BLACKLISTED
Ever since the release of their demo 7" on Walk All Night Records in 2003, Blacklisted has been one of the most dedicated and hardworking bands in the world. They have been on countless tours of North America and Europe, showing no signs of stopping until uncertainty caused them to announce a breakup and last shows in the summer of 2006. The band decided to stay together after much deliberation and released an EP in early 2007 on Deathwish called "Peace on Earth, War on Stage". Subsequent tours of the US followed and the band just finished up a European tour with Shipwreck and Soul Control. The new record "Heavier than Heaven, Lonelier than God" will be out on Deathwish on April 1, 2008 and the band has record release shows in Southern California, Chicago and Philadelphia for the weekend of March 21 and will be on tour in April all over the US as well.
Tell me a little bit about how Blacklisted formed and what the motivation for starting the band was?
George: The motivation was to just make music and play as many shows as possible. Our motivation is still pretty much the same.
Ever since the first tour out here to Southern California with Punishment in the summer of 2004, it seems like you guys have been on the road practically non-stop. Have you ever gotten an estimate as to how many shows Blacklisted has played over the years?
George: I dont know, in a one year span we played like 240 shows and havent slowed down much.
Of the stops you guys have made, what are your favorites places to play and to visit?
George I love playing, california, Belgium, Montreal there are alot more, thats just 3 in three different places.
Best shows you've been to and best shows you've played?
George: I dont know the best show I have been too or played, Both can be answered with, anytime we play with cold world, ceremony and shipwreck.
What are some of your favorite venues throughout the country?
George: Cave 9 in birmingham alabama, che cafe in san diego, chain reaction in anaheim, the first unitarian church in philadelphia, this place that isnt around anymore called nicelys tavern that was in daytona florida, there are a ton..
Years of constant touring has to have resulted in some ridiculous incidents, care to share any?
George: In california with Bracewar one time we were swimming at night at our hotel and a crackhead came and ripped the gate door right off the gate like the incredible hulk, He didnt wanna go swimming though.
When you're not on tour, which seems to be rare, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
George: Im down for whatever, Ill try anything twice except murder and suicide.
Do you work while not on tour or is that nearly impossible with the magnitude of time on the road?
George: I work whenever I desperately need money. I try to not have my life ruled by it though, So i rarely work.
How does the Philadelphia hardcore scene compare to others throughout the world including Southern California?
George: Philadelphia is much darker, violent and agressive then any place ive ever been, The vibe is what blacklisteds music is based around.
The band has had constant lineup changes throughout the years, do you feel that the current lineup will bring more stability? Also, has there been a common theme as to why the past members have departed?
George: This line up is the final one, I wouldnt do it anymore if either of the other three left. Shawn Bean and Dave are who I should have started this band with. The common theme would be, Everythings not for everybody, That and my glowing personality.
What was it like to work with Jamey Jasta with "Our Youth is Wasted" being on Stillborn?
George: I dont know, we recorded "our youth is wasted" for a different label and stillborn just bought the recording. I never really dealt with anything Stillborn related.
Deathwish seems to be the best label in the world, what do you enjoy most about working with Tre and company?
George: It is the best label in the world, My favorite thing about it is, I can do whatever I want, Its like having 3 hippie parents, tre, jake and nicole and they are just down to let their kids do whatever they want, but are always waiting in the wind to save us.
I've heard some great covers from you guys, "River Runs Red" by Life of Agony, "The Distance" by Moondoog and "Shall Be Judged" by Burn but haven't heard any covers live lately. Is Blacklisted done with covers or can we expect a sweet new in the future?
George: I dont know, if we are feeling a song soon maybe we will cover it, we will see. i would love to cover a straight ahead song in the near future.
The near breakup and decision to stay together came about very suddenly from an outsider's perspective, what made you guys decide to call it quits and then eventually not go through with it all within a very short period of time?
George: Well we were gonna quit because an "important" member had heart problems on tour and was in the hospital and wasnt gonna be able to tour anymore, with out touring blacklisted isnt so much of a band, so we were gonna be done, after thinking about it more me and shawn decided it was better to just play and atleast record a 7". We did that and decided we still had some creativity that we could put behind the blacklisted name, so we decided to keep going.
Todd Jones (previously of Terror, Carry On, etc) has been playing guitar in Blacklisted recently, is he a full-time member or only for select shows and how did him joining come about? Is it difficult to have a member of the band from the other side of the country?
George: TJ is in the band, He plays as many shows as he can. Its not so difficult, airplanes get him where hes gotta go, hes into flying, in my mind he flys so much that eventually odds are gonna fall into his favor and a random girl who is feeling frisky is gonna wanna join the mile high club and he is gonna be her partner, so until that happens he is in blacklisted, but once it does, i think he may retire and move to austrailia and wax surfboards.
At Sound and Fury you talked about how influential the band 108 was on you as a musician, what are some of your main influences in Blacklisted both lyrically and musically?
George: cro mags, bad brains, 108, supertouch, quicksand, catpower, dinosaur jr. they would be my influences if i had to pick some right now, its subject to change.
I've heard you say at multiple shows that all the straight edge kids should stay that way, are you straight edge and if so, how long have you been and has it had a profound effect on your life?
George: I am straight edge, I have been for my whole life, It shaped my whole life, its pretty much natural to me, like eating when im hungry or drinking water when im thirsty.
What do you feel is the biggest difference from "The Beat Goes On" to "Peace on Earth, War on Stage"? How have the lyrics and music changed, if it all, and what influences are most prevalent on this record?
George: Well, the beat goes on is what I necessarily wanted to be doing, i felt restricted. Peace on earth i felt like i was having a nervous breakdown and just went for it. I dont know what influences are prevalent on it, its a record of 4 people who didnt think they would be making music together making music together.
You guys just got done touring out West and playing an insane set at Sound and Fury, what does Blacklisted have left upcoming this summer and the fall? Any details about the new full-length that you'd like to give us?
George: We are going to europe then finishing up writing our upcoming lp on deathwish, we will be recording in october, so thats about it, after that we will be back on the road.
Are you into sports at all and if so, favorite team(s)?
George: i love sports and all philadelphia teams. besides that i will watch anytime certain players play. I follow players more then teams.
Favorite movies and TV shows currently and of all-time?
George: movies there are toooo many to name....tv shows recently, lost, the wire, scrubs.
Best video games ever made?
George: As a whole i would say Super mario Bros 3. When it came out I played it sooooo much, street fighter 2 is a classic, the final fantasys are great.
Besides touring the world in a band, what is your dream career?
George: own a record store, work with children as a psychologist. they are the only 2 i really would be intrested in.
Most awesome/ridiculous rumor that you've heard about why you always wear long sleeve shirts?
George: theres rumors?????
Grade this interview so far on a scale of 1-10, I'm new at this haha
George: 8..youre good.
I want to thank you for taking time out of your nonstop touring schedule to do this interview, any final thoughts/things you need to get off your chest?
George: Rise and fall, ceremony, shipwreck, cold world...check these bands out. We will have a new record coming soon, Check it out. OVERPOWER OVERCOME
1 comment:
Cool interview.
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