Interview With Bad Religion's Jay Bentley
Punk band Bad Religion released their new album True North this January 25th on Epitaph Records. This album sees the band deliberately revisit and refine the powerful and melodic Southern California sound they helped to define. The same sound that first drew surfers to Bad Religion via Taylor Steele's Momentum era surf flicks is back – and we love it.
Tracks caught up with bassist Jay Bentley to discuss everything from musical goals to surfing, politics and French toast.
When Bad Religion first started what was the long-term goal?
Simply to have enough songs to make a demo – once we had done that, we wanted to have enough songs to play a show. After THAT, we sat down and talked about what kind of band we wanted to be... all we really came up with was we wanted to respected by our peers, and not be a screaming punk band that says, "fuck you!" (Heh, 33 years later we did it though), so we never really had "long-term" goals... we just made short-term goals we could reach.
Surfers and skaters got your smart brand of punk rock before many, was that a surprise?
Honestly, I'm surprised when ANYBODY listens to us, let alone "gets it.” We're a weird band of nerd, surfer, stoner, skater, science punks who make some really great music with really erudite lyrics.
Do members of the band get out in the water in California?
I am the only one. I surf from the river jetties to the Huntington Beach Pier, almost daily. Brian Baker is a good body surfer, but he lives in DC. When he comes out to my place, we go to the Wedge.
You'd need to be fit to play the high tempo tracks in your back catalogue is that tough on the old bones?
Nah, it's totally ingrained, for me anyway. It's a little harder on Brooks [Wackerman – drummer], but look at it this way... this new record (True North) is one of the fastest records we've made in 13 years, so we need to be in shape to play the new material. "Suffer" seems slow to me.
We're seeing a reshaping of how people get music, ownership has been replaced by renting, through sites such as Spotify, is this change good for musicians?
I guess. It's better than just "taking" it from the Internet... that’s still the most predominant, and you won't win that discussion (see Lars Ulrich). The concept of ownership has gone in different directions over the past decade or so, so it's hard to say if any of this is really good for musicians. In the long run I would say no. The day people decided to stop buying music as a backlash against shit retail prices and companies forcing people to buy new formats and players was the day that the musicians got buried beneath the argument over how and why music should be paid for. At this point, I'm just happy that anyone cares about anything we do.
Who's the one NEW punk rock band you rate highly and why?
The Clash – no one will ever be as important. And then The Bronx and Cerebral Ballsy.
What's your best memory of playing in Australia?
First morning in Sydney and I'm looking for breakfast and coffee with Baker. We find a place that is still serving French toast, so I order the French toast and a side of bacon. The waiter says "you want French toast AND bacon? That's DISGUSTING!' So I had a laugh and told him to bring me the disgusting breakfast and a large flat white, because I really wanted to fuck with him.
What's the best thing and worst thing about American politics?
Best thing is that it exists. Worst thing is that it exists the way it is right now. Too many "lifers" in politics in general. Plus they would be better served to have a 3rd party, but it's not going to happen.
If Bad Religion was asked to play just one song at the Super Bowl which would you choose and why?
Louie Louie, for 40 minutes.
Bad Religion music was introduced to most surfers via Taylor Steele's Momentum era movies, have you guys ever hung out and discussed the synergy of that partnership?
I wish. I've never met him. Met Craig Stecyk a few times, but not Taylor. Maybe one day we can have a nice chat over some French toast and bacon... Thanks for the great interview guys!
- Col Bernasconi
