Night Birds

Night Birds have taken the ingredients of those early Frontier Records bands (Adolescents, T.S.O.L., Circle Jerks and Rikk Agnew), mixed them in a blender, topped that cocktail with a layer of D.I. and mixed in East Bay Ray’s surf style guitar for good measure. Night Birds since its inception have been highly prolific. In 2011, the band put out one LP, The Other Side of Darkness and one EP, Midnight Movies. Now in 2013, Night Birds are set to follow in their own footsteps with the releases of Born To Die In Suburbia LP and the previously released Maimed For The Masses EP. In their own words, Night Birds are a “[s]peedy punk band with hooks and melody,” but really they are more than that. Night Birds have taken the essence of their influences and positioned themselves to be the Frontier style band of today.

Interview by Ed Stuart

Who’s answering the questions?

BRIAN GORSEGNER, sing of NIGHT BIRDS

Where is the band from?

NEW JERSEY

Who is in the band and what instrument do they play?

Joe Keller - bass

Brian Gorsegner - vocals

Ryan McHale - drums

PJ Russo - guitar

How did the band start?

In 2009 Joe and I started the band. I was gonna play drums, and we had another guy singing and playing guitar. We wrote a couple of songs, and did some covers. We actually wrote "Paranoid Times" with that lineup. The band was sort of split with the sound we were going for, so it sort of fell apart, and then we recruited Mike to play guitar and our friend the Coastman to play drums. That lineup last a while until ending up with the lineup we have now, of PJ playing guitar, and Ryan playing drums.

Any particular bands that the band had in mind or was listening to on heavy rotation while writing the new LP Born To Die In Suburbia?

Naked Raygun, the Dwarves, Angry Samoans, the Damned, New Bomb Turks. Stuff like that. Speedy punk bands with hooks and melody. Same kind of stuff we've always dug. While recording BTDIS I listened to the Pixies "Bossanava" while driving to the studio every day. Not sure why. But recording was going really well, so after I had done it coincidentally the first 3 days I continued to do it for the other 8 or 9 because I got superstitious. 

Following up this question on older releases, I hear a lot of D.I. influence. More the early stuff like Team Goon, Horse Bites Dog Cries and Ancient Artifacts. Are the bands fans of D.I.?

Of course, those records are great!

How did the band hook up with Fat Wreck? Any reason why the band chose to go with Grave Mistake again to release their new LP?

I heard that Chad, the guy who runs Fats day-to-day operation, was a fan of Night Birds. I sent him some demos, and he dug them. He sent them up the chain and everyone liked them. Younger kids who might not know who Night Birds are still check out Fat Wreck stuff, and I was really interested in trying to get our bands music out to younger kids. As much as I still love punk now, it was really important to me when I was 14 and had a huge impact. I wonder sometimes where I'd be now had I never discovered punk, and odds are I would not have liked the person I ended up being. As much as we appreciate anyone at any age digging our band, I think it's important to expose ourselves to young children... uhh... I mean... errr...

As far as doing our LP on Grave Mistake, we had all agreed on doing the album together a ways back. Alex has always really looked out for us and done everything in his power to make sure we were happy. He puts out our records, but he's also our friend. He's toured with us, booked us shows, put us up in his own home, stuff like that. As we grow as a band, Grave Mistake seems to grow as a label, and vice versa, so it's beneficial for both of us to work our butts off.

Faster and Louder described Night Birds in this way “These guys continue to draw inspiration from the surf-inflected punk/hardcore sounds of early '80’s California without sounding like copycats or second-raters. And like only the best punk bands can do, they create a sound that's true to a classic period yet still highly relevant to present times.”  Do you feel this review is accurate? How does the band feel after reading a review like that? 

I think Josh has written my favorite Night Birds reviews ever, and he always has really flattering stuff to say. I'd like to think it's true too. I don't think there is anything wrong with taking cues from the bands you love; it just gets boring when a band sounds exactly like another band. Truth be told, I was never a fan of Bl'ast! because I thought they just tried TOO hard to sound like Black Flag. It just sounds awkward to me. But when a band draws from a large pool of stuff and make it their own, the results can be cool.

In 2011, Night Birds “…played 60 shows and did 2 records [that] year,” Midnight Movies and The Other Side of Darkness. In 2013, the band has released one EP Maimed For The Masses this year and has a new LP coming out this summer, Born To Die In Suburbia. Is 2013 looking to be as busy or busier than 2011? 

This year is looking more like 50 shows. My wife and I are expecting a baby in November so that will mean some sort of break from shows. We are trying to cram in as much now as we can. Had I not gone and pro created, we would have hit over 60 this year since we had a 2.5 European tour booked that I needed to postpone. We'll make it up though!

