HTR-Hello there everybody! Hmmm, nope I don't really think so. I used to stage dive a whole lot though.
2. BB- Why did you name the label haunted town and when did you start it off?
HTR- 1997. Well one of the fun things about starting a label is coming up with a name. I wanted something that had some attachment to Chicago, without being too obvious. I had recently gotten out of the Marine Corps and upon returning home; Chicago was like a ghost town of good & bad memories and not much of anything else. The 90's really wore hard on me. Mainly of course the band, THE EFFIGIES. It's a tribute to them and the spirit behind the music. At their height I honestly can't think of many bands that could even hold a match to that band. Yet you never even hear them so much as mentioned when you hear folks talking about the history of punk rock. They were a working class punk band, before there was even such a term in the states. I interviewed John Kezdy once several years ago and I was completely blown away. We were talking about integrity in music. He told me, "Jake Burns (Stiff Little Fingers) has more integrity in his little finger than Bono (U2) has in his whole damn body." What a great answer, I fucking hate U2! The EFFIGIES music wasn't just a mindless reaction; it had intelligence written all over it.
3. BB- Your first release is with the Bruisers and you went on to release a lot of stuff by other nationally known acts like The Templars, how did you hook up with each group and what was working with them like?
HTR- If there is one person I had to thank for my label starting it would be Al Barr from the BRUISERS. For 2 &1/2 months I was a roadie for WARZONE on what would be their last tour ever, as Raybies died a few months later. Anyway we were in a town just outside Boston, playing this huge show with everyone from ENSIGN & SHUTDOWN, to THE BUSINESS, WARZONE & THE BRUISERS. I bought their first 7" in 1989 and had been a fan for years. This was one of their last shows and I finally got to see them. They were fucking awesome. The pictures in the 7" are taken by me and were from that same show as well. I met Al after the show and told him my plans of starting a label when I got home and he says "Take this tape out to the van, and let me know what you think." I did and I told him it rocked. He then says to me, "Would you like to put it out as a 7"?" Just like that, and yes that simple. When I got back from tour the DAT tape was waiting for me in the mailbox. That was the "Still Standing Up" 7". Every release has great stories ttached to them, but that would take up 13 pages of space so... next question.
4. BB- The BRASSKNUCKLE BOYS release is your first full length CD how did everything work out on that project?
HTR- Actually our first CD was the STAGGERS CD. As far as the BRASSKNUCKLE BOYS CD goes, I think everything went great. What do you think? Have you heard it? I think it's fucking great. The best street rock n roll band since the BRUISERS? I think so, and more. Okay maybe I'm a little partial, but honest to God I love that band. There's going to be an interview in HITLIST magazine with them soon. That whole record is just one crazy story after another. I'll send you a copy of the interview and you can post it on your site if you like.
5. BB- I'm assuming you're a Chicago native so what was it like to release hometown heroes Naked Raygun's live CD, and why did they wait so long to release it?
HTR- It was and still is like a dream to me. That band really meant a lot to me growing up. They still do. I don't know that they ever planned to release that stuff. I met Jeff Pezzati for the first time in KC while on tour with THE STAGGERS. They were playing with Jeff's new band THE BOMB. He mentioned that the shows were recorded, and I didn't leave him alone until the poor man said "yes", to letting me release it. Jeff is a really great guy and I don't care what anyone says, I love that band for everything they've done. It's funny but I'm sure most RAYGUN fans feel the same way. Chicago & Midwest punks wore that band like a badge of honor. I actually got 3 stitches right above my right eye at that RAYGUN show in '97. I stage dove dozens of times at nearly a dozen RAYGUN shows without ever getting hurt and now that no one does that anymore I get my head busted open!
6. BB- Is the whole release limited or just the LP?
HTR- Just the LP is limited. 2000 copies, hand #'d. Three different colors of vinyl too. This will never be re-pressed so get it while you can!! You can order any specific color you want through our website. They are limited and going fast. Hey there was also a top secret banana baby food color pressing of 200 only (100 left). These aren't available to the public, and aren't mentioned on the website. But if you read this interview and want the record. Go to the website and just put in the special instructions (credit care) "Banana Baby Food Please!" Or just write it on the mailorder form. And I promise you will get one of those. The CD is not limited but it does have 6 extra tracks & lots of photos though.
7. BB- Any chance you might re-release some stuff by other bands for example, The Effigies?
HTR- Re-releasing the EFFIGIES stuff is definitely a dream of mine. If I could do one more thing as a label that would be it. I have some other stuff in mind, there's a lot of long out of print Midwest punk out there that should be available. Finding some old EFFIGIES demo with a 4 track recording of old songs like "Guns Or Ballots". Yea that would be nice. I think VICTORY Records re-releasing the OUT OF ORDER LP was one of the best things they've ever done. If you don't have that one, PICK IT UP!! Also something to look out for, HELPLESS Records (Chicago) is going to re-releasing all of the BHOPAL STIFFS songs plus some live stuff.
