1. How did you get in touch with Ben Weasel and Panic Button Records for the release of your debut album "Last Wave Rockers?"
Me and Ben have been friends for a long time. Op Ivy and Screeching Weasel played shows together back in the day and I was on the phone with him talking about something else and the subject came up. The label was small but organized which made it a good place to start.
2. What made you decide that now was the right time to re-renter the music scene?
inspiration. This was the first time I felt like it. I have been into music all along but for some reason the desire to play only struck me recently
3. What CD is currently spinning in your CD player? Sorry About Dresden. They are a band from Omaha, NE
4. In your definition what do you make of the word sellout? Someone who betrays their own morals. Everyone has the chance in their lifetime to be a sellout. I don't beleive it is right to call another persona sellout.
5. What was the first punk or ska song that you heard? I Wanna Be Sedated by the Ramones
6. Which band past or present would you love to play a show with? Black Flag, mainly because I never got to see the band.
7. What caused the switch from Panic Button to Hopeless Records? It was convenient for this tour (Plea for Peace) because Hopeless helps organize it.
8. What about the punk rock scene attracted you to it? The creativity of it. The look, all the photos of people looked relly cool. I am always attracted to things that seem imaginative and a bit wild
9. Is there ever a possibility of a Common Rider/Rancid tour? It is certainly possible, but nothing is planned. It would be fun.
10. Your influence is evident in Common Rider's music, is there also a Screeching Weasel influence involved with the new album? You would have to ask Dan or Mass. I am not really sure. Probably at least in terms of musicianship, however they adjust their style to play with Common Rider.
11. Unity has always played a part in your music, is the Plea for Peace tour the ideal tour for Common Rider to start breaking into the scene with? Different types of tours have different advantages. This one we are happy with and it is fun. At some point we would like to do something smaller.
12. How has the scene responded to the latest release "This is Unity Music?" It is doing very well. It seems to appeal to different types of people and that is great.
13. Is your live show or album more important to your scuccess? Our albums because we haven't played many live shows. However, we aspire to write from the emotion of thelive experience.
14. What one song of any band or of your own sums up everything that you beleive in and stand for? Struggling Man/Hard Road/Long run by Jimmy Cliff. I forgot what it is called even though it is my favorite song. I never remember shit like that.
15. What is your opinion on the current state of the punk rock scene? Good and Bad. Shows have a better vibe, but some kids are more judgemental now. Overall I think it is great now.
16. What venue is your all time favorite to play? Bottom of the Hill in SF. I also liked the old anti Club in LA where OP Ivy used to play from time to time
17. Is the new album more towards the Common Rider sound that the last album due to those songs being written years ago? Yes, it is a bit more raw and more complex
18.What does the name Common Rider mean? It's the name of a Japanese TV show
19. What was it that brought you from California to Florida? Quieter. I needed a place to get away and chill. I have since moved back.
20. What goes through your head when a kid comes up to you and tells you it is because of you that he started his band? Gratitude
