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

Words: Michael • Posted pre-2010

LINKS TO ALL THE PAGES

Banner Pilot (Nick Johnson)

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

  1. Lemuria - Get Better
  2. Monikers - Wake Up
  3. Bridge and Tunnel - East/West
  4. Flight of the Conchords - Flight of the Conchords
  5. Howard Stern Show

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?

Jonesin' and Iron Chic in a barn at the Fest that I think doubled as a bicycle repair shop. Seeing old friends in great new bands was awesome.

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

Let's see?. Getting Cory from the Manix to play secnd guitar in our band, playing with Snuggle in the backyard of the FBK house in Seattle in front of a fire and behind a unicorn-shaped bouncy house, barely making it in to 1982 in Gainesville to catch an awesome Unlovables set, and camping out in an elk preserve in Redwood National Forest on our way to Thrillfest in San Francisco. Tip: if you don't eat all of your hot dogs and hamburgers don't burn what's left in a bonfire.

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.

If it's a return to the glory days I need to fix my turntable. Then I'll finally be able to rock out again to my brown splatter copy of the Vindictives' Leave Home (if I can find it). Shameless Plug: "Resignation Day" will be available on vinyl on Kiss of Death in January, yea!

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

Playing one of the Triple Rock 10th Anniversary shows with The Hanson Brothers. Those guys put on a hell of show! Their two roadies wear referee jerseys with one running sound effects and the other on merch. At one point while the merch guy was over at the board talking to the sound guy, the duct tape gave out on a shirt they had stuck to the wall. I looked over to see the sound guy pointing and blowing his foul whistle. Classic!

What can we look forward to from you in 2009?

More blistering punk rock. We'll be putting out a new LP mid-year and also hope to put out a couple of split 7"s, maybe with the Measure (SA) and The Copyrights if we're lucky. Tour wise we're looking at either the UK or Japan and maybe both. Fest definitely!

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

Dear Landlord, Drunken Boat and Ben Weasel

Homepage: http://www.banner-pilot.com

Related features

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

Chairmaker

One Question Interviews • December 30, 2025

Neil Erskine (Chairmaker) SPB: If Chairmaker had a physical form like a place, a thing, or a smell, what would it be? Erskine: There is a very specific chair - but you've got to read Banks' Use of Weapons. No spoilers.   Read more

Ugly Stick

One Question Interviews • December 29, 2025

Ugly Stick SPB: Describe in your own words the “Columbus Sound” and what it means or has meant to you and your musical output. David Holm (vocals and guitars): As it pertains to Ugly Stick I would say it's kind of an amalgam of punk rock, country, and classic rock. … 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

More from this section

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

2025: A Year In Review

Music / Year End 2025 • December 23, 2025

Another twelve months have passed. Even though it's our job to make predictions and call things before they happen, it seems improbable that we could've made any sense out of the events of this year. Perhaps we're better off keeping one eye on the past and telling you what already … Read more