Punch: The new album sounds very compact. Did you write the songs in a row or bit by bit?
Joey/Lagwagon: Bit by bit. A lot of the songs were written in the last two weeks before we recorded. It came together relatively easy.

Punch: How long have you been in the studio?
Joey/Lagwagon: We recorded five songs 8 months ago in a week and recorded the rest of the songs in 3 weeks.

Punch: When writing a new song what comes first, the lyrics or the music?
Joey/Lagwagon: The music is almost always first.

Punch: What do YOU think about your new Album now that it's finished?
Joey/Lagwagon: I'm relieved and happy we waited to make the record we wanted to make.

Punch: "Never Stops" seems to reflect the present situation in the usa. how did 9/11 influence "Blaze" either in writting lyrics or putting the situation in america into the record? did you ever think of ignoring
these topics like war, bush or 9/11 on your record?
Joey/Lagwagon: Lag Wagon has always kept politics out of our music. But on "Blaze" we changed. 9/11 should have inspired a more worldly view in the U.S. but it had the opposite effect on many Americans. Instead of opening eyes to the idea that they shared the planet it inspired fear, paranoia and blind patriotism. Jesse and I wrote "Never Stops" about this. Some things cannot be ignored. I want people to know we are disappointed in our current administration. Hopefully the song will inspire even one American kid to think about it.

Punch: Did you feel any pressure while doing the "Blaze"? either from the fans or even from yourself and the band?
Joey/Lagwagon: I felt pressure from everything. We too so long it became a joke. We were lucky the label Fat Records did not pressure us.

Punch: Can you say that your new Blaze is influenced by your old records like " Duh" and "Trashed"?
Joey/Lagwagon: Yes, I guess so. I think we wanted to return to some of the vibe of those records.

Punch: What about "Falling Apart"? Are you afraid of getting old in the punk scene or is this just a reaction on the present "dinosaurs" in the music business like Ozzy or Rolling Stones, Aerosmith?
Joey/Lagwagon: Everyone in Lag Wagon wrote "Falling Apart". We always joke about growing old and our health failing. It's just a funny song. We are getting older and sometimes you feel it after a show but it really doesn't matter if your having fun. Sometimes I feel like an old man trying to do a young mans thing.

Punch: Do you think that "Blaze" could become a commercial success? What would you think about a win in the charts?
Joey/Lagwagon: I don't know. I try not to think about that sort of stuff.

Punch: By this time "Blaze" will already be duplicated thousands of times in the internet. What do you think about that?
Joey/Lagwagon: It is the way it is. I think it is unfair to the independent labels but I am inclined to enjoy the fact that it is destroying the mainstream major label industry.

Punch: There have been a lot of rumours about LAGWAGON quitting after this record, with Joey having a lot to do with Bad Astronauts, and the 2 Chrisses playing in RKL also. Do you think that with this release that sounds a bit like a mixture of Bad Astronaut, Lagwagon and modern-NOFX you will be able to keep the Lagwagon going?
Joey/Lagwagon: I think we will play together as long as we enjoy it. Right now it is still fun and I am happy with the music Lag Wagon is creating. As long as we make music I am proud of I will do it.

Punch: Do you plan a Euro tour soon? Is it possible that you put up a RKL/Bad Astronaut/Lagwagon tour pone day? Would the ones who play in more than One of these bands physically be able to do 2 shows a night?
Joey/Lagwagon: I doubt Bad Astronaut will be touring anytime soon. There are too many of us to fit in a van. I'm still trying to figure out how we will tour at all. Lag Wagon will be in Europe in August and September. RKL will be there when someone gives them a record deal and tour support.

Punch: And finally: Have you ever thought about playing for the amerian troops in Iraq to support them ? ;)
Joey/Lagwagon: I doubt any of those troops have heard of Lag Wagon or would like Lag Wagon's music but it would be interesting to rock out in Iraq.

Bender & Burner

(Photocredit Jay Blakesberg)