Great conversation with Dan on a myriad of topics including the spanish civil war, fascist ideologies, playing with bands like MC5 and Godspeed You Black Emperor, etc. Here are some rough notes on what we covered and what you can expect in this awesome talk!
-The Clash, Bad Brains, Black Flag, local bands like Die Kreuzen.....Early influences
-Playing with MC5.....MC3 when they played with them.....Wayne Kramer love.......
-Madison, Wisconsin.......Paradise Records was the big spot.......Him an his buddy Tony bought a record a week. One would tape each record and gave the tape to the other....
-Club......Ok's Corral was the key local venue but burn down years back.......All ages shows at neighborhood centre......The Wilmar..........larger shows at Turner Hall
-Black Flag and Minutemen played at Turner Hall.....Husker Du and Sonic Youth at the Wilmar
-Politically charged elements.....Fascist ideologies.......Cathartic to put out last record.....
-Spanish Civil War.....Conflict, music of it, and people who fought in it
-Started this project a year ago.....Songs and the message of this is timeless......
-The decline of internationalism........International response during the Spanish Civil War.....People volunteered and chose to help on their own volition.....Risking their lives....
-Special songs that grew on those involved with this album
-Journalist as well.........Hung out with the last Lincoln Brigade survivor (reference notes).......
-Weaving in other interests to his music
-New York Times, New York Observer, etc.......Journalism experience
-Lots of storytelling.......Sort of a live record......
-Martin Bisi has done all Barbez records and it was mixed in a hybrid way (kind of live and kind of done in studio)
-Martin described as the fifth beatle for Barbez
-Working on a separate project John and Dan with Martin recording
-Also, working on a book about Wisconsin politics
-Expensive liner notes.....comprehensive effort......Adam Hochschild written about the Spanish Civil War (Spain in our Hearts)
-Played with Godspeed, You Black Emperor (played on the first Godspeed tour with them) and other groups that are somewhat similar sonically......Played with Swans too
-People are definitely digging vinyl......Important Records put out the latest album and suggested vinyl releases. Dan loves vinyl but it wasn't an audiophile decision. It was more of a means to appease where public demand is at.