Interview: Crime in Stereo

This week, Sarah and I began toying with the idea of starting some sort of blog or webzine. We’re not exactly sure which direction we’re going to take it, but we’re on the same page as far as keeping it atypical and not bound to music. That said, Crime in Stereo played in Toronto last night and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to ask Alex Dunne (guitarist/songwriter) a few questions. Until you see it elsewhere, here is our conversation.

Dylan: In the past, you were known to be the main songwriter for the band. With the new album, did you continue with that process, or did the writing become a little more democratic?

Alex: This is the most Kristian wrote on a record. He had a lot to do with the vocals and even lyrics, so this is the first record that anybody other than me wrote lyrics. Kristian wrote a bunch of stuff on this record, which was awesome. Other than that, it was pretty much the same.

Dylan: Why was the decision made to feature Kristian’s face on the cover of the new album?

Alex: He’s a good looking guy.

Dylan: Simple as that?

Alex: I think so. [laughs]

Dylan: After the release of Is Dead, and even moreso with I Was Trying to Describe You to Someone, many people have been drawing comparisons between Crime in Stereo and Brand New. Do you agree with this sort of -

Alex: I don’t know. We’re from the same town and kind of came up on the same influences and record in the same place and everything so if people hear a commonality, I see that. I understand that.

Dylan: So that comparison doesn’t bother you at all?

Before There Were Warzone T-Shirts, There Was Warzone

You probably should have read this before you placed that eBay bid.

Keep On Rollins, Baby. You Know What Time It Is.

A while back, I bought a pair of tickets for Sarah and I to see Henry Rollins speak in Toronto in March. Even though I referred to him as “moronic” in a previous entry (and I stand by that), I am still very excited. He’s oddly captivating; I can listen to his live albums and audiobooks for hours on end without losing interest.

If you’re the same way, read on.

I had only heard/read Get In The Van, Black Coffee Blues, Provoked, and Think Tank when I read a raving review for Live at McCabe’s and decided to find a download. It took me about ten seconds and three clicks of the mouse to bring me to this page, which houses download links for (almost?) all of the stand-up¹ he’s ever recorded and released. I grabbed everything I didn’t already have, which totaled around 2.4 gigs. Even if you’re his #1 fan, check it out and I’m sure you’ll find something you’ve been looking for or didn’t know existed.

And don’t worry, Sarah – I’ll update your iPod next time I see you.

^{1. I am hesitant to use the term “spoken word” simply because, well, he doesn’t perform spoken word poetry. Some of his earlier work could fall under that umbrella (Black Flag’s Family Man, for instance), but he is more of a raconteur than anything.}

Gin Blossoms Are Underrated

Okay, maybe that headline is a bit lofty. Gin Blossoms are under-recognized, though.

I was only nine years old at the peak of their popularity, so beyond researching chart positions of their singles and albums, I can’t speak for how well or how poorly they were received during their time as an active¹ band. However, as a young adult in 2010, I do feel qualified to comment on the band’s staying power. Anytime I talk to someone about 90′s music – and this happens far more often than you might expect – they are surprised to learn that songs they loved in their adolescence (and continue to love) were written and performed by Gin Blossoms.

To prove my point to those curious and entertain those in the know, here is a collection of music videos. Enjoy.

^{1. While writing this, I learned that the band reunited in 2002, released a full-length album in 2006, a live album in 2009, and have another full-length coming down the pipe. Despite these facts, I refuse to acknowledge them as an active band. They just found themselves a home on my “novelty cash cow” list with the likes of Lifetime, The Get Up Kids, and Cro-Mags (but “the Mags” are a different animal altogether). I guess Gin Blossoms are under-recognized by even me.}

Pageturner

My mind really needs to stay occupied through this rough time, so I downloaded a bunch of audiobooks I can listen to at home, at work, and on the bus.

I’m beginning with the following:

• Eliot, T.S.: The Wasteland ✓
• Krakauer, Jon: Into the Wild
• Rollins, Henry: Black Coffee Blues ✓
• Rollins, Henry: Get in the Van ✓
• Shakespeare, William: Sonnets
• Thompson, Hunter S.: Songs of the Doomed ×

Check out Audiobook Corner for free downloads if you’re into this sort of thing.

Protected: Mixtape #2B: Revisited

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password: