Staff Interview (Part One) - 10.16.08 [Archive]

Julia Conny

10/26/08, 08:32 PM

No matter what the band, album or label, there's always someone there to start a discussion. No matter what the drama or heated interest, there's always an AbsolutePunk.net user to respond, to fight or agree, or just to post a funny picture. If you take everything away - the post counts, the closed threads and news post stickies - all you're left with are music and community.

A couple months ago, we asked members to ask us - the entire staff of AbsolutePunk.net - any questions they'd like, and the response we received was astonishing. It took a bit longer to finish than we planned (final word count: 44,757), but hey, it's finally here! You wanted to know when we lost our virginity, details on the Buzznet deal, or our dream tours? You wanted to know our favorite forum drama, how many emails Jason gets a day, or what the staff forum is really like? Well, here it is. We hope that through this interview you get an idea of how the behind-the-scenes really work, or at the very least, ensure your reasoning for spending time here then, say, doing your English Lit paper.
- Julia Conny

Jason Tate: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=1083) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=46000537) | Blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/blogs.php?u=1083) | Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/absolutepunk) | last.fm (http://www.last.fm/user/jasontate) | Twitter (http://twitter.com/absolutepunk)
Adrian Villagomez: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=2) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=509947147) | Blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showentry&e=79172) | last.fm (http://www.last.fm/user/namelessxhero)
Anton Djamoos: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=25445) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=34800009) | Blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showjournal&j=669)
Blake Solomon: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=12991) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=15923748) | Blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showjournal&j=3055)
Brad Streeter: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=94795) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=653517474) | Blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showjournal&j=3364) | Myspace
(http://myspace.com/bradleystreeter) Chris Fallon: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=70413) | Blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showjournal&j=4665)
Drew Beringer: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=21101) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=20700829) | Blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showjournal&j=21)
Eric Loranger: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=205113) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=82700593) | Blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showjournal&j=4557)
Garett Press: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=33620) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=5725017) | Blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showjournal&j=491)
Greg Dona: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=8026) | Blog (http://www.pandatoes.blogspot.com/) | last.fm (http://www.last.fm/user/gregdona/)
Jaime Durante: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=22182) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=52101185)
Jamie Pham: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=58138) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=15102913) | Blog (http://jamiepham.blogspot.com/) | Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/whatisautumn) | Twitter (http://twitter.com/jamiepham)
Joe DeAndrea: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=64667) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1086990648) | Blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showjournal&j=2553) | Twitter (http://twitter.com/joedap)
Jonathan Lally: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=25019) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=11700009) | last.fm (http://www.last.fm/user/jonathanlally) | Twitter (http://twitter.com/mistersweaters)
Julia Conny: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=67689) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=18417585) | Blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showjournal&j=1584) | Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/passedoutpromotions) | Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/gowestandcrazy)
Linda Ferreria: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=31478)
Lueda Alia: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=9211) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1648800002) | last.fm (http://www.last.fm/user/catchinstars)
Nathan Lint: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=64134) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1262610075) | Blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showjournal&j=988) | Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/everythingisgreymatter)
Paul Tao: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=30773) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=3400174) | Blog (http://www.hatesomethingbeautiful.com/) | Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/paultao) | Twitter (http://twitter.com/paultao)
Rich Duncan: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=7663) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1463670035) | Myspace
(http://www.myspace.com/a_highly_refined_pirate) Rohan Kohli: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=41733) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=2602973)
Scott Irvine: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=49106) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=544535926) | Blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showjournal&j=4981) | Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/lookagainmedia) | last.fm (http://www.last.fm/user/scottirvine/)
Scott Weber: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=23734) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=10700758) | Blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=23734) | Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/scottweber)
Steve Henderson: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=50110)
Susan Frances: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=149512) | Blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showjournal&j=3538)
Tom Good: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=84110) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1602163) | Blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showjournal&j=3373)
Tony Pascarella: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=31897) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1096260524) | Blog (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showjournal&j=3893)
Travis Parno: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=98360) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/people/Travis_Parno/7602094) | Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/weveallgotwoodandnails)
Tristan Needler: Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=8044) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1081144096) | last.fm (http://www.last.fm/user/tristanisneat)

Staff Interview continued ... (Part Two (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=639252) - Part Three (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=639242) - Part Four (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=639212))

