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Bomb The Music Industry!
Posted by Rob Ortenzi on 08-Nov-07 @ 02:12 PM|
HQ: All over the U.S. NOW PLAYING: Get Warmer (ASIAN MAN) WHY YOU SHOULD KNOW 'EM: This not-quite-ska/punk collective with 20+ members in tow defies traditional labels and celebrates the true DIY spirit of punk rock. Oh, and their music? It's free for the taking. YOU LIKE? YOU'LL LIKE? Streetlight Manifesto / Mr. Bungle / Big D And The Kids Table Despite the militant name, Bomb The Music Industry! is not a bunch of WTO-hating, anti-capitalist, ultra-orthodox, punk-rock terrorists. How can we tell? Let's just say that after about five minutes of banter over a vegetarian lunch with band members Jeff Rosenstock and Sean McCabe, we get the feeling these guys are more likely to mock their so-called peers than go after some corporate behemoth. "We're not pushy about what we believe," says Rosenstock, the group's main singer and songwriter. "[It's] like my vegetarianism: If people want to talk about it, great. But we're not PETA." Whatever their beliefs, there is no denying that Bomb The Music Industry! exemplify the old-school spirit of their punk-rock elders. The band-formed out of the ashes of the long-running ska group Arrogant Sons Of Bitches-features a line-up of 24 rotating members from around the country, each contributing to the records or tours "whenever they're available." Instead of selling merch, the group ask fans to bring T-shirts to the show, where they will spray-paint logos on them free of charge. And even though the band's latest record, Get Warmer, was just released on Asian Man Records, it's also available on the band's website-for free. Like the group's previous three records, Get Warmer features a speedy mix of horns, synths, ska and punk, topped off with a healthy sense of humor. (Sample song titles include "New Softer Formula (a.k.a. Unlimited Breadsticks, Soup and Salad Days)" and "Depression Is No Fun.") "Look, we certainly don't do what we do for cred points," says Rosenstock. "Whatever we do, it's just because it's easier at this point. I recorded the first few records in my bedroom on a MacBook, but if somebody gave us $50,000 and told us to record with Jerry Finn in a real studio, we'd be like 'Let's do it!' We'll try anything." Despite the band's seemingly impeccable moral standards, you can't please everyone, which is evident after taking a gander at the group's MySpace page featuring numerous testimonials from fans, all of which are negative. "We only put up the bad ones," says McCabe. "No one wants to read, 'We had a blast at your show!' Instead, we'll put up that kid who's like, 'Can you guys e-mail me when you decide to play good?' or 'Is Jeff actually going to be sober on the 10th when I see you guys play?' And the answer to that one is, because you asked, 'No.'" Kirk Miller |
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