Interview with Chris Flippin from Lagwagon

Germany . Cologne . Underground . 08/01/2006 . Interviewer: Hendrik Jansen

Lagwagon - Heartbreaking Music

Punk76: So this is the first date of your German Tour. How many times have you been to Germany now?

Chris: Huh... probably about 20 times now!? (smiling) We are coming here since 1991.

Punk76: Is it always the same, like the clubs and atmosphere?

Chris: Now it is, but it differed. We used to play in a smaller Club here in Cologne. We played there with Weezer before they were huge (grins). This club here is pretty big, but we used to play here two years ago. It is also the first time that we are touring in the winter. Usually we come over in the summer to play festivals when the weather is nice.

Punk76: Is there a place where you like to play most outside the US?

Chris: Australia is pretty good because it is warm there, I like warm weather. I live in the bottom of California. My Mom lives in Arizona and it is really hot there, about 106 F (41°C) in the summer. So when we come here, it is freezing. But Europe is really nice in the summer. As german cities I like Berlin, not for the clubs, but there is a bar called the “Franken” in Kreuzberg. That is pretty cool.

Punk76: How is it working with some of the bandmembers playing in two bands: Me First and the gimme gimmies and Lagwagon?

Chris: Well, it is hard for the other guys in the band, because when Mike starts some NoFX stuff, then he wants to do some Gimme Gimmies Stuff. So those guys are taken away, Joey and our drummer Dave. And the other band members are just sitting around. And the problem is: When they come back from the Tour you can not get on tour to Europe the same time as NoFX. We are a kind of alike. Probably the kids are going to see their show. So we just might tour together and that would not work either. Butapart from that it is fine. They are writing on new stuff since December and there should be a new album out in summer. Joey said that he was here just a few months ago with the Gimme Gimmies.

Punk76: What can we expect from Bad Astronaut?

Chris: Yes, Joey has some stuff, they are working on it since the beginning of 2005. But Derrick died and so he put that on the back and we did this Lagwagon album. I think in March he is starting to listen to this stuff again and try to finish it. The drums are all there, it is just about the guitars.

Punk76: ..so you think there is a future for Bad Astronaut?

Chris: Yes, I think Joey can do this with the time. But the Album is going to come out.

Punk76: You realeased all your stuff on Fat Wreck Chords. Did you never feel, that you like to change your label?

Chris: No, never! (smiling) Sure, people have contacted us, but we wanted to stay on Fat wreck chords. It is nice, it is independent... I think we would have made more money, if we would have moved to a bigger label, but I have two friends with bands who are on major labels. Is is a band called “Ultraspank”, they make New Metal and they have sold about 50,000 copies of their last album. But they have started to break up and not being a band anymore. We just do it all by ourselfs. We do not get a support from the record company, we choose them on our own. It is all do-it-yourself stuff. Which is not usual these days. No MTV Videos, they do not want to play us, as long as we are not on a major label. But we think fuck them, MTV sucks anyway (smiles).

Punk76: I heard, that it is really expensive for you to come over to Europe and play shows?

Chris: Yes, it is.

Punk76: Isn’t it a risk then?

Chris: It is not a rsik, the shows are too good. It is never that we get out and have lost money. It is important to get out, because if you do not come out, then people do not now about your new record. That is just what goes along with being in a band. It would be great, if you could just make records and sell it all on the internet and sitting home.

Punk76: But playing live shows is also fun, isn’t it?

Chris: Yes, it is fun. I like it more than recording. Recording is boring and stressful. There is also a lot of waiting around. When the one guy has to do his part, then you just can sit there and watch TV. So your are sitting there for the whole day to play one hour.

Punk76: I read that Resolve is dedicated to the former Lagwagon drummer Derrick Plourde. Did you ever ask yourself if it is right to dedicate this album to him, or was there never a doubt?

Chris: Well, Joey brought that idea in, to dedicate this album to Derrick. Most of the songs Joey has written are either about him or for him. About his funeral and his death. It is more or less all about him. Some people in our hometown are unhappy about that...but nevermind.

Punk76: How do the fans react to the new songs because in my opinion, you hear that they have been written in a sad mood and its not the straight fun punk anymore but you still feel they have the typical lagwagon sound.

Chris: So far we got mainly positive reactions. Yesterday a guy told us it sounded more than the first album and not like Blaze. He said Blaze was our worst Album. But I think “Double Pladinum” was our worst Album. Some said the kids liked “Double Pladinum”, so I actually do not know which was our worst Album.So far, yes, it has been pretty good. We have a song on iTunes called “Fallen”

Punk76: What do you think in general about iTunes?

Chris: I was not into it first, but I also have an iPod. You have to accept change. I am sure, when CD’s came out people said: Oh no this is killing the LP. But CD’s are fine and everybody accepts them now. So this change just happens. I think iTunes takes away some money, but it is also a chance for Bands to put songs on the internet. So it is making things a lot easier.

Punk76: What do you think punk rock stands for these days?

Chris: Fashion and being a part of the scene. Punk Rock is almost like a Pop Rock now. It is so popular and big, which is nice. But I guess it is not as big as hip hop. But the bands are definitely better. And it is is still nice to hear new punkrock bands, who have a kind of “Fuck you” attitude. But is has changed over the years. In earlier days it was fighting against the police. Now the kids are going home to their families. In America we have a place called “Hot Topic” where you can go and buy all yourPunkrock stuff. This is nice, but it is weird to see all these little kids. Before it was more the outkast kiddies, who listend to punkrock. Now these are the ones who are listening to Cradle of Flith or something. Gothic maybe. So I would call Punkrock a kind of mainstream.

Punk76: And How does it feel being a kind of influence or inspiration for other, younger bands now?

Chris: Well surly it is weird, to be an influence for younger bands. When you go out with some kids and hang out have some beers and talk, and you see that we might be their idols, thats crazy. But it could be worse, they can hate you (grins).

Punk76: Do you feel that you have to be always correct, because you are some kind of idols for them?

Chris: I think it is always better to be correct. We all try to be role models for the kids! (laughs)

Punk76: You also have many young fans althought you exsist since 1990? Can you explain that?

Chris: Probably it is just because of the music. But the funny thing is, I often hear people saying: Oh, you know that band Lagwagon? I still listen to these guys. So younger are touched. I also have so many old records at home but I do not listen to all of them. Also Some Kiss-records! When I played them to my girlfriend, she just laughs! At least their lyrics are ridiculous, but when you are a little kid, you do not care.

Punk76: Have you become wealthy with lagwagon? Can you say, that you do not have to work anymore when lagwagon quits someday? Or do you have even plans for the time after Lagwagon?

Chris: No, when the band quits, I have to get another job. The band pays the bills, but I do not get wealthy. But I am not poor either. I definitely could have a better job. But I am 37 now, and it does not get aesier to get a job now... Plans? Well maybe I am going back to school. Or I work in a Trade job. Maybe start something on my own. But sitting in class room is too hard, so I do not actually know. My next thing is getting married! Maybe a few babys!

Punk76: When is the time to quit?

Chris: I think when no one buys our records and comes to the shows. (smiles)

Punk76: The Band exsists now for about 15 years. What where the hardest times in your band history?

Chris: Probably at the end of the 90’s. We switched drummers and guitar players. I was homeless and had a drunk problem. That was about 1999. Drugs are not good!

Punk76: Any last words?

Chris: Stay away from drugs, kids!

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