Interviews with Joe Reed

Here's one a little more close to home. Just when you thought all Joe did was awkwardly fix his shirt and glasses, apparently he actually puts some thought behind this whole musical circus act we're all involved with. Joe's a great guy and a great writer. We've both inspired one another in big ways.

Here's a bunch of bullshit I asked him and his pussy farting responses. I've yet to read his answers because, well... for the same reason none of you will:


Why are you a singer, not a guitar player or drummer? you've been in the field long enough to pick one of them up.
Joe: I really think that the instrument you play is an extension of your personality. When I was younger I used to write poetry and keep a journal, more for personal reasons than creative ones, being in a band allowed me to express and articulate those emotions productively. Although I did play bass (rather poorly I might add) for a while, I couldn't see myself playing an instrument in a band, I talk too fucking much.

What inspires you to write angry music?
Joe: That’s an interesting question, I don’t consider our music (or hardcore music generally) “angry” at all, I consider it positive and aware of the fact that the world and society isn’t always a pleasant place. Although inspired my many negative emotions and experiences, the lyrics celebrate overcoming obstacles and learning to cope with the harsh realities of life, bottom line.

Have you ever written a love song?
Joe: Paul Bearer (singer of Sheer Terror) had a great quote when asked a similar question. “Most of the songs I wrote were either love songs or love gone wrong songs, these idiots just decided to beat the hell out of each other to them,” I love that quote. Personally, I think that love (and the trials and tribulations of love) inspires me greatly and definitely influences me lyrically. I may not be singing about love like R Kelly or Marvin Gaye, but I haven’t been laid as much as those guys.

Are there any projects or songs you felt were too personal to perform in front of an audience?
Joe: I’ve never felt uncomfortable sharing anything I’ve done creatively in front of anyone, thankfully I’ve surrounded myself over the years with enough creative and encouraging people.

Why the 6 year gap in between your last stage performance?
Joe: I guess I’ve been waiting for the right project with the right musicians. Bands are often compared to relationships, you’re often thrown into one when you least expect it. It’s not like I took a break from music because I was in college or doing other things and didn’t have the time or desire, I just needed to hook up with the right people at the right time, Guilt Trip was an unexpected and welcomed surprise.

you've written about some pretty tough times. did singing them help you?
Joe: Performing and singing about my life’s trajectory certainly helps me cope with some of the unpleasant events that have shaped my present. “We Rise” was inspired primarily by the deaths of my mother and friend Ryan Helton, as well as the self-destruction of other close friends. I think about them every time we play that song, it definitely helps.

Where do you see yourself going with music? realistically
Joe: I’ve never had a plan with any of my bands, there’s no clear agenda. I’m not a career musician, I play in a band. Having to punch in a time clock to play in a band and work 9-5 every day to “make it” would make me miserable, that’s not what I do this for. I am willing and open to seeing where Guilt Trip’s music takes me, and I hope our music is good enough to allow me to perform in front of as many people as possible.

Who were your favorite musicians to work with and why?
Joe: Matt Novak, Ben Rubin, and Mike Milia are the best people I’ve ever worked with in bands. Each of them has that “it” factor, the kind of evil genius gene that allows for levels of creativity that most humans simply don’t possess. Perhaps, because I don’t play an instrument, I’m appalled by how easily some people can be so talented instrumentally.

What inspires you?
Joe: What doesn’t inspire me? Life generally is inspiring, as cliché as that sounds. What I’ve experienced, the experiences of my friends, what I’ve studied, who I’ve loved, who has died, where I’m from, etc. All of these elements inspire Guilt Trip. Guilt Trip is not about my perspective, it’s about perspectives. I try to write from both my perspective and the perspective of others and I encourage others to bring their own perspective to what we do.

Sooo.. cortney shot kurt, right?
Joe: Kurt Cobain killed himself, anyone who can’t face that reality didn’t pay attention to a thing the dude said. I think I’d feel less of a connection to Kurt I find out he was murdered. Not that he’s a “martyr,” but his life and action spoke volumes about life, the music industry, etc. I think I connect so powerfully to his life’s trajectory that I wouldn’t want it changed, but I understand why fans want to believe otherwise, they just want him around and refuse to believe that he didn’t really care about being anyone’s hero.

What's more important, lyrical content or delivery?
Joe: Lyrical content and delivery complement one another and one suffer if the other is neglected.

Why are you so fucking short?
Joe: I didn’t eat my vegetables as a kid, go fucking figure.

Does your father support your homosexuality?
Joe: Although I’m not a homosexual, why did you ask particularly about my father? Perhaps your essentialist interpretations of masculinity and oedipal understanding of familial structure make homosexuality difficult to understand, moron.

0n a scale of 1-10, how much do you crave penith?
Joe: I don’t know what a penith is.

