Feature / Music
Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2008

Words: Michael • Posted pre-2010

LINKS TO ALL THE PAGES

Lipona (Yamil Velez)

What are your top five albums that were released in 2008?

  1. A Wilhelm Scream - Career Suicide
  2. The Gaslight Anthem - The ?59 Sound
  3. Dillinger Four - Civil War
  4. Fucked Up - The Chemistry of Common Life
  5. Polar Bear Club - Sometimes Things Just Disappear

What band did you discover in 2008 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

I had never really gotten into Propagandhi when I was younger but a friend played "Potemkin City Limits" for me and I was blown away by Hannah's lyricism. I love the fact that he doesn't mince words and the vast knowledge he uses to back up his positions. All throughout that album, I was impressed by the obscure references to historical events and the witty comments along the way. Through Propagandhi, I have learned how to become a more honest lyricist and their music has also opened my eyes to some of the injustices that occur all around the world.

How will you remember 2008? (In terms of music)

This year saw some great debuts from up and coming bands, namely The Gaslight Anthem and Polar Bear Club, and a solid release from one of my favorite bands of all time, A Wilhelm Scream.

Vinyl record sales saw a significant increase this year while hard copy sales continued to dwindle. Is this a return to the glory days for vinyl or just a phase? Explain.

With albums shifting toward the digital standard, I think vinyl records command a certain sense of nostalgia that CDs can't quite compete with. It seems like the rise in vinyl sales could be attributed to their collectability. With music going digital, wouldn't it make sense for fans to buy vinyl in order to have a piece of musical history? The collection aspect of vinyl is what I think has drawn more people toward the medium and I believe this a trend that will continue so long as there are fans that appreciate band memorabilia.

What was the most memorable moment for you in 2008? (Can be in terms of anything)

The election of Barrack Obama was probably my most memorable moment in 2008. Early this year, it was highly unexpected that the US would ever have an African American president but as time progressed, it became more and more of a possibility. It was one of the greatest moments in our history and I'm glad I was able to witness it.

What can we look forward to from you in 2009?

We're going to start recording for our upcoming EP during Early January and it should be out sometime in February. We're also planning on touring extensively and recording our upcoming full-length later on in the year.

What three records are you looking forward to most in 2009?

Propagandhi, A Wilhelm Scream, and The National

Homepage: http://www.liponanudes.com

Related features

Greg Soden

One Question Interviews • January 22, 2026

Greg Soden (Unscripted Moments: Conversations with Propagandhi) SPB: You’ve obviously followed Propagandhi for many years – what was the biggest surprise or revelation to you about the band as pieced the book together? Soden: To me, the greatest joy in interviewing members of Propagandhi for five years was the mutual … Read more

Hooch

One Question Interviews • January 21, 2026

Scott O’Brien (Hooch, Smut Peddlers) SPB: How is the approach to your solo work different than with Smut Peddlers? O'Brien: My solo work, which has actually turned into a new collaborative band called Hooch, was a way to work on music I wrote that was somewhat stylistically different from Smut … Read more

Storm Boy

One Question Interviews • January 20, 2026

Storm Boy What is your favorite 1990s artist? God there’s so much to draw from in so many different scene: much of which we consciously incorporate into our creative process -- like Fugazi, Jesus Lizard, the Cure, and Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, but also bands that influenced us simply by … Read more

Demos You Want To Check #2

Music / New Kids On The Block • January 12, 2026

The musical landscape is ever changing. New genres are popping up, new hypes burst out of nowhere and then die out, and new bands present themselves to the world. How on earth are you expected to keep up, right? Well, a little help never hurts! So here we are, your … Read more

The Seize

One Question Interviews • December 31, 2025

Cesar Ruiz (The Seize - vocals) SPB: How do you typically choose your album art? Ruiz: Album art has started with lyrics. When I’m writing, I’ll have these images in mind that represent the feelings or themes within the songs. Those ideas usually become the starting point for the cover. … Read more

More from this section

Demos You Want To Check #2

Music / New Kids On The Block • January 12, 2026

The musical landscape is ever changing. New genres are popping up, new hypes burst out of nowhere and then die out, and new bands present themselves to the world. How on earth are you expected to keep up, right? Well, a little help never hurts! So here we are, your … Read more

Scene Point Blank's Favorites: Year End (2025)

Music / Year End 2025 • December 23, 2025

Every year we diligently assemble a list of our favorite albums of the year. Each SPB staff member enters the large arena we nickname THE DOJO, and yells out the name of their top album of the year. Rival staffers quickly assemble and shout out their own highly-favored record, and … Read more

Pass The Mic: Artists and labels on 2025

Music / Year End 2025 • December 23, 2025

For many years now, Scene Point Blank has taken the opportunity as the year ends to formally "pass the mic" to our friends on the other side of the mostly-imaginary divide between listeners and artists. This year is no exception as we ask a bunch of bands, artists and labels … Read more