Staff Interview (Part Two) - 10.16.08 [Archive]

Julia Conny

10/26/08, 08:27 PM

Staff Interview continued...(Part One (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=639282) - Part Three (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=639242) - Part Four (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=639212))

Whats the biggest perk of being on staff?
Rich: The most obvious is getting advances. However, for me, the biggest perk is getting to interact with some of my favorite musicians and labels on a daily basis.
Scott W: Free shit. Getting to watch albums being recorded in studio. Getting advances. Becoming friends with bands you’ve loved for years.
Drew: Staff forum. Haha, seriously though I like the free stuff I get, but the best perk is getting a thank you from a band or label for helping them out.
Julia: Advances - always having mail in my mailbox! I feel so special! Although that has gotten bit old. And having the opportunity to build my resume in the biz. Meeting and working with my favorite musicians. Working hand in hand with some amazing publicists, labels and managers has been a blast too.
Jaime D: The experience. Seeing how things really work behind the scenes.
Scott I: Having an overabundance of CDs you'll probably never listen to again after reviewing them.
Paul: Meeting all of the new people, it's what I love to do.
Adrian: Getting a hold of new music I wouldn’t check out on my own.
Tristan: I don't really get any free stuff, but even if I did, the best part is being able to help with this site and interact with the people who run it.
Chris: Advances are great and all, but the chances of getting quoted in a magazine ad or album sticker might be the greatest one.
Jamie P: For me, it’s getting to work with music and seeing how everything in the industry works.
Anton: I like being able to make a difference in some way, even if it's with a news post. I can't tell you how appreciative some people are for news posts, and most of the time it's just a simple three sentence write-up with links and clicking the submit button.
Linda: Biggest perk is probably getting so many CDs sent to me. However, I don't take advantage of the perk and pass them on to Jason or reviewers as quickly as possible.
Lueda: Talking to bands that I really love. It's just so great to get a response from a band that you have loved and supported for years.
Steve: Developing friendships with bands.
Jason: I'd say the orgies. However, hearing from a band/artist you love and knowing they read something you wrote will never, ever get old to me.

Do any of you guys hope to work in other areas of the music business in the future?
Rich: I do. I am currently going to school for journalism and would like to continue writing about music in the future. However, I am also interested in the record label side of the business and currently run a small indie label, but I would also love to work for another indie in the future. I really could not see myself doing anything else than working with music in some capacity.
Joe: Yep, hopefully I can have a career in it.
Scott W: I would if the industry didn’t pay about as much as a Denny’s waitress.
Drew: Probably not.
Blake: I'd love to find myself a job in the music industry. There's a magazine called Death + Taxes that would be awesome to work for. Check it out and wish me luck. First choice is obviously working here full-time, though.
Julia: Sure Despite the unstable state of the industry, I think in this for the long haul. I enjoy editorial content and writing the most, but I've dabbled in a bit of everything. I'm not one to settle, so even if working in music doesn't pay the bills, I'm sure I'll insist on staying active. I don't want to be forced to work with bands I don't like though.
Jaime D: I've always considered it, but I think I'd rather keep it as a hobby and something I enjoy doing, rather than something I have to do as a career.
Scott I: To be honest, hopefully not. I think it's great to work in the music industry this early in my life, but it is not a business I would like to devote my life's work to. There are other creative ventures I'd much rather have pay the bills.
Paul: Well, I already do, so I guess that kind of negates this question for me. I co-run a label (IAMSOUND Records) and work at a management company (Worlds End).
Adrian: “Business,” no, not really. But creating music with a group, well, that’s another story.
Tristan: I would very much like to be an audio engineer as a living, but I don't see that happening, so I don't hope for it.
Chris: If the opportunity rises its head, sure. I'm actually intending to go into the film industry as a screenwriter though, so unless a fantastic knock comes at my door, I'll be sticking with my current career path.
Jamie P: I would love to manage bands full time in the future.
Anton: I would love to in some way, but I don't know how possible it is with my career path at this point. If anyone's reading and wants to hire me though, I'm up to considering offers.
Linda: I like this area of the music industry.
Lueda: No. I don't do this because I plan to use the experience in my future. I do it to simply support bands I love, and because it's fun. I don't ever plan to be involved in the music industry in any other way (unless Tristan drags me into it).
Jonathan: Actually my job now pretty much is in the music/entertainment biz, so..
Travis: I doubt it. I love to listen to, talk about, review, and write music, but at the moment, I'm an archaeologist.
Steve: If money were no object, I would do it in a second, but there is no way I could ever find a job to pay enough to make me quit my job now.
Eric: I do. I pretty much have to. I’d like to keep writing, but if that doesn’t go anywhere, I’ll figure out something.
Jason: I'm taking over the world.

Who is the biggest asshole on the staff?
Scott W: Me, and I doubt anyone would argue against that. Haha.
Drew: Jason, easily. We love him for it.
Blake: I'm a big dick (lol), but I'm quiet and conniving about it. I do love watching a good Scott Irvine fight, though.
Jaime D: Everyone can be at times.
Scott I: I've been told by a few people that I am.
Adrian: Scott Irvine, but I like it.
Chris: Weebs or Tate ... but then again, it's why I love them both. I can be a huge prick if the moment calls for it, but I'm still a partial n00b.
Anton: Either Scott W. or Steve, I would say. But the good kind of asshole.
Linda: We all take turns.
Lueda: Everyone can be, but I think we're pretty nice overall.
Jonathan: Whenever there's a news post about Plain White T's/Metro Station, I am.
Steve: I can be an ass, and so can Weber, Irvine, and Jason, but none of us will act as such without reason.
Jason: Me. I'm a prick.

Any bands in the scene you really hate?
Rich: Hate is a strong word, but there is an extremely long list of bands in the scene whose music I can not stand at all.
Joe: None personally, but musically, bands like The Medic Droid, Brokencyde, and Millionaires.
Scott W: I probably shouldn’t name them.
Drew: Metro Station.
Julia: I can't stand Secondhand Serenade. Also, young bands that don't have to spend time playing the ropes and go straight from practicing in their parent's basement to hotels and tour buses. It's hard for me to respect a band that gets it all so easy.
Scott I: I hate the term "scene" in general. If it is used in context with a geographical location (i.e. "the Chicago post-punk scene") then it's passable. But in terms of using the word "scene" to describe a general census of bands is asinine. Is Fall Out Boy part of the "scene"? Is Chumbawamba part of the "scene"?
Jaime D: I get shit for the bands I don't like. Rise Against is probably the biggest though. I can't stand the dudes voice.
Adrian: I haven’t heard a second of music from most bands in the scene that are “hated.” So I don’t know exactly what Metro Station sound like, and judging from what others say, that’s a good thing.
Tristan: There's a large amount of music in the scene that I don't like at all. Or at least what I perceive to be the scene; I'm not too up on that stuff. I just listen to what I listen to.
Chris: I'm rather vocal when it comes to my distaste for "scene" bands. I'm not big on many Fueled by Ramen or Fearless acts, but I would hate to limit it to those two labels. Any band blatantly ripping off the success of All Time Low, Fall Out Boy or We The Kings' current TRL comfort zone need a wake-up call, because music is not all about autotune, electronic instruments and recycled hooks. People work for years on their art, carefully picking and choosing how to make the best product possible - it's so sad to be how over-saturated with bullshit the scene is now. The new white boy crunk trend (and all the electro-pop-rap shit) just gives me no optimism for what the scene is turning into. Remember how nice it used to be? Drive-Thru Records, Warped Tour, the beginning of FBR... those were great days.
Anton: Hate is a strong word, but I really really really don't like Jeffree Star. I can't believe he's actually able to be included in this genre. Oh, how things have changed.
Lueda: I don't know because I don't keep up with bands in this scene anymore, but I used to really dislike Taking Back Sunday, just because I didn't think that they were as good as people made them out to be.
Travis: Eh, not really, there's just a number of bands that I ignore or don't listen to. What's the point of hating a band?
Steve: There is way too much good music out there to focus on hatred for a single band. I just ignore what I don't like.
Eric: I don’t like Emmure and bands who sound like them.
Jason: Brokencyde, Ice Nine Kills, The Maine, Mayday Parade, The Morning Light, Metro Station, 3oh!3. They are all buckets of fail.

