-Brian: The desire to really want to put on a good show and put out some quality music. To prove to people that you don't have to have corporate backing to do so. And to allow the other members a lot of space, creative and personal.

-WCWZ: How did you hook up with Suburban Home Records?

-Brian: We knew Virgil from previous tours, by him letting us crash at his house. And while I was at Club Foot, it was Todd Pott that suggested we send him our new stuff, which became the "Sweatpants U.S.A." c.d.

-WCWZ: Just out of curiosity, why did you decided to release a full length on Suburban Home instead of Johanns Face, a label that has put out several Oblivion releases?

-Brian: We needed a change and we were off of Johanns for about two years before that. We needed to release a record with people who would work as hard as we would.

-WCWZ: How's your comedy routine doing? Is there anything exciting coming up in the future?

-Brian: I want to do more, but we shall see. Actually I am funny all the time, not just up on stage, very funny. I think I am a genius. I am sorry what was the question again? See that, a comic genius!

-WCWZ: Has Oblivion ever played in Hillside, the town that holds the band's mailing address? Any chance that you will play Hillside in the near future?

-Brian: It is where I lived for 25 odd years. We played Berkley, which is the town next to it. There really is NO place to play there, besides the classic shows in my old basement.

-WCWZ: Did you ever think that you'd be into punk rock for this long and playing in a punk band?

-Brian: NO. I knew I would play drums for a long time though.

-WCWZ: It seems that some people have been criticizing the Fireside lately because it has to many shows and takes the fun out of punk rock. What is your take on this?

-Brian: It has seemed to have too many shows. People got what they wanted in a place to have punk shows. But too much of a good thing can water down the scene. So would we be happy with no shows.. hell no, but there should be less I think.

-WCWZ: What are some of your favorite Chicago punk bands right now?

-Brian: Apocalypse Hoboken is strong. Gaza Strippers, Mashers, Mushuganas and many more I guess.

-WCWZ: Compare the punk scene in Chicago when you started this band to the current punk scene. What is similar and what is different?

-Brian: We made it safe to be non-punk sounding I think. We took a lot of shit but stuck it out. It is an easier scene these days, but for me not as adventurous.

-WCWZ: What is coming in the future for Oblivion, as far as records and touring are concerned?

-Brian: Actually in March I move to Tampa Bay to work at a tiger sanctuary, for a change of lifestyle thing. So many punkers talk about making the world a better place but so few really do anything but become another number in the system. For Oblivion, we will go on and see what we can do with the situation. You will always have our memories and c.d.'s., and we will always have plenty of our c.d.'s so buy some more will ya!

-Contact: Oblivion 442 Hyde Park Ave. Hillside, IL 60162-