Interview with Joey Cape of Lagwagon/ Bad Astronaut

Email interview by Oliver Marx . 2004

Bad Astronaut - The Passanger

History:
Derreck Plourde - Many of you may still remind his name and his music. Derreck was a former member in Lagwagon and played on "Duh", "Trashed" and "Hoss". His distinctive drum style influenced many drumers and musicians. Derreck was always an active member in the punk scene, even when he left Lagwagon in 1995. He played drums on the very first Ataris album, he also helped out in many bands like Staring Back, Sugarcult or Yellowcard and he played for RKL and Mad Caddies as well. I always had two favourite drummers: It was Jordan from Strung Out and Derreck from Lagwagon. Unfortunately Derreck once got in contact with Heroin. Since then he always tried to get off that fucking poison in his veins. He did in 2005. The fallowing interview shall be understood as a tribute to Derrick and his great music. I did this interview in 2002, I think, on my old punkrock site. Now I decided to pick this interview up again to pay a tribute to Derrick. Joey and the band decided to quit Bad Astronaut in honour of Derrik Plourde. Joey, Marco and the boys found a new project afterwards, called The Playing Favorites. When Derrik died in 2005 Joey and his mates from Lagwagon came together and created a new album in 2 weeks which was only dedicated to Derrick. The album came out in 2005 and was called "Resolve".

Punk76:
How and why did that idea grew to found Bad Astronaut?
Joey:It’s Something I wanted to do for a long time. B.A. gives an opportunity to experiment with new sounds and song writing techniques I can’t try with Lag wagon.

Punk76:
How did that came, that you and Derrek (r.i.p) started to speak and work again after years of no talk?
Joey: He got off the Dope but we were always friends during that period. I knew we could be close again if he got his shit together.

Punk76:
How old are you now, and do you regard yourself yet as a guide for other bands? I just ask, because I often see your name in greeting lists, like in Audiokarate or I heard, that bands like Yellowcard mention, that you came to a venue to see them play. So, do bands come up to you and ask how the can improve their sound? I even recognized, that you produced an record for The Ataris. So, how does that work?
Joey: I am 35. Sometimes bands ask me to produce their records. I like doing it. I like music and I enjoy being involved if I have the time. I’m too busy right now but today I am going to sing on the new “Useless I.D.” record. It’s fun.

Punk76:
Joey, do you still like that skatemonster Lagwagon exactly the same way you like Bad Astronaut now or do you adore the softer sound even more now?
Joey: I love them both. Whatever I am working on at the moment is my priority. They are very different. Right now Lag Wagon is working on a new record and I am very happy with that.

Punk76:
What are your lyrics about on your new release? Do you reveal a lot about personal things on the new record?
Joey: I tell people too much about myself. That’s what “You Deserve This” is about. It’s about saying too much and people you don’t even know will know your private life. It can be bad. Still, I feel it is best to write from personal experiences.

Punk76:
Are there any guest musicians on your new album?
Joey: Yes. Friends like Tim Cullen from a band called “Summercamp” and some women I know sang on the record. It’s all there in the liner notes.

Punk76:
How many people are you in Bad Astronaut?
Joey: There are 7 of us. Again it’s all there in the liner notes of “Houston, We Have A Drinking Problem”.

The Playing Favorites - Waiting

Punk76:
What do people think about your new project Bad Astronaut?
Joey: Some are offended, that I have a side project. I don’t understand these people. I think they should be happy to hear more music. Those people usually don’t really care about music. They treat bands like gangs. I don’t care. I don’t make music for them. I make music for myself. If people like it…great. If they don’t like it…that’s O.K. too.

