Maybe some of you remember the interview I did with Evan Lovett earlier this year. He is an amazing artist and happens to do some amazing tattoos as well. It was a fun interview from a guy who gave me an amazing tattoo while I was in Austin for Fun Fun Fun Fest.
Evan Lovett is actually going to have a booth at Hell City in Columbus, OH from May 4th to the 6th. If you are going to be in the area that weekend, I highly suggest you stop at his booth and say hello. The guy is super friendly and will actually have some prints for sale.
Lovett actually still has a few appointments open at Hell City. If you are interested in getting an amazing tattoo from Lovett, email him at elovettart@gmail.com to see what he still has open.
Folk / country / punk rocker Tim Barry is perhaps one of the hardest working musicians out there. He tours when he can and makes ends meet when home, sometimes secluding himself from the real world for days at a time. He’s been known to hop trains at times and has a great relationship with his fans, sometimes even asking them for lifts to local shows. He’s always quick to thank said fans for their support and you know he is sincere while doing so. The guy plays music for the sake of music.
The one time lead man of 80s punk legends Avail recently finished up an all new album entitled 40 Miler. I can not tell you how excited I was to hear that Barry was releasing new material. Naturally when I was asked to interview him, I jumped to the opportunity. As a huge fan of Avail and his solo material, I was thrilled to be able to trade off some questions with Barry earlier this week.
Check out what he had to say, and make sure on April 10th, that you grab a copy of 40 Miler:
BHP: I guess to start things off we should probably talk about your upcoming release. 40 Miler is due out next month. How are you feeling about this new release?
TB: I temporarily erased 40 Miler from my mind. Writing, planning and record an album is an epic task, as anyone who has spearheaded the process can attest. Once complete, the focus shifts to release work. I self manage, so I’m knee deep in all preparations regarding the recording becoming public. Currently that is mainly tour preparations. When I am done with an album I step away from it. This helps me gain perspective and hear it freshly. I am currently in what I call recording detox. I have no copy of the album at this moment to even reference. I look forward to getting my own copy when it is released on April 10. The album will sound brand new to me by then.
I heard that a 40-Miler is a term that train conductors used when referring to a hobo. Is that right? Care to elaborate on this?
That’s actually incorrect. But close. It’s a term hobo’s use to slander another hobo. There are many different sects and sub sects in the railroad world. The term 40 Miler is comparable to calling a “mall punk” a poser. Or the new skater at the park a poser. Or perhaps the new worker in the wood shop the “new guy.” Lifer hobo’s, those who live on the rails, can use the term 40 Miler in a derogatory way to describe me. I’m a poser train rider. I take short trips close to home. I do not live on the rails I am a poser. A 40 Miler.
40 Miler sounds more country heavy over folk. Was this intentional, or was this just how the songs came out?
I never have an intention with my albums. They come out the way they come out, but I think you are right. We focused more on our live sound while in the studio on particular songs. Adding heavy electric guitar and strong harmonica playing by Josh Small and Andrew Alli. Although I certainly left some of the very folk style songs on the record as well, such as Todd Beene.
“Adele and Hell” has a lot going on throughout the song including some duel singing duties. Who was the lady who helped supply vocals on this track as well as on “40 Miler”?
The lady singing back up on “40 Miler” is in fact my right hand man Josh Small, who often accompanies me on tours; however, Julie Karr is the star of the song “Adele and Hell”. Julie is a songwriter here in Richmond, VA, who I was lucky enough to coax into singing that song with me. She killed it. So happy it worked out the way it did. She’ll actually be playing her own songs on many of my tour dates this year. West coast for sure, and some up in the north east.
Ha, whoops… So did you recruit anyone else to help you record some of these songs?
Most of the players on 40 Miler are the folks that I tour with. The main players are Andrew Alli on harmonica and Josh Small. Both of those guys have put in many miles on my tours. Julie Karr is new to the crew. Cameron Ralston did all the bass tracks. He’s a Richmond local, and probably the best bass player I’ve had the chance to meet. My sister Caitlin also played violin, as she usually does on my recordings. And Lance Koehler, who has recorded my records for many years now shared the percussion responsibilities with me.
I love the track “Amen” off your new release. What made you decide to write such a song?
