Mike: So
what have you guys been up to lately?
Rob: We've
basically just been home working and practicing. We're almost
done writing a new record. We've been playing only a minimal
amount of shows, so as to not sacrifice time that we could
be practicing.
Mike: I
see that you just re-released your last CD on 10" form.
How is it working with Grey Flight records?
Rob: Grey
Flight is really cool. We've known Grant and Julie for a while,
and they've done all kinds of things to help us over the years.
They're great people. Their philosophy on running a label,
is that they only put out bands that they like, and that they
make the records look as cool as possible. That's it. They're
not worried about profits. I think that's really commendable.
Mike: I
heard you guys are toying with the idea of releasing your
next feature
yourselves is that true?
Rob: We're
definitely talking about it. It's something that we've always
wanted to do. We all pretty much share the "record label=unnecessary
middleman" theory. Of course there are a handful of small
labels, such as Grey Flight, that aren't looking for a piece
of the profit. We just want to try doing it ourselves, so
that we can be held responsible for everything. We've had
our share of "mishaps" with our previous releases.
If we do everything, we have no one to blame for mistakes
but ourselves. Also, if it does well, we know that people
are buying it because they actually like the music, not because
it's on a certain label.
Mike: What
is the main drive of the band these days?
Rob: Our
main drive? I guess to put it simply (and kind of generically),
we try to have fun playing our music and make ends meet at
the same time.
Mike: Do
you guy prefer to play inside Chicago or out?
Rob: That's
kind of tough. It totally depends on the individual show.
Mike: Where
are some places the Honor System likes to play in Chicago?
Rob: The
obvious answer is the Fireside. That's kind of like a home
for us. Also Dan's basement. Those shows are always a lot
of fun. We've had mixed feelings about all of the other Chicago
venues that we've played.
Mike: Where
are some places the Honor System likes to play outside Chicago?
Rob: St.
Louis is always great. Austin, New York City, Montreal, Boston,
San Francisco. There's a lot. St. Charles...
Mike: Does
the Honor System prefer to play all ages shows or 21 and over
ones?
Rob: We almost
always prefer to play all ages shows, but we still do the
occasional 21 and over show, usually just in Chicago. We play
here enough that an age restriction won't ruin anyone's chances
of seeing us.
Mike: What
do you think of the Chicago scene nowadays compared to other
cities?
Rob: The
Chicago scene, like the scene in other big cities, is comprised
of a lot of different smaller groups of bands/people. There
is no single "Chicago scene," whereas in a smaller
city, you'll find more of a close-knit independent community
where everyone knows everyone.
Mike: You
guys were being booked by a booking agent and now you are
doing it yourselves. What do you think of the idea of booking
agents for punk bands?
Rob: Actually,
we do have a booking agent helping us again. For us, booking
shows is a lot of work, especially considering that we all
work during the day. As long as the band stays involved with
the process, I think it's fine. On the other hand, it sucks
when a band uses a booking agent to do all of their dirty
work, so they don't have to look like the assholes.
Mike: What
do you think is important for punk or independent bands to
still do themselves nowadays?
Rob: Same
as the old days? I don't know. It's hard to set any kind of
guidelines. I personally feel that it's more gratifying for
a band to do things on their own. However, I think it's up
to each individual band as to where to draw the line.
Mike: Do
you think a lot of bands are forgetting why the started and
just searching for fame lately?
Rob: It's
probably always been that way. You just start to see it from
a different perspective after you've been involved with it
for a while. It definitely seems that bands aren't too worried
about "selling out" anymore. But, when I was 16
and I thought that everyone was doing it for the right reasons,
there were probably plenty of 25 year olds saying "nobody
cares anymore." I like to think that there are lots of
bands that are still doing it because they love playing music.
We just don't know about them.
Mike: What
bands do you respect that you think still keep it real?
Rob: Any
band that manages to exist for a long time without writing
straight-up pop is probably keeping it real. Those are the
bands I tend to have a lot of respect for. Some names that
come to mind are No Means No and the 4-Squares. Or Knuckleduster.
Those guys have been around forever.
Mike: Are
there any bands that you just dont see a point for?
Rob: Halfassed
Jackson, the PiRitz, Bumblefuck, and their contemporaries.
Mike: Have
you guys ever lost friendships because of band politics?
Rob: Not
to my knowledge. I don't think that we would ever let that
kind of disagreement escalate to a point where we stopped
being friends with someone.
Mike: What
was the best experience you guys ever had with the band?
Rob: It's
hard to narrow it down to one single experience. We've met
lots of nice people and been to lots of interesting places.
Mike: Any
last words?
Rob: Nice
work with Redline. You guys have a cool thing going. The System
wishes you well.
for more info on The Honor System please
visit: http: www.thehonorsystem.net
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