debut album on S-S Records, it was time. I had to talk to this band. Three members of the band including one of
the founding members, bassist Whitney, along with two other members, drummer
Vinnie and lead singer Chad agreed to sit down and talk shop with me. Despite their name, and what song titles and
lyrics may imply, Life Stinks is anything but just another cathartic half-assed
punk band, plodding through the same four chords over and over again screaming
about how their mother yelled at them and their childhoods sucked. It’s more than all of that, in an important
sense. Life Stinks might be one of the
last real punk bands in the great tradition of The Stooges, Germs and
Flipper. People who had absolutely no
fucking clue how to play music other than they’re gut instincts and reactions
to what’s happening around them. It’s
music in its rawest and truest sense.
Catch a sense of self-loathing and get some killer tunes stuck in your
head at the same time, come on, what else have you got to do anyways? Life Stinks…
Listen
while you read: https://soundcloud.com/s-srecords/sets/life-stinks-s-t-lp/
while you read: https://soundcloud.com/s-srecords/sets/life-stinks-s-t-lp/
© Rick Ele
What’s Life Stinks
lineup these days? Have you gone through
any changes since the band began?
lineup these days? Have you gone through
any changes since the band began?
Chad: The lineup as
of right now, is myself on vocals and occasional guitar, Troy on guitar,
Whitney on bass, and Justin and Vinnie on drums. We’ll be losing a drummer in a month as
Vinnie’s going to be moving to New York though.
The band was started by Whitney and Eric Holmgren of Daggerman
Records. Eric was our first drummer. He’s in Austin, Texas now. We also had another guitar player for a few
months along the way as well.
of right now, is myself on vocals and occasional guitar, Troy on guitar,
Whitney on bass, and Justin and Vinnie on drums. We’ll be losing a drummer in a month as
Vinnie’s going to be moving to New York though.
The band was started by Whitney and Eric Holmgren of Daggerman
Records. Eric was our first drummer. He’s in Austin, Texas now. We also had another guitar player for a few
months along the way as well.
I love playing
musical connect the dots but there’s nothing that beats cheating. Are any of you in any other active bands at
this point? Have you released any music
with anyone else? If so can you tell us
about that?
musical connect the dots but there’s nothing that beats cheating. Are any of you in any other active bands at
this point? Have you released any music
with anyone else? If so can you tell us
about that?
Vinnie: I sang in a
hardcore punk band called ROT SHIT before I moved to San Francisco.
hardcore punk band called ROT SHIT before I moved to San Francisco.
Where are you
originally from?
originally from?
Chad: Honolulu,
Hawaii.
Hawaii.
Vinnie: Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania.
Whitney: Pacifica,
California.
California.
How would you
describe the local music scene where you grew up? Did you go to a lot of shows when you were
growing up? Do you feel like it played a
large role in your childhood, your musical tastes or how you play today?
describe the local music scene where you grew up? Did you go to a lot of shows when you were
growing up? Do you feel like it played a
large role in your childhood, your musical tastes or how you play today?
Chad: I started out
going to punk shows in high school. This
was in the 90’s, so there was a lot of pop punk and hardcore going on
then. A lot of the stuff I was into
musically back then I wouldn’t touch now, but for what it was worth it gave me
an outlet and helped me find an identity.
Getting into all that definitely changed my life. Playing in bands and making music with people
has been a big thing to me ever since.
going to punk shows in high school. This
was in the 90’s, so there was a lot of pop punk and hardcore going on
then. A lot of the stuff I was into
musically back then I wouldn’t touch now, but for what it was worth it gave me
an outlet and helped me find an identity.
Getting into all that definitely changed my life. Playing in bands and making music with people
has been a big thing to me ever since.
Vinnie: Pittsburgh is
a very hardcore town, always two to four years behind the trends, dating all
the way back to the Swamp Rats who sounded like a mediocre Sonics two years
after the Sonics had broken up. When my
friends and I first started going to shows the scene was very straight laced
and we were more into getting drunk, smoking pot, experimenting with LSD and
putting powder up our noses. Everyone
hated us.
a very hardcore town, always two to four years behind the trends, dating all
the way back to the Swamp Rats who sounded like a mediocre Sonics two years
after the Sonics had broken up. When my
friends and I first started going to shows the scene was very straight laced
and we were more into getting drunk, smoking pot, experimenting with LSD and
putting powder up our noses. Everyone
hated us.
Whitney: Not much was
going on, went to some shitty local shows at the Boys and Girls Club in
town. As soon as I could drive, I would
make my way into San Francisco to go to shows.
going on, went to some shitty local shows at the Boys and Girls Club in
town. As soon as I could drive, I would
make my way into San Francisco to go to shows.
© Paris
Was your household
very musical when you were growing up?
Were either of your parents or any of your relatives musicians or
extremely involved or interested in music?
very musical when you were growing up?
Were either of your parents or any of your relatives musicians or
extremely involved or interested in music?
Chad: Music was not a
big part of my family. My musical tastes
were self-discovered or introduced to me by friends very gradually.
big part of my family. My musical tastes
were self-discovered or introduced to me by friends very gradually.
Vinnie: My dad played
in bands when he was in high school but nothing ever serious. Music was very big in my house growing up, my
mother always had the radio on while cooking and cleaning and my dad saw a
bunch of good bands in the 60’s and 70’s including The Velvet Underground,
Grateful Dead, The Band, The Doors and many others I’m sure.
in bands when he was in high school but nothing ever serious. Music was very big in my house growing up, my
mother always had the radio on while cooking and cleaning and my dad saw a
bunch of good bands in the 60’s and 70’s including The Velvet Underground,
Grateful Dead, The Band, The Doors and many others I’m sure.