Anton, how do you pronounce your last name?
Adrian: “DJ-ah-moooooose.”
Anton: Dee-jay-miss. It's Syrian and it means "great white bison". I'm not Syrian...long story.
Lueda: He's lying. He is indeed a terrorist.
Jason: Sa-port-a.

How do the ABSOLUTExclusives and front page spotlights get decided on? Is it record company money, staff taste or what? Could you please put some non-flavor of the moment scene bands on there?
Joe: ABSOLUTExlcusives are decided on whether it's a band that the users care about. Ones that aren't so well known are decided amongst the staff. Front page spotlights are based on bands that are releasing a new album that week that a lot of people are looking forward to. On weeks that aren't so filled with big releases, we tend to decide on a smaller band that is releasing something that should get it. So yes, a lot of the time it's staff taste. No record label is giving us money unless it's to Adrian because of his dashing good looks.
Adrian: With some bands it’s pretty much a no-brainer and no debate is needed – if Thrice want to give us an AE, we’re going to take it while the offer is hot. It’s the same deal with other bands we strongly support. And if Jason or GPress want to give a band an ABSOLUTExclusive spot, they got it. Otherwise the staff makes a group decision about the band, usually through a poll in the staff forum. And I can tell you from experience there have been many “flavor of the moment scene bands” shot down in the staff forum.
Anton: Just to reiterate, exclusives are not bought. We pick what we think you will all like.
Lueda: I guess they all answered you already.
Jason: Staff consensus. No money has ever been paid for features or AE's (unless Garett's skimming, haha). If a staff member wants to run a feature or exclusive - they're given pretty much the reign to do such.

Oh and as a follow up - staff: when there is a new band you are really getting into, do you make it a point to put their news out on the homepage and/or bug the boss to make an ABSOLUTExclusives out of them?
Rich: I only put the news out there if it is an important piece of news or one that I feel readers would be interested in. In terms of ABSOLUTExclusives, I have suggested a few bands that I like for them in the past and so have other staff, but it has to be something everyone agrees on.
Julia: Yes. Most of us have our baby bands that we want to help as much as possible. It's one of my favorite things about working here.
Scott I: Absolutely. Why not use this prestige to inflate bands you think deserve it? As a staff member, you get sent a lot of music/press releases/etc. where, often, a lot of smaller bands are the majority of what you see day-to-day. So we have access to a source readers of AP.net do not, therefore it's a responsibility on our part to filter this wealth to the masses.
Jaime D: For sure. If I find out about a new band that I'm really into, of course I'm going to introduce them to the masses. Isn't that what this is all about? If it weren't for Jason, I'd have never heard of The Graduate, and they're one of my favorite bands these days. (And great guys, as well!)
Paul: I definitely try and at least recommend them on Sundays and, if they have anything newsworthy, post their news.
Adrian: I usually gush about new bands and releases in my blog rather than any other outlet, though I have posted news for bands I’m preferential towards.
Anton: I definitely do this, but I don't go out of my way to post news...I will take any event and determine to make it newsworthy so it's not a completely pointless newspost that no one's interested in.
Lueda: Absolutely. I always want people to hear (great) new music that they are missing out on. It feels great to be able to share bands that deserve more love.
Steve: If there is a little known band that I feel deserves more exposure, I will work to actively promote them through news posts, exclusives/showcases, etc. I like to think this exposed a lot of users to artists like Fly Upright Kite, Stacy Clark, Jeremy Larson, Closure in Moscow, Therefore I Am, etc.

Julia will you marry me?
Julia: Maybe, do you like dogs?

Are there any recent albums you think will still be remembered 4 or 5 decades in the future?
Rich: That is a tough one. I have heard a lot of original albums that I personally think will be remembered, but one that has a good chance in my opinion is Arcade Fire’s Funeral. Although it is unlikely, I would also like to see Autolux's Future Perfect be one of those albums.
Drew: Illinois by Sufjan Stevens.
Blake: What, like, when we're old???
Julia: In a general, societal sense and from the bands that covered regularly on AP.net, no. I'd like to hope that bands like Death Cab and Jimmy Eat World have made their stamp on musical history, but who knows. I think the only recent-ish album that will really stand the test of time will be In Rainbows.
Scott I: Sadly, a lot of the albums I think deserve to be remembered that far in the future will not. Albums like Lungfish's Artificial Horizon, Joan of Arc's Live in Chicago, 1999, Duster's Contemporary Movement, The One A.M. Radio's Hum of the Electric Air!, and Shh...This Is A Library's S/T. It's a heartbreak, really. Though a lot of album I think deserve it and surprisingly got a good acclaim like Animal Collective's Feels, Cursive's The Ugly Organ, and Neutral Milk's In the Aeroplane...
Jaime D: I know there are a ton that will be remembered by me, but I can't speak for the masses. You never know.
Paul: Depends on how recent you consider recent.
Adrian: Forty years, eh? I plan on keeping all of my albums, so I’ll remember most of everything. And though the mainstream uses and disposes of music as quickly as possible – see: MTV – the music that shapes us is not easily extinguished from memory.
Tristan: Yes, because I plan to be alive in four to five decades, and I'll definitely remember many.
Chris: There are definitely some that ought to be remembered down the line but may not have received enough critical attention. Dog Problems, I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child, Futures ... these are all exceptional, influential records that most definitely should never be forgotten.
Jamie P: Probably the new Bon Iver and City and Colour.
Anton: I think that with the way that the Internet has allowed more accessibility to underground genres that it has adversely affected mainstream music. Mainstream music is going to be the stuff that's remembered 40 years from now, not the stuff we listen to. If anything, possibly Coldplay? If we're talking personally though, I'll definitely remember Midtown and Thursday because of the effect they've had on my life.
Lueda: I don't know about "recent" albums, but there are quite a few in my collection that I can see myself listening to 10-20 years from now.
Travis: By me, yeah for sure, of course, all my favorites. 40 or 50 years though? I imagine there will still be a community of people (i.e., the AP users) who remember all the bands that they, collectively, were into at this point in time. That list will differ significantly from the one on "I Love the 2000s, Volume 19" though.
Steve: Really tough question - I started a thread on this a while back. If anything, I would say Death Cab's Transatlanticism or Brand New's Deja Entendu would be most likely to live on.
Eric: Maybe In Rainbows for all the hype around the way it was released. I could see that in some sort of music history book.
Jason: I think we're entering into a stage in the music industry where music is becoming more personalized, so each listener may have a few albums that are with them forever - compared to a large faction of the population all being enamored with one or two bands/albums. That said I think bands like Jimmy Eat World, Brand New, and Thrice have released these kinds of albums for me. I think this year albums like Good Old War and Lydia could potentially stand up. It's about a personal connection and that ability to remind me of a period of time in my life that will dictate this possibility.