Favorite singer
Joe: I can’t choose a favorite but favorites include Henry Rollins, Jello Biafra, Howlin’ Wolf, Lemmy, Buddah from Blood for Blood, and Chuck D from Public Enemy. I like singers and artists with distinguishable and recognizable deliveries.

Favorite lyricist
Joe: Again, that’s really a difficult question to answer. Honestly, currently I think Justice Tripp from Trapped Under Ice is my favorite lyricist, I connect more with that band lyrically than any band currently playing.

Favorite performer
Joe: Iggy Pop is the greatest rock and roll performer ever.

In a BRIEF summary, summarize the cleveland music scene
Joe: Cleveland is continuing its tradition of having hard working, honest, loud, obnoxious, and (unfortunately) overlooked bands. Although I wish more bands would interact and play more with each other rather than compartmentalizing themselves according to “scene,” we have a lot of bands here that are creative and impressive.

Have you ever thought about doing something other than hardcore bands? if so, what?
Joe: I’ve been moonlighting as a kazoo player for this band Lucy, I’d like that to be a regular gig if the hardcore thing doesn’t work out.

Does artwork or photography play any role in your creative process?
Joe: I love photographic art and Baroque era artwork, but I’d be lying if I said it inspired Guilt Trip more than Hennessey, moshing, and Pantera.

What's missing in the music scene?
Joe: No one looks anyone in the eye anymore, everyone has a smart phone.




-Novak

Interview With Volita!

So something I'd like to experiment more with is (trying) to get musicians I've played with to answer a few questions about why the hell they do what they do. I'd like to eventually compile at least short, maybe even purely sarcastic interviews in here with all friends and music fans that would be interested in doing it.

Up first is Volita, from New Zealand.

I met Volita when I was living in Los Angeles back in 2009. We played lots of music, had lots of adventures and conversations throughout the city for a number of months. She's doing well and still making interesting music I continue to listen to. Here's a short interview with her:

What's the most rewarding part of playing in a band?

Volita: Being able to wear hot clothes and shoes and stand up in front of people and say if you love me, you love me, if you hate me… well I just don't fucking care. Also all of the love I get from my fellow musicians and fans who email me and tweet me and formspring me and Facebook me… It's all about the love! A wise friend once told me If there's no love don't do it. The music club is the best club to be in, I always encourage people to get into bands if I can see talent especially the young ones.

Favorite US city played?

Volita: Las Vegas. The El Cortez is so old school grimy, smoking and cackling and drinking and playing the slots next to one hundred year old addicts with Trilbies on… God mode.

What would you do if you couldn't play music?

Volita: I can make killer chocolate eclairs, in fact that's all I can make full-stop. I think if I had the time I'd make heaps of them and have a coffee shop that only sold coffee and eclairs. There would be old couches and coffee tables with chess boards drawn on them and a stage where musos could play at anytime. Maybe I'll do this when the music stops pouring out of me and gives me a fucking break.

What would you change about the music scene in the US?

Volita: I'd do some musical cleansing by getting rid of the so called musicians who are obviously just accountants. You don't see me going into an accounting firm and pretending I can do accounts and fucking up their whole system???

What about in New Zealand?

Volita: The music scene in NZ is to small which leads to bitchy competitiveness and favoritism. Our government has what I would call the "music dole" where they dish out small amounts of money to bands who they think are "good" which in the end never helps them strive for more than that, a couple "goverminty" bucks… yuck. This also ostracizes other musicians by saying they aren't worth a few measly dollars just because they aren't what the NZ government considers commercial…how in godsname would bureaucrats know what's hot and what's not????. They would never have funded ACDC, Nine inch nails or Radiohead, no way. We are 100% funding free and proud of it. I say change nothing cause it's great the way it is and the NZ government gets no money. And fuck having their logo on your funded video and saying thank you to them at an awards ceremony! Do it yourself.

Does your family encourage you to play more in the US or your hometown?

Volita: Outside of NZ. It's better for NZ if we are heard internationally.

If you could tour the world with any active 4 bands, who would they be?

Volita: Cage the elephant

Silversun pick-ups

Amanda Jo Williams

Autolux

All have awesome raw musical talent. I love these bands.

Your drummer is also your brother. Do you feel like this gives you an advantage creatively?

Volita: Yeah It gives me stability and consistency. People aren't that loyal these days and if they don't like what you're doing creatively they wont do it. Having my brothers backing me up {I've got two now!} helps get exactly what I wanna be doing creatively across without compromising with strangers. Makes the music stronger, more potent.

And that's that! As a bonus, here's one of the few videos of Volita and I playing in LA! 

Worthless Post

Regardless of how long this nerdy and vulgar post is, no amount of "blogging" will explain or relieve the frustration and simple confusion on the subject of music and musicians being "worthless" or "less than" in this world. 

