Nick Johnson (Banner Pilot)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2011? (in order 1-5)
- Fucked Up – David Comes to Life
- The Copyrights – North Sentinel Island
- Dead to Me – Moscow Penny Ante
- Against Me! – Total Clarity/Live at Fest 11
- Nothington – Borrowed Time
What band did you discover in 2011 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
There's no record released this year that I listened to more than Propagandhi's "Supporting Caste". This record is incredible for so many reasons. Such a perfect blend of genres, such amazing lyrics – so perfect. We actually played their Minneapolis show in early 2009 when they were touring on this record; I was focused on their old Fat Wreck stuff – in hindsight this record blows all that away and I can't wait to hear what they release in 2012!
How will you remember 2011 (in terms of music)?
Aside from all the awesome music that came out, we had some great tours with Dead to Me and the Flatliners. The best local show of the year was when the tour de force of Off With Their Heads/Riverboat Gamblers/Dead to Me came to Minneapolis. So rad. I also got to see Ray Davies of the Kinks play at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. Super fun, and I was the youngest one there, sweet.
What can we look forward to from you in 2012?
Touring and writing! Hope to get to Europe and Japan in 2012. Hitting the West Coast in Jan/Feb and doing some Midwest stuff after that. Hope to hit some festivals too.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2012?
So many great bands are due for LPs in 2012. Here's my short list: Against Me!, Teenage Bottlerocket, Off With Their Heads, Propagandhi, Dear Landlord, The Dopamines, Iron Chic, Murder by Death, and the Flatliners. 2012 is going to be fucking sweet.
What did you expect to be huge in 2011 which never made it?
Nothing comes to mind – all expectations were met. How'd another year turn out so rad?
