Anthony Reynolds: Incredibly excited to present this interview with Punk Rock Legend Brad Logan. Brad is best known for work with F-minus, Leftover Crack, Adolescents, Rats in the Wall, and much more. Not to mention being a roadie, Blacknoise Recordings, and HellHounds pet clothing line. Let’s go!
AR: First of all, much gratitude from me for doing this, obviously I’ve been a long time fan of all your projects, and I wanted to send my congratulations for taking on bass duties for The Adolescents & the new record out this year. What’s it like to record & release a record in 2020, both with the pandemic ongoing and with the state of the social and political place of the world?
BL: This is a great time to be in a band that’s for sure. So much going on socially, and politically, so much to sing/talk about. Exciting times, both good and bad. The Adolescents covers record “Russian Spider Dump” was recorded at the end of 2019/beginning of 2020 and just released this fall. Lots of bands have been doing the same. I think it’s great. Live shows grinding to a halt doesn’t mean that much, artistically speaking.
AR: How is it working with a band with such a long established catalogue and carrying the torch from legendary Steve Soto after his passing in 2018?
BL: Pretty intimidating. Luckily, I’ve known a couple of these guys since I was a kid. And like lots of people on the west coast, grew up with their music as an influence and soundtrack to my life. Steve was my friend, and a one-of-a-kind human. I’m incapable of filling his shoes. Just trying to bring to the band my personality, and do the best I can do to honor Steve.
AR: I’m writing this on Super Tuesday 2020, being in the thick of it in California this year, can you give me an idea of your American experience in the modern world?
BL: As I write this at the end November of 2020, I have to say my faith in the people of the US at large has been somewhat restored. There is still much work to be done on the ground, but I prefer to look at the glass as half-full.
AR: So going back in the discography, what was working with Steve Albini like on Wake Up Screaming? What’s the story with the intro to Out of Reach?
BL: Hahaha! I was telling Steve to stop the tape because I wasn’t ready to cut my vocal. He ignored me, which was for the best I think. Working with him was great. He understood us, better then we understood ourselves. At his core, he’s a punk and hardcore musician/fan and still deeply in touch with DIY ethics and practice. Plus, he’s funny as fuck.
AR: I wanted to touch on the legacy of Fuck World Trade, and your 15+ years with Leftover Crack. Does the legacy of that record and your time with the band reflect a world that grew to be more in line with the ideals and sentiments that were so progressive at the time of release? Or does the relevance of the record today speak to how little had changed socially & politically since?
BL: Both, simultaneously.
AR: What’s it like being at home in OC in the pandemic, besides working on music for your SoundCloud, Adolescents and running the Hellhounds shop with Kristen?
BL: It’s great. I love being at home with Kristen, and the actual hellhounds. I just wish it wasn’t in OC hahaha! I know the experience has been different for everyone, but for me the pandemic has allowed me to explore multiple creative outlets. Not to mention some much needed time to write. I’ve also formed some new bands, and have been exploring new musical territory. Some with people in different states and countries, and some, with people I’ve never even met. Barring the obvious tragedies surrounding us, it’s the happiest I’ve been in years.
AR: Now on the gear front, tell me about the Junior and your rig live on the guitar side. How does your ideal travel rig translate to bass equipment with Adolescents? and how does this all translate to rehearsing and recording from home?
BL: I try and keep everything as compact as I can for traveling. I don’t take the Juniors on the road anymore they break too easy, and I have sentimental attachment to them. Now I take cheap stuff that’s indestructible. Basically, a rig I can carry with me. Guitar, pedals, power amp. Through much trial and error, I think I’ve found a couple scenarios that work pretty good. It’s the same concept applied to both guitar and bass rigs. Soft bag for the guitar, pedal case for the pedals and head. Guitar-head is a Quilter Power-Block that fits on the pedal board. 200w, and way more power than I need for most clubs.
Bass I run through a SansAmp and tuner fixed to a cutting board I got at the grocery store. I just use whatever bass amps the clubs have lying around. The ideal guitar/bass would be one I could dehydrate when traveling, then add water to later and blow up to full size. Recording remotely from home, is my new favorite thing ever. I don’t use anything special. Whatever amps are on Garageband. But I can use any guitar, and effects or weird shit I have on my desk like slides, and coins.
AR: I’m going to abuse the email response format here to ask you what’s on your playlist currently & what your absolute favorite records are.
BL: Current playlists:
80s Goth/Post-Punk/New-Wave.
Also Fenriz from Darkthrone’s metal playlist.
Absolute all-time fave- records?:
Bowie- “Ziggy Stardust”
Germs (GI)
Circle Jerks- “Group Sex”
Wire- “Pink Flag”
Echo & the Bunnymen- “Crocodiles”
Killing Joke- “S/T” (1980)
Discharge- “Why?”
Rudimentary Peni- “Pope Adrian 37th Psychristiatic”
Judas Priest- “Stained Class”
among a few.
AR: I’ve seen you teasing and collecting photos for your upcoming book, due out next year on Rare Bird Lit, what can we expect from the Brad Logan memoirs?
BL: The as-yet-to-be-titled book is 95% finished. It’s about the band (Leftover Crack) but also encompasses the era. The 90’s and early 00’ scene and landscape. It’s my story, the bands story, but also the stories of people around the band because it’s all related. I love it. I put together the kind of book I like to read, it has depth.
AR: Thanks so much for the opportunity again, if you want to plug anything you have going on please do so below.
BL: Thank you Anthony! Currently working on a solo record. To be released in early 21’. I’ll post info on the socials as it progresses.
Also, working on new stuff for the HellHounds line.
You can have a peek here:
www.hellhoundsshop.etsy.com
Check Out Architects of Self-Destruction on Rare Bird Lit: https://rarebirdlit.com/architects-of-self-destruction-an-oral-history-of-left-ver-crack
All the best and stay safe everyone.
bradblacknoise on instagram instagram.com/bradblacknoise
hellhound_army on instagram instagram.com/hellhound_army