Punk76:
I read that you have to closed your label "MY RECORDS". Why? I mean you released acts like Scott Garth, Nerf Herder and more on My Records. Are people not really interested in this kind of sound, which is not a punk sound at all.
Joey: Yes, a lot of people like those bands and we are finding it easy to find new homes for the bands because of this. Jessica is my partner at My Records. She is going to school and giving up the label. The label is not what I want to do with my life and it would demand all of my time. I started it because I love music and enjoy sharing it with others. I wanted to give something back to the industry, that gave me so much. The problem is that running a label is running a business. If you do not sell enough records you can’t really help the bands. The bands are like your children. You really care. I’m ready to spend all of my time making music. Producing, writing and playing live. The bands on My Records understand this. I’m just moving on and we are trying to make sure we help the bands find better labels. I think it is best for the bands. It’s really sad for all of us. We have been considering this move for a long time.

Punk76:
What do you do beside Lagwagon and Bad Astronaut?
Joey: When I have the time I produce records. I hang out a “Orange Whip Studios” in Santa Barbara. I work there sometimes.

Punk76:
Joey, do you earn enough money with Lagwagon and Bad Astronaut to make a good living from it?
Joey: I make some money from Lag Wagon and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, but I paid for all the Bad Astronaut recording and have not made any money off it. I have spent a lot on the band but it is worth every penny because I love it. Hopefully it will do well but I am fine because I can pay my bills with the money I make from the other bands. Life is good for me. I am lucky.

Punk76:
You released an Lagwagon-retrospective-CD, called "Let´s talk about Leftovers". It was released on My Records in the beginning and now it is selled by Honest Don´s records. Does it makes you sad, that you don´t sell the record on My Records any more? I mean Mike [owner of Fat Wreck Chords] sells the record now on his label. So, does that annoy you or was it the best decision for you?
Joey: It is the best thing for the band. That is what is important.

Punk76:
What do you think of the punk scene of today?
Joey: There are many punk scenes all over the world. Most I don’t know well enough to judge. I enjoy the scene in my hometown. There is a great club called “The Living Room”. It is a place for music, not alcohol. I like that. The kids that go there are there for the bands only. They don’t get drunk and start fights. I’m tired of bad drunks.

Punk76:
Joey, would you ever become a comercial band, if you need the money? Has any major ever shown interst in your band?
Joey: I don’t think so. I wouldn’t do it for money. Money is the root of evil in this industry and it is sad that music, as a commodity, revolves around it. People need to survive but they do not need to be greedy. Right now I see no reason to be on a major label. The independent labels have more to offer…like honesty.

Punk76:
I wonder that you play guitar on your latest Bad Astronaut release "Acrophobe". Have you learned it shortly ago ( like in 4 years or something...) or had you been able to play guitar, even when you started with Lagwagon?
Joey: I don’t think so. I wouldn’t do it for money. Money is the root of evil in this industry and it is sad that music, as a commodity, revolves around it. People need to survive but they do not need to be greedy. Right now I see no reason to be on a major label. The independent labels have more to offer…like honesty.

Punk76:
Do you wonder, that punkrock has become so big- so trendy?
Joey: I think it’s nothing new. Music is like fashion. It gets trendy. The trick is to ignore all trends and listen to the music. Obviously some people are politically extreme. You should have some criteria involving an artist politics and your own political views.

Punk76:
Do you talk again to Shawn Dewey (ex-guitarist in Lagwagon/ singer in Buck Wild)?
Joey: I see Shawn every once in a while. I don’t know what he is doing. I’m sure you can reach him through Fat Wreck. This is a long interview. Should have been a phone call.

Punk76:
I have seen you a couple of times in germany by now. how do you evaluate Europe and Germany. What do you think of our culture and are you looking forward to return to europe? Does something exists here in Germany/ Europe, what you really like?
Joey: I like Germany for the shows. The energy is great but Germans are loud and obnoxious when they drink. I don’t like drunk Germans. [note: Oliver: me too] I enjoy most of the shows we play in Europe. I generally don’t enjoy talking to drunk people after the show. I don’t like drunks. I do like cigarettes and you guys can smoke them anywhere. I like that.

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