How did all of you come about being staff on the site?
Rich: I was hired through submitting user reviews. I have previously written for For The Sound and Fleeing The Scene (which was run by AP’s very own Bob/bluecrunchy)
Joe: It started in June of 2006 when I first submitted Hellogoodbye's track listing into the news queue. It was posted and I then started to just submit anything I came across on bands' sites. I joined staff in February of 2007 after I had around 100+ news articles submitted by me.
Scott W: I am old school. In August 2004, I was an old user (howtostartafire) saw a news post about a need for new reviewers (we sure don’t see that anymore) and I submitted some tiny two paragraph reviews I’d written for fun for the Saosin EP and a Yellowcard album. At the time, Kelsey Brusseau was the one heading it up, and I petitioned hard to my staff buddies Jared Kaufman and Jake Wallace to get on board. I finally did get the job and remained on staff as a reviewer, interviewer, and whatever else for the next 2 and a half years. I eventually ran out of things to say and stepped down to my current position as a moderator, passing the torch to our batch of great reviewers in Blake, Chris, and everyone else.
Drew: I began writing reviews for Leakmob back in the winter of 2005. In the fall of 2005, Jason made a news post call out asking for new reviewers and to apply by posting a sample review (this was before user reviews really). I, along with Darren McLeod, were the two applicants hired to review. I was pretty ecstatic.
Blake: I first wrote for a very small site called www.headphonesturnedon.com (http://www.headphonesturnedon.com/) after a random IM conversation about an Outkast cover (yes, that Outkast cover). I was asked to submit a review and I was bored so I did it (for Inkwell's awesome CD These Stars Are Monsters). Then I saw a post on AP.net about user reviewers and I put on my big boy pants, submitted a review, and got the buzz. I HAD to be a staff reviewer. Writing was one of the few things I didn't get tired of. So after about 6 months of churning out the reviews and hassling Scott I., Steve and Russ, I got the call up from my main lady, Linda. Joy doesn't even describe it.
Julia: I used to write reviews and interviews for Upbeetmusic.com with Russ Hockenbury, Steve and Scott I. When Russ and Steve became staff here, we stayed in touch. I had been following the site for years, and when they mentioned the possibility of an opening here, I jumped on that shit like jelly sticks to peanut butter. I submitted some reviews, and my wordsmithing passed the test. I signed online one day, my name was a glorious shade of red, and the rest is history. That was in October of 2006.
Scott I: There was a time when I wouldn't be allowed to touch a review. That was back when I was hired to post news for a site called UpBeetMusic.com, along with the extraordinary Russ Hockenbury, the infallible Steve Henderson, and the lovely Julia Conny. However, I was an eager 16 or 17 year old so I tried my hand more and more in getting a review posted there. Eventually I was either decent enough or annoying enough to be allowed to start writing about 5 reviews a week for the site, and had a great run there for a while. I got restless for various reasons, however, and bugged Steve for a shot at AP.net. He obliged and the rest is history.
Jaime D: I had been a regular on the site since 2004 (General and Sports forum) and became friendly with a lot of the staff members. When Eda went on vacation in the summer of 2006 for a month, it was obvious another moderator was needed. I mentioned it to Jason and was made a mod that evening. Eventually I started helping staff out, editing reviews and interviews, and was hired as a full time staffer in early 2007.
Paul: I started around the very beginning of 2005 I think (or maybe it was the end of 2004), when I started writing for the site doing solely political articles and debates, oddly enough. Time passed and we phased out the political stuff from the site (aside from news posts), so since I was the member of staff who most listened to "indie" music (let's not split hairs here), I began doing indie news and things for the site. Over time, my role on the site has changed, but now I handle artist profiles, tour/festival promotions and sponsorships and a little bit of everything else, in all honesty, aside from reviews.
Adrian: Before I joined staff I was a registered member for a loooong time. I was more of a casual visitor, posting occasionally in news threads, though I always admired AP.net and its staff members. About April 2007 I started posting on the site a lot more, and the idea of joining Jason Tate and company became a driving passion. So, I pestered the hell out of Jason, constantly reminding him of my intention to become a staff member – I even volunteered to work on the FAQ section if he needed help with it. After months of bugging the hell out of him, he mentioned the possibility of having me help out with the weekly entertainment round-up. I helped Mr. Joe DeAndrea with the round-up for a few weeks, and as far as I’m concerned, this post convinced Jason I deserved a spot on staff – I was hired that night (cue an image of me jumping for joy). It was my best night on AP.net ever.
Anton: I like to think that I started on this site as a power user. I was a general forum regular and pretty well-liked and carved my niche into the readerbase as that kid that likes Midtown and Nintendo. As the Wii came out and there were many a fanboy debates between the competing video game consoles, Jason and I got into many tizzies over this, leading to me even getting banned at a time. Jason said, "I don't give a fuck if you ever come back." Somehow, I came back and got on staff. Isn't life funny? That seriously happened, but I realized that there was a need on the site to get the gallery in order so, after asking Jason, and with help from Eda, I was put on staff. And... that's my story. Addendum: Jason and I regularly frequent cocktail parties and discuss the silly times we had together and hold no hard feelings, only love for each other. And I speak for myself when I say all that. Plus I ended up being totally right about the Wii.
Tristan: I've been a regular in the forums for quite some time, and I fancy myself a pretty level-headed one. My girlfriend Eda (yes, Lueda Alia) was a mod and then a staffer for a while, and since we live together I saw everything that went on in the staff forum anyway. I made a couple of offhand jokes to Jason about it. Since there was no dedicated mod after Eda and Jamie were promoted, he started a thread in the staff forum asking if everyone thought I would be good as a mod or not, and most people agreed I would be. He didn't know, but I could see this thread anyway, because I read it on Eda's computer. I made another joke about it when Jason and I were in the same thread and after the page reloaded, my name was green. I was still surprised even though I shouldn't really have been. The rest is history, I suppose.
Chris: I had started writing a bunch of user reviews before that part of the site had really taken off. I was doing it around the same time Blake was, and I took some personal time off, but apparently had made such a good impression with staff, they asked me to help Adrian out with editing user reviews because it had become such a popular feature.
Jamie P: I did interviews for some various websites and decided to email Jason one day and the rest is history.
Linda: Jason asked me to help with the mail on a temporary basis. I saw a way to expand his original idea and it developed over time into the position that I now hold. I started out working behind the scenes in the late summer of 2004 and was made staff later.
Lueda: I sent a PM to Jason back in '05, just to say that I was thankful for certain things that he did. A few days later, he sent me a PM that only said, "You're a moderator. Let me know if you have any questions." I was surprised, but at the same time, I kind of expected it because I always tried to stay unbiased in arguments on the forums and keep the whole place under control. After that, I talked to Jason about how AP should really cover the "Indie" scene/music more, since it is becoming more popular. He offered to make me a Staffer so that I could cover that genre/area, and after hesitating for a few weeks (months?), I finally agreed.
Jonathan: I reached out to Jason about adding some film/media aspects to the site. That was ::counts fingers:: almost 5 years ago... wow.
Travis: A close friend introduced me to AP many years ago when I was a young undergrad and little by little, it began to shape my interest in music. Last year, I began writing user reviews, and then moved on to another site as a staff member. After bothering the AP folks for long enough, I was offered a staff reviewer spot and I of course had to step up to the big leagues.
Steve: I wrote for a few different zines before AP.net, and after numerous clashes with Jason here on AP.net, I think he just hired me on to shut me up.
Eric: I’ve been submitting user reviews pretty regularly, and after a while Linda asked me if I was interesting in joining the staff. And I was all like well hells yes and she was all like cool and I was all like totally. I wrote for Antimusic before I even opened an account with AP, so that’s where I started out and everything. Now I write for High Beam Review sometimes, but mostly just AP.
Jason: Most of my "background" on creating the website can be found in the first interview (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=136183) I did with the website. I just figured I'd toss that out there because I can't really answer this one and I feel left out.

What's your favorite part about being staff?
Rich: My favorite parts about being staff are working with bands I love and also helping users sometimes find new bands through my reviews or staff recommendations. Also, although I don’t post as much as I would like, I love to talk about music with the users on the forums.
Joe: Being able to interact with and help out the bands that I'm a fan of.
Drew: The camaraderie and the shared passion of sharing and promoting music we love. Hearing new music early doesn’t hurt either, haha.
Blake: It's gotta be the staff t-shirts. Mine says "Blakinator" on the back
Julia: Non-egocentric answer: significantly impacting the careers of smaller bands that I really admire and believe in. Egocentric answer: the recognition. Music and writing are my two biggest passions, so it rocks to get nods for them.
Jaime D: Meeting some really awesome people and getting to help out the bands that I love.
Paul: Meeting new people and giving bands exposure on AP.net that wouldn't normally be exposed.
Adrian: My favorite part is receiving “thank you” messages from individuals. It’s nice to have people reading my reviews and checking out my blog, but the personal messages are the best (this includes messages from bands, producers, fans, etc.). But to be more specific, receiving messages from AP.net members thanking me for introducing them to ______ or simply thanking me for my work is a phenomenal feeling.
Anton: I like the ability to feel like I'm making a difference in the music industry, even if it is a small difference. I like being able to communicate directly with the bands I love and being able to bring readers closer to these bands (thus the basis behind all the chats). Plus I love walking on the streets and constantly being assailed for my autograph. The amount of cleavage that I've signed since becoming staff has skyrocketed.
Tristan: My favourite part about being a mod here is the ability to give a little back to a site that has given me so much. I met the love of my life here and this site has made a huge impact on me, so I'm glad I can lend a hand in keeping it running smoothly.
Chris: To be honest, as much fun as it is having albums early and interviewing/corresponding with industry people, my favorite part is getting bands to notice your admiration for them. When I write a review - especially a positive one - I really hope the band/artist sees what I write, because it means a lot to me to hear from them directly. It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, it makes you feel like you're making a difference in the way their career path is headed.
Jamie P: My favorite part of being on staff has to be meeting new people all the time. I like meeting new friends whether it be people in bands or the readers. And hearing gossip around the industry is pretty cool as well.
Linda: I love the appreciative emails that I receive. Positive feedback is always uplifting.
Lueda: Helping out bands I love, and giving them something back in return for all they have given me for years.
Jonathan: Certainly helping bands (big and small) that you love.. seeing an interesting and up-close look at the music industry.
Travis: The best part is definitely having the chance to give back to an industry that's played such a significant part in my life. I love nothing more than finding a fantastic album by an unsigned band, writing them a review, and feeling like I'm doing my part to help them out even a little bit. It's unbelievably rewarding.
Steve: When I first started here, I was all about getting my stuff read, but now I am happier than anything else to get new music before most people and getting to interact with bands I love and admire. I also enjoy being a part of introducing listeners to a new band they might not have heard before - that is a great feeling.
Jason: Slumber parties and making fun of the gimmicky Wii until Anton throws fits.

