Ben Weasel
What are your top five albums that were released in 2010? (In order 1-5)
- The Steve Adamyk Band – S/T
- The Manges – Bad Juju
- Statues – Holiday Cops
- The Queers – Back To The Basement
- The Visitors – Avenging The Visigoths
What band did you discover in 2010 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
A few actually, all from Ottawa, ON of all places: The Steve Adamyk Band, The Visitors, the Creeps, Sedatives, and a bunch of other terrific pop-punk and garage bands. Ottawa seems like a very lively and exciting place for music right now. I don’t know that music has too much significance for me these days beyond getting my toes tapping and my fingers snapping but these bands all deliver on that count.
How will you remember 2010? (In terms of music)
See above. The best of the newer melodic punk bands seem less willing to conform to genre restrictions than did the bands of the 00s. I don’t know how wide their appeal is – playing unabashedly fun pop-punk without copying the flavors-of-the-moment isn’t a recipe for success - but these bands seem to be the genuine article and they remind me that there are always ways to make the simple exciting and inspirational.
With more and more bands switching to digital methods of releasing music and communicating with audiences in 2010, do you think there's still a place for physical CDs and word-of-mouth shows in the future?
CD sales are in the toilet at the moment but I can’t imagine the vinyl craze lasting for too much longer. I hope it does if only so we can keep seeing our jacket art done up at a proper size. I prefer digital music but I’ve got a family and I don’t have the physical space for a lot of records. If I were single and in my 20s I’d be buying vinyl.
As for shows, if you’re relying on word of mouth you’re crazy. I’ve never done that and I never would. You’ve got to promote your shows.
What can we look forward to from you in 2011?
A new Screeching Weasel album called First World Manifesto, out March 15th on Fat. And a bunch of Screeching Weasel shows.
What three records are you looking forward to most in 2011?
The only one I’m aware of that’s coming out next year is Lemuria’s new one in January on Bridge Nine, and I’m chomping at the bit for it.
