BLACK RUSSIANS

BLACK RUSSIANS

How did the concept for Black Russians originally form? Did you always want there to be some mystique surrounding it?

It all started as some friends doing some demos together and it all snowballed from there. We realized we were really liking the way it was going so we could see it going further. I always liked when you got an album and had no idea who the people were in the band. The more mysterious, the more intriguing for me.

As a disciple of the Kody Templeman school of songwriting, what’s your favorite album he’s been on and what elements of his style are best in your opinion?

Yes we have graduated from Lillington High. Most people are going to say death by television. And it definitely was a massive influence on me. I probably listen to Backchannel Broadcast most now. It has to be the version with Wait It Out,  too!!

Thematically how do you plan to expand on the themes you introduced on the debut album Death By Communism?

There will be more partying and more Satan!!

What are your thoughts on the actual pop punk scenes in Russia and Ukraine? Do you listen to any bands from the Eastern Bloc?

We do not come out of the bunker very often. We love The Chaneys!!! The Dumbheads. There is also our arch-nemesis Volkov.

Who did the instantly recognizable cover art for the debut album, and how did that collaboration come about?

That was done by an awesome artist called Monster Mark. He is an amazing designer and a totally rad dude!! We traded krokodil for artwork. It was the finest grade of krok!! He also did the artwork for the split with Radio Buzzkills!!!!

What are your own songwriting routines, and how has your process developed?

For the most part it's always just sitting down with a guitar and shitty little practice amp and seeing what we can come up with. It's pretty much always the melody and chords first. A lot of the lyrics were written as we were recording. We would already have the song titles and just quickly write the lyrics.

How would you describe your own songwriting style?

I would describe it as True Soviet Black Metal!!!

As a metal fan, do you see parallels between the worlds of pop punk and metal? What accounts for the number of pop punkers who love metal, and vice a versa?

I don't know what the parallels are as such. But I'm just not sure how you could only be into one style and one style only. You would be missing out on so much rad stuff. I love stuff like The Lillingtons, and The Jasons. But then i also love Mayhem and Immortal and MANOWAR. i think so many people love pop punk and metal cuz they both fucking rule!!!

What’s next for Black Russians, and what are your ultimate goals for the project?

Well we have another split that will hopefully still come out this year. We have pretty much all of album number 2 written and we are in the process of recording that. The ultimate goal is to have fun and hopefully along the way some people dig what we are doing.

How has it been receiving recognition and gaining fans as a result of your output?

Well our goal when we started was to record an album. Have one person love it and release something on vinyl. From here on in everything else is a massive bonus. We were really happy with Death By Communism and so its really awesome some people like it!!

Who has helped you the most along your path as a musician and songwriter?

That's a really good question. Every person that you have been in a band with helps you write songs as they have all introduced different influences music-wise. The bands who've helped me along the way are Ramones, Misfits, Lillingtons, and so many more.

Final words?

Check out OUTLOUD! Records, Mom's Basement, I Buy Records, Monster Zero, and all the other awesome labels out there and you will find a shit ton of awesome bands!

BEN WEASEL 2020

BEN WEASEL (2020)

Did the experience of creating the Babyfat album (and its reception) give you the sense that the next one needed to be traditional in its feel and length?

Not even a little.

How important is the collaborative process to you at this point in your career, and do you seek out certain qualities in those who contribute?

Be great. Kick ass on your instrument. Serve the song, not your ego. If your agenda involves anything other than the song and the performance, so long, sucker!

To what extent do you expect or hope fans to relate to the nuances and deeper meanings you convey through your songs?

Not at all. People who pay their money are entitled to interpret things however they want. They don't have the right to claim their interpretations are the writer's, but they can read into it what they choose. Or not. If I were to require people to pick up on every nuance, I'd be a bad songwriter.

Do you find it alienating to be a pioneer of a sound that so many have aped for decades?

I don't agree with the premise of this question.

What do you think accounts for the ongoing worship of traditional aesthetics in the pop punk world?

Nostalgia for a time we didn't live through.

What do you consider to be your greatest strengths as a songwriter now, and how are those strengths reflected in the new songs?

Knowing which ideas to pursue and which to shitcan. That strength is reflected in the quality of the new songs.

When melodies enter your mind, do you tend to associate them with a particular concept or mood?

Certainly.

When settling on topics and song concepts, are you strategic in the sense that you want there to be specific musical or lyrical motifs represented on a collection of songs?

Yes, but it doesn't always shake out that way in the end.

You've mentioned that you "dutifully" record voice memos of worthy song ideas for later use, even if there's little hope for an actual release. Is songwriting part of your daily routine, or "in your blood", so to speak? Would you be doing it anyway?

Not daily. I often go months without writing anything. I can't remember the last time I picked up the guitar. I need motivation to work. People not buying music anymore is not very good motivation.

When will you finally write a "New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal" album, and who besides Enforcer would you want to tour with to promote it?

Never. Not my forte.