What's an obligation you do as a staff member that readers might not realize requires the amount of work it does?
Rich: I would have to say some of the features that are put together on the site (The Absolute 100, Year End Lists, etc). I know before I was on staff I assumed these features were worked out over the course of a few days or weeks when in reality, months worth of work goes into some of these features.
Scott W: Exposing people to new music was nice. Now I enjoy banning people for posting anal porn spam in the sports forum.
Drew: Just staying up to date with all the news and current events, as well as finding time to listen to the music you have enough times to write a decent review. And after you’ve written 100+ reviews, it gets a little more difficult to find something fresh to start off of.
Blake: It takes a lot of time just to understand an album enough to review it. I try to give at least 6 listens to any record, and with school and all my tons of awesome friends because I'm popular, it gets hard sometimes.
Julia: Staying on top of my email inbox can be a daily battle. Thank goodness for color-coding.
Jaime D: Organizing the Bamboozle festival the past two years was a lot more involved than it seemed. It was very stressful towards the end. I don't think we could have pulled it off without everyone's help. That's another thing I love about being on staff here, we're like a family, always out to help each other.
Paul: Dealing with artist profiles takes up more time than you'd think - I have to answer a lot of questions about how to do this, how to do that, if I can update things for people, and a million other things. Also, dealing with tour sponsorships can take a lot of time, going back and forth on various things.
Adrian: Compiling multiple reviews for a news post takes more time than people might think. It’s a lot of copying and pasting, really mundane work (extreme example). Also, I can be terrible at returning e-mails and private messages, so those are extra work too I suppose.
Anton: It is actually really difficult to keep a positive rapport with bands/labels because of the reputation that this site has because of the mean users on the site. A lot of bands don't want anything to do with the site because they're afraid that they're going to be torn apart as a result of the site's reputation and it's difficult to break that misconception. Another thing is, like Rich said, the features that are written for this site. The lists really take a long time to do because we always like having a staff consensus but everyone's on different schedules so it makes the process take even longer. Simple things like making news icons can take a while as well, but I doubt anyone really thinks about them.
Tristan: I guess moderating in general. I feel like people think I just post like a normal user and delete something if I see it, but I can take an hour or more some days just to go through all the reported posts, figure out what should be done, delete all the porn spam posts (which can be annoying when a user gets in 20 or more posts). It does take some time and effort.
Chris: User reviews. Honestly, it's a long process that involves more than one might think. Adrian and I spend a lot of time going through the dozens and dozens of submissions, rejecting and approving many. The thing is, we have respect for the effort people put into them and I personally hate rejecting any review that doesn't follow our guidelines we've set up - because it's just one more step. However, people learn from their mistakes and we take pride in knowing our users care enough about the site to continue making it grow.
Jamie P: I spend quite some time on the weekends going through various Small Band Round Up submissions and putting it together so you guys can read them on Sundays.
Linda: I maintain a number of lists and spreadsheets to keep track of CD's submitted (over 4,000), reviews written, and items sent to staff reviewers and user reviewers. Continually updating these lists and checking to make sure that things are received and reviewed takes an amazing amount of time.
Lueda: I'm the type of music lover that doesn't quite care about a band's or musician's personal life, or their history, all that much. I simply appreciate their music; as a result, whenever I interview them, I have to do quite a bit of research on their background and such. It sometimes takes a while because it feels like I am just getting to know the band or musician for the very first time. I mean, I'm very familiar with their music, discography, and such, but that's about it. Other times, I interview bands that I'm not really familiar with at all before the interview takes place. That usually takes a bit more work, but it's always worth it because I want the interviews to be decent. I just hate asking the usual questions that pop up in interviews, so I try to stay away from them for the most part.
Jonathan: Things like organizing our tent on Warped Tour, down to organizing in-studio films takes LOTS of time and effort, and planning. Since most of us have day-jobs aside from AP, it's a true labor (of love) to get certain things done the right way.
Travis: Although I've really only just begun, I've been reviewing music long enough to echo Blake's sentiment that it really does take a long time for me to get the feel for an album enough to pass judgment on it. No matter the band, there's always an ardent fan out there waiting to hear AP.net's opinion on an album and if one of us tosses out a review without the utmost detail, it'll ring false and fall flat.
Steve: I spend WAY more time on reviews than a lot of people might think. I know I am not the world's best writer or anything, so to make up for it, I obsess over trying to find some insight or angle in my reviews whenever I can. I usually listen to a record for a week or two before I even think about what I might say in a review.
Eric: I’ve only done reviews so far, but I’m sure a lot of readers don’t understand that it’s kind of tricky to say what you want to say the way you want to say it.
Jason: Organization.

Have there been any news posts you've felt proud to break to the world and/or be a part of?
Joe: Whenever there's album information (track listing, album title, release date, etc) of a band that's popular on the site, it always feels good to be the one that posted it.
Scott W: Nope, but I bet you can ask Jon Wark about how totally siq rad it was to get drunk with The Bled and make news posts about it. It was a slightly looser run ship back then.
Julia: Any news about my favorite bands. I absolutely adore Eyeball Records, the staff and about 90 percent of their roster. So posting news, especially the new signees or new album announcements, about them has always made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Jaime D: Anything that makes people really excited about a band or their music.
Scott I: I don't really think of how I look when I post big news -- I more think of how it reflects the site.
Adrian: "We're a band called The Format. We make weak pop music. What the fuck would you fight at our show for?" There are always going to be idiots attending shows, and I’m glad this jerk was busted by The Format. Probably the best news post I ever made.
Anton: I'm reserving this answer for the day that I'm able to post, "Midtown is back."
Jonathan: I typically only post when the band/label/management asks me to, or we're going through the news queue. Although, we definitely are privy to some info that we have to keep our lips sealed on for up to months.
Steve: Most recently, it was great to post about the Copeland viral hijacking. Other than that, I always am stoked to post Unsigned Showcases or Exclusives that I work to line up so that I can see how people react.
Jason: I enjoy seeing bands that have worked hard, come from humble beginnings, making it big. Seeing bands gain the success they've dreamed of is the kind of story I like posting and breaking to the world. Oh, and posting about Shaant's dick.

Any news you wish you hadn't had to post?
Joe: Any news about a death is not something I like posting.
Jaime D: Deaths or bands breaking up.
Anton: There's been a good amount of news that I haven't wanted to post because I don't like the subject of the news but I know that the readers will. I can't think of any off the top of my head though...I've been fortunate enough to not have to break any bad stories.
Jason: Quite a few. Usually in relation to the passing of a band member.

