Older But Bolder: Questions & Answers, Pt. 3

Older But Bolder: Questions & Answers, Pt. 3

January 27, 2012 · by jzoerner · in ,

In lieu of me having a busy week, I’ve taken questions and answered them. If you want me to write about something, leave a comment below or tell me on Facebook, and I will do so to the best of my ability. Anyway, here goes nothing.

 

Q. Do you like the Beatles?

A. I like a few songs from the Across the Universe soundtrack, only.

Q. Thoughts on Refused and At The Drive-In getting back together?

A. I don’t like Refused, especially after that documentary where they basically proved to the punk community that they were unbearable divas. Sure, you can wank to The Shape of Punk to Come all you want but those leaps and bound would’ve been taken with or without Refused being the band to do it.  I like At The Drive-In and its derivative bands (The Mars Volta & Sparta) a fair amount. They hold my attention more than the bands that they branched off into. But it’s weird,  I wonder if those bands are revisiting a time in their musical careers that was more successful as a means to feel relevant.

Similarly, if there were not monetary reasons to do these reunions, I doubt they’d have happened. Coachcella? Alright. If it wasn’t for the money and it was for the music they could’ve played in a basement somewhere. It’s sort of funny to me that kids and adults everywhere are lining up to pay off this bands’ bills and give them money to live off of again. I think a lot of people share that opinion (but I don’t care if you agree or not).

Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed) eerily said it best via Twitter, “Refused’s reunion press statement should’ve said Cash Rules Everything Around Me.”

Q. How do you feel about Ceremony’s new single “Hysteria”?

A. I like it a lot. People have said, “It isn’t the same Ceremony that made Violence, Violence.” That’s an ignorant statement, because I assure you they are they same people. They’re just making the musical progression they want to make as a band and that should be respected. Also, who are the fans to say “This doesn’t sound like Ceremony”? That’s equally just as ignorant of a statement. The audience and fans don’t decide what a band sounds like- the band does.

Q. Vinyl or digital or CD or tape format?

A. Digital, all the way.

Q. Thoughts on Coheed and Cambria?

A. They’re an interesting anomaly of a band. They start off fairly post-hardcore/progressive and then move into Rush-esque classic rock worship-territory. I like most of their catalogue sans Year of the Black Rainbow. The lore behind the music is cool & Claudio has since made comic books about the albums’ subject matter. I can appreciate a man with a vision beyond on specific medium of art and that man’s willingness to go through with building his world. Is it a cash ploy? Maybe…  probably. I’ve always seen Claudio as a guy on par with a bizarro George Lucas making music & comics for less money.

Q. What are your thoughts on Youth Crew?

A. It’s sloppy but a lot of people like it. I’m not really into any of what I’ve listened to. The community seems to be wanting to fill pants larger than what they can fit into.

Q. Your opinion on the Henry Rollins’ Get in the Van?

A. Henry Rollins is a narcissistic douche. This pretty much confirms that his life centered around said narcissism and machismo while he was in Black Flag. I feel bad for people who had to put up with him in the same way as I feel bad for people who were friends with Refused or the director of The Boondock Saints after documentaries exposed them all as assholes.

For those who might be pissed off at this: I don’t like Rollins that much as a person. I can acknowledge that in Black Flag he created some great songs and played an important part in hardcore during the 80s.

That being said, piss off.

Anyway, that’s all you get this week.

 

By: Josh Zoerner

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