Ideal tours?
Rich: Fugazi/Braid/The Dismemberment Plan. Three of my favorite bands who are no longer playing shows that I did not get to see live for various reasons while they still played shows.
Drew: At The Drive-In, doesn't matter who else.
Blake: Northstar, Anberlin and Stroke 9
Julia: Manchester Orchestra with Kevin Devine and All Get Out ... Oh wait, that was just announced. Score. Bear Vs. Shark reunion tour too. Anything Bob Nanna.
Scott I: Cap'n Jazz, Braid, Boys Life, and Indian Summer.
Jaime D: Thursday, Gatsbys American Dream, Acceptance, and Portugal. The Man.
Adrian: Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, and Northstar, just to make the boy inside of me giddy with joy. Yep, my answer implies time travel.
Chris: I think I would like to take a time machine back to the late-60's or 1970's so I could see Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen in their heyday - maybe even before they got "big". For me, that would make my life complete.
Jamie P: Any Get Up Kids or Blink 182 reunion tour is good for me.
Anton: Midtown, Thursday, Saves the Day. The NJ All Stars Tour. That's one I could see happening, but if we're really stretching, I'm going to have to go with Drew's choice. It's ATDI, come on.
Lueda: The Faint, Imogen Heap and Ratatat. Elliott Smith would be on that list if he was alive.
Travis: Brand New/Taking Back Sunday (in its first incarnation), plus Thursday, Coheed and Cambria, and At the Drive-In. In my dreams, sometimes I envisage an All Saddle Creek Bands Past and Present Tour, but the glory of such a show would be blinding to the naked eye.
Eric: At the Drive In, Velvet Underground (the real version of them), Nirvana.

Favorite releases of 08 so far?
Rich: Able Baker Fox Voices, Ra Ra Riot The Rhumb Line, and Fleet Foxes Self-Titled.
Joe: Hit the Lights' Skip School, Start Fights, Cute is What We Aim For's Rotation, and Valencia's We All Need a Reason to Believe.
Scott W: Dillinger Four - C I V I L W A R
Drew: Underoath's Lost In The Sound Of Separation, new Sigur Ros, Stay Positive by The Hold Steady. The new Young Jeezy album is awesome too.
Blake: Why? - Alopecia, Lydia - Illuminate, Sleepmakeswaves - In Today Already Walks Tomorrow, This Will Destroy You - S/T, Foals - Antidotes, Mason Proper - Olly Oxen Free.
Julia: Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago, Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes, Astronautalis - Pomegranate, new Sigur Ros, Death Cab - Narrow Stairs, Beach House - Devotion, Tiger Lou - The Loyal, Pompeii - Nothing Happens for a Reason, Looking Glass Wars - The Musician.
Jaime D: Lydia - Illuminate, The Hush Sound - Goodbye Blues, Anberlin - New Surrender, Tiger Lou - The Loyal.
Scott I: The Dodos - Visiter, Joan of Arc - Boo! Human, No Age - Nouns, Women - S/T
Paul: Ooh this one is hard. The Black Ghosts and Sunny Day Sets Fire (although I put these albums out so I'm biased), Vampire Weekend, Ratatat, The Dodos.
Adrian: Thanks for the reminder – I really need to listen to more music from ’08 before the year is up. Right now I really like When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold by Atmosphere and The Secret Wars by Ace Enders and a Million Different People.
Chris: The Gaslight Anthem, Bayside, Jack's Mannequin, Less Than Jake and The Hold Steady.
Jamie P: Bon Iver, Valencia, Jack’s Mannequin, Ben Folds, Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s, and City and Colour.
Anton: I'm loving The Reign of Kindo's Rhythm, Chord & Melody.
Linda: I am currently enjoying Comic Book Heroes' Take a Seat (until a reviewer takes it from me). Before that it was One Word Song's I Can't Be Trusted.
Lueda: I would say, Rook by Shearwater, but only because I was listening to it last night and it's still fresh in my memory. Either way, that album is great and you guys need to check it out.
Travis: Bon Iver is still holding strong as my AOTY, but I'm also a big fan of the new Lydia, Underoath, Conor Oberst, Empires, Good Old War, and Alexander.
Steve: The New Frontiers have #1 sealed up. Beyond that, Copeland's You Are My Sunshine, Jeremy Larson's Salvation Club, and the Kay Kay record have all rocked my world this year.
Eric: Beck
Jason: Off the top of my head, in no real order: Good Old War, Lydia, Jack's Mannequin, Thrice, Astronautalis, Joshua Radin, Atmosphere, Anberlin, Augustana, City and Colour, House of Heroes, The Living End, Less Than Jake, The Narrative, Tiger Lou, Straylight Run, Valencia.

Thoughts on how the music industry can save itself from self-destruction?
Rich: I am not the best person to ask this question simply because I do not look at record labels in a corporate sense. It goes without saying that labels cannot stand on ideals alone and need a constant flow of money to stay alive. However, I think many labels now are constantly trying to imitate each other and bite on trends way to quickly. Look at the past few years - you had the screamo trend and now you have the day-glo wearing pop-punk trend. Labels are signing these bands left and right because they are what is popular right now and are looking to capitalize on that buzz for quick profits. However, once that bubble bursts, all of those bands will be quickly dropped to make room for the next trend putting them at a disadvantage and then the label has no reputation or solid back catalog because they simply jump from trend to trend.

Labels that want to survive in the current business climate need to develop a solid “sound” that is not built upon trends but rather plain old good music that the people running the record label believe in. People respect labels that release quality music that they generally enjoy rather than labels that simply pump out whatever is hot that year. Labels that do this are also able to retain fans and have them purchase records rather than simply download them for free. I say this in all seriousness that if a record label was smart, they would be run similar to the way Dischord is run. Sure, they may not make the sort of money that some other labels might, but they release music they believe in and can relate too and are able to compensate their artists fairly well and minimize debt through very smart business practices. To me, being able to compensate the artists fairly and building a fan base that will always be around without relying on trends or compromising integrity is far greater than making a quick buck. Rather than take up even more space then necessary, I will probably write a journal entry about this topic to put even more of my ideas down if people are interested though I do not claim to be an expert or authority by any means.
Drew: They should read Jason's blog.
Julia: I have tons of ideas and rants, which I often let loose (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showjournal&j=1584). I think that a lot of industry homies are trying to be innovative, and some of them really are, but the only way for the tide to shift on the whole is for the Big Four to change their failing habits and systems. There's a way to fix this, it's just a matter completely supporting and implementing a new model, but we won't see any significant change unless they let go. And since that probably won't happen, maybe self-destruction is what we need, you know, build back from the ground up.
Paul: Be more patient and spend your money wisely. Too many labels waste money on the stupidest stuff, it's no surprise that they can't afford to stay afloat.
Adrian: Record labels need to sign bands that deserve to have their music heard, not the bands that produce the same sound that’s been heard 100 times before.
Jamie P: Focus on a couple bands instead of a shit load.
Anton: Sucks to say it, but 360 deals are the best thing for the labels with dwindling album sales. However, I think labels need more integrity when it comes to signing bands you love instead of signing bands that are the flavor of the moment. Look at a label like Eyeball Records...they're obviously getting bands that they love and believe in. Another thing to look into is new media. Labels can definitely sustain by getting their music on video game soundtracks, ring tones, television shows, etc. Selling out is not a worry for labels, so if they can get their product into as many avenues as possible, they should take it. All of this exposure will also allow for more album sales. Look into viral word of mouth with simple things like music videos. The music video is a forgotten art that should really be taken advantage of, especially with the availability of streaming video on the Internet; anyone can see it and, if it's good enough, it's easy to get a million views on Youtube for one song. For the artist, I would say that they should get on a label in order to get their name out then get off the label once they have a sizable fanbase and self-release as much as possible.
Lueda: To embrace technology and stop fighting it because it's a lost battle for them.
Steve: Continue to offer deals that make downloading obsolete. This means signed booklets, great artwork, and other little nuggets to reward the people that buy a record.
Thoughts on how the music industry can save itself from self destruction?
Eric: Nothing, they’re doomed. They’re just going to have to work through concerts because we can’t illegally download those.
Jason: I have written a lot about this in my blog over the past few years. I think there needs to be a few fundamental shifts in the industry. I think we should be focusing on careers, personalization, and an open source model for music. If music could become an entity like water, like natural gas, like TV, where it's something we pay for as an asset to our daily lives - yet given the freedom to use as much or as little as we please, with fewer restrictions, I think we could create a new system that frees music, frees creativity, and enables the listener/consumer.