Any forum drama you'll never forget?
Rich: No particular event stands out and I generally do not participate in forum drama. However, that does not mean I have not followed those threads and enjoyed the drama immensely haha.
Joe: The "lol wut" thread in the General Forum will go down in AP history forever.
Scott W: The aftermath after my utter destruction of the Scary Kids Scaring Kids album in review form was something that lives in AP infamy.
Drew: Not going to get into details, but Matthew Lilliard with AIDS and the mass banning spree Jason went on in the next few weeks were epic. Also, Weebs SKSK and the following consequences were hilarious as well. This all happen in 2005, what a great year of drama.
Blake: I used to always pick fights with Slade; I've been a victim of the giant fonts. Once I told a pre-prestigious buysoap matt that I thought he made an insensitive joke about Jewish people, even though he is one.
Julia: I can't really say that I've ever been in the thick of some of the more memorable forum drama, but it definitely keeps things interesting, that's for sure. Shit, I'm still trying to wrap my head around Pumpkintits.
Jaime D: Oh man, so so much. Weebs' SKSK review, pumpkin tits, Matthew Lillard with AIDS, the Hitler pic, Keith Horn, I could probably go on forever.
Paul: Probably all of the stuff that happened with Jamison Kane a few years ago, as well as Ryan Mills. Pretty much any staff "firings" were always filled with drama.
Adrian: I’ve been around for a while, and there’s been a lot of drama over the years. To take it old school, AP.net vs. man-overboard.net was a big deal back in the day. If I remember correctly, both sites started out as Blink 182 fan sites, and when AP.net upgraded to a more general music site, so did man-overboard.net. There was clear competition (“animosity” would probably fit) between Jason and the other site’s webmaster, which resulted in too-fun-to-look-away public tongue lashings. Jason’s always been e-fighting with other webmasters; he’s a real brawler, that one. And of course, who can forget scene points? Those were epic. Most of the people who use “epic” in regards to AP.net toss around the word too casually. I don’t.
Anton: Prego, Keith Horn, Senator Lamb, anything with Slade, Ryan Mills, staff firings/exodus almost two years ago, Four Year Strong leak...there's so much more. When Jeffree Star had his minions come on the site and defend him, that was pretty laughable.
Tristan: Too many to mention. Some of them as a mod, some as a user trying to reason with everyone, and occasionally as a user who's being part of the problem. I try to stay away from that last one now though.
Chris: Where do you even start with this one? For me, now a staffer, it's tougher to keep up with the theatrics many forum members bring to the fold. Going through chat threads and whatnot to keep people in line (especially the past few months) is a challenge, and we can't catch everything. Trying to get people to understand being assholes is only fun for a short while is, frankly, just a moot point.
Linda: pumpkintits part I, II, and III
Lueda: I think I have been around the longest, so I have pretty much been around for every drama that has taken place on the forums or the site as a whole. I try to not be a part of it.
Jonathan: Peen Wentz-hate/Hey Chris fiasco that seemed to blow up within a week.
Steve: The shitstorm from my Saosin review is still legend to this day, and will always be fodder for general forum douchebags.
Jason: Most of it - I am usually involved. Hmm, making fun of Drew, yelling at Anton, having AIDs, pumpkin tits, Wentz ween, and I'm sure there are plenty others I am forgetting.

What is the meaning of life?
Rich: I do not think anyone will be able to ever definitively answer this question. However, my guess is the meaning of life is to just experience everything you possibly can in your time here, learn from your mistakes, treat others the way you would like to be treated, and to try and leave something of substance behind for future generations.
Scott W: To be intolerant and insult other people for their faith on internet forums. (oh wait, outside of the religion threads?) God is my meaning of life.
Drew: Meaning of life for me is to try my best to live as Christ did and trying to enjoy my time here on Earth and making it a better place for those around me.
Blake: Gotta make that paper.
Julia: Simplicity. And puppies.
Jaime D: Shakin' booty, makin sweet love all the night.
Scott I: There is no singular meaning of life. Why would there be? We're not working towards some phenomenal enlightenment, we're not working back from one either. We live just to live.
Paul: 42. And I like Scott I's answer.
Adrian: To seek out the meaning of life, and to leave the world a better place than when entered.
Anton: Live and let live.
Tristan: I guess to be as happy as you can, and hopefully to make some others happy along the way. Finding someone special to do it with is important too.
Linda: I don't know "the meaning of life", but my personal philosophy is to choose to be happy now. You can't change the past, and you are not guaranteed tomorrow....so choose happiness today.
Lueda: I truly do believe that we are meant to discover who we really are, as every event and experience shapes our personality.
Travis: Do unto others...
Steve: To gather as much wisdom as you can and to brighten the days of others.
Eric: I don’t think there is a specific meaning. I think you’ve got to do what you love to give your life purpose. I love seeing my friends and listening to music…that’s pretty generic, but it’s what shapes my life.
Jason: To strive for more than just contentment. The active pursuit of something beyond the motions of the mundane. A search, that becomes more fruitful than the acquisition of, for the things that give you a feeling of happiness above and beyond just being "ok." Far too many people accept their positions in life - settle for being "content" - I think the search for more than just contentment can apply personally and globally.

Do you guys find it easy to balance your jobs and your staff duties on here?
Rich: Usually it is easy to balance school and work with the work I do here. The easiest times are breaks and the beginning of the school year because then I can dedicate a lot of time to AP related things. However, once school starts it gets to be very difficult sometimes to stay on top of things and contribute regularly. I mostly only write reviews though, so I give kudos to my fellow staffers who do way more than I do and balance even more activities than I do. I am hoping to branch out though and do a little more this year.
Scott W: I work from home and post about sports during the day and then my wife kicks me off when she gets home.
Drew: It's not that difficult, really. It only takes me about 40 minutes max to write a review haha.
Blake: I tend to get wrapped up in AP.net for long periods of time. There are days that suck so bad that I just want to come home, listen to music and write a line or two. I call these days "weekdays." But really, I try and always give real life the ol' College try each day.
Julia: Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I have a lot of projects that I work on in addition to working here, plus I work full time and go to school, so it can be tough to find the time to do everything I want to do/contribute. But I'd say AP.net is a pretty big priority in my life so I try to seek a happy balance. Gotta pay the bills, gotta stay active, and gotta stay happy.
Jaime D: That's a big NO. Sometimes I work a 40 hour week, sometimes 70, so I can never commit to anything that is going to take up a significant amount of time. Though I'm at work now while I type this, so what does that say?
Scott I: I've only had part-time jobs since I've been a staff member -- so no.
Paul: It's definitely not easy, but I try and make it work. I stare at a computer a lot at work so it's hard to bring myself to sit down and stare at a computer for a few hours longer when I get home to do AP things, so I usually just try and set aside a couple nights a week to sit down and do AP things.
Adrian: I balance school and staff duties here without much stress, but I’m actually refraining from a part-time job largely due to my time spent on the website.
Anton: A lot of people seem to have this perception that we slave away on this site and, while we do most of the time, it's of our own choosing. We don't really have any set rules, but to be active when we can. I could theoretically disappear for four months and come back and start posting like nothing's changed; in fact, there are certain staff members that do just this (drama!). Seriously though, Jason's totally lax with our responsibilities and doesn't force us to anything. He'd really make a terrible boss, haha. I kid, of course.
Tristan: I get time most days, but sometimes I get a buildup of three or four days worth of stuff to do. Nothing too crazy though.
Chris: Working part-time makes it easier. However, I am a student when summer is not in session, so at times, yes it's a difficult balancing act. I think I can do a fairly good job at knowing what's in each corner of my life though. I take on as much work as I can pay attention to, and I work on some reviews for weeks before I complete them - it's all personal, really, and I multi-task a lot more than some people I know, so I suppose it's just an easier (albeit somewhat unfocused) approach for myself.
Jamie P: Sometimes. There are times when I can do 1-2 interviews a week but there are times when I only do one every two weeks. And I’m trying to find a full time job right now so it will be much harder for me from now on.
Linda: It is tough. There is always more to do than I have time to do.
Lueda: It depends. I feel like I lack motivation when I have been worn out by school and work, but I try to at least keep in touch with bands. I also try to moderate more to make up for my lack of contributions as a staffer during those times.
Jonathan: I work a very neat job in Silicon Valley and surfing/reading/contributing to the site actually looks good as it's part of my job there too.
Travis: It's a tough act. There's a degree and eventual career to think of, but AP's so much more fun than any of that. Really it's just another facet of the ever-present time management game. All school and no AP makes Travis a dull boy.
Steve: It is getting much harder as I get older. I do my best to handle my AP.net obligations as best I can, but I have a crazy busy job and am now married, so it is tough to juggle them all at times. I wish I could spend much more time here.
Eric: School is really, really hard. I’ve got class and then a job, so I write whenever I can.
Jason: 'Tis my job.

