RED CHANNEL
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Members: Ben (Vocals), Brett (Guitar, vocals), Chad (Guitar, vocals), Brady (Drums), Curtis (Bass)
Genres: Punk, Rock
Record Label: THROW UP Records
Red Channel on MySpace
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Members: Ben (Vocals), Brett (Guitar, vocals), Chad (Guitar, vocals), Brady (Drums), Curtis (Bass)
Genres: Punk, Rock
Record Label: THROW UP Records
Red Channel on MySpace
Do you remember the first punk song you ever listened to? No, Green Day and Avril Lavigne do not count. I'm talking The Ramones, Misfits, etc. My first punk song was "London Calling" by The Clash. The badass vocals and blunt lyrics made me fall in love with REAL punk (and fall out of love with Hot Topic). I instantly developed appreciation for bands like Bad Brains, Circle Jerks, and my personal favorite, Black Flag. That's why, when first listening to Red Channel's "Prove Them Wrong", I was floored. I thought I was listening to some unreleased Black Flag song. After picking my jaw up off the floor, I was lucky to get an interview with Red Channel. Enjoy!
So, where did the name Red Channel come from?
Brett had stumbled across it. "Red Channels" was a pamphlet-style book that named Communists in the entertainment industry back in the day. We liked the sound of it minus the "s" and liked the logo. We were all sick of being in bands that were "The ______s".
Brett had stumbled across it. "Red Channels" was a pamphlet-style book that named Communists in the entertainment industry back in the day. We liked the sound of it minus the "s" and liked the logo. We were all sick of being in bands that were "The ______s".
Who are your biggest musical inspirations?
The Chicago punk scene, past and present. We all have that in common and then everybody has their own personal tastes. There's five of us, so there are all types of influences coming together. It works out really well.
The Chicago punk scene, past and present. We all have that in common and then everybody has their own personal tastes. There's five of us, so there are all types of influences coming together. It works out really well.
Has anyone ever told you that you sound like Black Flag?
We don't think anybody has told us that. We take that as a compliment, though.
Do any of you five look up to their work?
All of us are fans of them. We just did another interview that happened to have Ron Reyes in it too!
We don't think anybody has told us that. We take that as a compliment, though.
Do any of you five look up to their work?
All of us are fans of them. We just did another interview that happened to have Ron Reyes in it too!
You guys have a lot of shows coming up. What's your favorite part about performing live?
Shows are what it's all about. It's just too bad that it's not like it used to be. When we were younger, all we would do was go to shows. Now it doesn't seem like kids go to shows as much as they used to. We don't know if it's the scene, the bands, or a combo of both, but it's definitely not the same. There needs to be more all-ages shows around the entire Chicagoland area.
Do you have a favorite place to perform?
We love playing all-ages venues, but The Mutiny is always fun and free too!
Shows are what it's all about. It's just too bad that it's not like it used to be. When we were younger, all we would do was go to shows. Now it doesn't seem like kids go to shows as much as they used to. We don't know if it's the scene, the bands, or a combo of both, but it's definitely not the same. There needs to be more all-ages shows around the entire Chicagoland area.
Do you have a favorite place to perform?
We love playing all-ages venues, but The Mutiny is always fun and free too!
Do any of you have names for your instruments?
Chad does. His guitar's name is Gloria. It was the first song he learned to play on that very guitar...many, many, many years ago.
Chad does. His guitar's name is Gloria. It was the first song he learned to play on that very guitar...many, many, many years ago.
Are you in any other music projects?
Curtis plays guitar for Evil Empire, and has so for a few years. The rest of us just play in Red Channel.
Curtis plays guitar for Evil Empire, and has so for a few years. The rest of us just play in Red Channel.
Would you ever consider doing a cover of Hannah Montana's "Ice Cream Freeze (Let's Chill)"?
Umm...no. We've never even heard that song, but it's probably not our style. That's a funny title, though.
Umm...no. We've never even heard that song, but it's probably not our style. That's a funny title, though.
While looking through your MySpace pics, I noticed a couple of you have some pretty badass leather jackets. Any reason behind that?
Thanks. We originally joked that leather jackets, black t-shirts, and jeans were our band uniform, but it got too hot out to do that all the time. Plus, that's rock & roll!
Thanks. We originally joked that leather jackets, black t-shirts, and jeans were our band uniform, but it got too hot out to do that all the time. Plus, that's rock & roll!
I also noticed Chad's leopard print guitar strap. Is he a fan of leopards?
Who isn't?
Who isn't?
What are your interests outside of music?
A few of us like baseball. We can prove it too, we have pictures!
Any last thoughts?
Yes. We have two brand new songs on the THROW UP Records Dry Heaves compilation CD. Please check that out and come see us play!
SONG OF THE DAY:
Wait for it...
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