Mike:
What was the first record
you put out and why did you decide to do it?
Craig:
The first record Sinister ever did was a 7" from a
band called The Fantastics. It was my friend Alex who used
to be in a band called the Monsignors, whom also played
with Nolan McGuire who now roadies with Alkaline Trio in
a band called the Parker Brothers. Anyway, Alex moved to
Colorado and started up a pop punk band called The Fantastic
with some locals out there. He came back, we were at the
Elmhurst VFW, he played me the tape I was like "this
is awesome!". I had told him I had been dabbling with
the idea to start a show distro, so I told him that, he
said "why dont you just put our record out",
I said "sounds good to me". That is when Sinister
all started, in early 1997. The reason I wanted to start
a record label was because I cant play any instruments
and I wanted to be involved in punk rock. So I figured I
could help my friends bands.
Mike:
Do you prefer to put out vinyl or CDs?
Craig:
Not too many people purchase vinyl anymore. i would love
to do both, but yeah...
Mike:
How are the relationships
between you and the bands you put out?
Craig:
I believe most of the relationships with our bands are great.
Both Mike and I go out on the road with them when we can.
I have been going out with Frontside for years on their
road trips. Most of our bands weve known previously
to doing records, so its just an extension of our friendships.
I havent really run into many conflicts with people
we work with, Im sure there are some problems, there
always are, for the most part we try and be honest and open
with everyone.
Mike:
What Chicago bands would you
like to work with that you havent yet?
Craig:
Ive always wanted to work with John Brown Battery,
those guys are awesome. Do you
Mike:
prefer to go to shows in the
city or the suburbs and why?
Craig:
Suburbs shows seem to be a lot cooler than the City shows.
Although, I do like the City shows because they are more
convenient for me to get to. Dupage basement shows are amazing,
everyone is having a fun, no attitudes, tons of mosh, it
rules.
Mike:
Do you prefer to go to record stores in the city or the
suburbs and why?
Craig:
I dont really care for too many of the record stores
in the City. Clubhouse and Lauries Planet of sound are cool.
I cant handle reckless and the shitty music those
people like. Not that my music is any better, but I dont
have an attitude about it. All Im saying is, yeah
I might like some stuff you dont like, I can understand
where people might think its shitty, right on, whatever...
But Reckless employees believe for some reason the
horrible stuff they call indie rock or 80s or whatever
trend is going around the wicker park underground scene
is the only acceptable music. All the same people giving
you snide looks when I pick up records look like they got
attacked by the ugly section of the thrift store, its
quite astonishing. Suburban shops that are awesome. First
off, they are 100 times easier to deal with if your a record
label. Which is understandable due to population density
lends itself being less of a hassle. And they have more
records I would be into, I like the way the stores are laid
out a bit better. Cool suburb shops; Warehouse Music, Music
Werks, Record Breakers, Threshold, Bizzy Bee, among others.
I might be raggn on Reckless, but overall its a cool
shop that does support a ton of indie bands and labels.
Mike:
Do you ever think the fireside
will close?
Craig:
If it closes that will mean more basement shows, which would
be awesome.
Mike:
What was your favorite Chicago
band ever?
Craig:
Hands down Oblivion.
Mike:
What Chicago band could you never stand more than any other?
Craig:
A lot of those homewood bands that all sounded like the
same pop punk band around in 1996.
Mike:
Who do you think is the most
underrated band in Chicago now?
Craig:
4 squares & Vida Blue(10 Grand)
Mike:
Who do you think is the most
overrated band in Chicago now?
Craig:
Sweep the Leg Johnny(not saying they are bad, but they do
have a distinct sound that I dont think most people
who hang out in the fireside bar or Rock n Bowl can
all enjoy. Its like those people who go to Columbia College
or Art Institute who trick themselves into thinking they
like reading books and/or being an artist. I like some of
both books and art but I know that its not for everyone
to the extent that they go on about it. Have you ever been
to the Art Institute and seen some the projects they do?
My God.)
Mike:
Do you find that you get along
with most people in the scene?
Craig:
No. I have met a few really cool people from it though.
Mike:
Who do you hate the most?
Craig:
these guys who date rapped these girls I knew. I once poured
pop all over him in hopes he would fight me but he wouldnt.
Mike:
If there was going to be a massive rumble who do you think
would win between the Dupage scene and the Arlington Heights
one?
Craig:
Dupage has more heart, the Heights has more brawn. Man you
got Shane up in that shit, hell clear out the room.
The dupage kids wont stay down for long, this one
Dupage kid was so ready to fight in the Heights he punched
the wall and broke his hand, then proceeded to pass out.
Mike:
Which scene in Chicagoland
do you think is the strangest?
Craig:
Eorls scene.
Mike: Would
you rather be at an Apocalypse Hoboken show in the 847 in
1996 or a 30 Seconds Deep show in the 630 in 1994?
Craig:
I never got into hoboken or 30 seconds deep. I did see 30
seconds deep with Mu330 in naperville and totally skanked
it up for MU.
Mike:
Do you think Ryan Durkin Would
be in the scene today if it werent for Dave Eves and
the Elmhurst VFW?
Craig:
Dave Eaves trained Mr. Durkin to be the man he is now. Ryan
would little more then a guy that should be from Villa Park
if it wasnt for Dave Eaves. I went to Ryans
house once and saw this weird shrine with pictures of Dave
and Ryan and then just Dave around this diorama. Its fairly
awkward when he shows it to you, but when he tells you the
stories of all the good times they had together it makes
sense.
Mike: Did
you ever see a good show at Scrap Skate Park?
Craig:
In Truth played with Frontside once, that was straight.
other than that, no.
Mike:
Do you feel responsible for
the large punker enrollment at Depaul?
Craig:
I attribute the large punk enrollment to a man named Hardcore
John.
Mike:
Any last words to wrap this
up?
Craig:
Please before purchasing any drive thru records or atticus
clothing do a quick analysis. Those two things are the worst
things ever to come out of punk rock. Some rich guy in Blink
182 marketing to punk rock kids, what the F
its like
the sensationalizing of punk rock, saying anyone and everyone
wearing a shirt with this book I read in 8th grade characters
name in it, is down. As for drive thru
They try to
make every band a band that can be on the major so this
busted guy can make some money, they also have tons of bands
demo for them in California with no intentions to do anything
with them but have them be their street team minions. Its
fucking busted.
Last words: Get
involved, start a zine, book a show in your basement, help
your friends band, do some records, get involved in your
community; food not bombs, rainn, etc, do something to make
a difference, stop watching M2. And think about what your
buying instead of buying into this crappy consumerism that
some of these labels/people try and sell you.
for more info on Sinister Label please
visit: www.sinisterlabel.com
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