Do you enjoy getting to know AP members and users on the forums?
Rich: I have only recently started going into the forums more, but I do like getting to know the users on the forums. I mostly stayed away from the forums until now because I get swept up in a ton of threads and then end up forgetting the ones I posted in until they are already mostly inactive haha.
Scott W: Gabe Gross, former staff member, was a groomsman in my wedding and one of my best friends.
Drew: It's not really the same as it used to be. The forum used to be more closer-knit, and with the site expanding and more users joining everyday, it's hard to meet new people. But I have met one of my best friends on this very site (Rick aka FullCollapse3k holla at your boy!)
Blake: I don't talk to a ton of users on a daily basis, mostly because of my inability to keep in touch. I talk to Lauren, Brigid (I miss you.) and my main man Richy "Dr. Dunkaster Dunkenstein" Duncan the most.
Julia: So much so! I've made great friends. I can name a few that will stick with me for years to come. Met a couple creepies too, but that's irrelevant.
Jaime D: For sure! I've met a ton of awesome people, staffers and regulars, including my boyfriend whom I met at Bamboozle, who mostly posts in the Sports forum. Other than that I love hanging with Julia, Anton, Jared and all of the great people I've met over the years.
Scott I: There's a handful of interesting people, yeah. I don't really find myself in the forums all too much, though.
Paul: I admit that I've been pretty out of the whole AP member/forum community for a little while - I used to be much more active, posting in the news posts and posting in the General Forum a lot, but I've become so busy with other things that I rarely get a chance to post a lot nowadays, outside of my news posts. I definitely miss it, I used to know pretty much every person who posted in the General Forums maybe 3 or 4 years ago.
Adrian: For sure. There was a period last year when I was averaging 30 – 100 posts a day, so I regularly conversed with the same members day in, day out. I’ve cut down on posting, but I still enjoy talking to members when opportunities arise. Moving away from the casual, there are some members on the website I could see myself becoming good friends with if I wasn’t (relatively) isolated in Texas.
Anton: I love it. I've met a lot of people through this site and, as lame as it is, there are some that I have never met in real life that I would call dear friends. E-nerd.
Tristan: Absolutely. I always have and always will. Like I said before, that's how I met the love of my life. I know I don't post as often now, partially because of time spent moderating, partially for other reasons, but I still love getting a chance to jump in and talk to some new people or some old friends.
Chris: Certainly. There are some I wish I didn't know, but I can't tell you how much some users here make it worth all the bullshit. The people I have become friends with through AP.net are some of the funniest, smartest and downright coolest people I've ever spoken to. Discussing music intelligently with members is one of my favorite activities to do on the site and as much of a dick I can be sometimes, I really do love just having a civil conversation about music of any kind with members here.
Linda: I am just a forum lurker. It used to be funny and startling to be reading a thread and come across a post in it that said, "Who is Linda Ferreira" during the time that there was the lurker bar. I would then get to read several posts about me that were inserted in the middle of a different discussion.
Lueda: Of course. I don't post as much as I used to, but I think most people still have a pretty good idea about who I am. The forums, and it's users, have always been my love. I have met some incredible people through this website's community, and I'm so thankful for it. Looking back a few years ago, it's hard to imagine where I would have been without the support of some, especially Tristan's.
Travis: This is definitely one of the parts of AP I'm most excited to jump into. One of the things that drew me, and I'm sure thousands of other folks, to this site is its devotion to a sense of community.
Steve: I enjoy casual interaction with some users on here, but I don't have the time or patience to spend that much time chatting it up, especially in the general. I do enjoy the Politics forum though.
Eric: I will.
Jason: If they're hot and have big boobs. No, seriously, I love the community here - and I think the friendships and community of AP.net is what makes it as special as it is. I love talking about music, but recently I've had just as much fun talking about entertainment (TDK thread), politics, and sports. There really is a good group of people inhabiting all these areas of the website - and I love learning more about them.

What bands would you consider most important in the scene today?
Rich: That is a really difficult question to answer. If you are talking about in terms of overall “historical” impact, I would go with a band like My Bloody Valentine since they are now technically reformed.
Joe: The Get Up Kids, Blink-182, Weezer
Scott W: Fuck the “scene” today.
Drew: Most important in the scene today? Hmm, I may get crucified for this, but I would definitely say Fall Out Boy. Hate the music or the members, but they have changed the mainstream and have opened up the scene (for better or for worse, you be the judge). Also Say Anything is special to this scene. As for bands that shaped the scene, well we know the obvious answers, so I won't bore you with a list.
Blake: This is a vague question, so I'll cheat and give two answers. In terms of exposure and popularity, it's easily Fall Out Boy. They are the face of scene music in regards to the mainstream population and music media. Now, in terms of doing something that might make our little hearts beat fast for ages to come: I say Anberlin because I love them.
Julia: Bands that unite. I can remember the first time I listened to Deja Entendu for the first, holy time. I remember an exact switch in thinking and understanding in those moments. You know those bands ... the FIRST ones. Not the first album you ever bought, or the first show you went to, or the first time you covered a Blink song, or the first time you threw up devil horns. It's those first bands that are still around, still helping us believe, and still doing creative things with music. If we lose those, then all we are going to have are the Metro Stations, The Cabs, and The Maines. I'd cry.
Jaime D: Bands that make people CARE. That make you want to get up and do something, whether it's start a revolution or just start dancing. Any band that makes you FEEL something is a band that's important to me.
Paul: If you mean important today as in are still around and making music, I guess I'd say Fall Out Boy, solely for the fact that they are the biggest and most influential, and thus a lot of other bands look up to them.
Adrian: Hmm, this question is pretty broad, and can encompass the past, so I’m going to comment on two bands that are alive and kicking. When it comes to mainstream status and area of influence, I’d say Fall Out Boy have made, and continue to make, a huge impact. I see them as the Blink 182 for the kids who are in high school now. I’d also like to mention Brand New because of their popularity within the scene and their ability to modify their sound while still remaining undeniably relevant. They may not ever grace the largest of stages, but those of us who have latched onto the band won’t let them go easily.
Anton: Fall Out Boy, of course. I think Thrice is an important band to show exactly how a band can completely reinvent themselves and remain relevant. Brand New is an important band to show how a band can reject potential mainstream success and still have a huge, dedicated fanbase.
Chris: Kind of a tricky question to answer, but in today's scene? I think many of the important bands are the ones keeping it organic, not cluttering their music with anything other than the songs they write. The Weakerthans, New Found Glory, Against Me! and The Lawrence Arms each write music for themselves, and they have meaning. To me, that's all that's important in music right now - keeping integrity intact, because it's far too cluttered with amateurs and money-hungry kids looking for their "break".
Jamie P: The Get Up Kids, Saves the Day, Glassjaw, Chumbawumba, and Blink 182.
Travis: Goodness. Um, in terms of continuing some obtuse notion of a "scene," I'd go with the groups on the cusp of 'hitting it big' or those that came close enough to influence others: Thursday, Saves the Day, At the Drive-In, etc. There are always the big guys, like Fall Out Boy or Dashboard Confessional, that actually broke through that elusive pop barrier, but I think that somehow the ones that got close but never quite hit it have, in the minds of 'scenesters,' become more sacred.
Steve: I don't think one band is important to the scene anymore. Instead, I think the scene has become more about thousands of bands working hard to get attention, which has put tons of good music out there (although sometimes the shitty music wins out, unfortunately).
Eric: Sonic Youth and Bad Religion are awesome for still keeping it real about one million studio albums later.
Jason: There's a weird disconnect between those I'd consider important and those that probably are important. Anyway, I'd say Say Anything, Brand New, Thrice, and Radiohead are releasing music that is extremely important to our scene. I think they're pushing boundaries in good ways - and showing that a career is more important than a one-hit-wonder. You could also make the argument that Fall Out Boy remains the most important band in our scene today -- the enterprise that stemmed from that band has formed its own economy.