How was it playing Insubordination Fest?

Always fun. It's a pretty tight knit scene and we've made friends with lots of those pop punk weirdos through the years. Our past bands always played Insub Fest too... The Ergs, For Science, Psyched To Die... It's nice and close and people fly in from all over.

Night Birds got the ball rolling pretty quickly with having releases out with Dirtnap and No Way Records. In addition to the band’s songs being very good do you feel with Night Birds having members who were in known bands previously made it any easier getting shows/releasing records/getting press at the beginning of the band’s life? How did the band use its member’s prior experience in obtaining this goal?

Sure, if people dig a band they are always likely to check out what those members do next. The goal is to make sure to deliver something good right off the bat, since you've got that advantage, and I still think our demo and first couple of 7"’s hold up just as well as what we are releasing now. You can have a big head start but at the end of the day if your band sucks you are just going to suck in front of a larger audience.

If you had the choice which classic California label would you rather have put out a Night Birds release, Frontier or Posh Boy?

Frontier had "Group Sex", Adolescents "s/t", TSOL "dance with me", Rikk Agnew "all by myself", Suicidal Tendencies "s/t"... Posh Boy had the Rodney comps, the Beach Blvd comp, Agent Orange "living in darkness", and I want to say an early Social Distortion 7"? Maybe "1945"? Either way I'll go Frontier, though Posh Boy had the cooler logo.

I liked how the band put 3 exclusive B-sides on the Maimed For The Masses EP. A lot of bands put out a teaser EP and it just has a couple songs that will be featured on the upcoming LP. What made the band decide to the release this way?

We wrote as many songs as we could for the new album, and then cropped out what we didn't want, and were still left then more songs we wanted to put on the album, so we decided to do the single. Any of those songs could have just as easily ended up on the album but we tried to figure which ones went best together and split them between the "Maimed" EP and "BTDIS"...

Where can people hear Night Birds and what’s next for the band?
http://night-birds.bandcamp.com/

Our record comes out in two weeks, and then we are doing a record release weekend with Omegas and Give, a short tour with Red Dons, and a short tour with Zero Boys! We'll be playing on a boat somewhere at some point too! Keep your eyes peeled. Thanks.

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Reviews

Night Birds – Born To Die In Suburbia LP (Grave Mistake Records)

In the 90’s, New Jersey was a bottomless well of terrific Street Punk/OiI bands like The Bristles, The Wretched Ones, Those Unknown and the labels that housed them; Headache, GMM,  and Pogo Stick. So that’s kind of what I still think of when I hear about a punk band from Jersey.  Somewhere along the line, tides shifted.  Night Birds are here and do a searing Posh Boy/Hostage Records sound that commands consideration.  With one LP and a hand full of 7”’s prior, this seems to be their strongest effort.  The sound is better fortified, leaner and meaner!  I love the way the instrumental surf punk scolder opening track Escape From New York melts into the second title track.  It’s like crossing the street, being hit by an eighteen wheeler, only to wake up thankful to be barely alive stuck splattered on the radiator grill.  As the feeling of gratitude continues you suddenly realize the whole mechanical ogre is going off a cliff with you at the head.  I guess what I am trying to say is, this record is indeed the deliverer of the goods! – Jay Castro

How does a band from New Jersey sound like they would have been right at home in Southern California punk scene circa 1980-1985? I don’t know, but they have done it and have done it exceptionally well. Born To Die In Suburbia seems like a lost album from the early Frontier Records catalog. Back when the label released Circle Jerks, T.S.O.L. and Adolescents. Night Birds have nailed the sound of the three aforementioned bands as well as the early D.I. catalog without sounding like a cheap cover band. For fans of that era of Southern California punk, your band and LP have arrived! Buy now or be sorry you didn’t. – Ed Stuart 

The Instigation – 7” EP (Self-released)

The band is based in Tokyo/Shanghai, employs a British Singer and describes themselves as garage hardcore.  Sounds cool already huh!?  The “garage” in the description I assume comes from the sonic assault that’s delivered in a slight lo-fi manner, which I think gives the songs a bit more crunch to them.  Don’t fret, there is still hardcore a-plenty here to be found here, including a cover of Black Flag’s White Minority.  Since the singer has that British accent in his cache, the songs come off with a Conflict/Crass resonance and urgency, minus the agenda.  I don’t get in the mood for this type of music too often, but next time I do, rest assured I’m reaching for this sharpened slab of wax! – Jay Castro

Japanese hardcore that leans heavily towards UK 82 bands like GBH and Varukers, but with a guitar player that adds a layer of garage Rock N’ Roll leads over top the hardcore tempos to add a twist. The Instigation takes the style and sound of the aforementioned bands and speeds up the velocity. Think more Insted style hardcore than Youth Of Today with a touch of Henry Fiat’s Open Sore thrown in. – Ed Stuart