Whitney: Music wasn’t
a real big deal in our house, but my Dad would listen to the local classic rock
radio station a lot at home and in the car.
a real big deal in our house, but my Dad would listen to the local classic rock
radio station a lot at home and in the car.
What was your
first real exposure to music?
first real exposure to music?
Chad: The first
record I can remember myself playing repeatedly was the soundtrack to Star Wars
when I was about four or five, I guess.
record I can remember myself playing repeatedly was the soundtrack to Star Wars
when I was about four or five, I guess.
Vinnie: I remember
being really into “Dude Looks Like A Lady” by Aerosmith as a child.
being really into “Dude Looks Like A Lady” by Aerosmith as a child.
Whitney: One of my
earliest memories is going through my parent’s small record collection and
asking my mom to play Michael Jackson’s record, Thriller over and over again
for me. And also staring at Bruce
Springsteen’s butt on the cover of Born in the U.S.A.
earliest memories is going through my parent’s small record collection and
asking my mom to play Michael Jackson’s record, Thriller over and over again
for me. And also staring at Bruce
Springsteen’s butt on the cover of Born in the U.S.A.
If you had to pick
one defining moment of music in your life that changed everything and opened
the doors to all of the infinite possibilities that music can offer, what would
it be?
one defining moment of music in your life that changed everything and opened
the doors to all of the infinite possibilities that music can offer, what would
it be?
Chad: I heard “Beat
On The Brat” on the radio when was fourteen or so and went, “Whoa!”
On The Brat” on the radio when was fourteen or so and went, “Whoa!”
Vinnie: I was hanging
in my friend’s garage one evening smoking pot and drinking 40s, and my friend
at the time, Jon Scott, brought in this tape he had dubbed off his brother and
we listened to it about thirty times in a row.
It was Minor Threat’s discography.
Later that night when we were done hanging out I broke into the garage
and stole the tape. The riff of “Small
Man Big Mouth” was one of the first times I ever realized how angry I was at
the world for no apparent reason.
in my friend’s garage one evening smoking pot and drinking 40s, and my friend
at the time, Jon Scott, brought in this tape he had dubbed off his brother and
we listened to it about thirty times in a row.
It was Minor Threat’s discography.
Later that night when we were done hanging out I broke into the garage
and stole the tape. The riff of “Small
Man Big Mouth” was one of the first times I ever realized how angry I was at
the world for no apparent reason.
When and why did
you decide that you wanted to start writing your own music?
you decide that you wanted to start writing your own music?
Chad: From the very
beginning, playing in bands for me has been about writing my own songs. Never played many covers.
beginning, playing in bands for me has been about writing my own songs. Never played many covers.
When and how did
you all originally meet?
you all originally meet?
Chad: We’ve all known
each other for a few years now. All
prior to forming the band, but we’ve definitely gotten to know each other
better doing this.
each other for a few years now. All
prior to forming the band, but we’ve definitely gotten to know each other
better doing this.
Vinnie: When I first
moved here Troy and I shared a room together for a couple months. That’s when I learned how heavy of a sleeper
I am, as I never heard him screwing once.
moved here Troy and I shared a room together for a couple months. That’s when I learned how heavy of a sleeper
I am, as I never heard him screwing once.
Whitney: Pretty sure
we all met around four years ago.
we all met around four years ago.
What led to the
formation of Life Stinks and when exactly was that?
formation of Life Stinks and when exactly was that?
Whitney: One drunken
night Eric, our original drummer, and I got to talking about how we should
start a band together. He had never
played drums before and I’d never played bass.
When we told Chad about our idea he agreed to sing vocals, but suggested
that we get someone else to play guitar.
Eric and Troy were roommates at the time, and Eric had overheard Troy
wanking away on the guitar in his room.
Troy had never played guitar in a band before, so it was a perfect
fit. Three people who had no idea what they
were doing and Chad singing over the sloppy chaos. The band first started in late 2011.
night Eric, our original drummer, and I got to talking about how we should
start a band together. He had never
played drums before and I’d never played bass.
When we told Chad about our idea he agreed to sing vocals, but suggested
that we get someone else to play guitar.
Eric and Troy were roommates at the time, and Eric had overheard Troy
wanking away on the guitar in his room.
Troy had never played guitar in a band before, so it was a perfect
fit. Three people who had no idea what they
were doing and Chad singing over the sloppy chaos. The band first started in late 2011.
Is there any
shared creed, code, ideal or mantra that the band lives by?
shared creed, code, ideal or mantra that the band lives by?
Chad: Life stinks.
Vinnie: “When you
ain’t got nothin’, you ain’t got nothin’ to lose.”
ain’t got nothin’, you ain’t got nothin’ to lose.”
Whitney: Do we have
enough beer, or should we buy a couple of tall cans?
enough beer, or should we buy a couple of tall cans?
It would seem
apparent what the sentiments of your name would imply but I’m curious why Life
Stinks means or refers to from your perspective? Who came up with the name and how did you go
about choosing it?
apparent what the sentiments of your name would imply but I’m curious why Life
Stinks means or refers to from your perspective? Who came up with the name and how did you go
about choosing it?
