You are reading an interview with River City Rebels
conducted by Dan Claydon on 27 October 2002
River City Rebels
This interview was conducted by email on the 25th of October 2002
- 1. Can you introduce yourself and say which instrument you play?
- This is The Legendary Brandon and i play Trombone for The River City Rebels.
- 2. Being formed in 99 your quite a new band, how did you get so big so quick?
- Well i dont know if "big" is quite the word but we're the hardest working band out there without question. We drive 15 hours just to play one show sometimes. We just dont give a shit. Tell us where there's a show and you can bet your ass our van will be pulling up to it. Most bands just don't have the balls or the spirit but we're out to keep the punk rock spirit alive. It's a tough job but someone's gotta do it....right?
- 3. Were any of you in other bands before joining the 'rebels? If so were they good?
- I was in a band called The Skullys. We played offensive and raw punk rock with horns. Pretty much in the same vein as The Rebels do now. I had a blast doing it and that's all that matters. I dont really give a shit if people like us or not. All of us were in bands before RCR. I think being in a prior band was great experience and you're not as quick to make the same mistakes twice. If you're curious to hear The Skullys don't bother looking for any music because we recorded one demo and pressed about 50 copies.
- 4. Which album did you have most fun making and why?
- Our brand new album "No Good, No Time, No Pride" was definatley the funnest album to record. First of all it was recorded in Southern California which, if you haven't been there, is the greatest place on earth. We also had Duane and Keri from the US Bombs make guest appearances on the album which was a trip. Those dudes are just the greatest.
- 5. Do you have a punk philosophy or outlook on life?
- Do what you think is right. If you want to be in a punk rock band and people tell you It'll never go anywhere, just don't listen to them. Those kind of people were too pussy to take some risks in their lives and they're jealous that you're doing what you want to do with your life. There's nothing greater then being in a band. It's my second family and for some of the guys it's the only family they've ever known. Tell me what beats that.
- 6. Do you have any great or really funny stories from the road?
- Well we were on tour in Florida this summer. Just in case people reading don't know, the SouthEastern United States is pure hickville. With that said we play this show and for our last song our singer Dan decides to get naked and do a little naked dance. You know, no really big deal. The bouncers in this place were full out nazi's pretty much. Shaved heads, suspect tattoo's and all. So they didnt like us too much. They informed the police and Dan got taken to jail where he spent the night. They were going to charge him with a felony that's punnishable up to 10 years in prison. But thankfully they reduced it to a year probation. Just a really crappy situation. But looking back on it it was pretty damn funny.
- 7. Have you ever been to the UK?
- Never but i hear it's great out there. I'm assuming sometime next year we'll make it overseas.
- 8. If not do you plan to in the future? If you have then how do you rate the UK scene?
- See above, jerky.
- 9. What were your main influences in music and growing up?
- I was brought up on The Beatles. It was pretty much all my parents would listen to when i was a kid. As i got older i discovered bands like The Ramones and The Clash. The MIghty Bosstones were actually a big influence on me. They were the first band with horns that i really got into. They made me realize that there was more to playing a horn then just classical music or jazz. It was simple enough for me to play along and that's what i'd do alot of the time. It's how i learned to sharpen my skills as a trombone player.
- 10. What do you think of filesharing programs like Kazaa that distribute your music for free?
- I love it. There was no better way for independant bands to get their songs out there then Napster. I thought of it as stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. But just like everything else, the upper 1% screws everything up once again. It's pretty frustrating. I know alot of people who first heard of us through napster. If anyone wants to download our songs off the internet i see that as a compliment. Hey..maybe then they'll come to our shows and sing along. That's what it's all about for me. Screw everything else.
- 11. Has it affected you in any way?
- Once again...see above!
- 12. Who is your favourite band of all time?
- That's a really tough one. I think when it comes to the total package, (the ideology, the songs, the style, everything) i think you'd have a tough time finding a band better then the Dead Kennedys. They were on the edge, they were contrivercial, and best of all they were honest. Those are the big 3 qualities i strive for so any band that can do it i'm a fan of, and to me no band did it better then DK.
- 13. Who is your favourite band at the moment?
- Right now i've been listening to alot of older rock bands. Bands like The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Buzzcocks, etc...
- 14. Have you ever used a cheesy chat up, what was it?
- I have no idea what a "cheesy chat up" even is. So im gonna have a tough time answering this question. Maybe you're referring to a pick up line. If that's the case then the answer is no. I'm a dork and therefor don't pick up girls. That and i have a girlfriend. Sorry ladies.
- 15. Favourite joke? (NOT Creed)
- The way you guys spell favourite is a pretty funny joke. See here in the states we write it "favorite." There's no "u." But i love the UK. You guys are great. You put the "U" back in favorite. Thank's UK.
- 16. Favourite TV show and website?
- My favorite website is definatley www.michaelmoore.com. He's a great guy and has an amazing webpage dedicated to informing the public about how currupt the US Government truely is. Funny stuff. Also www.theonion.com is a very funny online newspaper. Oh and the best site of all is www.rivercityrebels.com. Great stuff on that site, check it out!
- 17. Thanks alot! Is there anyone you would like to thank etc etc?
- Well i'd like to thank myself first and formost. If it wasnt for me nothing
would be possible. Id also like you guys to check out these great
bands...Madcap, US Bombs, Roger Merit and The Disasters, Worthless United,
The Forgotten, and The Voodoo Glow Skulls. I know im forgetting a few but
those bands are our friends and are all super rad so what are you waiting
for, listen to them! Hope to see you all soon.
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