Rations - Martyrs and Prisoners EP – (86’d Records)

The back-story on this EP is that 86’d Records teamed up with about twenty to thirty other labels globally to put out this release. Now if this doesn’t show the community aspect and spirit of DIY within the punk community, I’m not sure what does. Martyrs and Prisoners is equal parts Fifteen, Crimpshrine, Fugazi and early Jawbreaker. Rations shows a little more of their melodic side and willingness to experiment sonically on this EP without losing focus on the punk/hardcore, dual vocal mainstay that has worked so well for the band on previous releases. – Ed Stuart

Rad Company/Tight Bros – Split 7” (86’d Records)

Rad Company plays melodic pop punk in the same vein as bands like Dillinger Four, Sludgeworth, Weston and Lawrence Arms. A catchy blend of hooks, chugging crunchy guitars and double vocals that is the both the meat and potatoes of the band and driving force behind the band’s sound.

Tight Bros. on the other hand starts their side with a garage punk stomper that features a power pop style chorus that feels reminiscent of Nick Lowe/Dave Edmunds. While their second song of the side, “Trapped In My Head” sounds like Briefs style punk. Catchy, new wave influenced pop punk. – Ed Stuart

With an album cover like this one I would have completely dismissed it as a gaggle of high school saplings crooning about the time they became intoxicated and soiled themselves at a party in front of the head cheerleader.  I was pleasantly surprised to find this was not the case at all!  Rad Company charges right out of the gate with a gust of Mid Western melodic punk in the Sludgeworth or Pegboy approach.   Tight Bros. has a bit more or a retro strut in their step while still thundering forward through their edition of punk pop songs.  A tad more guitar hook with a new wave/glam feel differentiate the Tight Bros. songs.  Both bands have a slight fade of their influences in their music, but you can tell they subscribe to the “Just drop the hammer and rock” school of thought, which is great!  Gimme more please! – Jay Castro

The Condors – 3 Item Combo CD – (Vital Gesture Records)

One of the things I have found reviewing the records here for Audio Ammunition is how many terrific bands are out there rocking in obscurity.   Reading a lot of blogs and zines that cover “underground” music I tend to think “well if anyone is that good, surely I would have heard of them by now”.  So not the case!  Take for example this wonderful third LP by the Condors.  It rocks in a Joe Jackson and Elvis Costello manner that sounds inspired and doesn’t fall into the copyist closet.  Likeable songs written about straightforward subjects and human emotions, the way rock n roll is supposed to be.   Sometimes you want to put on a record and let music drive you out of a bad day.  The Condors are there right there to start the engines! – Jay Castro

On the third LP, The Condors write the songs that make any fan of American power pop proud. The band employs a clear focus on melody and song craft incorporated with bits of blues, Rock N’ Roll and up-tempo punk thrown into the mix. Heavy Plimsouls influence with parts of Graham Parker and Byrds type harmonies sprinkled on top. – Ed Stuart

Rubrics – Apathy Is An Institution LP – (86’d Records)

Rubrics mix punk, metal and hardcore with a healthy dose of politically and socially conscious lyrics. Propagandhi, Lagwagon, 88 Fingers Louie, Strike Anywhere, Fifteen and Avail influences can be heard throughout the LP. Apathy is reminiscent of that late 90’s/early 2000’s Fat Wreck era guitar sound and songwriting, but features a dual guy/girl vocal attack to get their message across. – Ed Stuart

Searing hardcore that reminds me of Propagandhi with a mix of F.Y.P. cut into it.  Not just with the sound, but Rubrics lyrics also have a sarcastic, socially conscious quality to them as well.  The vocals and guitar don’t always follow the straight path laid out by the rhythm section.  They playfully stray and do their own thing at times, which gives the music a bit more of a sloppy/playful feel and is more fun to listen to.   So instead of having someone shoot an arrow at your face, imagine someone under hand tossing a cinder block at your head.  The outcome is the same, it’s just the delivery that’s a little messier! – Jay Castro

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Big Eyes

     Big Eyes from the start has had a tougher edge to them as evidenced on their debut Hard Life, but recently the band has shown a softer side. By softer, I mean switching from early-Joan Jett toughness to early Muffs style pop that still has teeth. Just listen to tracks Being Unkind and Back From The Moon, which were both, featured on Pitchfork and will be on the upcoming LP Almost Famous. The band opened the year being part of two split 7-inch releases with Audacity and Mean Jeans and has no plans on stopping with an LP and planned European tour this fall.