Chad: I came up with
it. It’s the truth. Anyone who hears the name and goes, “pffft’”
or “well, if you think life stinks so much why don’t you do something to fix
it, or kill yourself?” is obviously not going to get this band and’s most
likely someone I do not want to know.
it. It’s the truth. Anyone who hears the name and goes, “pffft’”
or “well, if you think life stinks so much why don’t you do something to fix
it, or kill yourself?” is obviously not going to get this band and’s most
likely someone I do not want to know.
Whitney: We had been
throwing around some other horrible band names before Chad came up with Life
Stinks. We were about to play our first
show and still hadn’t really decided on a name, so we went with the best one we
could come up with. Glad we ended up
with it.
throwing around some other horrible band names before Chad came up with Life
Stinks. We were about to play our first
show and still hadn’t really decided on a name, so we went with the best one we
could come up with. Glad we ended up
with it.
Where are you all
located at these days?
located at these days?
Chad: We’re based in
San Francisco.
San Francisco.
How would you
describe the local music scene where you’re located at these days?
describe the local music scene where you’re located at these days?
Chad: There’s a
little less going on right now. The cost
of living and tech thing is taking its toll on bands since most people in bands
are poor. As far as music goes, like
anywhere else, I would say that there are a few good bands here, and a lot more
shitty ones.
little less going on right now. The cost
of living and tech thing is taking its toll on bands since most people in bands
are poor. As far as music goes, like
anywhere else, I would say that there are a few good bands here, and a lot more
shitty ones.
Vinnie: I don’t think
much about it. I have friends who play
in bands and I’ll go and support them but there isn’t much going on
otherwise. People who don’t live here
think it’s this big garage party, and that Thee Oh Sees and Ty Segall are at
every show partying it up, but truth be told it’s nothing like that at
all. As long as I’ve lived here I’ve
always thought the San Francisco scene was pretty mild.
much about it. I have friends who play
in bands and I’ll go and support them but there isn’t much going on
otherwise. People who don’t live here
think it’s this big garage party, and that Thee Oh Sees and Ty Segall are at
every show partying it up, but truth be told it’s nothing like that at
all. As long as I’ve lived here I’ve
always thought the San Francisco scene was pretty mild.
Whitney: San
Francisco is definitely in the middle of a dry spell as far as music goes. Hopefully some more good bands pop up, we
need more people to play shows with.
Francisco is definitely in the middle of a dry spell as far as music goes. Hopefully some more good bands pop up, we
need more people to play shows with.
Are you very
involved in the local music scene? Do
you book or attend a lot of local shows?
Do you help to record and or release and local music? If so can you tell us a little bit about
that?
involved in the local music scene? Do
you book or attend a lot of local shows?
Do you help to record and or release and local music? If so can you tell us a little bit about
that?
Vinnie: I’ve booked
some of our shows, I’ll go see Bronze or Swiftumz if they’re playing and I
don’t have work the next morning, and I can walk home afterwards.
some of our shows, I’ll go see Bronze or Swiftumz if they’re playing and I
don’t have work the next morning, and I can walk home afterwards.
Do you feel like
the local scene has played a large or important role in the history or the way
that Life Stinks sounds? Or do you think
you all could be doing what you’re doing and sound the way that you do
regardless of you location or surroundings?
the local scene has played a large or important role in the history or the way
that Life Stinks sounds? Or do you think
you all could be doing what you’re doing and sound the way that you do
regardless of you location or surroundings?
Chad: I don’t think
anything that’s gone on here in the last ten years has had anything to do with
what we’re doing as far as the type of band we decided to work on. Then again, maybe it’s been a reaction
against what’s been going on, but with the same people involved this band
could’ve happened in any city. We aren’t
a part of any type of musical trend happening here.
anything that’s gone on here in the last ten years has had anything to do with
what we’re doing as far as the type of band we decided to work on. Then again, maybe it’s been a reaction
against what’s been going on, but with the same people involved this band
could’ve happened in any city. We aren’t
a part of any type of musical trend happening here.
Vinnie: I think being
from San Francisco’s good for us because it separates us from the pack a little
bit. Although this new “angry San
Francisco” band tag is getting thrown around, no one else in town really sounds
like us. Whereas in other cities in
America, more bands are going for the same vibe we are and probably just not
hitting the mark as well.
from San Francisco’s good for us because it separates us from the pack a little
bit. Although this new “angry San
Francisco” band tag is getting thrown around, no one else in town really sounds
like us. Whereas in other cities in
America, more bands are going for the same vibe we are and probably just not
hitting the mark as well.
Whitney: Our music
sounds the way it does because that’s the only way we could play, especially in
the beginning since the three of us playing instruments didn’t technically know
how to play them.
sounds the way it does because that’s the only way we could play, especially in
the beginning since the three of us playing instruments didn’t technically know
how to play them.
The one part of my
job with Psychedelic Baby that I just don’t think I’m any good at is describing
how a band sounds. I just end up coming
up with these bizarre and ultimately confusing statements that don’t always
make a lot of sense. Rather than me
making some awkward attempt at describing your sound, how would you describe
yourselves to our readers who might not have heard Life Stinks yet?
job with Psychedelic Baby that I just don’t think I’m any good at is describing
how a band sounds. I just end up coming
up with these bizarre and ultimately confusing statements that don’t always
make a lot of sense. Rather than me
making some awkward attempt at describing your sound, how would you describe
yourselves to our readers who might not have heard Life Stinks yet?
Chad: We’re a punk
band.
band.
Vinnie: I’ve always
considered us a guitar band.
considered us a guitar band.
