Interviews: The Gaslight Anthem
How would you guys describe your sound?
BENNY: Hard to say for me, when people ask I usually just answer a mix of rock and roll and punk. But so many bands span those genres in so many different ways. So really, fucked if I know.
Can you tell me the story behind the song The '59 Sound?
BRIAN: The story of the 59 sound has to up to interpritation, I can't tell you what it means to me, because then it cheapens it for the listeners. It's all out there now, what I meant doesn't matter, it matters what it means to who's listening. I'm out of the equation now.
I watched you guys on Letterman and O'Brien. You're album has been topping charts non-stop. How does it feel being as you just started in 2005 and you're already at the forefront of the punk scene and on the brink of mainstream success?
BENNY: I don't know about topping charts, none I've seen anyway. But, honestly, it's a dream come true for all of us, as cliche as it sounds. Most of us have been kicking around in bands for years and hoped that one day we could pay our rent doing it and not have to do some other bullshit. Right now that's a reallity, and we're enjoying it and trying not to take it for granted.
I've heard of people referring to you guys as a Bruce Springsteen cover band because of how similar your sound is to his. Do you mind this? Is he your biggest influence?
BENNY: I mind someone saying it's a Bruce cover band, because that's essentially someone saying we have no originality whatsoever. He's definitely an influence, I'd say more so with the melodic/lyrical aspect to the band. But for the most part, I think our main musical influences come from very different places. I personally didn't own a Bruce record until I met Brian.
I've noticed that while I wouldn't necessarily describe your sound as "punk" you guys seem to have a punk feeling and seem to come from a punk rock background. Now, in "I'da Called You Woody, Joe" you describe The Clash as getting you into punk. Any other bands or friends that got you into the punk?
BENNY: Yeah, a ton. We're very rooted in punk as far as old bands we loved and played in and alot of friends growing up. My first taste of punk came from the Somerset County skateboarding/basement show scene. I learned the rest from Descendants records and my middle school best friend, Steve Lawson.
Are you guys planning your next album yet?
BENNY: The ideas are already in the works, bouncing things around while we're on the road. And then about mid-November we're gonna park at home for a few months and really work on it. Looking for a late spring/early summer release next year.
Are there any places outside of New Jersey that you really enjoy playing?
BENNY: Outside NJ, our favorites would be Boston, Richmond, Denver, Chicago and the bulk of the west coast cities. We usually always have great shows in the UK and Germany as well.
Why do you believe that so many great musicians come from Jersey, a relatively small state?
BENNY: It's small, but it's the most densely populated state in America. I think anyone who grows up there is exposed to all walks of life. Coupled with a lot of trials and tribulations in some way. Culturally that's built for music, particularly rock and roll. We also have the good fortune of being sandwiched between New York City and Philadelphia, two great music cities.
What do you guys think of Obama and the past election?
BENNY: I can't answer for everyone politically, but I do know we were largely Obama supporters, particularly over McCain in the last election. I was personally revived from it, and very relieved that someone is in office who actually may be able to relate to the everyday working person more. I always watched politicians deciding my fate when I don't think they had a clue about my reality.
I haven't ever seen you guys as a political band, but what are your political leanings and thoughts?
BENNY: That's a really broad and baited question. Issue by issue we would have to take that on, and again, I can't answer for everyone. I'm typically about as far left as they come, but there are some things I think the left roll over too easily on. I also think that certain things they need to be more pragmatic about, without being totally devoted to pacifism.
You might be the only band I've never heard bad things about. Everyone I've talked to has either said they don't understand the hype or they love you guys. Do you have to deal with the occasional "Macho punk jerk" at your shows?
BENNY: Not really, I think if we waved some sort of punk flag early on, we might get those types who wanna crucify us. But, it's more of a, don't like it, stay home. Like it, come have a good time sort of deal with us
What bands do you plan on touring with in the future?
BENNY: We have our fall tour booked with Murder By Death, The Loved Ones and Frank Turner for most or all of it. Then Broadway Calls, Ninja Gun, Jesse Malin and The Measure (SA) are filling in the rest of the shows. We've been trying to work things out with The Bronx, Lucero and The Constantines for future tours...
Do you guys plan to stay on an indie label like Side One Dummy?
BENNY: We're definitely committed to doing the next album on Side One Dummy. That label is great, they treat everything like family and do an excellent job with promotion and such. We're not an anti-major band, but there is certainly no reason to jump ship at this point.
This is a very serious question. Why is it that Benny is always the one who answers my general messages about the band through your myspace?
BENNY: I'm probably the biggest internet guy in the band, and I volunteered to keep up with the Myspace. No big deal, I don't think.
How did the idea of making a split with Chuck Ragan come about?
BRIAN: The Chuck Regan split came right from Chuck, he asked if I'd be into it, and there wasn't really another answer but yes,Chuck's music was like my older brother.
Do you think that you will always be in a band, or do you believe that you will go solo at some point in your music career?
BRIAN: I think in order for me to go solo we'd have to be done, meaning we'd have said and written all we had to say as a band.The Gaslight Anthem is like any other band, it has a lifespan and a timeframe. I'd like to think that timeframe is infinite, like The Rolling Stones, but not like them at all in any other way. The only reason I'd ever do a record on my own while Gaslight was still in existence is if I had something to say or a sound that the other guys didn't want to do, but that doesn't mean I'd leave the band, it would be a side project. Like if I wanted to make a Gospel record, obviously we all differ in views of faith in the band, so I'd have to do that on my own. The thing is you agree to something and you keep your word until that thing is finished as best as you can.