Who makes the lamest jokes?
Drew: Probably Blake, but that's why I love him.
Blake: Probably me, but that's why I hate myself.
Julia: Blake. I've LOL'ed to many of his posts. His jokes are so lame, they're excellent.
Jaime D: Blakebear. <33
Adrian: Blakestar, but they make me laugh since I’m lame myself.
Tristan: It very well may be me, but I have a fairly low profile so they probably go unnoticed most of the time. Which is a good thing. Blake's jokes are awesome.
Jamie P: I don’t make any cause I know they’ll be lame.
Anton: Blake, but I always laugh.
Linda: Blake can always make me smile.
Lueda: I'm very easily amused, so everyone.
Travis: Sorry, Blake...
Jason: Blake. Or maybe I just don't get them.

Are any of you actual musicians?
Rich: I wish. I have dabbled in instruments before, but nothing that could translate into being in a band and I know how to play some basic songs on guitar.
Joe: I've played the trumpet and trombone in the school band from elementary school to middle school and now currently play the vibraphone. I also have an acoustic guitar but I'm awful at it.
Blake: I used to play the trumpet, but I quit to pursue a comical career in junior high football. I was in the A Capella choir for 4 years in high school. We had a concert at Disney World.
Julia: Clarinet for two glorious years in middle school. I attempted acoustic guitar in high school, but I have really small hands, and it was impossible. I'm doomed for the triangle.
Jaime D: I played the viola through grade school, but never went anywhere with it. I heard Julia is going to be the new triangle player for Horse The Band.
Scott I: I'm a fairly knowledgeable bass player, though not so knowledgeable in the ways of finding like-minded musicians to form a band with.
Paul: I have no musical talent (aside from the kazoo), which is why I chose to do the business side.
Adrian: I recently bought an electric guitar, which I play casually, and for years I played the bass guitar.
Tristan: Yes, albeit a casual one. I play bass, guitar, harmonica, I try to play keys, and I used to play sax in school. Mainly beri, but alto and tenor as well. I occasionally try to sing, and I do some basic recording as well. I used to play in some bands, but not anymore.
Chris: I used to write songs for no real reason other than therapy, yet I can't read music or play an instrument (other than maybe the triangle). I know a lot of musicians where I live now, and I've always been particularly interested in drums, I guess I just never had the means to take it up. Blame it on my band teacher in 5th grade: when I volunteered to play drums, she chose another kid and I quit.
Anton: I am a Guitar Hero. However, I do know how to play some simple things on real guitar and I know how to drum fairly well.
Linda: I used to play the piano. I have no free time for it now.
Lueda: I also used to play the piano, but gave it up quite a few years ago. That is now one of my biggest regrets.
Jonathan: I play the skin-flute by night.
Travis: I play the guitar, and a few other instruments, and I write music for my own amusement and that of my friends and family, at least until I can find some like-minded folks to join me!
Steve: I dabble in the acoustic guitar when I can (which is very rarely). Oh, and I sing like a mofo in the car.
Eric: I play guitar with some of my friends.
Jason: I play the piano, kind of. Mostly I goof around on it.

Favorite band member you've encountered even though you don't like the bands music?
Rich: I honestly have not encountered too many band members to be honest, aside from maybe an email here and there.
Scott W: There’s plenty. There’s a lot of truly nice guys in the biz.
Julia: A bunch.
Jaime D: Hmmm, not sure. I actually don't think I've met anyone from a band that I don't like.
Scott I: Joe Marro was very nice, though I wouldn't say I don't like his music. The Early November got me through the first two years of High School.
Adrian: I don’t have much interest in the music of Mayday Parade, but the band members were all very courteous at our Warped Tour tent last year.
Anton: Like Scott said, there are a lot of nice people.
Lueda: Everyone I have met has been nice. So far, anyway.
Steve: I have not interacted with them personally, but the guys in Hawthorne Heights seem like some of the nicest dudes on the planet.
Jason: The kids in Hawthorne Heights. Amazingly nice, humble, and gracious.

Biggest disappointments of the year?
Rich: The announcement of the Jealous Sound EP simply because it seems like that will mark the end of the band.
Joe: Thieves and Villains is the main one I can think of. Absolutely loved their three demos from last summer and was really bummed that none made the album. Oh well.
Scott W: New Death Cab. Bleh.
Drew: The new Academy Is is bad.
Blake: Death Cab For Cutie's newest one.
Julia: Dear and the Headlights, but I'm working in it. I didn't really like Jack's Mannequin either. Maybe Annuals.
Scott I: Don Caballero - Punkgasm
Paul: Black Kids, Cold War Kids (I'm sensing a trend here)
Adrian: Some tracks on A Band in Hope by The Matches are pretty weak. That’s probably my biggest disappointment.
Chris: I'm a big Weezer fan, and their new album is the first album that hasn't gained any of my attention. I was also pretty disappointed by Millencolin and The Offspring - really, three bands I've grown up with and loved for so long let me down a little this year. Gotta say though: I still love them.
Anton: The Mars Volta's The Bedlam In Goliath. I love love loved their first album and everything else has been pretty weak. I heard only positive buzz about this album being a return to a rock sound and it wasn't what I wanted.
Lueda: I guess The Faint's new album. I have only heard it once though, so I plan to put it on again at some point because I'm sure I will love it.
Travis: Death Cab, Death Cab, Death Cab.
Steve: I can't give up on it yet, but the new Lovedrug record has disappointed me for now.
Eric: Maybe when From Autumn to Ashes broke up, or maybe Fear Before the March of Flames switching their name to Fear Before.
Jason: Gym Class Heroes and The Academy Is. I wanted to like them both far more than I ended up.

Thoughts on the new emotronic trend?
Rich: To put it simply, I cannot stand it whatsoever
Scott W: A joke.
Drew: Seriously a genre?
Blake: I prefer folktronica.
Julia: Sounds like my ears bleeding.
Jaime D: Can I create a genre called Jaimetronic and include bands that I like?
Scott I: You answered your own question by using the word "trend."
Adrian: I hadn’t heard of it until now.
Tristan: I'm with Adrian on this. I don't know.
Anton: It's like a cancer coming in and ruining the genre I love.
Lueda: Who comes up with these lame names?
Travis: Not for me.
Eric: Stupid.
Jason: Fail.

Is there a band member you would switch teams for?
Blake: Any member of Moving Mountains.
Julia: Victoria Legrand from Beach House.
Chris: Butch Walker and Joey Cape. Call me gay, but I love both these men - seriously.
Anton: Not seriously. I love my girlfriend. But...I do really want a Midtown reunion...
Lueda: Does Gwen Stefani count?
Travis: Casey Crescenzo, but only if he would sing "Black Sandy Beaches" before, during, and after.
Steve: Anthony Green, f'realz.
Jason: Morrissey.

If Metro Station plays a show and there's no one around to see them, do they still suck ass?
Rich: Yes. I have friends who own this record and thus have heard the songs, and I cannot stand their music.
Scott W: Sh-shakin’!!!!
Drew: I'm gonna go on a Victory Records manifesto and move all the Metro Station albums from the CD racks to the tampon section at Target.
Julia: They still have their Internet following, so yes.
Jaime D: Does a bear shit in the woods?
Adrian: How philosophical. I’m sure some kids like the band, so let them have their fun.
Chris: Confucius say yes.
Anton: I wonder if we're going to get bored of making fun of this band. I don't want to say anything bad about them though because I'm sure they're actually nice guys. Plus they don't like Jeffree Star, so that's a plus in my book.
Eric: There’s no question.
Jason: The fact this band sells records hurts my soul.

Who was the photographer bitch that looked like a haggard clown, can't remember her name, where'd she go?
Scott W: Jac Vanek. And the answer is MySpace.com.
Jaime D: Selling bracelets?
Paul: I think she lives a few miles from me now.
Adrian: Jac Vanek is a Buzznet girl now, isn’t she?
Lueda: I never understood why she was so popular and how people were able to appreciate her "art."
Jonathan: Digging through Andrew McMahon's trashcans somewhere..
Jason: If you show enough skin under the guise of empowerment - you can convince girls everywhere to follow your every move. Scene queens (aka: people who are popular for fucking boys in popular bands) are just about everything wrong with the youth culture today. Entitlement, excess, vapid wastes of space.