What bands have shaped the way you look at music?
Rich: Braid, Fugazi, and The Dismemberment Plan
Joe: Depends on what kind of music. New Found Glory, Blink-182, Sum 41 and early Simple Plan and Good Charlotte got me into the music that I'm mainly into today but Underoath's They're Only Chasing Safety got me more into harder stuff.
Scott W: MxPx, Living Sacrifice, The Juliana Theory, Radiohead.
Drew: Deftones, Rage Against The Machine, Radiohead, Thursday, OG Taking Back Sunday, Saves The Day.
Blake: Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Motion City Soundtrack, Neil Young, Taking Back Sunday
Julia: Brand New, Hey Mercedes/Braid, Fugazi, Death Cab For Cutie.
Jaime D: Ben Folds Five, Radiohead, The Marvelous 3/Butch Walker, Brand New, Thursday, Weezer, Midtown, Jimmy Eat World, Saves The Day.
Scott I: The bands that have had the biggest effect on me have been Modest Mouse, caP'n Jazz, and Animal Collective -- each moreso than the others at different points in my adolescence.
Paul: Neutral Milk Hotel, Radiohead, late Beatles
Adrian: Classic rockers such as Boston and The Who, 90s alternative rock bands like The Wallflowers and Bush, Blink-182, and too many others to list.
Tristan: As for music in general I'll say The Beatles, Chicago, Yes, Donovan, Weather Report, Maynard Ferguson, among many others, and for newer music of course Blink-182, Sunny Day Real Estate, Death Cab for Cutie, Bright Eyes, Elliott Smith, At the Drive-in, The Mars Volta, so much more...
Chris: A wide variety of bands have, actually. The Beatles, Metallica, Fugazi, Green Day, Less Than Jake, Bad Religion, Simon & Garfunkel, Jimmy Eat World, Lagwagon, The Who ... each band has impacted my life in tremendous ways, and each has given me a new perspective on how music is done and what it needs to be.
Jamie P: The Get Up Kids, Saves the Day, and Blink 182.
Anton: Boston, Phil Collins/Genesis, Goo Goo Dolls, Midtown, Thursday, The Receiving End of Sirens, The Dear Hunter.
Lueda: I really don't know, because I listen to everything out there. I guess in recent years, Elliott Smith would be the one. He made me appreciate a completely different genre of music that I still continue to adore to this day.
Travis: Thursday, Dashboard Confessional, Bright Eyes, Brand New, The Starting Line, Coheed and Cambria, The Dear Hunter
Steve: Copeland, The Beatles, Oasis, Northstar, Death Cab for Cutie
Eric: There are plenty. The Velvet Underground, Fugazi, Sonic Youth, pg99, Beck, Radiohead, At the Drive In, etc.
Jason: The Smiths, Joy Division, Brand New, Blink182, MxPx, Chopin, Thrice, and The Living End come to mind first.

Who is the sexiest of them all?
Scott W: Clearly me.
Drew: Adrian, no homo.
Blake: I don't photograph well.
Julia: All the boys.
Jaime D: Julia!
Paul: Anthony Bourdain
Adrian: Not me (but thanks, DrewB).
Tristan: Lueda, of course.
Anton: AbsoluteCat.
Lueda: My boy toy!
Jonathan: How now, Tao cow?
Jason: I haven't shaved all week - so it's definitely not me. Let's go with Drewsif or Julia.

Adrian - who would you rather live with, Jason or Anton? (Same question for the other two, just the other people subbed).
Adrian: If living with Anton means I’d have to move East, I’d rather head West with Jason. Then I’d call up Anton and convince him to move over as well – he can bring his Nintendo Wii with him.
Anton: I think I would rather live with both in Jason's house, since he probably has a lot of cool objects/gadgets with the millions of dollars he makes in people paying him to post news.
Jason: Adrian would supplement my more nerdier qualities, while Anton would probably be fun to play practical jokes on ... hmmmm. They're both more than welcome here anytime.

Lady staffers: Is it hard to work when the guys hit on you?
Julia: No, it's just amusing/hilarious. And there are some cute members here, so who am I to complain? No creepies. Sorry creepies.
Jaime D: Not really, I mean no one gets out of line, cause if they do we ban them. Haha.
Anton: Let's not forget how difficult it is when the ladies hit on us. I mean, since I've become staff and my celebrity has increased substantially, it's been impossible to walk the streets and not be accosted for my autograph. You wouldn't believe the amount of cleavage I've had to sign in the past year.
Linda: No, that is part of life and actually can be enjoyable if you take it the right way.
Lueda: Nah. Tristan has been keeping them in check in the last 3 years!

Are you guys all friends?
Rich: I would say so. We are all pretty tight knit and we get along fairly well.
Scott W: Now, probably yes. But I used to hate Steve’s guts (lol) and there’s a few ex-staffers that can go suck an egg.
Drew: I would say we are all professional towards each other. I would say my friends on staff are Jason, Weebs, and Adrian. My best staff friend was Darren McLeod.
Blake: We have our little tiffs, but yeah, I'd say so.
Julia: We're one big slightly dysfunctional Internet family. It's cute. Expect holiday portraits come this December.
Jaime D: I'd say we're all friends, but I hang out with Julia, Anton and ex-staffer Jared Kaufman (come back!) outside of the internets whenever possible.
Scott I: I consider people like Steve, Julia, and ex-staffer Russ Hockenbury to be true friends because I've been working with them since day 1. Rich D. is also a great friend and huge influence on me.
Paul: Well I guess I know Lally the best, we see each other every few months or so since he lives in San Francisco. I would consider myself friends with most of the other staffers though, I try to not get in fights with anyone. I'm pretty mellow.
Adrian: Oh yeah, I like everyone on staff. I’ve hung out with Blake ("Cake"), Drew ("Paper Walls"), and Lally ("Who needs a shirt?"), and I would like to see them again sometime in the future. I’m also sure to seek out Anton (we owe each other beers) and Jason (he can show me his Spider-Man toys) down the road; I’ve conversed with both of them throughout the past year, and I’d like to get to know them better.
Tristan: I don't talk to a lot of the staffers on a regular basis, but I'd consider them all friends. They're all good people.
Chris: I don't speak to all staffers on a regular basis, but I think we all get along well when we do talk. I correspond with some more than others, but as contrived as this sounds, I really do like everybody here.
Jamie P: Yeah even though I don’t talk to everyone that often but it is good to know that they are there when I need them.
Anton: Of course. I would like to hang out with all.
Linda: It is impressive to see how well the group works on things together and irons out differences.
Lueda: I would say, especially right now.
Jonathan: I can honestly say I've found one of my dearest friends in Mr. Tao. Honestly, you will not meet a nicer, more selfless man versed so well in the music industry than him. I've hung out with Tate a couple times (and his sister Jenny,) and met a handful of other staffers like Jamie Pham and Adrian..
Steve: We used to argue (especially Weber and I), but we have grown out of it and have a good rapport now.
Jason: I would definitely consider everyone my friend. If they ever needed anything, they know they can ask me (as many have), and as long as I get to pick on them ... of course.