You guys have a
really interesting sound that kind of transcends a lot of different genres and
I think the more you pay attention to the music the more that you can hear
kicking around in there. I’m curious who
you would cite as your major musical influences? What about major influences on the bands as
whole rather than individually?
really interesting sound that kind of transcends a lot of different genres and
I think the more you pay attention to the music the more that you can hear
kicking around in there. I’m curious who
you would cite as your major musical influences? What about major influences on the bands as
whole rather than individually?
Chad: We got together
with an idea of what our limitations were and combined that with some of our
musical tastes to try to come up with a sound that we could achieve. So we were using stuff like The Germs, The
Stooges, Flipper, early Cleveland punk bands as a jumping off point. Not that any of that stuff is necessarily
“easy” to play music, but with what we could do technically, we thought we
could hit upon some of the vibes those bands put out. Everyone has a pretty wide variety of tastes
so that all naturally makes it’s way into the sound of the band.
with an idea of what our limitations were and combined that with some of our
musical tastes to try to come up with a sound that we could achieve. So we were using stuff like The Germs, The
Stooges, Flipper, early Cleveland punk bands as a jumping off point. Not that any of that stuff is necessarily
“easy” to play music, but with what we could do technically, we thought we
could hit upon some of the vibes those bands put out. Everyone has a pretty wide variety of tastes
so that all naturally makes it’s way into the sound of the band.
Vinnie: Although we
all argue about music a lot our common ground certainly reflects our output,
which would be The Velvet Underground, The Stooges, Flipper, The Germs, The
Mirrors and Electric Eels.
all argue about music a lot our common ground certainly reflects our output,
which would be The Velvet Underground, The Stooges, Flipper, The Germs, The
Mirrors and Electric Eels.
Can you tell us a
little bit about the songwriting process with Life Stinks? Is there someone who comes to the rest of the
band with a riff or more finished idea to work out and compose with the rest of
the band or is there a lot of jamming and exchange of ideas that you all work
together and kind of distill into a song?
little bit about the songwriting process with Life Stinks? Is there someone who comes to the rest of the
band with a riff or more finished idea to work out and compose with the rest of
the band or is there a lot of jamming and exchange of ideas that you all work
together and kind of distill into a song?
Chad: Different songs
have happened in different ways. A
couple songs I brought pretty much completed.
Some songs Troy had a part, and some Whitney did. The best ones, I think, came out of sticking
with a part we liked and just riding that riff for a couple hours and molding a
song out of it by grooving and being patient with it.
have happened in different ways. A
couple songs I brought pretty much completed.
Some songs Troy had a part, and some Whitney did. The best ones, I think, came out of sticking
with a part we liked and just riding that riff for a couple hours and molding a
song out of it by grooving and being patient with it.
What about
recording? Do you enjoy recording? I know that there’s not a lot in the world
that can beat holding an album in your hands knowing that it’s your and that no
one can ever take that away from you.
Getting to that point though, getting everything recorded and mixed, especially
when it comes to doing all of that with an entire band can be a little bit
stressful to say the least. How is it in
the studio for you all?
recording? Do you enjoy recording? I know that there’s not a lot in the world
that can beat holding an album in your hands knowing that it’s your and that no
one can ever take that away from you.
Getting to that point though, getting everything recorded and mixed, especially
when it comes to doing all of that with an entire band can be a little bit
stressful to say the least. How is it in
the studio for you all?
Chad: We haven’t
spent a lot of time recording as a band up to this point, but the process with
this band has been the most enjoyable for me compared to any other band I’ve
recorded with.
spent a lot of time recording as a band up to this point, but the process with
this band has been the most enjoyable for me compared to any other band I’ve
recorded with.
Vinnie: The two
recording sessions I’ve been involved with in Life Stinks have been very
easygoing, almost makes me wish we recorded more often.
recording sessions I’ve been involved with in Life Stinks have been very
easygoing, almost makes me wish we recorded more often.
Whitney: Yeah,
recording is pretty mellow for us.
Haven’t run into any stressful situations yet.
recording is pretty mellow for us.
Haven’t run into any stressful situations yet.
Does Life Stinks
utilize studio environments when your’ recording or is it a DIY prospect where
you things more on your own?
utilize studio environments when your’ recording or is it a DIY prospect where
you things more on your own?
Chad: We did the
first single on Justin’s 4-track ourselves.
The LP was done at Kelley Stoltz’s studio, and the next single we
recorded ourselves on an 8-track reel-to-reel.
first single on Justin’s 4-track ourselves.
The LP was done at Kelley Stoltz’s studio, and the next single we
recorded ourselves on an 8-track reel-to-reel.
Do you all do a
lot of prep work before you record getting arrangement and compositions
sounding just the way that you want them and stuff? Or is the recording process more of an
organic process where things have some breathing room and change a little bit?
lot of prep work before you record getting arrangement and compositions
sounding just the way that you want them and stuff? Or is the recording process more of an
organic process where things have some breathing room and change a little bit?
Chad: We try to get
the songs figured out beforehand so that recording is just that; going in there
and playing the songs how we know and getting the best take we can before
people get tired of playing it and the performance starts deteriorating. We did do a little bit of studio jamming on
the LP though.
the songs figured out beforehand so that recording is just that; going in there
and playing the songs how we know and getting the best take we can before
people get tired of playing it and the performance starts deteriorating. We did do a little bit of studio jamming on
the LP though.
Vinnie: I feel like,
at least for this next single, we were inspired a lot after recording the basic
tracks and had a good brainstorming session of what needed to be added and what
didn’t.
at least for this next single, we were inspired a lot after recording the basic
tracks and had a good brainstorming session of what needed to be added and what
didn’t.
