|
 Currently in Canada for The Warped Tour, BAD RELIGION guitarist BRIAN BAKER has some time to kill before the band are due on stage, confirming to MICHELLE GILLINGWATER news of an Australian tour this year.
The thought of speaking with punk-rock institution Bad Religion is overwhelming; bearing in mind that they’ve been around for longer that I’ve lived on this earth does nothing to calm my shaking nerves. Considering the 27 years experience and 14 studio releases backing the group and the fact that lead guitarist Brett Gurewitz founded Epitaph Records in 1981, or that front man Dr. Greg Graffin is a professor at UCLA, with a Ph.D. in evolutionary paleontology and co-author of two books, I’d say my disposition is somewhat justified. Following the release of New Maps Of Hell this month, the band are returning to Australia after 13 years this November. The line-up will feature original vocalist Graffin, guitarists Gurewitz, Baker and Greg Hetson, bassist Jay Bentley and Brooks Wackerman on drums. Strung Out and MYC will be supporting them, and it’s certain to one of the more fascinating punk shows this year. All fears about the interview evaporate when I’m greeted by the friendly voice of Baker, himself a founding member of straight-edge legends Minor Threat, who’s eager for a quick Q&A. How has the Warped tour been so far? Do you guys still let loose on tour, or has that aspect of being in a punk rock band toned down through the years? “If by let loose you mean getting really drunk and riding little motorcycles all over the park while people are packing up? Then yes, but that’s about it – that’s our only real recreation, but you know we’ve been doing this all our lives so all that really fun stuff we used to do, we did it” Having dedicated your previous album to getting President Bush out of office, what was the motivation or sentiment behind New Maps Of Hell? “New Maps of Hell is more characteristically Bad Religion in that it goes back to the basic Bad Religion model, which I think is more insightful in discussing global politics – though there are some more personal-political songs on it. There’s this song about biofuels (laughs) – you know, the normal litany of nerd-rock that we’ve become appreciated for, but not so much of a focus on a specific system… of course there’s subtle hints in the record. I just think that we have a rare opportunity, because unlike most Americans we actually have been out of the country and been to other different places many many times, and I think it’s really important that we take advantage of the fact that we have that kind of life experience in our lyrics. What’s kept the band going all these years? “The fact that we don’t live in the same city (laughs) I think that is the single reason. Well there are two – we don’t live in the same city and we don’t rehearse, ever!” Because you don’t need to anymore? “Well I would argue that we do (laughs), but in general we find that maybe the first show or two of a tour will qualify as rehearsal. For me the performance is still as much fun as it was when I was a kid in Minor Threat. The actual playing of the instrument live gives me as much pleasure as it always has, and secondly I think Bad Religion has really remained relevant all over these years so it doesn’t feel like you’re out playing a revival show. Changing the set list keeps us on our toes – we have so many songs to choose from it’s kind of a nice test to be able to go perform something that we haven’t played it in six months, and you just go out and you play there’s no rehearsal. It’s like a quiz, and most of the time we’re successful Hasn’t having money and success dulled the fighting spirit? “I wouldn’t know, It depends on how you define success, I mean this band is big enough where it’s what we do for a living, but if you were going to come to my house I would suggest that you don’t walk there at night because it could be a little sketchy (laughs).” Bad Religion rock The Arena Monday November 5, supported by Strung Out and MYC (tickets on sale from the usual outlets and Ticketek from August 2). New Maps Of Hell is out now through Epitaph/Shock. Fun Facts Bad Religion vocalist and paleontologist/geologist/anthropologist Greg Graffin teaches Life Sciences 1 at UCLA. Guitarist Brian Baker was personally invited by Axl Rose to join the ‘reformed’ Guns n’ Roses, but declined, preferring to stay with Bad Religion full time (good move – Ed) Greg Hetson’s other band, the legendary Circle Jerks, have two songs included in the upcoming Jackass video game – Live Fast, Die Young, and I’m Gonna Live. Hold on, a Jackass video game?
|
| Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged. |
|
Be first to comment on this article
