Punktuation-What's the name of your band and where are you kids from?
Capture The Flag, and we are from Detroit, Michigan.
P-Does the name of the band have any special meaning that you would like to share with us?
CTF-Not really, we thought it was just a rad name.
P-How would you describe your bands' style of music?
CTF-Melodic punk rock, with a touch of emo rhythms, (someone once told me that).
P-Do you have any inspiration? If yes, who are they?
CTF-I think as far as inspiration goes, it is basically the music that keeps us inspired with the writing of good songs, and I also think we kind of inspire each other-we have been friends forever and I think we just feed off of each other as well.
P-How long have you been together under the name Capture The Flag, and why did you change your name from "Ovenmittens"?
CTF-We have been Capture The Flag almost a year-it will be a year in August, we changed our name from the Oven Mitts to Capture The Flag not to change our style of music, because we were playing the kinda stuff we play now, or not to get big you know, it was just a thing we had in high school and we not necessarily wanted to throw that away but just move on, we are not embarrassed to say we were the Oven Mitts or even bust out an old Oven Mitt tune you know, I think it was just us as a band moving on.
P-Did a new sound of music derive from changing the band name?
CTF-Well yes and no-no because we were playing melodic punk back when we were the Oven Mitts, but yes in the fact that I think we have all progressed in the fundamentals of making music and playing, I mean I think Steve is such a better drummer then he was when we did the Oven Mitts thing, and Jeff is just sick with the stuff he comes up with, I think we are more a band now then ever.
P-Would you guys like to re-release the Oven Mittens CD for ol' time sake? C'mon!
CTF-I don't know, I mean I love all those songs and we did release it-only 200 copies were made but I don't know-there have been some people wanting to re-release it under Capture The Flag, but if we ever do re-release it, it will be under the name the Oven Mitts, but I don't see that happening any time soon.
P-If you did, what would you expect of that?
CTF-If we did I really would not know what to expect you know, I mean I had fun while in the Oven Mitts days you know, and if people still bought the Oven Mitts CD, well I would feel happy you know, just that other kids were enjoying listeing to the music I love playing.
P-What is the scene like in your hometown?
CTF-The scene here is getting better you know, a lot better. Before kids would not come to shows unless their friend was in it but now I think that kids are just going because of the music and not scene status you know, I think it's getting fun again.
P-Shows allow bands, such as yourselves, to lots of new and unfamiliar places. Has there ever been any negative experience per say, while playing a show out of town, or even in your town?
CTF-The only bad time I can think of was umm...98, we were the Oven Mitts still and it was our first little tour thing you know, we played in Philly at Stalag 13 with Saves the Day and some kids were telling us to play another Lifetime (people compare us to them all the time) cover which I thought was hilarious, but they were just joking they said.
P-Why do you think that occured and how did it effect you and the band?
CTF-Well I think it occured because you know how kids are you know, we thought it was funny and continued to play, we actually started playin a Lifetime tune and those kids didn't know what it was! That was the funniest part.
P-There has surely got to be a favorite show that you guys played. Where was it at and why was it so great? And again, how did that positive experience effect the band? (ie. more confidence within the band)
CTF-I really do not know but the one that sticks out was we played with our friends Telegraph, in Detroit the day after Christmas, there were 700 kids there, we played really well and I think that everyone there was into it. It was a super fun time, plus any show you play at on tour and people want autographs, it is just funny to me why would someone want my autograph? I don't know.
P-Your new album, Time and Again, has ten kicken tracks! Which one of these songs is the bands favorite and why?
CTF-We don't have a favorite on our record, we love them all.
P-What does the band hope to accomplish while promoting this album, and what are the bands long term goals?
CTF-Well I hope to get this record out to people who may of not heard us yet you know, we have a month west coast tour starting in may and you know, just to get the record out there, as far as long term goals go, well of course it would be ideal to be able to live off of what you do you know, but the most important thing is to just keep having fun and still be friends.
P-Do you think that the crowds you perform to have a particular favorite song? Y'know, they all sing along...
CTF-I don't know but the two that usually people sing along to are 'First Year Center', and 'Time and Again'.
P-Since playing punk shows, have you noticed a change in the audience participation?
CTF-Playing shows now, I have noticed that kids won't really move around no more-they just stand there and get into you, you know, but I don't care if someone is bobbin their head to our music or jumping around going off. It is the same feeling to us.
P-How about there being a change in crowds? For example, do you see more young kids attending shows, or kids who are new to the scene?
CTF-Well I see a lot of younger kids you know, and people give them a lot of shit but you know, those kids are us like 6 or 7 years ago and kids do not realize that. I also see a lot of even younger kids who have their parents drop them off and stuff you know, I think that is pretty rad too-first a parent letting their kid go to a show and going with them, and a kid who goes because he likes the music, not because he knows anyone or anything. I really don't mind that-I support it, the more kids the better.
P-At some shows do you find that there can be the one punk who is not easily acceptable of kids who are 'new to the scene'? 'Cause I know i've been to some shows where there have been some violent actions enflicted upon individuals who do not "fit in to" the punk scene. What's your take on that?
CTF-Yeah of course you have one at every show you know, the old skool kid or whatever that has to make a point of how he is this and you are not whatever those kids are. That's lame to me-I didn't get into this so I can say "well I was here in 92" or whatever you know, I got in this because of the music, and I think that is what should matter if you are new to it or old-skool, enjoy it-you know it can't last forever. (wow i sound like a guidance counsellor).
P-And finally, where the dilly do you think the punk scene is heading? In what direction?(ie.positive/negative)
CTF-The punk scene is definitely heading up and forward, a lot of different kids are coming together, a lot of really rad bands are out there right now-it is a good time you know, and I am just having so much fun with it.
Thanks to Punktuation for the interview and thanks to anyone who reads this for the interest...CTF.