ALL AGES had the chance to catch up with lead singer/guitarist Rob of the band Ann Beretta. Russ, their drummer sat in and offered answers for some of the questions. The lineup of bands for the show was pretty horrible and only about 30 kids came out to the Fireside for the show. It was a disappointing crowd but Ann Beretta didn’t disappoint at all. We were even treated to two songs that will be on the upcoming release, and if those are an example of what is to come I suspect Ann Beretta may blow up later this year. This is an amazing band that I personally have never been unimpressed with. Go out and see these guys play a live show and you will fall in love too.
1. You recently left Lookout Records. What label have you switched to and what prompted this change?
We are now on the Union Label Group and they are based out of Montreal. What prompted it was Lookout did nothing to promote our last album. No ads, no nothing, and they are steering away from punk rock music now.
Laura – Are you doing more international shows now because of the label being based in Canada?
We are playing more in Canada now. We are playing two warped dates there. We are playing Europe later this year, Japan, and possibly Australia.
2. When does your new release come out and what can we expect from it?
October 7 and you can expect really good songs. Really strong. We are trying to change things up a bit, but it is noticeable growth.
3. With such a small scene in Richmond (VA) how did you guys get noticed?
Touring. Richmond had a strong scene when it started out. We had our first tour booked before our first practice. We started in October and our first tour was in December.
Laura – How did you decide to start playing?
The band started out of an old band of mine at Russ’ (drummer)
4. What did you like about being a part of such a small local scene?
Russ – We could ay it’s cause our friends are in Richmond, but that isn’t entirely true. We make a lot of friends on the road now.
Rob – It is a close knit community in Richmond
5. Which band do you think will be the next to break out of the Virginia scene?
Strike Anywhere I guess. We are away so much on tour that I am out of touch with the scene.
6. Which of your albums would you consider your breakthrough album and why?
The one getting ready to come out. It is going to be stellar. The new label is already promoting it with ads in zines, posters… They are very committed to selling this record.
7. I first saw you on a tour with Less Than Jake, which tour do you think have been the most beneficial to the success of Ann Beretta?
The LTJ tours helped us learn in the early days. The audiences were very receptive and from those tours we gained most of our fan base.
8. Do you prefer the club or festival scene?
Well we have never done warped yet, so this will be out first year dong that. Something like warped is beneficial for gaining fans.
9. What is your favorite in between gig activities to do while on the road?
Malls and movies, porn shops, and occasionally a skate park.
10. Which one band past or present would you love to open for?
Russ – Iron Maiden while they were on the powerslave tour
Rob – The Clash
11. What about the punk scene attracted you to it?
The diversity of it
12. What was the first punk rock song you ever heard?
Rob – Rock The Casbah by the Clash
Russ – Big Mouth by The Gorilla Biscuits
13. How have you seen the scene change since you began?
It’s a lot younger now. More marketable with your Hot Topics in every mall and Warped Tour being sponsored by Target. It is more acceptable now and very parent friendly.
Laura – What is the average fan’s age?
17-19
14. How has downloading affected Ann Beretta and the scene in general?
On one respect it helps bands like ours. Kids have easier access to the music now. A lot of kids say to us that they can’t find the record in stored so they download them. The other side of that coin is that you have a harder time selling records now. It is a double-edged sword really.
15. What CD are you currently listening to?
We listen to the radio a lot actually. Whatever oldies station is in the town we are in like 50’s rock and roll. I make a lot of mix tapes too.
16. Where does the name Ann Beretta come from?
It’s made up. We had our first tour booked and played our first local show before our first practice and we were really pressured by the guy to come up with a name for the flyer. We were at the bar at the place, drinking beer and it just came out. It’s a marketing gimmick.
Laura – Will you ever change it?
It’s too late in the game to do that now.
17. If you weren’t playing in a band what would you be doing?
Rob - I went to art school so I would probably be teaching college or painting.
Russ – I work at a construction company now. Hmmmm a zoo keeper
Laura – Are any of you guys married?
Rob – Yes for 2 ½ years I am. The other guys aren’t.
18. If you could be on any TV show from the Simpson’s to Leno to SNL, which would it be?
Rob – We are a little late for it but Dawson’s Creek
Russ – Girls Gone Wild
19. How does it feel when a kid tells you that it’s your influence that made him want to start a band?
That is the best thing ever. It is the biggest compliment that we could get. Or if our music and band effected them in a positive way.
Laura – Are their any bands you would say that to?
Rob – U2 and REM. Those were the guys I listened to while I was in high school.
Russ – Dag Nasty and those type of bands
20. This is for our Virginia readers. What exactly happened at the old 929 Café in Richmond that got you thrown out?
Rob – They changed management again. It is like the third manager they have had in the past year. They are now called Nancy Raygun, which is stupid. The people that run the place now have no clue about how to run a club. Me and our tour manager went up there to see our old friends that were in the band that used to b called American Steel. We were on their guest list and we were like 2 of 8 people who showed up for the show. We were just hanging out at the bar and drinking. We were paying for our drinks and everything and the manager of the club kicked us out because we didn’t pay to get in. Not to mention that two days before that we played a benefit show at the club and were treated like crap to.
Laura – any closing words for the interview?
Buy the new album in October.
After the interview we just kind of shot the shit with the guys at the bar and here is the result of some of that.
Laura – What does the 3 tattoo on your hand mean?
Rob – I don’t know really. 3 is kind of my lucky number I guess. Things always happen in three’s.
What is the title of the new album going to be?
Rob – We aren’t really sure yet. The band hasn’t discussed it, but right now we are thinking of 3 Chord Revolution.
Laura – Who does the artwork for the albums?
Rob – The band does most of it. We try to do the whole package from the music to the package. Last time it sucked cause the label was supposed to send it off to be edited and a lot was misspelled on it.
Who else is on the Union Group label?
Snuff, Down By Law’s new album came out with them, and I think they are releasing the next Toasters album.
Are their any big tours in the works for the new album?
This one is not set in stone, but we may do some dates with Less Than Jake again. And this fall I think we are going out with Sugarcult.