Do you keep in touch with old staffers? Carlson?
Rich: Nope. I am a fairly new staff member so I only really know the current staff members.
Scott W: Since I’ve been here the longest, I guess I can answer this. Obviously I talk to Gabe Gross a lot because he’s a great friend of mine. But I don’t talk to Frank anymore. Or Roze Harding, Nicole C, Amy, Alex Frydman, Ryan Mills, Greg, Justin, all those guys – not anymore. I’m old school. I miss Jared Kaufman.
Drew: Just my best buds Darren and Jared.
Scott I: Keep in touch with Carlson? Hahahaha.
Jaime D: LOL. I still keep in touch with Jared.
Adrian: I’ve talked with a few former staffers before, but not in any major capacity. Fun fact: Rob Carlson was the second staff member added to my friends list after Jason. That was back in ’05, and I have the “Automated System Message” to prove it.
Tristan: I don't, but Scott's list brings back some memories of reading the news way back when.
Linda: Occasionally. Pat Marquez, Alan Rupp (he got married recently), Russ H., Jorah, and Kelsey are a few I can think of talking to post-staff.
Lueda: Not really. I would think that will change in the future because of sites like Facebook and Myspace.
Steve: Nope. I wish I kept in touch woth Russ, but haven't chatted with him lately.
Jason: Jared and I are good friends and I look up Jake Wallace every time I am in NYC. The other guys can go give handjobs on the corner for all I care.

What brought you to AP.net in the first place?
Rich: I am going to be completely honest here and say I do not remember because I joined in the summer of 2003, and I have a horrible memory haha. I am pretty sure I found it linked from another webpage, most likely a band’s website. However, I do know that I was instantly hooked and ever since I created my account I have been logging on every single day.
Scott W: I honestly have no idea but I know it got me to check out Allister. Haha.
Drew: Straylight Run demos!
Blake: Lyrics, not sure to what song, but I bet it was sad!
Julia: I have a promotion company, and when my friend and I started it some four years ago, the forums were a good place to promote the bands we were working with. Now that I think about it, we were totally spamming. I started coming more regularly when Steve and Russ were hired from Upbeetmusic.com. Had to keep up with my boys!
Scott I: Causing trouble here when I worked for UpBeetMusic.com. My original account was even banned, I think.
Jaime D: Pretty sure I was Googling Brand New or someone like that.
Paul: I came looking for buddy icons for AIM 5 years ago.
Adrian: Back when I was about fourteen I became a huge fan of Blink 182 and was searching online for some information on the band. I stumbled upon AbsolutePunk.net, a Blink 182 + MxPx fansite that was soon closing down its doors so the webmaster could start up a music website. I’ve been here ever since.
Tristan: I don't remember exactly, but I know the reason I first signed up and posted was to defend Blink-182 from someone who was making fun them for being sell outs.
Chris: I didn't register here until 2006, but I remember reading the website every morning at community college since late 2003. I was actually there for some older drama moments but since I wasn't a member, I guess I can't bring as much background to the events. I was never scared of joining the site, just lazy - I felt it would take up too much of my free time. Now that I think about it ... what the fuck does it even matter?
Jamie P: I was a huge Blink fan and this website was linked on the Blink page so I checked it out and liked it. I remember downloading the First Date video and showing it to my friends months before it was even released. And the drama with Man Overboard.net was pretty amusing. I wonder what happened to that guy.
Anton: I'm pretty sure I was looking for reviews of Midtown's Forget What You Know and lo and behold Jason's was here and I loved it. So, I stayed. Hooray.
Linda: Jason.
Lueda: One of my friends on another forum used to have these band icons in her signature back in October '02. I decided to right click on them and copied their URL. And well... you know.
Travis: A close friend of mine showed it to me when I was an undergrad and he saw me wearing a Thursday shirt.
Jason: The chicks.

If you could ban any other staff member, who would it be?
Jaime D: I tried to ban myself once. It didn't let me.
Adrian: I’d ban Jason for a day, because it would be funny and the guy deserves a day off.
Tristan: I try to ban Eda from time to time. Joe as well.
Anton: Adrian stole my answer. Plus I want revenge for our sordid past.
Lueda: I never knew that Tristan did that.
Jason: Hmmmm, all of them. Suckers.

What were your former usernames before becoming staff members?
Rich: SMERICH
Scott W: howtostartafire
Drew: The White Pony.
Blake: utman8
Julia: juliapassedout
Scott I: Polymath
Jaime D: jaimej
Paul: ohlookitspaul
Adrian: Emopunk (2002 - 2005), Nameless Hero (2005 - 2007).
Tristan: shiteater
Chris: FallonRules, a play on the famous "O'Doyle Rules!" from Billy Madison.
Jamie P: youdestroyme
Anton: tonton46
Lueda: MorningStar x0x.
Jonathan: gotmilktea
Travis: tgparn. I didn't pay much attention when I signed up so I failed to read the bit about the username acting as an identifying moniker. Had I known, I would've gone with something much more creative, like "tgp" or "Travis McAwesomePants."
Steve: Uncle Rico (and many variations on that after my continual bannings).
Eric: okcomputer1016

Which staff member do you think has the horrible taste in music?
Scott W: Joe (sorry)
Drew: Definitely Joe.
Scott I: Joe. I think he knows it, too.
Jaime D: I probably like a lot more of the stuff Joe does than anyone else, so I can't say him. Haha.
Paul: Joe.
Adrian: Lame question.
Tristan: I don't agree with a lot of Joe's favourites, but then again I don't agree with a lot of Drew's and Jason's favourites either. No one has a bad taste though.
Anton: I don't like most of the indie stuff that some of the staff peddles. It's too boring for me. I don't think their taste is lame though, because I enjoy some of it.
Linda: I like a lot of the bands that Joe likes, so I guess I do.
Lueda: No one. Just because I may not like certain band, it doesn't mean that anyone who likes them has a horrible taste in music. Preference, anyone?
Travis: I completely agree with Lueda. Taste is personal. Enough with the hater-ade.
Steve: I would say Joe overall, but we do like some of the same bands, so he's not all bad. I might be a close second.
Jason: Joe and Rohan confuse me sometimes -- because I like horrible pop music, but then they'll like stuff that even I hate. It really leaves me scratching my head ...

Any guilty pleasures that not many other people know?
Rich: KT Tunstall and New Radicals. Please don’t judge the New Radicals, for a pop album it is pretty good haha.
Joe: I'm not guilty about anything I listen to. I don't care what other people think about my music taste.
Drew: Guilty pleasure is a dumb term. But I loved the last Rihanna album haha.
Julia: Prince.
Scott I: I think I used to answer 'Home Grown' whenever asked this question, then I realized I would tell everyone if I could that Kings of Pop is an incredible album and not feel guilty.
Jaime D: I love love LOVE The Rocket Summer.
Paul: Hmm...I'm not really embarrassed of that much of my music, so I wouldn't term them "guilty pleasures," but I get what you're trying to ask so I guess I'll say Madonna, Justin Timberlake, and old Fall Out Boy.
Adrian: I listen to country music sometimes, but I don’t feel guilty about it. I would feel shamed if I was ever busted singing along to a pop tune like “These Words” by Natasha Bedingfield in a falsetto… which I’m not doing right now…
Tristan: I guess people would be surprised that I like some pop music like Nelly Furtado and Timbaland. I wouldn't say I feel guilty about it though.
Chris: I might lose credibility here, but I enjoy Hoobastank and Bowling For Soup. I like when they come up on shuffle.
Anton: My roommate listens to country music a lot and I enjoy some Dierks Bentley every once in a while.
Linda: My favorite song is one by Hoobastank.
Lueda: I like all types of music, so I'm sure anyone could find something in my collection to make fun of me for. But I don't care, so I wouldn't call anything a guilty pleasure.
Travis: Bell Biv Devoe.
Steve: No longer, but I used to own CDs by 98 Degrees, BSB, and Britney. Sup?
Eric: Def Leopard for some reason.
Jason: Panic at the Disco's first album is still one of the catchiest CDs I own.

