Category: | Interview - Internet | Publish date: | 6/28/2007 |
Source: | dailybulletin.com | With: | Jay Bentley |
Synopsis: |
Bad Religion a tour standout
by George A. Paul
dailybulletin.com, June 28, 2007
Bad Religion is one of Southern California's most influential punk bands.
Formed in Woodland Hills by El Camino High students Greg Graffin (vocals), Brett Gurewitz (guitar) and Jay Bentley (bass) in 1980, it released an EP the following year and debut album, "How Can Hell Be Any Worse?" in 1982. With scholarly lyrics about society (Graffin has a master's degree from UCLA, a Ph.D from Cornell University and has taught biology at the college level) and three-part backing harmonies, Bad Religion has always stood out from the hardcore pack. Now a six-piece with guitarists Brian Baker and Greg Hetson (ex-Circle Jerks), plus drummer Brooks Wackerman, Bad Religion enjoyed several alt-rock radio hits in the past decade ("21st Century Digital Boy," "Sorrow," "Infected," Stranger Than Fiction," "Los Angeles in Burning"). On July 10, it unveils 14th studio CD "New Maps of Hell," produced by Joe Barresi (Pennywise, Queens of the Stone Age). We caught up with Bentley, 43, via email, after Bad Religion played a European festival. Q: This is Bad Religion's fourth Warped Tour appearance. Do you try and catch other groups on the bill? Q: Do you think the Warped Tour's longevity has more to do with the staying power of punk rock or the fact that organizer Kevin Lyman gives music fans value for their money? Q: Last month, Bad Religion did the KROQ Weenie Roast and the station is currently spinning "Honest Goodbye." How important has KROQ's support been to the band over the years? Did you ever listen to Rodney on the Roq's radio show back in the day? Q: 2004's "The Empire Strikes First" was one of Bad Religion's most successful albums to date. What do you think made that effort connect with so many fans and attract new ones? Q: Turning to "New Maps of Hell": did you have any specific plan in mind when the band entered the studio? Q: How hard is it, after 20-plus years in Bad Religion, to keep everything fresh and exciting while retaining the signature sound? Q: Is everyone healthy and on good terms these days? Q: Do you still enjoy being the bassist for Bad Religion now as much as the early days? Bonus Bad Religion Q&A Q: Were elements like the piano ("Fields of Mars"), gang-style chants ("Requiem for Dissent") and quick hardcore tunes ("Murder," "52 Seconds"), the band's way of taking it up a notch on the new CD? Q: The "New Maps of Hell" cover art pictures various L.A. landmarks. Any significance to that? Q: Did drummer Brooks Wackerman give the band an added vitality after he joined in '01? What is it like handling the rhythm section with him?
A: I cruise around and check out the other
A: It's a bit of both, I suppose. The punk "alternative" music spectrum is so broad that there are bound to be one or two bands who are climbing ... and Kevin really does strive to keep the show affordable and interesting every year.
A: Are you kidding? Rodney was the first person to ever play Bad Religion. We gave a cassette to Greg Hetson when the Circle Jerks did Rodney on the Roq around 1980. He played the tape and kept it, played it more, then we gave him our EP and he played that. It was a defining moment in our history. KROQ has been very supportive of us and Epitaph.
A: I think it was the timing, the angst about our involvement in the Middle East and our administration's inept attitude about issues that younger voters felt ignored about. A handful of artists really just put it out there, that it wasn't going to be OK to have a government that so easily bends the laws to fit its own agenda.
A: The goal was to finish. We had a lot of work and a little time. We always go into the studio with a good work ethic - wanting to stay creative and yet focused on the goal. I think we did better than we thought we would!
A: Writing-wise, it's difficult to not get too repetitive, but we are Bad Religion after all. We sound the way we sound because we like they way we sound. I believe Brett and Greg know how to turn phrases, musically and lyrically, that keep us on our toes.
A: We may be getting along better than we ever have. We put out records when we want; we tour when we want. Not too much pressure to perform. We all have been through so much - together and apart - that it's just nice to see each other, talk about what's happening in our lives and talk about the band.
A: This is the most fun I could ever have!
Here are more excerpts from my interview with Bad Religion bassist Jay Bentley.
A: We had piano on 1982's "How Could Hell Be Any Worse?" We've always felt comfortable (using) 12-string guitar, piano and background vocal harmonies.
A: Nothing really. I tie it in with our first album, I suppose - a sort of inside nod to our history.
A: Man, did he ever. He is an amazing, phenomenal drummer. He really gave a new breadth into what our abilities were. It catches me off guard sometimes. I find myself staring at him while I should be playing.