What's the staff forum like?
Rich: Honestly, it’s not very different from the regular forums.
Joe: It's filled with threads where we make fun of you guys.
Scott W: Full of threads from 2 years ago where Steve and I fought endlessly.
Drew: Pretty much all n00dz.
Blake: mind-blowing
Julia: It actually looks just like all the other forums, except that it holds all the deep dark secrets of the underworld.
Scott I: Remember that movie "From Justin to Kelly"? Kind of like that.
Jaime D: It's like that secret club that everyone wishes they could be in.
Paul: Hilarious
Adrian: Behind the scenes music drama, website brainstorming and work, and the occasional staff chatting. It’s a must read.
Tristan: It's pretty amazing. When I saw it on Eda's computer, I knew I had to get myself in there somehow. Be glad that you can't see it, otherwise it would become an obsession and an addiction for you.
Chris: People get the idea it's a forbidden kingdom of sorts - and it was the first place I headed once my name changed from black to red - but it's about as active as Members Only, and we have some funny discussions there, but I think it would disappoint many of you. We just rag on Slade more than anyone.
Jamie P: Its just us talking crap about bands and users. Just kidding. Not really.
Anton: Aside from general chatter about the going-ons of the site (yes, we talk about a lot of you), there are the future projects in works on the site, new ideas, and the insider industry gossip/rumors/fact.
Lueda: The complete opposite of everything that was said above.
Jonathan: Heaven on the world wide web.
Steve: One of the best reasons to be staff. Full of Julia n00dz.
Eric: Friendly
Jason: A whole lot of threads where I test things and then get made fun of by everyone else. There's a bunch of stickies - usually about things going on that month, promotions, ideas, brainstorming. Also it's a place to discuss different things - where I ask questions and seek input. Also a place for suggestions where I pick holes in people's ideas to see if it would work or not - things like that.

Drew and Blake: What are your favorite bands?
Drew: Oh man, all time favorite band is Saves The Day. Current favorite band is Underoath.
Blake: Hey! A question to me! I'd say Northstar, Anberlin, Fleetwood Mac and The Jealous Sound.

What's been your favorite big thread that people talk about months after its creation?
Drew: My review for Say Anything's In Defense Of The Genre, still the most viewed review on the site! haha
Blake: There was a thread in which you tried to have sex with a virtual girl. It was awesome and excruciatingly depressing.
Julia: I loved the Say Anything news post thread from when the band was trying to post a new song, myspace was being shoddy, and everyone was so pumped that the thread exploded with excitement. That was sick.
Jaime D: The monster mash thread for sure.
Adrian: I’m going to steal Blake’s answer, because that thread was tons of fun. Now I just have to find a real girl who wants to have public sex with me in my open jeep after buying groceries from a gas station in the nude.
Tristan: Dear Finacée, of course. Also, Who Cares About the Damn Title, just because it's one of the few threads I've created.
Chris: Hopler. Hands down, the most enjoyable read I've ever experienced while on the site. The funny sex stories thread was also quite enjoyable.
Anton: Julia's answer is probably my favorite choice, as it is everyone coming together and being friendly. Most of the other big threads that are noteworthy involve tearing someone/some people down. One of these would be the first Jeffree Star thread, where he found out about it and ordered his little minions to post on the site and defend him. What a d-bag.
Lueda: Dear Fiancee. That thread was epic, and I will always miss it.
Jason: Sex story thread. Epic.

All staffers should tell what their favorite band, book, and movie are in this.
Rich: Favorite Band - Braid. Favorite Book - House Of Leaves. Favorite Movie - Lost In Translation
Joe: Band: New Found Glory, Book: The Outsiders, Movie: Home Alone
Scott W: Band: MxPx. Book: Ender’s Game. Movie: Saving Silverman.
Drew: Band: Saves The Day Book: To Kill A Mockingbird Movie: Garden State
Blake: Band: Anberlin Book: The Toughest Indian in the World by Sherman Alexie Movie: National Treasure!!!
Julia: Book: This Band Could Be Your Life by Michael Azzerad. Movie: Little Giants. Band: Death Cab for Cutie.
Scott I.: Band: Joan of Arc Book: Either Thomas Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow or Faulkner's As I Lay Dying -- hard choice. Movie: "Stay"
Jaime D: Band: Ben Folds Five; Book: Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman; Movie: The Mighty Ducks.
Paul: Band - A tie between Radiohead and Neutral Milk Hotel. Book - also hard to say, perhaps A Clockwork Orange. Movie - I do watch Mean Girls a lot...
Adrian: Favorite band: Brand New. Favorite book: I have no absolute favorite, but I recently fell in love with Watchmen. Favorite movie: Pulp Fiction.
Tristan: Band: I'll have to say The Beatles. Book: The Lord of the Rings series. If I had to pick one I'd say The Fellowship of the Ring. Movie: This one's hard. Maybe Blues Brothers, maybe The Lord of the Rings.
Chris: Favorite Band - Less Than Jake. Favorite Book - To Kill A Mockingbird. Favorite Movie - Better Off Dead. I just love Cusack and 80's movies.
Jamie P: Blink 182, Peter Pan, and Star Wars.
Anton: Midtown, Lord of the Rings, Lord of the Rings. I'm boring; I know.
Linda: Band:Something Corporate. Book: The Host. Movie: Vitus.
Lueda: My favourite book at the moment would be The Color Purple by Alice Walker; favourite movie is Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and favourite album Either/Or by Elliott Smith (if I really had to pick!).
Jonathan: Beatles, Catcher in the Rye, Life as a House
Travis: Bright Eyes, Catcher in the Rye, Sideways
Steve: Copeland is my band, The Stand is my book, and American History X is my flick.
Eric: Favorite Band - Radiohead. Favorite Book – Of Mice and Men. Favorite Movie – Clockwork Orange.
Jason: If I have to pick just one: Brand New, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, and LA Confidential.

What is one thing about AP.net you would change but cannot for whatever reason (too difficult to implement/disagreements/etc.)?
Rich: The name. While it is clear from some of the reviews and other things we do on the site, I think the name is kind of limiting and may cause people to jump to conclusions about what the site is all about.
Joe: Bringing back the lurker bar.
Scott W: Faster servers that never timed out.
Drew: The answer is simple: Scene Points.
Julia: Who Quoted Me on Blog Comments.
Scott I: More Slade.
Jaime D: Definitely the name. Though we haven't gotten many "you're not punk!!11!" threats lately, it's still annoying to have to be categorized as only one genre, as we strive to cover them all.
Paul: Name? I think Jason even agrees with us here.
Adrian: I like the site name, but I realize it has affected us in negative ways, and it probably would be better changed.
Tristan: I'd make it impossible for spam bots to get through and post. You have no idea how annoying it is to delete all of those god damned porn posts.
Chris: An IQ test for some of the more logically-challenged members.
Anton: Definitely the name. It sucks when people will automatically not do anything for the site or work with us based on the name. I know that this has burned certain people (including myself) in the past.
Lueda: I would have to agree about the name. Many Indie bands have refused to work with me because they think it's pointless to be covered on a "punk" site, especially because people that visit the site won't appreciate their music. It's so, so wrong.
Steve: I wish I could change the users' attitudes a lot of times. People don't realize that a lot of bands they talk shit on read the site, and it is really unfair.
Jason: Reading some of these responses (like Julia's) made me smile because I can actually do some of them. However, it's easily the name. It's a misnomer at this point - but a brand. This is the downfall of starting a company at 15. Haha.