What is the most embarrassing thing you've said/done?
Rich: Too many to chose from haha.
Julia: I accidentally almost killed the fill-in guitarist for New Atlantic. Wine glass and Wii bowling DO NOT MIX. It's wasn't really embarrassing, but it was traumatic. Just recently, I was at a club - Ottobar - for a show, and I fell down the stairs. Not only did I roll into a random dude, but I kept my beer above my head and right side up for the whole time. I think I laughed at myself for about twenty minutes.
Jaime D: I got called out at the Saves The Day set at Bamboozle last year for singing the wrong words. I know, how could I??! To be fair it was late in the day and I had consumed a few beverages at the time. Haha.
Adrian: I’ve embarrassed myself countless times, but I’ll take this opportunity to share an embarrassing moment my friend experienced when we were on Brand New’s tour bus a few years ago. As my friend was walking up to Vin Accardi for an autograph, he placed his foot on a video game controller, and rather than put his full weight down and perhaps break the hardware, he let himself fall to the floor instead. My friend hurried to his feet, after which Vin gave him a quizzical look and asked, “Did you just do that?”
Travis: Ugh. At a show a few years ago, I was quite exhausted and had imbibed a little bit, and I happened to see Travis McCoy milling about near the merch booth, so I asked for an autograph. He asked me a question of some sort and I drew a complete blank, so my only response was to blurt out "Hey, my name is Travis too!" He gave me a sidelong glance, finished signing my ticket stub, and walked quickly away.
Jason: Hahahaha, well, my friends would probably give you different stories. Because usually things I do aren't embarrassing to me - they are for them. The example that comes to mind is New Years two years back -- I was going out for drinks with some of my guy friends one night. We're at a bar and we're pouring back beers, shots, etc., just chatting about life, girls, things like that. Guys night out. So, we get pretty drunk and rowdy -- and one of my good friends tells me he's going to go order IMFs. You know, the blue, really fucking girly, foo-foo drinks? Complete with a fucking umbrella in it? Hahah, yeah - those. So he heads up to the bar and is ordering - I am behind him pondering what I want to soak my liver in when two girls turn to my friend and ask him what he's ordering. I'd venture to say the girls are early 40's trying to look late 20's. The tanning has caught up to their skin, the fake boobs have weird moles on them, and the dye job is one too many. So as they start making fun of my friend for his drink choice ("don't only girls buy those"), I realize that only I am allowed to mock my friend. How dare these malnourished whores speak ill of my friend! So I guess I said something akin to, "uh, yeah, neither of you are attractive enough to talk to my friend, bye bye." Apparently the look on their faces was enough to keep the story in infamy. I believe I ended up peeing in the parking garage, having a drunk discussion with a family while we waited to leave, and trying to convince some girl I was "at the very least a D list celebrity."

Seeeeriously, if you guys bought a song from Max Bemis are you going to let us hear it? I thought that was the plan all along...
Rich: It is up to Jason.
Drew: It sucks. And by "sucks," I mean "it's really, really awesome."
Jaime D: Max = the man.
Adrian: Jealous much? Sorry, I had to. I think Jason will hand out the song eventually; for now it’s just an inside treat for us.
Jamie P: Probably not. I’ve only showed one other person and she didn’t believe that he wrote it for me.
Anton: I'll cave. This is ridiculous. Here.
Linda: That is up to Max. For the record: the one done for Absolutepunk.net is awesome.
Jason: If Max lets us.

What are your hidden talents?
Joe: I can blow bubbles with my spit.
Julia: I just asked my roommate this question and she told me I have very good handwriting. So yeah. I can wiggle my ears too.
Paul: I can eat more rice in one sitting than probably most sumo wrestlers. And I make awesome Chinese food.
Adrian: That’s between my lover and me.
Tristan: Making fun of people, but only after a few beers.
Chris: I'm not so bad a singer. Well, at least that's what my girlfriend tells me. Oh, and I'm actually very funny ... but not as much online.
Anton: Again, Adrian steals my fun answer. I'm going to pretend he didn't say that and go ahead with my own self-inflating witticism. My hidden talents aren't really hidden with my girlfriend, ifyouknowwhatI'msaying winkwinknudgenudge.
Lueda: I can sometimes predict things? And I'm good at reading people.
Travis: I'm a pretty solid beer pong player. I put that on my resume.
Steve: I run a few marathons every year. Oh, and I would whoop the shit out of Travis in beer pong.
Eric: Surviving without sleep.
Jason: I like to pretend I'm a gymnast in my front yard.

Anton, what would you do for a Midtown reunion?
Anton: What wouldn't I do? I would pay for the actual venue and everything and just run the entire event if I could.

And what site is your biggest competition?
Rich: Pitchfork, even though it is a tiny bit different from the sort of community AP has built.
Joe: Google.
Scott W: I think we’re the answer to this question when it’s asked to everyone else in the world.
Drew: bangbros.com
Julia: Ditto on Pitchfork.
Jaime D: We have competition?
Adrian: AbsolutePunk.net has a reputation for surpassing its competition, so whoever they are, they won’t be competition for long.
Tristan: Apparently all those sites that keep sending bots to spam the forums.
Chris: Pitchfork or Punknews.org, probably. Then again, they cater more to specific tastes while we cover just about everything.
Anton: Alternative Press is definitely the biggest competition. Not the site, the magazine. Even though I think we do a better job with our current news, they have a better reputation because they've been around for a lot longer. Alternative Press's word is influential and bands live to get in that magazine. My overall goal for AP.net is to be the better AP in the world.
Lueda: Pitchfork, I guess. I think AP.net just needs to cover Indie music a lot more, and then Pitchfork might have trouble competing. But who knows?
Travis: Pitchfork and AltPress magazine, for sure.
Steve: I think that for what we do, we are the only game in town to cover our scene. I would love to see us branch out more and compete with Pitchfork, but I can't say it will happen.
Jason: From a viewership standpoint, it's easily pitchforkmedia. However, they cover a different genre than we do - so it's hard to really count them in. I watch most other websites in our genre to see what else is going on out there -- and we're still days early with news, have the best reviews and exclusives, and provide the best community for everyone. So instead of one site being our "competition" I look at competition in the form of a group of different websites - and look to maintain a level above what 10-15 of them would do if combined. Competition is important to keep focused and sharp.

