Q&A: Punk act Retox REALLY Hated this Interview
Interviewing anyone that you’ve never met or spoken to before isn’t always easy. You’re not necessarily counting on 
forming a fast-friendship, as much as you’re hoping for a mutual understanding and a get-along.
Now, try to do that via email. That’s much harder. Although not the ideal interview medium, the results can still be plentiful with the right subject. In this case, Justin Pearson of Southern California punk band Retox was not the right subject.
When speaking about the band’s 2013 album, YPLL and if new material is in the works, things sounded relatively promising. But when, (gasp!) Riffyou.com seemingly made the error of asking him to provide some words of wisdom to up and coming musicians (because we like when artists do that around here), the train began to roll off the track, as did Pearson’s patience for the interview.
Here’s how it went down:
RY: YPLL came out last year, so I was wondering if and how the feelings of those songs have changed for you?
Justin: “Overall, some have changed. There are select tracks that are no longer being played for various reasons. Or some that stuck and will remain for a good part of our future.”
RY: What has the reaction of YPLL been like, and has it met, exceeded, or fallen below the expectations you had for it?
Justin: “For me, my expectations have all been met. The effort, energy, and soul I put into YPLL or any album generally is for myself. I have no expectations from outside forces.”
RY: Have you begun work on your next record? If so, how’s the direction of it looking?
Justin: “We recently tracked two songs for a split 7” with Narrows soon to be released on Three One G. We are also in the process of writing our next LP, which is coming along nicely. There is a constant evolution of what we do, but it’s hard and maybe impossible to put into words at this point. Plus, I think that sort of commentary or description is what the critics are for.”
RY: From what I know, lots of young musicians quickly gravitate toward punk rock. What is it about this style of music that attracts kids with musical aspirations?
Justin: “I can’t speak for anyone other than myself. Sure, when I was 10 or so, I discovered punk and it ‘spoke’ to me. But it’s not really about the bands per se, but more so the ethics. You know, why was I attracted to something? What were the elements in my life or in my world that drew me to obscure, or abrasive art? Things nonmusical and not-related elements to any sort of music genre holds the key to why I have done what I have done, and continue to do. I assume this bullshit vague answer of mine would apply to your question and maybe to the young people you are asking about.”
RY: Some of these young musicians likely focus way too much on trying to find that ‘punk’ sound. What advice would you give them in terms of how they can best chart their own path?
Justin: “I would not give any advice. Especially when considering punk ethics. As Brian Evans said, ‘It’s peasant music, it’s like a polka beat. It’s the reason why I listened to bands like NOFX and now I hate them. I moved on. I have more to think about.’ That can be applied musically, artistically and so on. It’s like a fart joke that is only funny once. There are more important things, more pressing, more threatening things, to focus on and address.”
RY: Stage presence is always a crucial element to a band that wants to gain a great following. What would you tell a band that has maybe found its studio sound, but is struggling to find its live identity?
Justin: “Again, I would not offer any advice. I think if you are doing something sincere you do not need any direction… live or in the studio. At times, I think the less you know or understand, the better off you might be in finding yourself. If someone is looking for a ‘great following’ you can probably go fuck yourself. Like in the last question, asking how to chart your own path would not entail asking someone like myself…or asking anyone.”
RY: What is the hardest part about being in a band in 2014? What survival tips would you offer?
RY: If a kid were to ask you why he should or shouldn’t start a band, what would you tell him?
Justin: “Look, I am going to address these last two questions here in one answer. I’m sure this will make me look like a complete fuck head to some, but this is my honest opinion in conjunction to the interview. I think the questions here suck. Let me please explain myself here.
“Asking about a topic or subject matter such as ‘punk,’ that has not only been bastardized in my lifetime, but something that is so much more depth than music and style, I see so many flaws in asking anyone, especially me, how to help, steer, or educate someone in the way of playing music.
“The appropriate answer would be to not even take the time to answer any interview. Let alone formulate answers that might hold some relevance to someone. And with all that being said, considering the fact that ‘punk’ has been thrown around in the questions presented here, I would say that being genre specific is outdated…it’s the complete antithesis of punk. So maybe this will be suffice: Don’t start a band. Fuck you.
“JK…sort of.”
