Feature / One Question Interviews
Asshole Parade

Words: Loren • March 4, 2015

Asshole Parade
Asshole Parade

Matt Sweeting (Asshole Parade, No Idea Records)

SPB: What’s the last record you didn’t care for on first listen but has since grown on you?

Sweeting: Here's two answers (and this happens to me constantly by the way falling in and out of love with records).

Veronica Falls - s/t LP (Slumberland)

So first off, I buy and own a ton of records. That being said, I'm pretty picky about who I listen to about new stuff, I mean really listen to. I hear/read shit all day about so and so and how great they are at blah blah blah... but I do have a few friends that when they say, “Buy this,” or “Man, I love this,” I usually try and do it.

This record was one of those. One of my friends in the UK that works at Rough Trade told me that he was in love with this band—like borderline stalking them. At the time they only had a few singles, but he was all about them. He even harassed them into singing on his band’s record. So when I saw that they were putting out an LP I ordered it. When I first put it on it was pleasant enough, but it didn't grab me. It kinda sounded like guitar pop that I heard a lot of in the ‘90s so after a few spins I put it away. Last year I came across it again after quite some time and thought, "Hey that’s that band," so I threw it on. I don't know if it aged well or I was just in the mood, but I was hooked. The songs sounded lush and full and the record was brimming with a really cool energy. I know they put out a second one but I'm kinda sacred to buy it ‘cause I don't want to taint how good the first one is. It’s still in heavy rotation…It’s like sunshine on a rainy day, just about perfect.

Endless Blockade - Turn Illness into Weapons LP (Super-Fi Records) 

I used to tour a bunch and when you are on tour one usually amasses a bunch of new stuff. Whether it’s ‘cause you are traveling to all these new cities with new stores you haven't plundered or because you make friends with the bands you play with, there is always a box to open at the end. Invariably there is too much to listen all at once so things get left behind. I play in a thrash/grind band that always plays with tons of other thrash/grind bands, so I always get a bunch of those kind of records--wanted or not. Luckily, I work at No Idea and can drop unwanted ones into orders--you know freebies. Anyway, we played with this band in Germany and I actually know one of the guys pretty well from his previous band. At the time he asked me, “Do you really want one or are you just being nice?” I said, “No, no I want it…but I didn't.” Live they were ripping but I wasn't sure it would translate and when I first opened the box after that tour, I listened to it once but I think I was doing other shit. I filed it on “eh” shelf.

Man was I wrong. I was doing a radio show for a while and needed records constantly so I was pulling shit out that I didn't listen to all the time at home or work. I was doing a grind show and found this record…Well, after the first song I ended up letting the whole side play. Fucking captivating. This kind of music is real easy to be bad at so, when you find a good one, watch out: this bad boy will tear you up. Thanks Andy. I did want it…just 4 or 5 years later, you know.

Loren • March 4, 2015

Asshole Parade
Asshole Parade

Related features

Scene Point Blank's Favorites: The Year So Far (July 2025)

Music • July 6, 2025

We're halfway through the year: when did that happen?! Luckily for you, SPB is on hand to share the music we've enjoyed most in 2025 thus far. Read on to hear about the records that have made our top list for this year as it stands, and also some bonus … Read more

Shane Herrell: A Tribute

Music • July 6, 2025

Shane Herrell: Rest In Power(pop) (1980-2025) The Rocker I try to live my life with as few regrets as possible. Sadly I never got the chance to hear my friend Shane Herrell karaoke Thin Lizzy’s "The Rocker." As a singing bass player we don’t have enough heroes. It might just … Read more

Unseemlier

One Question Interviews • June 27, 2025

Mike Assatly (Unseemlier - guitar/vocals) SPB: Do you have a preferred model of van for touring? Assatly: Chevy G-20 Gladiator! It was my first van, I got it from my uncle with 115,000 on it. He got rid of it for a new van because it was "old" and would … Read more

Dollar Store

One Question Interviews • June 26, 2025

Dave Slaverave (Dollar Store - bass) SPB: This band hits a lot of styles, all kind of overlapping at the same time. How hard was it to find “your sound” when bringing these influences together? Slaverave: Not very hard at all actually. We're all old-ass adults who've soaked in a … Read more

Golden Shitters

One Question Interviews • June 25, 2025

Matt (Golden Shitters) How nervous were you the first time you played a show? My first show was around 2002. I was 15 years old and it was a basement house party in my hometown of Welland, Ontario. I’d just proved myself to my high school buddies by singing The … Read more

Related news

25 years of Municpal Waste

Posted in Shows on November 28, 2024

Asshole Parade 20th anniversary tour

Posted in Tours on August 22, 2015

Asshole Parade 20th anniversary bash

Posted in Bands on April 7, 2015

More from this section

Unseemlier

One Question Interviews • June 27, 2025

Mike Assatly (Unseemlier - guitar/vocals) SPB: Do you have a preferred model of van for touring? Assatly: Chevy G-20 Gladiator! It was my first van, I got it from my uncle with 115,000 on it. He got rid of it for a new van because it was "old" and would … Read more

Dollar Store

One Question Interviews • June 26, 2025

Dave Slaverave (Dollar Store - bass) SPB: This band hits a lot of styles, all kind of overlapping at the same time. How hard was it to find “your sound” when bringing these influences together? Slaverave: Not very hard at all actually. We're all old-ass adults who've soaked in a … Read more

Golden Shitters

One Question Interviews • June 25, 2025

Matt (Golden Shitters) How nervous were you the first time you played a show? My first show was around 2002. I was 15 years old and it was a basement house party in my hometown of Welland, Ontario. I’d just proved myself to my high school buddies by singing The … Read more