Let’s talk a
little bit about your back catalog, the first release that I know of was the
Shadow On The Wall 7” on Total Punk Records.
Can you share some of your memories of recording that first
material? When and where was it
recorded? Who recorded it? What kind of equipment was used?
little bit about your back catalog, the first release that I know of was the
Shadow On The Wall 7” on Total Punk Records.
Can you share some of your memories of recording that first
material? When and where was it
recorded? Who recorded it? What kind of equipment was used?
Chad: As I said, the
first single was done at our rehearsal space on a 4-track. Justin did most of the recording. We did that one real quick. Troy was leaving to go to New York for a
while, so we got that one done right beforehand. He laid down his guitar the morning after our
last show before he left. We’d been up all
night getting wasted. I love his guitar
solo on “Shadow On The Wall”. It’s
pretty fucked up.
first single was done at our rehearsal space on a 4-track. Justin did most of the recording. We did that one real quick. Troy was leaving to go to New York for a
while, so we got that one done right beforehand. He laid down his guitar the morning after our
last show before he left. We’d been up all
night getting wasted. I love his guitar
solo on “Shadow On The Wall”. It’s
pretty fucked up.
Whitney: I’m pretty
sure we recorded that 7″ in late November of 2012.
sure we recorded that 7″ in late November of 2012.
You followed up
the Shadow On The Wall single with the recent Life Stinks full-length on S-S
Records this past year (2013). Was the
recording of the material for that very similar to the session(s) for your
earlier single? Was that a fun,
pleasurable experience for you all? What
can our readers expect from the Self-Titled full-length? When was that material recorded? Where was it recorded and who recorded
it? What kind of equipment was used?
the Shadow On The Wall single with the recent Life Stinks full-length on S-S
Records this past year (2013). Was the
recording of the material for that very similar to the session(s) for your
earlier single? Was that a fun,
pleasurable experience for you all? What
can our readers expect from the Self-Titled full-length? When was that material recorded? Where was it recorded and who recorded
it? What kind of equipment was used?
Chad: This was pretty
different from recording the single. We
were lucky enough to be able to record at Kelley Stoltz’s home-studio with him
and Mikey Young. We did the whole thing
in two days, basically went in and played live.
It was a good time. Those guys
were easy to work with and fun to be around.
Cool fact: Troy played on an amp that used to belong to James
Williamson.
different from recording the single. We
were lucky enough to be able to record at Kelley Stoltz’s home-studio with him
and Mikey Young. We did the whole thing
in two days, basically went in and played live.
It was a good time. Those guys
were easy to work with and fun to be around.
Cool fact: Troy played on an amp that used to belong to James
Williamson.
Vinnie: We recorded
the LP on June 13th, 2013 after Total Control was done with tour and Mikey had
about a week to hang in San Francisco.
Before he came out here, I sent him some live recordings we had done and
asked if he’d be interested in recording our full-length when he was out here,
and he liked the stuff and agreed to do it.
Mikey and Kelley are very professional about this whole thing, so I kind
of felt bad that one of us didn’t even take off work for it, but luckily they
had everything ready and we were very well rehearsed and played everything live
and got through all the tracking in a couple hours. It was recorded on Kelley’s Tascam 388 which
can be credited as the pioneer of the “San Francisco Sound” as no one in town
really had one of them until Kelley did.
We used multiple Elvis looking mics and Mikey had the good idea of
recording the drums facing each other with one shared kick mic. I think we got a great room sound out of it
and the whole record sounds great. Like
“Sister Ray” before it, I don’t know if we’ll ever play a better “My My My”
than the one that is featured on the LP.
Good thing the tape was rolling, I guess.
the LP on June 13th, 2013 after Total Control was done with tour and Mikey had
about a week to hang in San Francisco.
Before he came out here, I sent him some live recordings we had done and
asked if he’d be interested in recording our full-length when he was out here,
and he liked the stuff and agreed to do it.
Mikey and Kelley are very professional about this whole thing, so I kind
of felt bad that one of us didn’t even take off work for it, but luckily they
had everything ready and we were very well rehearsed and played everything live
and got through all the tracking in a couple hours. It was recorded on Kelley’s Tascam 388 which
can be credited as the pioneer of the “San Francisco Sound” as no one in town
really had one of them until Kelley did.
We used multiple Elvis looking mics and Mikey had the good idea of
recording the drums facing each other with one shared kick mic. I think we got a great room sound out of it
and the whole record sounds great. Like
“Sister Ray” before it, I don’t know if we’ll ever play a better “My My My”
than the one that is featured on the LP.
Good thing the tape was rolling, I guess.
Whitney: One of my
favorite parts of recording the LP was watching Kelly play a huge metal sheet
of flattened Campbell soup cans and rhythmically spraying a Dust Off can during
the song “Drag You”.
favorite parts of recording the LP was watching Kelly play a huge metal sheet
of flattened Campbell soup cans and rhythmically spraying a Dust Off can during
the song “Drag You”.
Does Life Stinks
have any music that we haven’t talked to yet, maybe a single or a song on a
comp that I missed?
have any music that we haven’t talked to yet, maybe a single or a song on a
comp that I missed?
Chad: We’re working
on the next single now.
on the next single now.
Whitney: We did record
once before we recorded the first single.
It was with the original lineup, with Eric on drums and Justin actually
recorded that stuff too. Not sure where
that’s disappeared to though.
once before we recorded the first single.
