Member Interviews: Interview Thread

[NSW]

Originally Posted by TheBig3KilledMyRainDog

to recycle a cliche "you can't handle the truth."

Thanks, but I'm all set. As I've said, no one gives a **** what the answers are. A few honest people actually read it, and the rest clamor to posture in the spotlight.

I read it! I really enjoyed every single interview too. However, I have no desire to interview OR be interviewed, so maybe that's still a fail.

[TheBig3]

Originally Posted by nonsubmissivewife

I read it! I really enjoyed every single interview too. However, I have no desire to interview OR be interviewed, so maybe that's still a fail.

Its fine. You were one of the few I thought of when I said "some read it."

[TheBig3]

After having a brief interaction around the forums with bob., I decided to chat him up for this thread...

me: So to start I always ask "who are you." You came to us in June, so who are you?

bob.: hmmmm....my name actually is Bob....i live in northern California....i have a major love for music...i work from home doing credentialing counseling for the time being at least....i've lived all over the US except the south
i like movies, books, and i am an cyclist
not pro

me: since Gchat shows me when you're typing, I always hold off and wait for the other person to finish
just as a heads up

bob.: understand

me: Really? Cycling? Huh, we'll have to get back to that because I love it but, lets get to the Real Bob first
"A major love for music" talk to me a little bit about that, do you play? just a fan? what are you into?

bob.: i play trombone for a bit in high school, and dabbled in harsh noise...really just a big fan....as for what i'm into...
i say a bit of everything.....but mainly noise rock and most aspects of punk and industrial musis
played*

me: really? You know from your second picture, I had you pegged as a Morphine, Iron & Wine, Jim's Big Ego kind of guy
So is there anything out right now that you're really excited about? And when you say "noise rock" who do you mean, or at least refer to

bob.: first off....when you say out right now do you mean "recent releases"?

me: Lets not restrict ourselves, anything you've (re)discovered reacently?
"recently?"


bob.: i'm really into Finnish music right now.....specifically Islaja, Paavoharju, and another women whose name eludes me....and also a band called magik markers (kind of an extra noisy take on no-wave)

bob.: as for "Noise Rock"....i kind of look at noise rock as music for the "no hope" generation....just insanely loud often unstructured and tons of fun
much like "The AmRep" sound

me: And the Finnish, naturally, are great at making hopeless music.

bob.: indeed

me: So do you think most people who listen to Noise Rock get there through social conventions, or is there a progression you go through musically, from say, punk?

bob.: i think a bit of both.....for me it started with bands like Nirvana and Mudhoney who are both kind of toned down noise....but i love reading liner notes....and i really like a band....i will check out every band they thank

bob.: but i also think that punk kids as they start to listen to much of the crazier edge of the genre...like for instance later Black Flag when greg Ginn would just go off on these long noisy guitar solos....you start to think there must be more than the typical"1,2,3,4"

me: For some reason a quote about Sly Stone comes to mind to the effect of "he just took too many drugs and...he just never came back to earth." I feel like what you're describing there is the frayed ends of what you might call music. Is that fair?

bob.: i'd say fair.....i mean i love a good straight forward song as much as the next guy.....but there is something about musicians who really just lose themselves in the music for what ever reason, sound vibration, drugs, God

me: any micro-tonal music or is that too premeditated?

bob.: hmmm

me: I don't ask that to sound like a pretentious twat, Im trying to figure out where "losing yourself" is your preference

bob.: i think in reference to what i'm saying....yes...changing or tweaking a sound to create new ones....such as alternate tuning or using computers....
it can create unlimited musical territory....if that makes sense
very easy to get lost

me: But we shouldn't confuse getting lost with just your standard, extended frank zappa solo?

bob.: hahah....i'm trying to think of the last time i really listened to Zappa
for shame

me: well when I think "lost" I think the Willie the Pimp outro

bob.: i'd agree with that.....