8. BB- What was your favorite project?
HTR- NAKED RAYGUN. It nearly drove me crazy, but overall I am very pleased with the results. Mike Hagler at Kingsize Studio was great to work with. Jeff Pezzati was a big help as well. There was actually 5 songs that didn't get used. "Home Of The Brave" was going to be the first track, but it was really fucked up on the tapes and sounded pretty bad, at least compared to the rest of the material. Sorry about that guys. The BRASSKNUCKLE BOYS "American Bastard" CD comes in a close second. I can't say enough about that band, they are one of my favorite bands regardless of the fact that they are on my label. Their debut CD was actually supposed to be on GMM Records. Oh well.
9. BB- Who would you really like to work with next?
HTR- Besides the bands that are already on the label, esp. the BRASSKNUCKLE BOYS, I would have to say...BRASS TACKS, but they just broke up, although they just might get back together someday. I think the MIDWEST RULES Vol. 2 comp is at the top of my project list right now. It's gonna have THE GC5, ROUSTABOUTS,BRASSKNUCKLE BOYS, TANKA RAY, MESSENGERS, BUMP N UGLIES, & tons more. Also I would like to do some stuff with some European bands. We're planning on doing some 7"s with the VANILLA MUFFINS and possibly some others.
10. BB- How did you hook up with the Weekend Bowlers and when can we look forward to seeing them in Chicago?
HTR- They just sent me a demo and we got started. I don't know that those guys will ever make it out here. I think some of the guys in the band actually have "real" jobs.
11. BB- Have you read any good books lately?
HTR- Flags Of Our Fathers is essential reading.
12. BB- Who would you like to see interviewed and what would you ask them?
HTR- Politician: Senator John McCain. I would ask him why he is the leading voice against the US government releasing all the information they have on American MIA's and POW's from the Korean and Vietnam wars. I have a few dozen more questions to go along with that one for the Manchurian Candidate. Bands: How about a STIFF LITTLE FINGERS interview? An EFFIGIES interview would be cool. As far as the deceased go, I would like to resurrect BUDDY HOLLY for an interview. (And a 7" on Haunted Town Records)
13. BB- Can we look forward to haunted town sponsored shows here in Chicago?
HTR-Yes! I am planning on putting together a "Midwest Rules" tour in the early spring of 2002. I will keep ya'll posted on that. Oh yea, September 7, 2001 it's a Friday. At the campus of the University of Wisconsin, there will be a HAUNTED TOWN RECORDS showcase. FREE SHOW!!, cheap beer, and it's outside on the terrace of the campus. Last year the HUDSON FALCONS & BRASS TACKS played that and there was almost 2000 people there. Don't miss it! The BRASSKNUCKLE BOYS, THE STAGGERS, GC5, and more!! E-mail me @ htr@core.com for any more info. It's ALL AGES as well. Bands are always coming through town, and as you know, all age’s venues in Chicago are nil and none. If you have a place to play and party or whatever, get in touch. House shows are always fun. PRESSURE POINT is coming through Chicago in early August 4 (Saturday) and I can't find anywhere for them to play. Now that blows. If you can help, get in touch ASAP. Be a hero.
14. BB- What do you look for in a band you want to release on your label and whats the best way for a band to catch your eye?
HTR- You must know how to a rock and a roll. Send me demos, especially Midwest bands! I'd like to release some good psychobilly right now, so I'd definitely have my one eye on that type of stuff. I generally want my label to be like my record collection. I want to be able to put out stuff in all genre's of punk & rock n roll. With the exception of course being ska punk, or emo pop punk or any other shit like that. Indie rock can go to hell as well. I tend to lean towards punk rock n roll, Oi!, & streetpunk type stuff. But certainly not limited to that. I am not afraid to put out stuff that might offend some people either. I fully support freedom of speech. If you don't like it, don't listen to it. It's that simple. I don't even always agree with every word in every song, from every band on my label either. Usually, but not always. That's why they call it "rock n roll", and not "soft & fuzzy daily affirmation sleepytime bullshit". Hey Maximum Rock N Roll, go fuck yourselves. Punk rock is getting soft, fat, and losing its edge. Think for yourself and let's keep our subculture alive and kicking!! Hey kids, go to haunted town records and see what we are up to! Brendan thanks for the interview. Thanks to anyone that's picked up anything on our label. Thebest is yet to come. Cheers!
1997 HTR#1 BRUISERS "Still Standing Up" 7"
1997 HTR#2 MAIN STREET SAINTS "Johnny Bomb" 7"
1998 HTR#3 RIOT SQUAD "Scary Picture Show" 7"
1999 HTR#4 TEMPLARS/WODNES THEGNAS "No Compromise" split 7"
1999 HTR#5 BEST DEFENSE "Six Gun Justice" LP
1999 HTR#6 BOILS/STAGGERS "Punk Rock Rumble" split 7"
1999 HTR#7 THE JACKS "The Last Of The Real American Heroes" 7"
2000 HTR#8 THE STAGGERS "The Sights, The Sounds, The Fear and The Pain" CD
2000 HTR#9 MIDWEST RULES V/A "Vol. 1" CD
2000 HTR#10 THE OUTSIDERS "Don't Tread On Me" 7"
2001 HTR#11 NAKED RAYGUN "Free Shit!" LP/CD
2001 HTR#12 BRASSKNUCKLE BOYS "American Bastard" Cd
2001 HTR#13 WEEKEND BOWLERS "What Are We Gonna Do About This?" CD
