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BLOOD BROTHERS
members present:
Johnny Whitney

conducted on:
July 2002
by: Rocio Villalobos
extras:
official website
shout-out to PZO





 
 

PZO: How do you think the punk and hardcore scene has changed over the last couple of years?
Johnny: I would say that things have been getting a little more open-minded in a way and I have seen more bands that were once hardcore bands turning towards kind of a new-wavy sound. It just seems like there’s a lot more openness going on. But it’s hard for me to say because I don’t really listen to punk or hardcore music, so...

PZO: Is there a band that you’d like to see reunite and maybe play one last show?
Johnny: Hmm, let me think. I never saw At The Drive-In and I heard they were a great band; so maybe them.

PZO: For the people who haven’t had a chance to experience one of your shows, how would you describe them?
Johnny: I would say that we’re definitely very energetic and that we all, you know, have our heads in the right place as far as like, I don’t know. I guess it’s kind of a hard question.

PZO: When you’re in the studio, how much control do you have over the finished product?
Johnny: We have almost complete control. On our last record we had a producer who helped us, but in the long run all the decisions were entirely ours. Our producer was there, but it was basically just us doing it.

PZO: If you bought a personalized license plate what would be on it?
Johnny: Uhh...crazy for you.

PZO: What are the biggest differences between March On, Electric Children and the album you just finished recording?
Johnny: There’s a lot more experimentation on our new record and obviously, since we had more time to write the songs and to record the songs, the songs are more in-depth and they’re a lot more thought out. We basically had time to do a lot of the things that we’ve wanted to do in previous records, as far as different instruments and other things that we just never really had time to do on previous records just because of lack of time and lack of studio time and all that kind of stuff. As far as lyrics go, like our...March On, Electric Children was all tied together as like a story and seam and the new record is deliberately not like that.
PZO: Have you come up with a title for it yet?
Johnny: Not really. We’ve bounced around a few titles, but nothing’s really stuck yet.

PZO: What’s one of the craziest things you’ve seen happen in the audience while you were playing?
Johnny: Well we played one show where our friend Devon came up onstage with a giant American flag and that was pretty crazy. The craziest thing on this tour was somebody getting a bottle broken over their head at a party. But I can’t think of anything else, really.

PZO: How much does the crowd’s response to you affect your performance?
Johnny: Um, it’s obviously easier to take yourself seriously when people are into what’s going on and are dancing and stuff like that. But I try to go into a show with the mindset of just trying to have fun, regardless of, you know, everybody at the show, even if they think we’re pieces of shit or are stoked to see us.

PZO: What fashion or fad would you like to see make a comeback?
Johnny: Hmm...fashion or fad...I don’t know. I can’t answer that question.

PZO: Is there a show or moment in your band’s history that sticks out from the rest?
Johnny: Not really. I mean, everything is just kind of one long day for us in a way. Like a particular show, there was a period of time where we were playing shows at this venue called The Velvet Elvis in Seattle and it was like in our band’s early insipience. And that moment kind of sticks out as a special moment for us just because it was like, a new thing happening and everybody was really excited and we had a really good time.

PZO: What’s the best prank you’ve pulled?
Johnny: We don’t really pull pranks; we’re not a prank-oriented band.

PZO: How do you deal with negative criticism from the press and from people in general?
Johnny: The way I think is best to go about it is just to explain your point of view as thoroughly and honestly as you can and let them make their decisions. I mean, a lot of the negative criticism that we get in our band is the result of rumors and people kind of not really knowing what the actual facts are and kind of spreading around half-truths and so, for me I think it’s important to just be honest and let people know what’s going on, you know?

PZO: Given the opportunity, who would you kidnap for a day?
Johnny: Leonard Cohen.

PZO: What’s one of your craziest goals?
Johnny: Craziest goal? I think the goal that’s my craziest is school. <laughs>

PZO: If you had to compare all the albums that you’ve put out, which is your favorite and which do you think has made more of an impact on people?
Johnny: That we’ve put out?
PZO: Yeah.
Johnny: Well, my favorite album that we’ve done is the record that isn’t out yet that we just recorded. But I would say that Adultery probably had the biggest impact on people just because it was the first, you know, our band’s first real album that came together with the intent of being an album.

PZO: What was your favorite Halloween costume that you wore as a kid?
Johnny: Garfield.



 
 
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