It’s funny to write a song out of context. The song “Amen” is a summery of a long time touring on my album 28th & Stonewall. A lot of good, and some bad happened in that year an a half. However, I wrote “Amen” while touring in the lap of luxury. I completed the song, and played a half-assed version live for the first time at the massive Osheaga Festival in Montreal while touring with The Gaslight Anthem, who was kind enough to let me tour in their bus. Funny to write a song about the hardships of touring while on the road with an incredibly giving group of people who fulfilled all of my needs.
How’s that hand doing these days? I remember hearing about that.
Oh that? Boxer fracture. No big deal.
I want to shake your hand for writing “”Fine Foods Market” (see below for a video I found). Thanks for the laugh. Why did you decide to call out the hipster folk?
The original name of the song “Fine Foods Market” is “Tim Barry makes fun of Tim Barry.” Yes, I’m making fun of hipsters. But, I’m making fun of myself more than anyone. I’m at an age where I can tally up all my own idiocy and inconsistencies and publicly humiliate myself with clear conscience.
So, who is this Todd Beene fellow? Sounds like a hellion.
He sure is. Let’s leave that one up to the listener.
Was there any certain track on 40 Miler that you favored over the rest?
No, not at all. I like all the songs. I dropped perhaps 25 [songs] before picking the ones that made the album. The next task is to find which ones feel the best on stage. I look forward to that.
As do I. I can not wait to see you play some of these songs live. Who did the cover art? Is there any meaning behind it?
There is more meaning behind the cover art that I can articulate, but I’ll leave it at this: The design was created by my best friend Travis Conner who passed away in early 2008. I’ve used his art/photography on nearly all my albums and shirt designs. I refuse to let his memory to fade.
I completely understand. Nice way to pay tribute. Moving on, 40 Miler is being released on Chunksaah records. How does it feel to be on such a great label?
Perfect. I’ve been close to the folks at Chunksaah for far longer than the label has existed. I trust and love all the folks involved with my release. I’m lucky.
So, how was SXSW? My friend snapped a shot of you playing outside at Red 7 the other day and it looked like an absolute blast.
Whirlwind. Very quick trip. Shows were fun. Here was the schedule: Arrive in Austin via American Airlines at 11pm Thursday. Drink with Hot Water Music at hotel bar until 2am. Wake up at 6am. Eat breakfast. Go on short walk. Shuttle to downtown. Play two shows. Back to hotel to sleep from 11pm until 3am. Arrive at airport at 4:30am for departing flight to Richmond. Arrive in Richmond to have a coffee in my back yard by 11:30am. Head trip.
It doesn’t sound like you were able to see any other acts play SXSW at all.
Nope. Only the folks I played with. The entire line up for the Shirt for a Cure show was fantastic. I also played The Revival Tour show that afternoon. Everyone killed it.
I know you are not the biggest fan of the Internet, but I’ve noticed recently that your website has had quite the facelift. First off, it looks awesome. Second, does this mean you are biting the bullet and going to start using the Internet a little more often?
Travis Stom, Travis Stom, Travis Stom.. That man has done wonders for me. He has taken on all of my web design, updating and all logistics. If it weren’t for him, I don’t know what I would do. I am in no way a luddite, and do use all the free social networking sites as much as I can, but I’m simply not as well versed in computers as most folks are. They are the only thing in my life that creates real and pure frustration, so I steer clear of them as much as I can. However, I am not against technology and all of it’s benefits.
So many bands from the past are reuniting and touring or recording new material. I’m sure you are asked this all the time, but still…any chance of Avail doing something again one day?
Nope. Been and done.
If you could tour with anyone alive or dead, who would you choose?
Townes [Van Zandt].
Finishing up, what’s next for Tim Barry?
Touring time. US, Australia and parts of Canada are lined up now. I’m sure tons more dates will pop up. I’ll probably write a book this year as well. Who knows? I don’t plan much. I just go where things take me.
Buffalo, NY’s punk / metalheads, Every Time I Die (ETID), recently dropped an all new release titled Ex Lives on Epitaph Records. Produced by Joe Barresi (Queens of the Stone Age), the album shot up the Billboard charts very quickly and landed in the top 20s. That right there has go to tell you something.