It was with the original lineup, with Eric on drums and Justin actually
recorded that stuff too. Not sure where
that’s disappeared to though.
Where’s the best
place for your US readers to pick up copies of your music?
place for your US readers to pick up copies of your music?
With the
completely mad international postage rate increases this last year I try to
provide our readers with as many possible options for picking up import
releases as I can. Where’s the best
place for our international and overseas readers to pick up your music?
completely mad international postage rate increases this last year I try to
provide our readers with as many possible options for picking up import
releases as I can. Where’s the best
place for our international and overseas readers to pick up your music?
Vinnie: Couldn’t tell
you.
you.
And where’s the
best place for fans to keep up on the latest news like upcoming shows and album
releases at?
best place for fans to keep up on the latest news like upcoming shows and album
releases at?
Chad: It would have
to be Facebook right now.
to be Facebook right now.
Vinnie: Don’t we have
a tumblr?
a tumblr?
Do you remember
what the first song that Life Stinks ever played was? Where and when was that?
what the first song that Life Stinks ever played was? Where and when was that?
Chad: First song we
came up with was “Creepazoid”. It almost
made the album, but looks like it’s been lost to the scrap heap. I came up with the progression and Daggerman
came up with the first line, “You’re a fast talking faggot, but you’re starting
to slip…” and we took it from there.
Still think it’s a cool song.
came up with was “Creepazoid”. It almost
made the album, but looks like it’s been lost to the scrap heap. I came up with the progression and Daggerman
came up with the first line, “You’re a fast talking faggot, but you’re starting
to slip…” and we took it from there.
Still think it’s a cool song.
Whitney: Yup, it was
“Creepazoid”. I think we first
got that song together sometime in January of 2012.
“Creepazoid”. I think we first
got that song together sometime in January of 2012.
What, if anything,
do you all have planned as far as touring goes for 2014 so far?
do you all have planned as far as touring goes for 2014 so far?
Chad: We’re going to
get on the road for a bit, but there’s nothing planned as of yet. It’s going to happen though.
get on the road for a bit, but there’s nothing planned as of yet. It’s going to happen though.
Do you all do a
lot of touring? Do you enjoy life on the
road? What’s it like being out on tour
with Life Stinks?
lot of touring? Do you enjoy life on the
road? What’s it like being out on tour
with Life Stinks?
Chad: We haven’t done
a tour yet. Went to SXSW, and did a
couple short trips to Portland and Seattle, one of them with UV Race. I had a good time. We all get along pretty well. One of my favorite interactions: Justin
(referring to Troy and Vinnie): “I’m going to kill these motherfuckers in their
sleep.” Chad: “Which one should I kill
first?” Me: “The one that you think is
gonna make the least amount of noise.”
Vinnie: “Well, you better kill me last ‘cause I’m going to squeal like a
stuck pig.”
a tour yet. Went to SXSW, and did a
couple short trips to Portland and Seattle, one of them with UV Race. I had a good time. We all get along pretty well. One of my favorite interactions: Justin
(referring to Troy and Vinnie): “I’m going to kill these motherfuckers in their
sleep.” Chad: “Which one should I kill
first?” Me: “The one that you think is
gonna make the least amount of noise.”
Vinnie: “Well, you better kill me last ‘cause I’m going to squeal like a
stuck pig.”
Vinnie: I love going
out of town as I don’t drive, so I just get to sit back and smoke weed. On our trip with UV Race I got the drunkest I
did the entire weekend in the van from Seattle or San Francisco. I got a six-pack every time we stopped.
out of town as I don’t drive, so I just get to sit back and smoke weed. On our trip with UV Race I got the drunkest I
did the entire weekend in the van from Seattle or San Francisco. I got a six-pack every time we stopped.
Whitney: The small
trips we’ve done have always been fun, lots of talking shit about each other,
to each other. Favorite moments on the
road so far would have to be when Chad almost killed us all driving like a
maniac in the rain because he had to take a shit so bad, and listening to
Justin and Vinnie prank call multiple Applebee’s inquiring about the source of
their Ribblets.
trips we’ve done have always been fun, lots of talking shit about each other,
to each other. Favorite moments on the
road so far would have to be when Chad almost killed us all driving like a
maniac in the rain because he had to take a shit so bad, and listening to
Justin and Vinnie prank call multiple Applebee’s inquiring about the source of
their Ribblets.
Who are some of
your personal favorite bands that you all have had a chance to share a bill
with so far?
your personal favorite bands that you all have had a chance to share a bill
with so far?
Vinnie: UV Race,
Bronze, Swiftumz.
Bronze, Swiftumz.
Do you have any
funny or interesting stories from live shows or performances that you’d like to
share with our readers here?
funny or interesting stories from live shows or performances that you’d like to
share with our readers here?
© Rick Ele
Chad: I pissed off
one guy in Austin when I tossed a beer glass into the air and swung the
microphone at it. He came up and grabbed
me because I smashed it in the direction of his girlfriend. The thing is, it took me three tries to hit
it, so she had more than enough time to move.
one guy in Austin when I tossed a beer glass into the air and swung the
microphone at it. He came up and grabbed
me because I smashed it in the direction of his girlfriend. The thing is, it took me three tries to hit
it, so she had more than enough time to move.
Vinnie: At our last
show I did speed in the afternoon, then found a beret in my room that a girl
left there the night before and decided I was going to wear it. I blacked out before I even got to the
show. The next morning I texted Whitney
asking how we played and she said, “Pretty good”.
show I did speed in the afternoon, then found a beret in my room that a girl
left there the night before and decided I was going to wear it. I blacked out before I even got to the
show. The next morning I texted Whitney
asking how we played and she said, “Pretty good”.
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© Ruby Perez
Whitney: Chad picking
up a stack of baseball cards that Vinnie had found on the street earlier that
day, and throwing them into the crowd thinking that they would disburse, but
ended up hitting one of the only people in the room square in the forehead,
whipping his head back. Ouch! Sorry dude.
up a stack of baseball cards that Vinnie had found on the street earlier that
day, and throwing them into the crowd thinking that they would disburse, but
ended up hitting one of the only people in the room square in the forehead,
whipping his head back. Ouch! Sorry dude.
Do you all give a
lot, or any for that matter, thought to the artwork that represents the band
like flyers, posters and artwork? Do you
have a go to artist for your stuff? If
so how did you originally get hooked up with them?
lot, or any for that matter, thought to the artwork that represents the band
like flyers, posters and artwork? Do you
have a go to artist for your stuff? If
so how did you originally get hooked up with them?
Chad: We haven’t
spent a lot of quality time with the art yet.
Troy put the cover for the single together, and I picked out that comic
panel that’s on the cover of the LP.
Scott Soriano, Vinnie, and I put the back cover together with the help
of Mark Murmann who took the photo. I’d
like for us to work on art ideas as a band a little more in the future.
spent a lot of quality time with the art yet.
Troy put the cover for the single together, and I picked out that comic
panel that’s on the cover of the LP.
Scott Soriano, Vinnie, and I put the back cover together with the help
of Mark Murmann who took the photo. I’d
like for us to work on art ideas as a band a little more in the future.
With all of the
various mediums that are available to artists today I’m always curious why they
choose and prefer the various mediums that they do. Do you have a preferred medium of release for
your own music? What about when you’re
listening to and or purchasing music? If
so, why?
various mediums that are available to artists today I’m always curious why they
choose and prefer the various mediums that they do. Do you have a preferred medium of release for
your own music? What about when you’re
listening to and or purchasing music? If
so, why?
Chad: Vinyl. It’s the only format that people who care
about owning a physical copy of the music will want to purchase. We have done tapes though, and SS printed up
some CDs too.
about owning a physical copy of the music will want to purchase. We have done tapes though, and SS printed up
some CDs too.
Whitney: I can’t
remember the last time I bought anything that wasn’t a record or a tape.
remember the last time I bought anything that wasn’t a record or a tape.
Do you have a
music collection at all? If so can you
tell us a little bit about it?
music collection at all? If so can you
tell us a little bit about it?
Chad: I’ve got a
modest collection of records that grows slowly, month to month.
modest collection of records that grows slowly, month to month.
Vinnie: The majority
of my records haven’t been with me in years.
What I have here is pretty much what I’ve bought since moving to San
Francisco. I haven’t been buying
anything recently however.
of my records haven’t been with me in years.
What I have here is pretty much what I’ve bought since moving to San
Francisco. I haven’t been buying
anything recently however.
Whitney: Yes, I’ve been
collecting records since high school.
collecting records since high school.
I grew up around a
pretty big collection of music and I was encouraged from a young age to listen
to anything that I wanted. There was
always something magical about wandering up to the seemingly endless shelves of
music and pulling something off at random, sticking it into the player, reading
the liner notes, staring at the artwork and letting the music transport me off
to another dimension. Having something
physical to hold in my hands, something experience along with the music always
made for a more complete listening experience for me. Do you have any such connection with
physically released music?
pretty big collection of music and I was encouraged from a young age to listen
to anything that I wanted. There was
always something magical about wandering up to the seemingly endless shelves of
music and pulling something off at random, sticking it into the player, reading
the liner notes, staring at the artwork and letting the music transport me off
to another dimension. Having something
physical to hold in my hands, something experience along with the music always
made for a more complete listening experience for me. Do you have any such connection with
physically released music?
Chad: Oh, yeah. I’ve done the same thing over the years. I like having things. I don’t really listen to a lot of music
unless I have it on record. I miss out
on a lot of things because I just won’t click on it to hear it, I’ll wait ‘til
I can get a copy for myself.
unless I have it on record. I miss out
on a lot of things because I just won’t click on it to hear it, I’ll wait ‘til
I can get a copy for myself.
Whitney: It just
isn’t the same experience if you don’t have the actual album in front of you.
isn’t the same experience if you don’t have the actual album in front of you.
As much as I love
my music collection there’s always been one major problem for me,
portability. Even with the advent of CDs
and cassettes I couldn’t really take enough stuff with me on the go to keep me
happy on road trips and stuff. Digital music
has all but eliminated that problem overnight and when teamed with the internet
has proven to be a real game changer. It
seems to be levelling the playing field somewhat for independent artists
willing to promote and maintain an online presence and exposing people to a
world of music that they otherwise would have been completely blind to. On the other hand illegal downloading is
running rampant these days and the face of the music industry as most of us
knew it in the past is rapidly changing to say the least. As an artist during the reign of the digital
era what’s your opinion on digital music and distribution?
my music collection there’s always been one major problem for me,
portability. Even with the advent of CDs
and cassettes I couldn’t really take enough stuff with me on the go to keep me
happy on road trips and stuff. Digital music
has all but eliminated that problem overnight and when teamed with the internet
has proven to be a real game changer. It
seems to be levelling the playing field somewhat for independent artists
willing to promote and maintain an online presence and exposing people to a
world of music that they otherwise would have been completely blind to. On the other hand illegal downloading is
running rampant these days and the face of the music industry as most of us
knew it in the past is rapidly changing to say the least. As an artist during the reign of the digital
era what’s your opinion on digital music and distribution?
