Joe Rieman
(Lifeline)
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SPB: What was your favorite release of your label in 2006 (including anything that will be released by the end of the year)? Why?
To pick my favorite release that I put out is a difficult question for me to answer. Since the focus of the label has been vinyl releases, I would have to say the Deathcycle "s/t" LP. For this record, it needed to exist on vinyl. The artwork is so much more powerful, and while the CD version still looks great, the vinyl is what really captivates it. The Deathcycle LP embodies everything I love about hardcore. The music has such a strong and driving force behind it, it's a tremendous release. This record truly has its own sound; the record is composed of people that grew up listening to thrash metal and New York hardcore resulting in a very unique album, as well as being able to see the background influences on the band. I find the lyrics to this record incredible as well. Subjects such as: questioning religion, in a very intelligent manner, as well songs about the struggle of substance abuse, calling out punk as a movement, as well as being alert to what our government is really doing in society...
SPB: How will you remember 2006? (in terms of music)
For me the defining moment of 2006 was Kill Your Idols deciding to call it quits in 2007. Everyone knows that this band has talked about ending before, but this time its real. Even though they arent breaking up until next year, the fact is that they announced it this year, and that they made a conscious decision to end it at a certain point, on good terms and at their own digression. That is something I will always associate with 2006.
Being out for a weekend with Modern Life Is War, Spanish Bombs, and Raining Bricksâ?¦that was complete chaos. We watched a kid jump through a front window of house at a party near Marshalltown, Iowa. All the bands caravanned from Iowa to Saint Louis, including another band, the Old Scratch Revival Singers. All four vans stop at the same gas station, when we leftâ?¦Spanish Bombs had to turn around because they left poor Max behind on accident because he went to a different convenient store than everyone else. It was that night in St. Louis that I first talked to Spanish Bombs around putting out a record with me.
Seeing Limpwrist playing Chicago again is always a treat, good to see they are back in action. Sadly 2006 was the demise of Think I Care and The Spark, two bands that I will miss. Hanging out at the Boiler Room with Kill Your Idols and Deathcycle in Philadelphia was quite the experience! That night Christian from Crime in Stereo stepped on an electrical fire by accident, but luckily was not harmed. Naked Raygun played some reunion shows in Chicago, and I was fortunate enough to attend two of the three shows. One being in a very small venue where people were able to stage dive, and dive off of the stair case. The other was in front of 4,000 kids at a one day fest, Riot Fest, that 7 Seconds played as well. On a very high note for 2006, Negative Approach played an amazing set including every song they ever recorded at the Touch and Go Fest in Chicago.
SPB: What do you see as the role of labels in 2007 and beyond?
The role of any record label should always be to put as much hard work and effort as possible into releasing records by bands that they support as well as exposing people to new bands that others may not have heard.
SPB: Top five releases of 2006? (not on your label)
- Career Suicide - Attempted Suicide"
- Direct Control - Youre Controlled"
- Cardiac Arrest - Lifes A Dead End" 7"
- Blank Stare - S/T" 7"
- Think I Care - World Asylum"
SPB: Any previews/hints/facts of what you will be releasing in 2007?
For 2007, LifeLine Records has a lot of great plans. Unfortunately some releases are behind on schedule, there will be a re-issue of Modern Life Is Wars My Love, My Way on vinyl and then the Spanish Bombs one-sided 12". After that, there will be a CD for Cardiac Arrrest featuring everything that has been recorded to date. It will include the 7" on Underestimated Records along with the Lifes A Dead End 7" on Grave Mistake/No Way Records. The Cardiac Arrest CD will also include some unreleased songs, a live set from a radio show and the original demo as well. You can also expect to see more from Deathcycle. There will be one other band that LifeLine will be re-issuing some classic punk/hardcore records for as well, sorry but that secret I have to keep with me for the time being.
SPB: Whats your main goal of 2007 (labelwise)?
Well, my goal for 2007 is actually the same as the question about the role of any hardcore label. That is to put out records by bands that I love while at the same time exposing people to new music that they havent heard. I think that Lifeline is at the point, hopefully people are going to be willing to check out a new band they may not know because they have a release out on Lifeline Records.
SPB: Predictions of trends in 2007 (music related (and more if you want))?
Im not really concerned with trends. I will say that there are hardcore bands out there right now that have been given some incredible opportunities to be successful. At the same time, it all depends on what you consider success to be. Specifically, I predict that more old bands will do reunions. Some will do it for the money, but hopefully some will do it because they miss it, because they miss what they once had. Personally, Id love to see Burn play. Thats a prediction Id like to make, in hopes that it comes true!
LifeLine releases of 2006
- Modern Life Is War/ Kill Your Idols - Live on WLUW split 7"
- Deathcycle - Deathcycle LP
- The Suicide File - Live on WERS 7"