me: I need to reevaluate my definitions then, I thought we were on different playing fields

bob.: i think we are but aren't....or at least i think i understand where you are coming from

me: In this day and age, I'll take it
so you said you like reading liner notes for influences, whats the most unexpected "thanks" ever throw out in a liner note?
that you've read

bob.: Boyd Rice on Neurosis's Enemy Of The Sun
actually blew my mind a little....but kind of makes sense
i'll explain

me: please do

bob.: Boyd Rice being an...for lack of a better term...*******....pretty "hell" bent on upsetting people.....creating gut wrenching noise or overly insulting/shocking folk songs....and just touching on the thresholds of neo-fascism....and Neurosis starting off as an "anarchist" "peace" punk band and morphing into more of a psychedelic metal act with strong lyrics involving "old" ways of tradition and the concept of destroying to rebuild

bob.: then comes along Tribes Of The Neurot....which is very influenced by Boyd's early experiments with sound....and in some ways the philosphies are the same but with differents ideas as how to reach them

bob.: both seem to adhere to a sort of "black sun" philosophy
or death and rebitrth

me: So why did Rice's appearance in the liner notes throw you as much as it did?

bob.: i think mainly because i just never connected the two....at all...nor had i though that such personalities would coheres with each other....i mean that album came out in the early 90s....93 i think....and NON and Boyd Rice's solo stuff its just at suck a polar opposite
such not suck

me: Had you listened to both artists prior?

bob.: only Neurosis at that time....but actually right around then i was just starting to dwell into the Throbbing Gristle bands....and certainly NON was a part of that early industrial scene

me: Funny that you mention them, in the TG thread, a newer member (JackPat) said of them: "I don't get any of their music... It seems just like yelling and electrical sounds." How often do you get that reaction from first time listeners?

bob.: you know i read that conversation....and i agree with Jazoon (is that right) i just dn't think that he/she has really listened to TG

me: Its Janszoon, but don't worry about offending him. Almost no one knows how to spell his user name and he's really laid back

bob.: i mean going in there and say...."this is NOT music, what crap, how the **** can you listen to this" makes more sense....and i could see some one saying that....and would nod and say "well i see beauty"...i mean it's all subjective....but say "i don't get" is just a little weird to me....and very hard to answer....i mean there is nothing i can say or do to make anybody "get" anything....
thanks for the correction

me: Hey no problem. Also, shoutouts in interviews help sell copies, you know? Everyone likes to give a print-out to their grandma's and whatnot
So lets switch gears here for a second

bob.:

me: Another topic I'm always proding people about is "how did you come to find MusicBanter?"
I can't imagine we took out an add in Zorch!

bob.: google....i typed music forum and it was the first one....i spent about an hour reading stiff....and joined
stuff*

me: So what did you find in those first few pages where you thought "this trainwreck looks like a place I'd like to call home."? Was there anything that jumped out at you?

bob.: number one....just the broadness of the topics....i mean obviously i came with something to say and talk about the music i love....and hopefully get people into the stuff i like....but also to broaden my own ears...

bob.: i had been on another forum....that specializes on Anime....i think i joined in 2003...i don't think i've watched an anime since early 2004....but i still post there in their music side forum....but after a while it just gets boring....same kids listening and talking about the same crap....i just really want to talk to people about music

me: Well I'm glad you've found a home here, I happen to think the place has a value

bob.: i agree 100% on many levels....

me: So how has the experience been for you so far? The new members can have a rocky time depending on what they open up with.

bob.: i like a lot....i've had no problems....and actually quite a few people "accepted" pretty quick....which obviously makes things a bit easier....i'm still not that keen on starting threads....but most of the threads i wanted to start exist (gotta love that search option)....but when i see that people have not posted in years....its seems to be good to let sleeping dogs lie

me: Well if you want my two cents, I love rebirth posts. Often times they remind me of bands I love and have forgotten about, but thats me. Unless its a troll, I've never seen anyone take offense to anything
Have you discovered any new music since you've been here?

bob.: oh yeah....actually my favorite thread is the trading thread,....i ****ing love it (actually i need to write my review)
i really try my hardest to listen to most of the youtube posts....when i'm in the thread

me: What was the last thing you pulled out of that thread?

bob.: other than what i need to write a review on?

me: well music, for example, I've discovered tons of acts on here, but most recently the Avett Bros. (which I'm behind on but whatever), and they're turning out some decent things. Is there an act that you've discovered thats got you exploring their material?

bob.: Faust and Neu!
although in all honestly i should have been into them years ago

me: That happens to me all the time, I discovered Nick Cave maybe 3 years ago. Its sad.