BENNY: Hard to say for me, when people ask I usually just answer a mix of rock and roll and punk. But so many bands span those genres in so many different ways. So really, fucked if I know.
Can you tell me the story behind the song The '59 Sound?
BRIAN: The story of the 59 sound has to up to interpritation, I can't tell you what it means to me, because then it cheapens it for the listeners. It's all out there now, what I meant doesn't matter, it matters what it means to who's listening. I'm out of the equation now.
I watched you guys on Letterman and O'Brien. You're album has been topping charts non-stop. How does it feel being as you just started in 2005 and you're already at the forefront of the punk scene and on the brink of mainstream success?
BENNY: I don't know about topping charts, none I've seen anyway. But, honestly, it's a dream come true for all of us, as cliche as it sounds. Most of us have been kicking around in bands for years and hoped that one day we could pay our rent doing it and not have to do some other bullshit. Right now that's a reallity, and we're enjoying it and trying not to take it for granted.
I've heard of people referring to you guys as a Bruce Springsteen cover band because of how similar your sound is to his. Do you mind this? Is he your biggest influence?
BENNY: I mind someone saying it's a Bruce cover band, because that's essentially someone saying we have no originality whatsoever. He's definitely an influence, I'd say more so with the melodic/lyrical aspect to the band. But for the most part, I think our main musical influences come from very different places. I personally didn't own a Bruce record until I met Brian.
I've noticed that while I wouldn't necessarily describe your sound as "punk" you guys seem to have a punk feeling and seem to come from a punk rock background. Now, in "I'da Called You Woody, Joe" you describe The Clash as getting you into punk. Any other bands or friends that got you into the punk?
BENNY: Yeah, a ton. We're very rooted in punk as far as old bands we loved and played in and alot of friends growing up. My first taste of punk came from the Somerset County skateboarding/basement show scene. I learned the rest from Descendants records and my middle school best friend, Steve Lawson.
Are you guys planning your next album yet?
BENNY: The ideas are already in the works, bouncing things around while we're on the road. And then about mid-November we're gonna park at home for a few months and really work on it. Looking for a late spring/early summer release next year.
Are there any places outside of New Jersey that you really enjoy playing?
BENNY: Outside NJ, our favorites would be Boston, Richmond, Denver, Chicago and the bulk of the west coast cities. We usually always have great shows in the UK and Germany as well.
Why do you believe that so many great musicians come from Jersey, a relatively small state?
BENNY: It's small, but it's the most densely populated state in America. I think anyone who grows up there is exposed to all walks of life. Coupled with a lot of trials and tribulations in some way. Culturally that's built for music, particularly rock and roll. We also have the good fortune of being sandwiched between New York City and Philadelphia, two great music cities.
What do you guys think of Obama and the past election?
BENNY: I can't answer for everyone politically, but I do know we were largely Obama supporters, particularly over McCain in the last election. I was personally revived from it, and very relieved that someone is in office who actually may be able to relate to the everyday working person more. I always watched politicians deciding my fate when I don't think they had a clue about my reality.
I haven't ever seen you guys as a political band, but what are your political leanings and thoughts?
BENNY: That's a really broad and baited question. Issue by issue we would have to take that on, and again, I can't answer for everyone. I'm typically about as far left as they come, but there are some things I think the left roll over too easily on. I also think that certain things they need to be more pragmatic about, without being totally devoted to pacifism.
You might be the only band I've never heard bad things about. Everyone I've talked to has either said they don't understand the hype or they love you guys. Do you have to deal with the occasional "Macho punk jerk" at your shows?
BENNY: Not really, I think if we waved some sort of punk flag early on, we might get those types who wanna crucify us. But, it's more of a, don't like it, stay home. Like it, come have a good time sort of deal with us
What bands do you plan on touring with in the future?
BENNY: We have our fall tour booked with Murder By Death, The Loved Ones and Frank Turner for most or all of it. Then Broadway Calls, Ninja Gun, Jesse Malin and The Measure (SA) are filling in the rest of the shows. We've been trying to work things out with The Bronx, Lucero and The Constantines for future tours...
Do you guys plan to stay on an indie label like Side One Dummy?
BENNY: We're definitely committed to doing the next album on Side One Dummy. That label is great, they treat everything like family and do an excellent job with promotion and such. We're not an anti-major band, but there is certainly no reason to jump ship at this point.
This is a very serious question. Why is it that Benny is always the one who answers my general messages about the band through your myspace?
BENNY: I'm probably the biggest internet guy in the band, and I volunteered to keep up with the Myspace. No big deal, I don't think.
How did the idea of making a split with Chuck Ragan come about?
BRIAN: The Chuck Regan split came right from Chuck, he asked if I'd be into it, and there wasn't really another answer but yes,Chuck's music was like my older brother.
Do you think that you will always be in a band, or do you believe that you will go solo at some point in your music career?
BRIAN: I think in order for me to go solo we'd have to be done, meaning we'd have said and written all we had to say as a band.The Gaslight Anthem is like any other band, it has a lifespan and a timeframe. I'd like to think that timeframe is infinite, like The Rolling Stones, but not like them at all in any other way. The only reason I'd ever do a record on my own while Gaslight was still in existence is if I had something to say or a sound that the other guys didn't want to do, but that doesn't mean I'd leave the band, it would be a side project. Like if I wanted to make a Gospel record, obviously we all differ in views of faith in the band, so I'd have to do that on my own. The thing is you agree to something and you keep your word until that thing is finished as best as you can.