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Email Interview with Russ
Rankin from Good Riddance about the new album and his
political thoughts about whats going on in the world.!
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Punch: Your last full length album is about 2 years ago but you
did one Split Single with "Kill Your Idols" and the "Cover
Ups" LP in the meantime. Did you feel that it was time to get in the
studio to record a new full length?
Russ: We definately were getting the itch to get back into the
studio and do a new full length album. It had been, like you
said, a couple of years and we were getting tired of not having anything
new and I'm sure
our fans were getting impatient as well.
Punch: When you entered
the studio did you have a specific goal how the record should sound?
Russ: Not so much. I felt actually more unprepared for this
project than anything previous-there were several songs which
were really in a very raw, unfinished state when we went out there and,
with the guidance
of our producer (Bill Stevenson), we were able to put together
what I feel now is by far our best album to date.
Punch: Place of Recording
was once again The Blasting Room. Seems that
you like the work of Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore? How
important is the Blasting Room for Good Riddance?
Russ: It's made all the difference in the world. Those guys
just know how to create an atmosphere wherein we can get the
creative juices flowing. It's so much fun and they're so inspirational.
Bill brings so
much valuable experience and insight to the table from all
his years both playing in bands and working in production.
 Punch: If someone
asks you about the biggest difference between "Symptoms
of a Leveling Spirit" and "Bound By Ties ..." what would
you answer? Between the music and the lyrics?
Russ: I think that "Bound..." achieved the quintessential G.R.
balance of anger and melody and even surpassed it. I also like the mix
on "Bound..." a little better than "Symptoms..." as
it seems to have a little more bite to it-like Minor Threat
or something.
Punch: In some songs i think you sound a lot like Bad Religion
e.g. "The
Process" and "Remember Me". Would you agree on that comparison?
Russ: I guess so - I didn't really catch it on "the Process" as
much since that song was actually greatly inspired (musically anyway) by
Social Unrest but, listening to it now, I can hear some B.R. influence
in the music more than the vocals. "Remember Me" I guess I never
equated it to B.R. since they tend to dodge the broken hearted
love songs but I can hear some similarities now. B.R. was a
tremendous influence on
me as a songwriter so I guess it's no suprise but I definately
am not trying to copy or imitate them.
Punch: When i heard the record i
had the feeling that you included more
slower songs than usually. It seems that they alternate with
the fast songs, which is cool. Do you have the same point of view on the
record?
Russ: Yeah definately. It keeps it interesting and helps it
flow better. We've got a better shot at holding the listener's
interest if we're not bombarding them with song after song at 200 beats
per minute.
 Punch: Do slower songs give you more opportunities to place
a lyric in
the song, thats important for you? Is that related to the speed
of a song?
Russ: Not in my experience. But then again I'm the king of
jamming big words into blazing fast songs ("Defusing the Popular Struggle" on
Symptoms...). I think I can sink my teeth into a lyric better
sometimes when it's in a slower song but words often flow better
in a faster song
so I guess it's all relative.
Punch: You seem to be very busy
doing columns and articles for newspapers and website to get your message
to the people. How important besides that
is Good Riddance as a platform for letting people know what
you think?
Russ: It's been really cool and I've got to thank my bandmates
for giving me the amount of freedom they do to express myself
lyrically. The other guys aren't as political as me so it's
cool that they put up
with me and my crazy ranting! Getting the opportunity to write
columns and such is amazing and I've got to thank Brett Mathews
from AMP magazine
for giving me the chance. I'm presently working on a book ...
Punch: Is "Bound By Ties ..." more a possibiliy to express your
feelings or more the attempt to change the situation in the
usa?
Russ: It's pure expression. A great band called Silent Majority
said it best "...this is my outlet; this is my therapy..." I
can't change the United States. I'm too small but enough of
us together can and that's why music is so important to me-it's
an effective medium
of communication.
 Punch: When i'm talking with others people
about Good Riddance i often hear "Ah, Good Riddance, they do political punkrock".
Do you care when people categorize you as a political dedicated
band in the first
place instead as a punkband playing fast paced music?
Russ: I don't really care as much but I know my bandmates don't
enjoy it because it's not really their struggle. To paint us
as solely a "political" band would be to deny us our other musical/lyrical
flavors which I feel is unfair but people will say what they
say and I can't change that.
Punch: The booklet states that "More DePalma, Less Fellini" was
inspired by a poem by Charles Bukowski. How important is literature
for you and your songwriting? And what did you like about Bukowksi?
As far
as i know he was drinking a lot ;-)
Russ: I read alot so it can't help but color the ways in which
I approach songwriting which is, in and of itself, a very literary
process. While I personally don't drink alcohol I still find a kind of
visceral
beauty in the masterful, almost palpable way Bukowski is able
to capture and project an atmosphere of abject squalor and there have been
times when
that was exactly how I felt.
 Punch: Three weeks ago NOFX released
their "War On Errorism" Album.
Fat Mike is very concrete ("idiot son of an asshole" for example)in
its statements about the u.s. government while Good riddance
usually keeps it more on a metaphoric level. Do you agree?
Why is that?
Russ: When I was younger there were a thousand songs about
(Ronald) Reagan. They were and are great songs but, today,
they've lost their power of influence because they attached themselves
to a personality
or a headline or an otherwise fleeting thing. By focussing
more on the causes than the sensational results I feel the songs can stand
the test
of time better. Mike is doing something right, though, so that's
not to put any kind of spin on what NOFX does.
Punch: One the other hand
you are using samples at the beginning of songs
and at the end of the album to state your opinion? How did
that come? Are you afraid, that people wont understand the point?
Russ: No that's just something we've always done-I think it
gives the album an added texture and personality.
 Punch: Punkrock
is a music which a lot of people enjoy without feeling the
need to think about politics or the lyrics of politically interested
bands. Do you agree on that thought? And if: what made you
think about other topics than music&girls&party in your songs and
when?
Russ: I've always been attracted to the political side of punk
music since the beginning but, if every band was singing about
politics, it would be boring so we need to have bands and songs about other
things.
Aside from songs which are patently racist, sexist or homophobic,
I'm glad that there's so much out there.
Punch: I liked your Videos for "One For The Braves" and "Yesterdays
Headlines". Is there any video shooting planned or done for the new
songs? Which song could be the one to be filmed? How important
is that video thing for you? Do you think that videos have
the possibility to change
peoples minds and make them think about certain issues? or
is it the wrong medium?
Russ: I personally don't really care too much for videos and
we're not sure if we're going to do one for this album. Making
a video is the least important aspect of this whole game that I can think
of...it's
just eye candy.
Punch: What are the next step for Good Riddance?
Touring and coming to europe this year?
Russ: We'll be touring the U.S. and Canada this summer and
hopefully coming to Europe in August to do festivals.
Punch: Okay, thanx! Good luck and have fun!
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