Punktuation-First off, begin by letting us know who you are and the name of your band:
Digger-Chris Benner, Guitar/Vocals, Digger
P-Who are the other members and what does each person play?
D-Mike Kelly-Drums, Ben Stephens-Bass, Garrett Hoskin-Guitar.
P-How did you guys begin playing music together?
D-A funny story of Ben actually buying some stuff off of Ebay from me. We met Mike through a message board on the internet, and Ben knew Garrett from high school.
P-Were any of you in any bands prior to playing in Digger?
D-I played in the original Weston lineup from 1990 to 1994.
P-Why the name Digger?
D-I named it after my pet ferret and it's way too late to change it now...
P-Where are you all from and give a little description of the town for all of us:
D-All of us are from the Allentown, PA area. Our city is cool, there is a cool punk scene and it's growing. We live right between NYC and Philadelphia so we can go to the real cities if we choose to. I also think that Allentown should be voted 2nd largest mullet population per square mile. El Paso, Texas gets #1.
P-Where is your favourite place to be away from home?
D-I have a few, Europe is first, specifically Switzerland. 2nd is a tie between Arizona and Texas, cool people in both states. 3rd would have to be Canada, anywhere is great.
P-How did you guys get into punk rock and what is it about the said style of music that motivates you?
D-I was into thrash and metal before punk, then I got into straight edge punk and the rest was just a natural progression. I like all kinds of music, not just punk. Now punk is more of a lifestyle for me, I don't think I'll ever stop playing punk rock or music in general.
P-How long have you been playing your instrument for?
D-12 years, does that make me old?
P-Do you remember the first thing you learned to play on your instrument?
D-Ironman by Black Sabbath.
P-What are some of the crazy and memorable instances that have happened on the road?
D-Well, Garrett bought flip flops the other day at the dollar store in Florida and played in them on stage. We aren't very crazy in my opinion. Sometime I break stuff and pretend I'm Nikki Sixx from Motley Crue. It usually gets people all rowdy who are just hanging around. Something memorable for me is the first time I flew to Europe, I was in culture shock for a good 2 weeks. It took me awhile to adjust. To me, there is nothing better than traveling to new places and meeting new people.
P-Who do you think is the most influential band for music? And it doesn't have to be a punk band....
D-The Beatles or Nirvana.
P-What was your favourite show you played and how come?
D-My favourite show was in London, UK. The kids there rocked the entire show.
P-What do you guys do apart from the band?
D-Read, write, skateboard, Playstation, draw, smoke pot, work, snowboard...
P-In the future, what do you see the punk rock scene like? How might it be different than today?
D-I see it bigger and more commercial, sad but true. It's good though because when I'm old there will be an oldies punk radio station where I can listen to the Bad Brains and Descendents in my car without changing CDs or stations.
P-When did you guys all get into punk music and who were some of the bands you began listening to?
D-I think I was 13 or 14. Early punk records I bought were, Youth Of Today, Minor Threat, Sick Of It All, The Clash, Descendents, Black Flag, The Replacements...
P-Are there any bands you guys are stoked on nowadays?
D-Jimmy Eat World and Superchunk.
P-If you could play a show with any three bands who would they be?
D-Slayer, Jets To Brazil and Elvis Costello.
P-If you could have one song on a movie soundtrak, what song would it be and what movie?
D-That's a tough one...I would say any song in a Meg Ryan film.
P-What does the future look like for you guys?
D-Tour tour tour!!!
P-Do you have any closing comments, questions, concerns, queries, quotes or tidbits?
D-Did I mention we love Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. Also I would suggest bringing as many pairs of socks as you have on tour dates. That way you can toss them out everyday. Rock!! Thanks guys!!
cHRIS