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

ELDP

One Question Interviews • August 14, 2026

Aemilia (ELDP) SPB: In your experience, what band has been the most fun to play with? Aemilia: Our most favourite band to have played with so far has been Dutch band All Dogs Go To Heaven. They're not only great people off stage, but they also make amazing music! When … Read more

Quattracenta

One Question Interviews • August 13, 2026

Sarah (Quattracenta) SPB: Which of your songs is the most difficult to play live? Sarah: “In Dust,” from our new record III. It’s not necessarily difficult in a technical sense, but because it is a very quiet and intimate song, playing it in a noisy club or bar can be … Read more

Illuminati

One Question Interviews • August 12, 2026

Joao (Illuminati) SPB: What inspired Illuminati to reform? Joao: The original lineup disbanded in 2004 after I migrated to the United States. We self-released a demo in 2003 that was intended to be a literal "demonstration" of our songs rather than a definitive statement of what we wanted to do … Read more

Anathema Editions

Music / History 101 • August 11, 2026

Did you know it’s been 10 years since Anathema Editions put out its first release? To make the moment, we reached out to founder Terence Hannum to share some label history. In keeping with our “History 101” concept, SPB asked for anecdotes about 4 of the label’s releases and then … Read more

Stormtrooper

Interviews • August 10, 2026

Still a Dirty Mess: The Stormtrooper Oral History Before the Sex Pistols swore on television -- or tried to brush it off as "nothing, a rude word" -- and corporate labels commodified safety pins, there was a bar at The Marquee and a damp basement on King's Road. In 1975, … Read more

More from this section

Anathema Editions

Music / History 101 • August 11, 2026

Did you know it’s been 10 years since Anathema Editions put out its first release? To make the moment, we reached out to founder Terence Hannum to share some label history. In keeping with our “History 101” concept, SPB asked for anecdotes about 4 of the label’s releases and then … Read more

Scene Point Blank's Favorites: The Year So Far (July 2026)

Music • July 13, 2026

That's right: we're halfway through 2026 already, although whether that means this year is a glass-half-empty or glass-half-full kind of year... well, the jury's out. But we'll let you know in December. Despite another six months of chaos, war, conflict and uncertainty, one thing in life remains static and reliable: … Read more

Demos You Want To Check #4

Music / New Kids On The Block • July 7, 2026

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