Category: | Interview - Internet | Publish date: | 11/13/2007 |
Source: | thelandsalmon.com | With: | Jay Bentley |
Synopsis: |
Interview with Bad Religion
Jason Estopinal: do you feel extra pressure to put out quality records each time because of your legacy and what you have already accomplished in the punk world?
Jay Bentley: I wouldn't say we feel 'extra' pressure. The only pressure we feel now is self-inflicted. We have, in the past, made the mistake of looking to outside influences and worrying about whether the "punk world" would objectively compare our material during the recording of "Against the Grain", and it just about tore us apart, we were so stressed out. We made a decision after that to make ourselves happy, and that put almost all of the pressure to perform out the window. We're in a pretty good spot right now, back on Epitaph. We don't really have too much to worry about because we genuinely like what we do.
JE: What is your favorite song to play live? Least favorite?
JB: Wow. Too many to list. On both sides! No, really. I would have to say anything off of 'New Maps of Hell" would be my favorite right now. I don't really have a least favorite, and the songs I don't like we never play anyway.
JE: Was it weird to start collaborating again with Mr. Brett after being apart for so long? Are there any hard feelings or any form of awkwardness remaining from the split?
JB: No, no hard feelings and it is easy to work with Brett because he is an amazing writer. It's a fantastic collection of individuals that make up this band, and Brett is as intriguing a part of the whole as anyone. I'm really happy he's back with us.
JE: What is your favorite band out there today?
JB: Favorite new band? Maybe Gallows...you never really know how long a band has been together so maybe they're not new but they're new to me. I really like The Alkaline Trio and the Bouncing Souls. Of course we're good friends with Pennywise and NOFX. I don't really know that many bands from this summer. I walked around every day looking for some good bands...I really got into Coheed and Cambria on the Warped Tour. I think they are an amazing band. Probably the most talented band around today. Granted their material is pretty unique, but I'd rather listen to them than most of the rest. Punk right now is
struggling under the weight of commercial success, but I'm sure it will outlive all the roads paved with good intentions.
JE: What has been the coolest band you guys ever toured with?
JB: Thats a tie with: Less than Jake, Pearl Jam, NOFX, Hot Water Music, Supersuckers and Pennywise.
JE: What would you tell a person who came up to you and told you that you sold punk out and ruined the scene?
JB: Where's my money? Where's my rock fame? I want a statue at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on a pedestal 40ft. high. By myself, thank you. Without me there would be no dancing apart from the beat.
JE: How do you get your posters in movies like Superbad and Grandma's Boy? Do you know the directors? Are they big fans and ask you or do they just put them in? How does that work?
JB: Ummm. I don't know about Superbad and Grandma's Boy, but I know that Gore Verbinski puts a lot of our stuff in his movies, like The Ring....except Pirates...Where the hell was our poster in that movie Gore??? You'd think maybe Johnny Depp could wear a Recipe for Hate shirt or something...pfft.....