Do any of you hate each other?
Scott W: Fuck you, Steve.
Drew: I don't hate anyone.
Julia: No, but I hate apple juice.
Jaime D: We all lurvvvve each other.
Adrian: I don’t hate anybody here.
Tristan: I used to dislike Steve before either of us were staff, but then we talked about The Beatles once and it was all good from then on out. Funny how we both became on staff.
Anton: If any of us do, it's not an open hatred.
Lueda: Not anymore! All the "hated ones" have been kicked out!
Jonathan: Weebs and I get heated over Apple/M$ related BS, but at the end of the day, I have the utmost respect for the guy.. we also became staff around the same time.
Steve: Yeah, Weebs can eat a dick (2 years ago). Now we're both old, married geezers that are too boring to fight.
Jason: Fuck you Weber. Nah, we definitely all argue time to time - but I think that's healthy. People know they can bitch back at me - and they let me have it. Anton's currently trying to convince me of a change in the gallery - and I'm dragging my feet - for example.

What's your favorite flavor pop-tart?
Rich: I honestly prefer toaster strudels. However, if I was forced to pick a favorite pop tart flavor, I would go with chocolate chip cookie dough.
Joe: Strawberry. Any other flavor is gross.
Drew: Blueberry.
Blake: Strawberry, but it has to have the frosting on it.
Julia: Brown Sugar Cinnamon.
Jaime D: Smores!
Scott I: I only find myself going back to the Brown Sugar nowadays, though I used to be all about the blueberry and that limited-edition purple and blue one. Remember that one?
Paul: Pop tarts are gross. I try not to eat many processed foods like that.
Adrian: Strawberry.
Tristan: I guess the strawberry sprinkly one. But when I actually ate them I liked the s'mores or brown sugar ones best. That weird berry one Scott I. is talking about was pretty good too.
Chris: Chocolate chip cookie dough - and I know a lot of people agree with me (Rich, for example). I don't even need them heated up. Just give them to me cold, and I will chow down on those faster than John Madden at a Bar Mitzfah.
Anton: Strawberry frosted or frozen Smores.
Linda: brown sugar
Lueda: Strawberry, I guess.
Travis: Brown sugar!!
Eric: I like them all but not the double chocolate one…that’s like too much of one flavor.
Jason: What happened to Blueberry pop-tarts? I feel like they vanished. I like Smores.

How many hours of sleep have you lost because of ap.net [working, chatting, etc.]?
Rich: I usually stay up really late anyway, so probably none. However, I usually spend a lot of time on AP when I am up already, so it would be hard to put a definite amount down.
Joe: A lot, probably. I've tried to ban myself from threads to keep me from chatting in them late at night when I should be sleeping. Didn't work.
Scott W: None really. Living on the west coast means things usually die down before it’s my bed time.
Drew: The number hasn't been created yet, haha.
Blake: Well, it's past 2:30 AM right now, so I think that about sums it up.
Julia: Too many to count. Sucks when I have to work at 5 a.m. I have a hard time going to bed early, and this website has continued the insomnia.
Jaime D: Way too many.
Adrian: I’m unsure, though the exact number would be too embarrassing to reveal.
Tristan: Countless. It's probably the reason for my habit of staying up past 2:00 AM on most days.
Chris: I usually stay up really late anyway, so probably none. If it's 7am and you see me on, say hi - I'll be going to bed around then. However, I usually spend a lot of time on AP when I am up already, so it would be hard to put a definite amount down.
Anton: This is a question I do and don't want to know the answer to. There's a joke by Jim Gaffigan that this reminds me of this. You don't want to wake up in the morning ever, so you think about what you did that made you stay up so late the night before. "I stayed up to do what!?! Watch Growing Pains!?" But that night, you don't care. You're flipping through channels and you're like, "Great! Growing Pains...I've only seen this episode twice!" AP.net is kind of similar, only there's not as much regret because you're spending time with friends, not Kirk Cameron.
Linda: Wow....tough question. There have been countless nights when I was just going to check one thing before signing off and then got pulled in for several hours.
Lueda: I would blame my insomnia on the internet, that's for sure.
Jonathan: Enough.
Jason: Hahahhahhahahahaha. Wow. Probably years of my life at this point.

What is Jason Tate's favorite song off of the new Hit the Lights record?
Scott W: None because there’s no songs about me on this record, and Jason only likes songs that talk about AP.net.
Drew: SHUT YOUR MOUTH WEEBS, TIME TO SHOW YOU HOW TO ROCK N ROLL!!!
Jaime D: I don't think I could answer this question any better.
Jason: "Tell Me Where You Are"

Where did Chris Fallon go to public school, and can we see a yearbook photo?
Chris: I went to three schools in Bellevue, Washington - Lake Hills Elementary, Odle Middle School and Sammamish High School. My yearbooks are at my folks' place so the nearest I can give you when it comes to old photos of yours truly is this gem (http://www.absolutepunk.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=120581&c=75).

Does Scott Weber think Jimmy Rollins will ever land in Toronto?
Scott W: He’ll have to learn how to pick it up pick it up pick it up.
Blake: Just wanted to note that Felix Jones will be rookie of the year. Also, Rusty Greer is my favorite athlete.

What ever happened to Frank Giaramita? Do you think he's still alive?
Rich: I wish I knew. I talked to him randomly on IM one time (I forget why we were talking) and he mentioned working with Holiday Parade. That is all I know.
Scott W: I have no idea. But I kinda miss that dude.
Drew: He is still alive, he added me as a Facebook friend a few weeks ago. haha
Jaime D: I met him at Bamboozle last year. Good dude. He's still in the business.
Paul: He facebooked me a while ago but besides that, I haven't talked to him in a long time.
Adrian: Last Login: 06:05 AM (07/03/06)
Anton: We chat through e-mail sometimes. I wasn't on staff when he was on though, so I don't know of the bad blood.
Linda: Frank resigned from being on staff, but he still posts here as a user under a different name. I believe he is tour manager for Holiday Parade.
Lueda: I think he IMed me a while ago, but I'm not sure. So yes, I think he still is alive and well.
Jonathan: no comment.
Jason: HolyCrapola. He's still alive. I don't think that website he was planning to take us out ever got made though.

How many beers has Blake Solomon drank in one sitting?
Rich: If I had to guess I would probably measure in cases or kegs rather than individual beers.
Blake: Eleventy
Adrian: Probably a whole keg full. Blake knows how to par-tay.
Tristan: I'm not sure, but it was probably American beer, which means he might as well have just drank one real beer.

Where and when were each and every one of the staff members conceived, and how long did said mating session last?
Scott W: That is the stupidest question ever.
Julia: Ewww, creepy question. I was born in Boulder, CO.
Scott I: Boca Raton, Florida, I think.
Paul: I am made in Taiwan, no joke.
Adrian: Made in Mexico slash Texas, (re)produced in 1985®.
Chris: Behind Dairy Queen, around Christmas of 1982. I'm sure it was a passionate session that lasted for about as long as I normally do. So to answer your question, about as long as it takes to order a Blizzard.
Anton: Another original question by (username). Seriously though, I think it was some time in late 1984 during the winter to keep warm.
Linda: Ewwww. My parents did not have sex ever....so I must have been immaculately conceived.
Travis: Ew. I second Linda's answer.
Steve: I think I might have been a test tube baby. Either that or a Motel 6 somewhere.
Jason: I was born of a virgin.