-Adam Grant
Tour Dates:
Apr. 7 – Montreal – Le National
Apr. 9 – Toronto – Opera House
Apr. 13 – Winnipeg – West End Cultural Centre
Apr. 14 – Saskatoon – Louis’ Pub
Apr. 15 – Edmonton – Starlite Room
Apr. 16 – Calgary – Republik
Apr. 18 – Vancouver – Rickshaw Theatre
Please be sure to follow us on Twitter @riffyou and at Facebook.com/riffyou.
It appears clear to me that this band has not been making music for a significant amount of time and therefore doesn’t know how to respond in order to “give advice” to fellow musicians. At least he was smart in NOT giving advice to those interested in getting into the scene when clearly he is no expert in “punk” music. Or how to hold a decent conversation, by email or otherwise.
I didn’t hate the interview, just thought it was a bit boring. Hell, we could have discussed more pressing and relevant issues in my opinion. No need to tell a kid how to start a punk band. That is the complete opposite of what should happen. Chew on this:
“The alarming lack of ideas that is recognizable in all acts of culture, politics, organization of life, and the rest is explained by this, and the weakness of the modernist constructers of functionalist cities is only a particularly visible example of it. Intelligent specialists only ever have the intelligence to play the game of specialists: hence the fearful conformity and fundamental lack of imagination that make them admit that this or that product is useful, good, necessary. In fact, the root of the reigning lack of imagination cannot be understood if one does not have access to the imagination of lack–that is to conceiving what is absent, forbidden, and hidden, and yet possible, in modern life.”
― Tom McDonough, The Situationists and the City: A Reader
These were bad questions, looking for generic pieces of advice because the interviewer had nothing insightful to ask. I understand Justin’s temper.
Jessie – JP has been playing music since the early 90s, runs a record label, and has been involved in handfuls of groundbreaking and genre defying bands. His point is that even in spite of all that, he’s not an expert either. The guy is brash sometimes but if you bait someone progressive with complacent, nothing questions; you should probably prepar for a steaming pile of shit as a reply. Maybe you shouldn’t be offering your ‘advice’ on punk.
Don’t know why you thought this didn’t go well. Like you said, interviewing bands is hard. While some of the questions may seem inappropriate for a band like Retox, they got great answers. I don’t think Justin hated the interview. Don’t take it personally. Good interview.
The interviewer clearly did no research on the band or JP because if anyone is evidence that there is no right or wrong way/reason to start a band it’s Justin Pearson. He doesn’t follow a formula so why would he have one to give. Also I doubt the interviewer even knows what “punk” is.
Also I think it’s disrespectful to conduct an interview without researching your topic and interviewee. It’s a waste of time for both people; not to mention that if it had gone as planned the interview would be boring as shit. Don’t quit your day job, Adam Grant.
Have you never heard of The Locust?
Adam is a great conversationalist. Albeit, not his greatest work in this particular interview. These emailed interviews aren’t always easy. I’ve been on both sides of this coin. I bet if the two interviewed again via phone or face to face it would be a different story. Also, Kudos to Adam for posting the interview. A lot of publications would puss out and he didn’t. To me, thats punk in the vein of Legs Mcneil.
Jessie, it’s clear to me you don’t know nearly as much as you think about Justin Pearson, his band(s), or punk rock music and the lifestyle surrounding it. If you did you wouldn’t make such quick presumptions. One person’s way of doing things (ie: becoming a “successful musician”)won’t necessarily work for another person and I think that’s the point he was making. Typically, I think it’s best for people to figure it out for themselves if they’re passionate enough to do it. To me, this is paramount to what punk rock is, do it yourself.
Maybe you should research this band and the bands that these members have been in before you make ignorant comments. Beyond that, I think there was more thought put into the answers than the questions. I think the title of this interview alone shows how the interviewer missed the point which makes me wonder how much of an “expert” he is on “punk” music.
I don’t see the problem with the interview per se. However, it seems like the interviewer’s ego suffered a bit, thus the strangely victimized tone of his introduction, which posits Justin as a problem. Absent the intro, I wouldn’t have realized there was a problem beyond two people coming at (ostensibly) the same concept (punk) from radically different angles. That whole intro, to me, is a pretty good example of “not punk.”
If someone walks around with a “fuck fame” attitude, why would you go “Hey, you’re famous, how can I be famous too?” You asked someone who is kind of the definition of “don’t define me” to give advice on how to establish one’s self in a defined genre. A genre that us “old people” is no longer what it was when we were young. It is now a set of chords, a whiny voice, and a fashionable haircut. He gave the completely appropriate responses. That being said, I liked this interview. This was an enjoyable read, and JP is right in it. Cheers.