Interview by Ed Stuart

Who’s answering the questions?

Kate and Chris

Where is the band from?

Seattle, by way of New York and Reno

Who is in the band and what instrument do they play?

Kate Eldridge - guitar and vocals

Chris Costalupes - bass

Dillan Lazzareschi - drums

How did the band start?

Kate: I started Big Eyes as sort of a solo project, I recorded a handful of songs in my room on my laptop with electronic drums and stuff back in fall of 2009, then I brought the songs to the dudes I was playing with at the time.  The lineup has changed a few times but we are solid as ever now!

How is the recording process going for the next LP titled Almost Famous? It looks like Grave Mistake putting out the LP too? After listening to Being Unkind, it seems like this new LP will be more pop than previous work. Will this be the case?

Kate: The record was recorded and mixed back in October (2012) at Red Lantern Studios by Adam Becker.  We knocked it out in 6 very long days, and I am very super proud of it and very excited for people to hear it.

Chris: Even though the first single released was very pop oriented, by all means we are a poppy band, Almost Famous expands on all of our influences, including hard rock like Kiss and Alice Cooper, punk like Descendents and The Dickies, 80’s power pop like Nick Lowe and The Knack, and so on.

Recently, Big Eyes had two tracks, Being Unkind and Back From The Moon featured on Pitchfork. How does the band feel about it? Pitchfork has a lot of followers.

Chris: We are excited for anybody to listen to our music, and it's nice to know that our music is accessible.  We get just as much enjoyment from people liking our music as we do making it.

How did the split 7” with Mean Jeans come about? Did the band get together and pitch the idea or was it the label’s idea?

Kate: We met Mean Jeans in the fall of 2011 and we immediately clicked with them.  We toured together to Awesome Fest in August 2012 and decided to put out a split together.

Chris:  Within minutes of first meeting them we were at the bar next door slamming Jagerbombs and plotting our Rock ‘N’ Roll takeover.

Originally Big Eyes were from New York, but ended up moving to Seattle. What was the reason or reasons behind the move?

Kate: Nirvana!!!  Just kidding. It's really hard to have a full time touring band based out of New York.  Rent is too expensive, everything is too expensive. Seattle is beautiful and I wanted to get out of NY so I did.

Do you think music can still be a vital force in such a disposable age?

Chris: Music is a timeless art form, regardless of what platform it's delivered on.  Live music, vinyl, digital downloads, it all has the same result, at least on certain types of people.  People take much influence from music, it affects their daily decisions.  I find that to be incredibly true for myself and the company I keep.

50 years ago people used to buy music and get their water for free, now people pay for water and get their music for free. How do you think this affects music in any way?

Chris: People need music just as much as they need water, so as long as they're getting enough of both that's fine with me.

I know Kate is the primary songwriter, but how has the new rhythm section influenced the sound of the band, arrangement of songs, etc.?

Kate: I think the new lineup is tighter than ever.  Chris and I lock in together really well, probably due to how much we practice and play together.  Dillan is a natural.  He can play any instrument you hand him and look good doing it.  The three of us have a great chemistry.  I feel very comfortable with these guys, and it's been easier than ever for me to write songs, and so my songs have becoming a little more complex.

In Amp Magazine, Kate stated “I mostly listen to music from the 1970’s and 80’s. And pop punk–I love pop punk. . . . The Replacements and Descendents are definitely two of my biggest influences.” What other band have had an indirect or direct influence on the songwriting? What bands did you have in mind when starting this band?

Kate: I was listening to a lot of Scared of Chaka, Cheap Trick, and The Muffs when I started Big Eyes.  I was definitely planning on starting a catchy punk band, but I've only ever played in catchy punk bands so I wasn't really out of my element or anything.  I just play what comes into my head, I don't ever try to write riffs or songs with a specific band or genre in mind.

Big Eyes seems to be putting in a lot of time on the road. I had read before the release of the first LP, Hard Life, and the band had toured quite a bit. Now I notice this again with the band having had two mini tours before the new LP, Almost Famous. Is this a way to test out material or just tighten up the songs? Any thoughts on this?

Chris: It's a way to conquer boredom.

Kate: We usually don't really plan tours around releases, but we had a limited edition copy of the new LP with us on this past west coast tour.  We just like to tour a lot.  Touring has definitely helped with tightening up the new songs though, which will be great for the "official" Almost Famous tour which starts at the end of May. 

Where can people hear the band?

The best place to hear us is live!

www.bigeyesband.com

bigeyes.bandcamp.com

What’s next?

Kate: We have a 4-week tour to the east coast coming up (May 28th - June 22nd).  We are going to Hawaii in July, and we are going to Europe in October.  Other than that, writing new songs!

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