Chad: I really
haven’t paid much attention. As far as
it killing off the record industry, I don’t think it was a big loss. I’ve never made money off of music so it’s
never been an issue with me. A digital
copy of a song is worthless to me. Not
as far as the music goes, but as far as the product. If someone wants the record, they have to buy
it. But if they want to go download a
digital file they can have it. But then,
if someone is going to make money off of these things it should be the band,
I’ll have to start playing a little more attention I suppose.
haven’t paid much attention. As far as
it killing off the record industry, I don’t think it was a big loss. I’ve never made money off of music so it’s
never been an issue with me. A digital
copy of a song is worthless to me. Not
as far as the music goes, but as far as the product. If someone wants the record, they have to buy
it. But if they want to go download a
digital file they can have it. But then,
if someone is going to make money off of these things it should be the band,
I’ll have to start playing a little more attention I suppose.
Vinnie: I’m fine with
digital copies of music. I have two
iPods full of music. One with music and
the other just with Grateful Dead live sets on it. I only hate this set-up when something goes
wrong and I have no idea what to do since I don’t know shit about
computers. When I’m at home I prefer to
listen to records, but a lot of the music I listen to is only available to me
digitally, so there’s nothing else I can do.
As far as ripping off artists, that also has no bearing on me as I’ve
been a fan of bootleg records since I was a teenager. I think it would be awesome if someone came
to one of our shows, recorded it and released it, as long as it sounded good.
digital copies of music. I have two
iPods full of music. One with music and
the other just with Grateful Dead live sets on it. I only hate this set-up when something goes
wrong and I have no idea what to do since I don’t know shit about
computers. When I’m at home I prefer to
listen to records, but a lot of the music I listen to is only available to me
digitally, so there’s nothing else I can do.
As far as ripping off artists, that also has no bearing on me as I’ve
been a fan of bootleg records since I was a teenager. I think it would be awesome if someone came
to one of our shows, recorded it and released it, as long as it sounded good.
I try to keep up
with as much good music as I possibly can and with so much amazing stuff being
so readily available these days it would seem like that would be a relatively
attainable goal but I’m slowly losing my mind trying to keep up with the
constant flood of amazing music out there!
I ask everyone I talk to this question in hopes of keep up with at least
one-percent of the amazing stuff that’s out there right now. Is there anyone from your local scene or area
that I might not have heard of before?
with as much good music as I possibly can and with so much amazing stuff being
so readily available these days it would seem like that would be a relatively
attainable goal but I’m slowly losing my mind trying to keep up with the
constant flood of amazing music out there!
I ask everyone I talk to this question in hopes of keep up with at least
one-percent of the amazing stuff that’s out there right now. Is there anyone from your local scene or area
that I might not have heard of before?
Vinnie: Not
much. As I’ve already mentioned in this
interview I like Bronze, Swiftumz, my roommate Matt’s band is pretty cool;
Violent Change. And Justin’s other band
CCR Headcleaner is good.
much. As I’ve already mentioned in this
interview I like Bronze, Swiftumz, my roommate Matt’s band is pretty cool;
Violent Change. And Justin’s other band
CCR Headcleaner is good.
What about
nationally and internationally?
nationally and internationally?
Vinnie: Total Control
and East Link from Melbourne, Australia.
Illegals from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Home Blitz from Princeton, New
Jersey and Blues Control from Allentown, Pennsylvania.
and East Link from Melbourne, Australia.
Illegals from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Home Blitz from Princeton, New
Jersey and Blues Control from Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Thanks so much for
taking the time to finish this, I know my interviews aren’t short but I hope it
was at least cool to look back on everything that you’ve managed to accomplish
and get done in the last few years.
Before we sign off, is there anything that I might have missed or that
you’d like to discuss with me or talk to our readers about?
taking the time to finish this, I know my interviews aren’t short but I hope it
was at least cool to look back on everything that you’ve managed to accomplish
and get done in the last few years.
Before we sign off, is there anything that I might have missed or that
you’d like to discuss with me or talk to our readers about?
Chad: We’ll have a
single coming out soon, hopefully another LP, and we’ll get a tour or two in
before the years done. Thanks.
single coming out soon, hopefully another LP, and we’ll get a tour or two in
before the years done. Thanks.
Vinnie: Very stoked
on the new single and new songs, some of our best yet! Sad to be leaving the band for personal
reasons, but hope it isn’t the last time we play together as that has resulted
in most of my favorite times living in San Francisco.
on the new single and new songs, some of our best yet! Sad to be leaving the band for personal
reasons, but hope it isn’t the last time we play together as that has resulted
in most of my favorite times living in San Francisco.
Whitney: We’re
planning on making it out to the East Coast finally this year, so keep an eye
out for that!
planning on making it out to the East Coast finally this year, so keep an eye
out for that!
© Monique R
DISCOGRAPHY
(2013) Life Stinks –
Shadow On The Wall – 7” – Total Punk Records
Shadow On The Wall – 7” – Total Punk Records
(2013) Life Stinks –
Life Stinks – digital, CD, 12” – S-S Records
Life Stinks – digital, CD, 12” – S-S Records
Interview made by Roman Rathert/2014
© Copyright http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2014
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