What do you see as the current [and potential] role of AP.net in the music industry? Considering all the promotions, tour sponsorships, exclusives and whatnot, do you see the website expanding into any other specific ventures in the future?
Rich: I honestly see AP continuing to build upon its role in the music industry. It is no secret that the site has a fairly good reputation within the music industry and is seen as a “go to” place in terms of discovering talent, and considering all the recent developments for the site and the new site design Jason is working on, I can only see AP becoming much more of a prominent entity in the music industry. In terms of other ventures, I obviously cannot say because I am not Jason, but I believe he wants to keep AP sort of how it is and focus on what made it great - a place for news and a very user driven community - rather than trying to branch out into too many areas.
Drew: It's going to continue to be an influence.
Julia: We're a hub of info. We are only going to keep growing as a/the major resource for this music. I want everyone who listens to music that is underground, on the verge of the underground or was underground to have a reason to come to this website.
Jaime D: Absolutely. The internet is everything these days, and the more we can provide the bigger we will become. It's only a matter of time..
Adrian: AP.net is going to grow in the areas it excels in. So when it comes to introducing new bands to the masses, featuring exclusives from current favorites, and so forth, we’re going to continue as a great resource for music lovers. But I also think Jason is going to keep AP.net close to its core, and I don’t see him attempting to turn “AbsolutePunk” into the next big record label or magazine, at least not anytime soon.
Jamie P: A place where people will continue to find new music.
Anton: I think AP.net has massive potential that will only grow over time. As long as we keep doing what we do and expand slowly, we'll keep a readerbase and keep gaining new people that love this kind of music. Who knows what's going to happen when the whole punk music thing falls apart though. Haha, we'll be fine and will keep doing what we do for years. People will always love music and want to talk about it. The main allure of this site, I think, is the passionate community. As long as you all love the site, we'll be able to keep doing it.
Lueda: I think AP's role would be so much bigger if people didn't make assumptions based on the name.
Steve: I really wish AP.net would start a record label. I wrote my MBA thesis as a business plan for such a venture, and it sounds doable.
Eric: People have heard of it whenever I name drop…We’re good, we know we’re good, there’s no problems.
Jason: I have a very specific goal for where I want this website to be and the role I see us having within the music industry. We have shown over the past few years that we are one of the remaining entities that can sell music. We can energize a community and move units - something the industry as a whole as lacked. I see our role as one of news first - and everything related to news - and passion for music second. These two things are what makes AP.net what it is. The idea that you can find your next favorite band from a news post, album review, friend recommendation, forum post, exclusive feature, etc., is what makes our community so loyal.

The main issue is time in the day. There are a lot of things to do - not all of them you should do. I think maintaining our current business plan while empowering our staff to explore other avenues from within the AP.net framework is our best bet. The staff have freedom to do what they want - and I give them almost complete control over their ideas and the implementation of those ideas on the website. For me it's about focus at this point - it's about making the website the absolute best it can be - and then making sure the people that don't know about us - do.

I know almost nothing about the behind the scenes. How does the job system work? Do you all get in an office or is it all online and you guys just meet up on your own time. How do people get staff'd?
Rich: AP is all online and most of us come from different states and we occasionally meet up either at Warped, Bamboozle, and other shows or on our own time.
Scott W: Yeah, we don’t meet (some of us have). We don’t even talk a lot of the time. Most of the communicating goes via email or in the staff forum.
Drew: It's like being the greatest chatroom ever on the internet.
Blake: People become staff when they can offer something new to the site. There is usually a discussion (lots of it) among staff about the person's merits and qualities. Basically, we judge strangers hardcore until we invite them to join the cult. Reading the thread about you after being "staff'd" is always a good time.
Jaime D: Almost everything is done online, though we do meet up occasionally for events and shows.
Adrian: We staffers are spread out all over North America, so our meeting point is the staff forum of the website, where we interact on our own time. I’d say the official AP.net office is located in Jason’s house – that’s where the magic happens. People are hired onto staff when they show they can benefit the website in some way, and specific members are usually recommended by current staff members.
Jamie P: I work out of my room, Starbucks, school, or wherever there is an internet connection.
Anton: If you have something that can benefit the site, there is always the possibility of getting hired. Even if Jason hates you. See: UncleRico.
Linda: The procedure for becoming staff has been varied over the years. Currently, the entire staff discusses prospective additions and comes to a consensus. Reviewers are pulled from the user reviewers.
Lueda: I think I'm the only Staffer in Canada, so I'm pretty much better (and nicer) than everyone else.
Jason: We have pretty much perfected the art of mass collaboration. Email, IM, forums, etc - allow us to communicate in real time about a variety of projects. I'd be willing to bet we're as organized (if not more) than some real offices where "employees" gather on a daily basis. I'll get text messages about problems - emails are answered from anywhere - and from a generation of "kids" who know how to use the internet, we've mastered the skills to truly run a "business" from anywhere.

It seemed like Jason used to review albums a lot. What happened with that?
Drew: The site has increased and grown significantly. I would say he doesn't review anymore because his time is better spent on improving the site. Plus we have like 3432 reviewers, so yeah.
Scott I: Who better to talk about the bigger albums of the year than the creator of the best music site ever?
Jaime D: He's a busy dude. Rest assured though, that if he has something to say, he'll say it.
Adrian: Jason is now blogging his ideas about new albums in his popular “First Impressions” feature. To be honest, I wish Jason still reviewed albums. Years ago when I was a much more casual member of the website I enjoyed reading Jason’s reviews. I still remember in his review of Living Well is the Best Revenge, a few tracks in he said something like, “If you’re not jumping on your bed and playing the air guitar by this point, you don’t know good music.” They were fun reads written by someone I could relate to.
Tristan: I think part of the reason is that no matter what he says some people will attack him about it and accuse him of being biased just because of who he is. I've seen people accuse him of taking money from labels for reviews, which is absolutely not true. I'd get sick of it too if I was him.
Chris: We have so many reviewers on staff now, I would assume Jason doesn't see any point in taking the spotlight away from the rest of us.
Anton: People stopped listening to music that Jason liked specifically because Jason liked it and that's not the point of this site at all.
Steve: I miss Jason's reviews also. He has an inherent talent for talking about music in a conversational way that everyone can relate to.
Jason: I got annoyed with the amount of issues that stemmed from my reviews. I didn't like spending days of my time trying to explain my "opinion" or stance on an album or review. It got really, really annoying. I basically realized that it was more fun giving my thoughts in my blog where I can give first impressions, follow-up thoughts, recommendations, gush about albums - all without it having to be a "review" that would be needlessly dissected by haters. Plus, reviewing takes a lot of time and I've been trying to maintain a different role within the community lately - and we have a whole plethora of talented reviewers. So, yeah, if you want my take on albums - subscribe to my blog (RSS, facebook, friend me).

If fruits could be president, which one would you vote for and why?
Scott W: What are you, 5?
Blake: Lucky for this question, I am five. I'd pick raisins because they're wrinkly and wise!
Julia: Does orange juice count?
Scott I: This isn't "randomly funny" so shut the fuck up.
Paul: Blueberries, because they are the perfect balance of deliciousness AND nutrition.
Adrian: I would vote for an apple that’s joined by a cabinet of assorted (and delicious) fruits.
Tristan: I'm a Canadian, so I can't vote any fruits into the white house.
Chris: Raspberries. Or pineapples. Either way, they are both good in milkshakes and gum.
Anton: Strawberry, sour apple, watermelon...ta da!
Lueda: I love fruits, but I can't vote for Presidents either.
Travis: Anything from the berry family. Just not boysenberries. Can't be trusted and have atrocious foreign policies.
Steve: Clay Aiken! Oh snapz!
Eric: A prune would be like a republican I would think cuz it’s for old people, and a kiwi would be a democrat cuz it’s a little bit different. I’d vote for the kiwi myself.
Jason: What? The moron currently in office is not much better than a fruit.