This marks the sixth full-length release for the five piece band in their 14 year career. That’s not to say that the last 14 years have been easy for ETID as their line up has been a revolving door with members coming and going. Even with the challenges of keeping the band intact, ETID managed to continue on and after hearing Ex Lives, I have to say I am glad they did. I will point out I am not the biggest ETID fan. I know what they are capable of and appreciate all that they do in the music world. In other words, I am one of those people who love “We’rewolf”.
The album starts off beyond insane with “Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space” (nice title by the way). “I want to be dead with my friends” repeats at the beginning of this fast, brutal song that pretty much got me all sorts of excited to hear the rest of the album. Keith Buckley and crew sound amazing on this track.
“I Suck (Blood)” was just a thrashed mess of screaming and guitar playing guaranteed to keep you angry. “Partying Is Such Sweet Sorrow” had a Southern rock vibe throughout but kept things moving for the best. Kind of reminded me of when Pantera jumped off their path on some of their songs back in the day.
I will say that “Revival Mode” caught my attention as it took a complete total different route and was more or less a 90s grunge rock song at times, but I liked it for what it was worth. (Seriously, did anyone else hear some Layne Stanley in there?)
“Drag King” made me wonder how Buckley still has vocal chords with all that screaming, but he was able to add some melodic singing throughout the track. The fast-paced “Touch Yourself” followed and all I could think of was a sea of kids going ballistic at a live ETID show. Ending things was “Indian Giver”, a darker track that praised the loss of a good person.
I’ve seen reviews of this album already and some people think some of the sound sound recycled from New Junk Aesthetic. I can’t say I am hearing the same things from their previous releases, but the style remains, and that is what makes a band what they are. If you are into insane screaming and metal formed around some very intense lyrics, you should check out Ex Lives.
ETID will be on the Van’s Warped Tour this summer. I have seen them in the past life and will tell you, they are not a show to be missed.
Track List: Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space
Holy Book of Dilemma
A Wild, Shameless Plain
Typical Miracle
I Suck (Blood)
Partying Is Such Sweet Sorrow
The Low Road Has No Exits
Revival Mode
Drag King
Touch Yourself
Indian Giver
I completely forgot that Toronto’s Elliott Brood was coming to town last week and if it wasn’t for a a good friend of mine, I would have surely missed out on an awesome show. Luckily for me, my pal Kyle was quick to remind me last Friday, hours before the show, that Elliott Brood was playing the Beachland Tavern. (Thanks Kyle, you are always looking out for me…)
It was a last minute decision to hit up the show, and I can not tell how how glad that I was able to. The Ontario country / rock act was just about to finish up a stretch of their tour last week in support of their new release Days Into Years, and made sure that Cleveland was one of their destinations. Touring with their pals The Pack AD, the band turned what could have been a boring Friday evening into something much more entertaining.
Locals Leah Lou & The 2 Left Shoes opened the night with their cute yet harsh indie pop sounds. At times, I thought that Ms. Leah Lou was going to smash her acoustic guitar into the ground as it would not tune right for her causing the duo to skip over more than one song from their set. Instead, she hid away her frustrations and used the free time to get to know the crowd as well as introduce her family to them. When she was able to play some of her songs, the crowd was just eating it up. I did notice while Leah Lou played her set that Casey Laforet from Elliott Brood was checking her out and was loving what he heard. How couldn’t he though? I love this local act. Lea Lou reminds me of Regina Spektor mixed with Joanna Newsome, but far sassier. If you have not seen this local act live yet, you really should.
Up next was Vancouver’s The Pack AD and I will admit, I did not know what to expect from this female duo at all. The young looking lead signer had a punk rock look to her while the drummer appeared to have been well versed in the days of rock n roll. I was expecting more of a Runaways / Joan Jett sound but was blown away by what I heard. Their sound was more or less the White Stripes mixed up with some Black Keys with a span of singing stiles that sometimes reminded me of Justin Hawkins (not the high pitched crap) making for some great tunes. Guitar, drums, and singing was all these ladies delivered and it was awesome. I loved “Haunt You” as well as when Becky Black just tore up her guitar during “Lights” and also during “Deer” (at least that is what I think the song title was). A couple gents from Fort Worth, Indiana, actually traveled 3 hours to see these ladies rock out. At first I questioned why they would do such a thing, but by the set’s end, I fully understood. I’m shocked that The Pack AD has not already grabbed some major attention already. I will be checking these girls out more in the near future.