Before I go off, my parents are the definition of understanding and supportive parents. My dad was a musician and my mom loves seeing how driven I am with anything at all. In fact, everyone in my life is. 90% of my friends are musicians and even down to cousins, my family supports it.

This is the video that made me go off on this rant:

Where do I begin? First off.. what is she contributing as a mother to her childs life, other than frustrating him in an already frustrating and disheartening life? What the fuck does SHE do where she can come home and belittle her child for doing something creative and inspiring? There is no profession or salary that entitles you to belittle another human being, let alone your own child. You think because you donated your 84 cents to a child cancer fund in line at McDonalds that you're bettering the world, so now you can beat your wife, belittle your child, and do whatever you want now? You think you deserve a medal because you threw your diet Pepsi in the blue bin in Wal-Mart while you're walking to your Hummer? Dorks!

Do you know how many times I've had someone say that music is a dead end path? I see the glazed over look in most peoples' eyes when I say I'm a musician or that I run my own recording studio. I get it. There's no 401k or retirement plan in this shit. Or all the countless people that are too afraid to go down it as far as I am so they go to school to become a lawyer or to own their own business. What the fuck is THAT doing for the world? Is Cleveland "on the map" now that your business has some flashy numbers and your car can go faster than mine? Is that what we should be contributing to this world? Larger bank accounts and not larger imaginations? Well then shit, count me the fuck out.

I believe everyone should do what feels right for them, as cliche as that sounds. You don't have to be a musician for me to think you're kicking ass in life. If you love your office job and being a family man, by all means man, own it! Be inspired and contribute to something or someone that feels pertinent to your life. My rage comes from people who don't contribute anything to their lives or the world around them, so they belittle someone when a friend or family member of theirs goes down a path they personally wouldn't go down.

Not to mention, look at the facts of how music started a revolution in the 60s. An era his mother probably lived in herself. Something as ugly and awful as war was changed and saved by a collection of songs. Music helped with that! Lyrics and songs that took people out of the daily grind and helped literally the entire world. That revolution is growing by each year.

Also, look outside the US at how music brings people together. Look at all the tribes in Africa who join together in song with spiritual rituals. Do you think those people are doing it to look cool? Do you think parading around with face paint with their balls hanging out, looking like fucking crack heads gives them any sort of stock options? No.. well, maybe. I don't really know how that stuff works. Countries all over the world use music to bring people, ideas, and races together. It's not just "rocking out" in America.

I know i'm not the only one with this, but music has absolutely saved my life. If I didn't start playing drums back when i was the pimply nerd getting shoved around in my NOFX t-shirt, I would have been dead before high school. Sounds morbid but it's true. Hearing music back then was the light that christians describe as God. Sorry mom, but Jesus doesn't do it for me. Music does. And at first it was just an escape. Something I did alone before friends could play. Then it turned into "hey man, i've got a guitar at my house you can play.. let's jam!" and then everyone wants to get involved. Now instead of partying, we're at my studio making music all night!

Nowadays, I run my own recording studio. I watch guys come in stressed out from life's routine and see their faces light up with inspiration as their own music gets played back through my monitors. I've helped bands with little to no money put out music that they've used as an escape, of ALL genres. Do you realize how amazing that makes me feel that I've made them feel that way? I've inspired people of all ages and genres to put something out they believed was worth hearing. And with recording studios being such a blatant rip off, how are these guys supposed to get their music out there? How can a kid in Washington get ahold of an inspiring bands full length? "Welp, sorry.. you can't until we save up 10 grand" is not an option.That's just another example of how music can turn someone's life around.

Now not only does their music on that record inspire other people, but those guys leave excited as hell about what they've accomplished. Which in return affects their daily lives. Better moods! Now tell me, does this kids mom feel that way when she walks out of her office after a long day of her over weight boss breathing down her neck? No. Which is probably why she takes it out on her kid.

Now.. granted there are an abundance of kids out there who may have a talent but no drive to do anything with it. I'm not saying "dude man, let's get high and play guitar man. my moms yellin n' shit." - but the kid in this video wasn't posting a cover of his favorite Seether song (and thank fucking god for that!) He was posting a detailed, educated review about an amp he had. He was inspired about a sound he had created and he was trying (and clearly it worked) to inspire someone else in the process.

Anyone who calls music "immature" is a fucking clown. Playing shows and watching people be moved. Physically or mentally is a feeling that no business plan would ever make me feel.

Ultimately: In a world full of complete shit - it's amazing to help people. Any way you can. Whether they drop $5 on the ground and you hand it back to them, or you help a band put out a record that moved at very, very least the members in the band. If you can't accept that, I couldn't care any less. I've never felt a connection to the blandness of society or culture anyways.



- Novak