How many of you are in college (or have gone already)? What are (or were) your majors?
Rich: I am currently a sophomore at SUNY Oswego and I am a Journalism major.
Scott W: I graduated from the University of Washington in 2006 with a degree in Business Marketing.
Drew: Rotting away at Ball State University, majoring in Telecommunications.
Blake: I go to the University of Missouri, home of the fighting Tigers and Chase "Chin Strap" Daniels. My major is Advertising (strategic communications) and my minor is sociology.
Julia: I spent two years at University of Pittsburgh (Communications & Creative Non-fiction) and then transferred to Towson University (Journalism & New Media). I am currently a [super] senior.
Jaime D: I went to the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY for Computer Information Systems.
Scott I: I'm living in downtown Atlanta, attending Georgia State University, and will be graduating from either UGA or somewhere out of state with either an English or Creative Writing major.
Paul: I graduated from USC (Southern Cal) in 2007 and majored in Political Science, minored in International Relations. I started out pre-med though, for the first year and a half with a biology major. I took the LSAT last year because my famliy wanted me to and I did pretty well so I might eventually go to law school in a few years, who knows.
Adrian: I attend the University of Texas at San Antonio, and I’m an English major. I used to minor in Philosophy, but I’ve since dropped that like a bad habit.
Tristan: I go to the University of Western Ontario as a biology major.
Chris: I currently attend Cental Washington University, which is located smack-dab in the middle of the state. I am a film & video studies major who transferred from a community college. I've taken some time off in-between, so I'm a little behind.
Jamie P: I am going to to school for marketing and accounting. But don’t ask me when I am going to graduate.
Anton: I went to Ramapo College of New Jersey and graduated in 2003 with a double major in Literature and Communications.
Linda: I graduated from Oberlin college with a history major.
Lueda: I plan to go to UWO (same as Tristan!) this upcoming January, but I'm not sure what I want to major in yet. I love Politics and Criminology though.
Jonathan: Completed almost 5 years at San Francisco State University, working towards a major in broadcasting when I realized it wasn't for me (around the time I was offered my current job.)
Travis: I graduated from the College of William and Mary in 2006 with a BA in anthropology. I did a stint at the University of Bristol in the UK to get an MA in historical archaeology and I'm currently at Boston University for a PhD in archaeology.
Steve: I got my BS in Electrical Engineering from Valparaiso University in 2004 and I got my MBA from Xavier University in 2007.
Eric: I’m a senior at Eastern Illinois University, majoring in English.
Jason: I have my degree in Business Administration.

You get three albums to take to an island and three bands can come to play live at any time. However, the three bands cannot have written the three albums you have taken. The live bands play what they want also, meaning you cannot say "Play this album for me live." What bands and albums would you choose?
Rich: Three albums I would bring are Elliott Smith's Either/Or, Autolux's Future Perfect, and The Promise Ring's Nothing Feels Good. The three bands I would bring, if allowed to bring any band, would be The Dismemberment Plan, Fugazi, and Braid.
Joe: Three albums: New Found Glory's Sticks and Stones, Sum 41's All Killer No Filler, and Fall Out Boy's Take This to Your Grave. Bands: The Starting Line, Saves the Day, and Blink-182.
Scott W: Albums: Mxpx – Life in General, Radiohead – Kid A, Weezer – Blue Album. Bands: (gotta have big catalogs) Nofx, Pink Floyd, Neil Diamond. Yep.
Drew: Pinkerton by Weezer, Tell All Your Friends by Taking Back Sunday, White Pony by Deftones. The bands/artists would be Kanye West, Saves The Day, and Say Anything. And I get an additional band in Two Tongues! Haha bamboozled you!
Blake: Bands: Anberlin, Modest Mouse and Dethklok. The albums I would bring with me are: Lydia's Illuminate when I need to think, Minus The Bear's Menos El Oso for when I want to chill, Northstar's Pollyanna when I need to start a fire or hunt.
Julia: Bands: Every Time I Die, Steel Train, and Sigur Ros. Albums: Bear Vs. Shark - Terrorhawk, The Format - Interventions & Lullabies, and Hey Mercedes - Everynight Fire Works.
Jaime D: Albums: Ben Folds Five - Whatever and Ever Amen, The Format - Dog Problems, and The Marvelous 3 - The Hey! Album. Bands: Thursday, Radiohead, Gatsbys American Dream.
Adrian: Three albums: Pinkerton by Weezer, Stay What You Are by Saves the Day, and Decomposer by The Matches. Three bands: blink-182, Brand New, and The Get Up Kids.
Tristan: Albums: Abbey Road by The Beatles, Diary by Sunny Day Real Estate, and either Speak for Yourself by Imogen Heap or Either/Or By Elliott Smith. Bands: The Mars Volta, Sigur Rós, and some older hippie folk musician like Donovan.
Chris: Wow, very interesting questions. I think I would bring Less Than Jake, Marvelous 3 and Lagwagon along. The albums I'd take would be The Beatles' Abbey Road, Jimmy Eat World's Futures and Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life - wouldn't you just love to hear any one of those bands play those discs?
Jamie P: Blink 182 – Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, The Get Up Kids – Something to Write Home About, and Saves the Day – Stay What You Are.
Anton: Bands: Midtown, Muse, As Tall As Lions. Albums: Between the Heart and the Synapse, Act II: The Meaning of..., Full Collapse.
Lueda: I would choose, Elliott Smith's Either/Or, Stars' Nightsongs, and Ratatat's self-titled. Then, I would pick the Faint so they can make me happy, Joshua Radin so that his sweet voice can comfort me, and Mum so that I can sleep like a baby.
Travis: Albums: Manchester Orchestra I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child, Bon Iver For Emma, Forever Ago, Brand New Deja Entendu; Bands: Bright Eyes, Coheed and Cambria, The Dear Hunter
Steve: Albums: Copeland - Beneath Medicine Tree, The Beatles - Revolver, and Oasis - What's the Story (Morning Glory). Bands: As Tall as Lions, Circa Survive, and Lostprophets.
Eric: Majority Rule’s Interviews with David Frost, Velvet Underground’s White Light/White Heat, Rancid 2000. Live: pg.99, Converge, the Chariot
Jason: Brand New - Deja Entendu, The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds, Morrissey - Viva Hate. Thrice, Fall Out Boy, Evgeny Kissin.

Any band interview disaster stories you'd like to (or are able to) share?
Joe: Mostly all of my interviews are done through e-mail to AVOID disasters. Knowing me I'd probably mess up the recording or something. Anyway, there was a time where I sent questions over to Charlie Simpson of Fightstar. I had about 3 or 4questions that mentioned his previous band Busted (but still tied his current band to them to make them relevant). He completely ignored them. I thought it was pretty immature that he couldn't even address questions about the band that got him to where he is today. Even though Tom Delonge gets a lot of hate, I think it's cool that he always answers questions about Blink-182 in detail especially when he's probably answered the question 100 times before.
Julia: I had to opportunity to interview Chris Carrabba awhile back. To preface, I spent all my high school years swooning over Dashboard, so I was ultra nervous. This was right before The Shade of Poison Trees came out, which wasn't a solo album, which I didn't know when I was doing the interview. I mean, I should have known, but I didn't, and was corrected by Mr. Confessional. It was awkward because all I wanted to do was tell him how many times I kissed his poster before bed, and how I knew his life story, and that I really did know TONS about his band/him. That was the most disastrous.
Jaime D: Not really a disaster, but I got the chance to send interview questions to Talib Kweli a year or so back, whom I've been a huge fan of for a really long time. I compiled a list of like 50 or so questions, some very detailed, and sent them over. I received back maybe 15-20 with responses, all extremely vague, and none of the controversial or interesting questions had been answered. I still don't know if the label, or Talib himself had thrown out those questions; but it was embarrassing because this could have been a huge interview for us, and instead it was borderline lame.
Scott I: I interviewed my buddies in Love Me Electric with a shitty, old tape-recorder I used to have. Well, the interview went great but my recorder apparently didn't pick up on the interview at all. Luckily, however, their manager Frank filmed the band answering questions over the phone on their end. So from that footage I was able to match their responses up with the questions I had written down.
Paul: I interviewed Herman from Dragonforce a couple years back and when I went over my tape the next day to transcribe it, I realized that I couldn't understand a damn thing he was saying because of his accent.
Jamie P: Pretty much everyone of my interview has a disaster in some shape or form. Sometimes I say something and then regret it right after.
Anton: Fortunately I've never had an issue with an interview. All of them I've done have been great. Actually, the recent Matt Squire AP.net chat that I had was a problem because the first night that he was going to do it, my car broke down and I had no access to a computer so he just sat and waited for an hour and couldn't get in touch with me and I felt terrible. Luckily he was an awesome guy and took it in stride. I still feel bad about that. Matt, if you're reading this, I still owe you.
Lueda: I can't remember any, but I remember being really nervous when I had my first phone interview. It was with Joel from the Faint nonetheless, too! I was a wreck, but after talking to him for a few minutes, I felt at ease and loved talking to him.