I’ve missed Elliot Brood in the past when they played Cleveland, so I made sure I found a close standing spot to watch the band. I actually wound up leaning against the small wall by the stage. As the band played, I could not help but stare at Laforet’s feet as he played what looked like a drum machine hooked up to some organ pedals while playing guitar. It was a very makeshift instrument, but it was perfect. He barely even glanced at his feet while playing songs. It was kind of impressive.
Throughout their set, Marc Sasso joked with the crowd. At one time he even paid tribute to the SS&W Boardwalk Bar just down on Waterloo and mentioned how he liked to grab drinks there before shows in the past. He then went on to inform everyone that is where his parents met and eventually conceived him. Laforet added that he was conceived on the pool table in the corner pocket. All jokes aside, the band did let the crowd know that they appreciated everyone for coming out.
The band played a lot of tracks off their recent release Days Into Years including “Lindsey” and “If I Get Old”, but was also quick to jam out to some older tunes like “Oh, Alberta” and my favorite,”Write It All Down For You” (can I tell you all how much better that song sounds when they play it to you in a tavern?). It was the highlight of my evening. I would have liked to have seen Stephen Pitkin beat on a suitcase over a drum set like I heard he used to years ago, but I guess you can’t have everything. Speaking of percussion, Pitkin actually passed out pie tins and wooden spoons towards the end of the set so that the crowd could help Elliott Brood play songs.
Elliot Brood finished up their set and exited the stage. They had more important things to do, like hang out with the crowd. It was a great show to start off my weekend and I am sure that all who were there would agree on that.
I love Cleveland and its half-cousin-of a-city Akron. There are a ton of reasons that have kept me here for so long. One of them is the good people who I have surrounded myself in. I know some of the best people in this area and feel privlidged. The other reason I dg Northeast Ohio so music is because of the music scene.
What? Cleveland and Akron have a music scene? You bet your damn ass they do. Lately it has been picking up too.
Sure, it might be a week or two between a solid show, but the local bands in Cleveland and Akron are good, scratch that, they are amazing. Well, at least to me and that is all that should matter. Some of my favorite releases last year were local bands.
Case and point: Harvey Pekar (the band, not the legend)
I love this Cleveland hardcore band so much that I am going to pimp them out to anyone who happened to accidentally read this. Last December this band opened up for my pals Worship This! and killed it. I was an instant fan. With no material released at the time of the show, I was almost bummed all I was able to do was hear them one time. Luckily a few weeks later they uploaded their EP to Bandcamp.
Harvey Pekar mixes up punk rock and hardcore with intelligence if that makes any sense. The lyrics are the kind that make me want to research and the music makes me want to go nuts. Some people might think the breakdowns are a tad excessive on a couple of tracks, but honestly, I think it works. I dig their Thirty Ghosts EP a whole lot, especially “Confronting Flag” and “Begotten of Ian Fleming” (I do like me some James Bond you know…). I look forward to seeing this band play out more and more in 2012 and drop a full-length.
Up next was Vancouver’s The Pack AD and I will admit, I did not know what to expect from this female duo at all. The young looking lead signer had a punk rock look to her while the drummer appeared to have been well versed in the days of rock n roll. I was expecting more of a Runaways / Joan Jett sound but was blown away by what I heard. Their sound was more or less the White Stripes mixed up with some Black Keys with a span of singing stiles that sometimes reminded me of Justin Hawkins (not the high pitched crap) making for some great tunes. Guitar, drums, and singing was all these ladies delivered and it was awesome. I loved “Haunt You” as well as when Becky Black just tore up her guitar during “Lights” and also during “Deer” (at least that is what I think the song title was). A couple gents from Fort Worth, Indiana, actually traveled 3 hours to see these ladies rock out. At first I questioned why they would do such a thing, but by the set’s end, I fully understood. I’m shocked that The Pack AD has not already grabbed some major attention already. I will be checking these girls out more in the near future.