bob.: life just gets a little bleaker when Nick Cave comes into your life

i ate up both of those bands.....i just had to listen to everything they put out

me: What made you listen to them now? Just a Youtube post or someones review?

bob.: actually it was in the Music Trade Thread and for that trade i was paired with dankrsta.....she and i had been chatting for some time and have similar music taste.....and she noticed via my last.fm page that there was no "krautrock"....she sent a few examples....and most specifically the Neu! really struck a nerve

me: Thats how the Germans work usually. They will march into your head, like it or not. So have you made the mandatory jump to Can?
If I don't ask that, Anteater will read this and scream at me

bob.: oh yeah...i think the album with the silly picture of green beans is by far my favorite by them

me: I thought that was all of their albums?
To be fair, I don't know **** about Can

bob.: hahaha...i cannot remember the name
they are a bit more on the psychedelic side in my opinion.....whereas Faust is bit more expermental rock....and Neu! kind of a mind****
can i ask you a quick question?

me: Shoot
quick meaning off-record?

bob.: are you into the hardcore scene?
doesn't matter

me: uh...not that I'm aware of. Why do you ask?

bob.: Boston, and the "posi since 99" stament

me: ha

bob.: statement*

me: I'd tell you how I got that, but its a meandering story that will likely bore you
long story short: I'm often criticized for have "patchy" experience, and this is an example of that
meaning I'll get a reference to, say, the movie Blues Brothers, but I won't know major plot lines and things
and it frustrates the **** out of my friends.

bob.: gotcha....i see the word "Posi" and start chanting Youth Of Today lyrics!

me: it was written under a dancing bowling pin for a bar they used to have in a boston neighborhood (Jamaica Plain) and the bowling pin was dancing with a walking "thumbs up" hand. It was for the Milky Way
but anyhow
So we're about at the 2 hour limit which is when I stop harassing people

bob.: ok

me: so I have a few more questions
1. the photo you posted where you were Stonewall Jackson - did anyone think you were G.G. Allen?

bob.: some one made that comment...but i can't remember who...funny that never crossed my mind....i felt i look more like DMX


me: Yeha...I was gunna say DMX....

bob.: didn't he do some album cover all coverd in blood

me: And as a public service, any questions you have for us at MusicBanter, things you either don't get (adidasss for example) or something people do thats foreign?
Yes he did, but I don't think he had a beard of white face. I'd have to check though

bob.: hahaha

me: beard _or white face

bob.: i cannot think of one.....i fell everybody expresses themselves quite well
feel*...damn

me: hey man, you're talking to the grab king of typos
no sweat
alright well Bob., thanks for talking with me, I don't too many rookies who'd be willing to come out here and jabber with me for 2 hours
you're a good sport, and you should see this up tonight

bob.: anytime....thanks for the offer

me: No problem

[CanwllCorfe]

Woo hoo! Great interviewread. I've seen him around, and now I feel like I've known him since I was little. We used to be good friends, but now he makes fun of me.

[LoathsomePete]

Great interview Brennen, you really know how to make an interview interesting by putting some real effort into your questions. You really come off as a person who is a pleasure to be social with, at least you make it seem less boring. Also bob. did an equally as good job and he is definitely one of the new members who have really made an impact here in 2010, I'm sure you will score some nice award in the member of the year awards.

[Astronomer]

Agreed, good interviewer and interviewee as this was an interesting read! Excited this thread has been resurrected.

[+81]

Nice interview. I can definitely relate to Nirvana and Black Flag leading me to noise. Stuff like 'Radio Friendly Unit Shifter', Nirvana bootlegs and 'The Process of Weeding' from the live '84 album really sparked things for me.

[TheFolkslave]

Really nice interview and it warms my heart to hear that bob. really likes the Finnish music I recommended him

[Guybrush]

Interesting interview I read it an I enjoyed it even though me and bob are pretty far apart music taste wise.

Looking forward to the next one!

[bob.]

thanks everyone

Originally Posted by +81

Nice interview. I can definitely relate to Nirvana and Black Flag leading me to noise. Stuff like 'Radio Friendly Unit Shifter', Nirvana bootlegs and 'The Process of Weeding' from the live '84 album really sparked things for me.

remember SNL performance when Kurt wore a home-made Flipper shirt.....getting that Flipper record was mind blowing