LINH LE

LINH LE

Linh Le from Bad Cop Bad Cop was kind enough to spend some time answering my questions and chatting about punk rock, the scene, and life in general. Enjoy! -Deeds

LESSER CREATURES

LESSER CREATURES

(Interview with Nick Spoon)

I suppose a good way to start this would be to give you the opportunity to introduce yourself, since our split is your debut. So who the hell are you, anyway?

I do everything now musically on my own on my iPhone or iPad. I’m a 38 year-old guy from Arizona who loves music (especially punk and more specifically pop-punk).

Do you recall what the circumstances were that led to us connecting and then collaborating? Please share whatever you remember.

I found Grim Deeds through Dying Scene website I believe. I was super impressed with the lyrics of “Dead Inside” and wanted to hear more. It was unique and personal somehow. I listened and found a bunch of songs I loved and then discovered it was a one man show. I became more interested! 

A week or two later I got a cheap 35 dollar mic for recording voice only and thought I would record an acoustic song or two demo for myself and be happy with it. The mic came in the mail and I ended up recording a shitty instrumental demo with a YouTube rock drum beat. I sent it to you and was crazy surprised when you said it was good and do I have more and I should record an EP. Then we began sharing files and songs. 

Prior to reaching out to me, what was your songwriting/band history?

Before Lesser Creatures I’ve played in a couple of fun bands. My first band ever was called Upper Class White Trash and we were all in 8th grade. We were Nirvana and Metallica kinda kids playing what we thought was punk. 

I was still learning how to play guitar and would leave band practice and go to guitar lessons. Then I would return and we would continue sounding like shit! Then in high school playing in bands was the best, at parks and backyard parties. I was always the songwriter and it was always super fun but the bands never got decent recordings for some reason or another.

I’ve always loved writing songs and there’s nothing better then when it just works without really overthinking or trying hard. Lesser Creatures was like that, these are new songs written in a month or two except Lock Me Up.

Like me, you're a family man with a full-time job. What are the challenges for you as an artist and committed husband/father?

 A usual day I get off work about 7pm and only have a little time with my family. I have a wife and 3 children who are everything to me, I force my music on them but they tolerate it remarkably. My wife is extremely patient because I’m really weird and I know I can be spastic. 

My kids are better then me, a dad’s idealistic situation. They don’t ask for my help. They just do what they need to do. My wife is beautiful and encouraging and out of my league honestly. I try to get my son involved a little and show him what I’m tracking. My daughters are young teens who think I’m a nerd and I play up to that for them and am a cheesy dad on purpose.

Honestly I stay up till 2 or 3 AM almost daily, recording or doing something with a track. I’m constantly recording and having a thing I wanna do, my main problem is I don’t have enough time. I need an office, because it’s all done mostly in the garage late at night when its hot as hell. 

We're both approaching our 40's now. Do you think our punk rock dreams are still relevant? Have you doubted yourself before, and if so what keeps you going?

I just turned 38 and I’ve never been happier in my life. I think that music is more relevant then ever and people are wanting something new constantly. I mean, I want something new constantly. I wanna smile when I hear some band I’ve never heard before, who doesn’t?! 

     

It’s never been a better time to go for it in my opinion. You can release your own music on Spotify it’s crazy. I haven’t really doubted myself before but I’ve always considered it a major uphill battle at times with things. I didn’t write for a few years in my early 30’s. I didn’t wanna force it. 

I can’t stop. It’s so satisfying. I think I’m getting better at writing and recording and so I’m keeping momentum.

You write songs really fast - what's your usual process and how has it developed over the years?

Writing lyrics is the first step. I’ll have a tune in mind that the words go to and I’ll try to covert what I’m imagining to guitar. Most of the time it works and sometimes it needs rearranging but I like writing around words. Sometimes an idea or phrase will do it. Mostly sarcastic.

If I have a song recorded and no words to it I draw a blank when I try to write to it. I can sometimes use lyrics I’ve already wrote but it’s not my preference. I used to consider recording or writing songs holy and think that a studio needed to be a worshiped sacred ground. I realized that you will never get anything done if you are trying to write Stairway to Heaven or a perfect song for your first time. Or even record in a studio!

   

I’m more of the spirit of, "I like it, but what’s next?" I know that’s fucked but it’s true. I need to write a BUNCH of songs. Not one or two. I don’t have the patience. The earlier my family falls asleep the more I get done each night. 

You're starting to get the hang of home-recording and realizing that you can make this work with or without a band. How does it feel to know you can take the steering wheel with the tools available now?

It’s great to rely on yourself. There is no excuse to not get it done. You don’t have to consider band mates schedules to all line up. No songs to teach, and no personal problems. I’m gonna use live drums for recording but that’s about it. I like doing the rest. 

It seems that you have a lot of people rooting for you and supporting your first official release. Does it help you to have friends and family who are on your side? Do you feel like they really "get" what you're into?

My family is pretty understanding and my Immediate family is very supportive. I have some great friends who get it but not all do. It’s ok, I really don’t expect them too. Most of the people I know who are into Pop Punk play in Pop Punk bands. Haha! I’ve been played on Ramonescore Radio as the show opener and that was the coolest!

It’s a fetish and subculture of good music. It’s not a huge thing and everyone is wrapped up in their own lives. I understand that because when I’m walking around I’m in my own world. I imagine everyone is. 

I do have great support from people in bands I really love and OUTLOUD! RECORDS of course. 

Who are your favorite current bands in the scene, and what about all-time favorite bands?

Current bands/Artists I’m loving are The Black Russians, The Hawaiians, Kepi Ghoulie, The Gungans, The Kobanes, The Moans, Beatnik Termites, Bob Dylan, Dumberger, The Queers and my good friend Grim Deeds!!! 

All time favorite bands/Artists Bob Dylan, The Ramones, The Vindictives, Sloppy Seconds, Rolling Stones, Joe Strummer/The Clash, Johnny Cash, Jim Croce, Richard Hell and the Voidoids... and a million more.

Are you stoked on your experience in the scene so far? What's next for Lesser Creatures?

I’ve really never been happier or more optimistic - everyone has been cool and I’ve had only good vibes. I think as long as you are genuinely into the music, it shows and people are cool. It’s been a very awesome experience so far and I’ve had a lot of support from people in the pop punk scene. 

I have a full length album I’m working on and have a bunch of songs mostly done. I’m super stoked, I think these new songs are great and I’m happy with the way it’s coming along! 

    

I want to say thank you to Matt Bennett, Grim Deeds, my cousin Gary Chitwood, and the rest of my family and friends.