the New Criminals are the lastest addition to Basement Records and are newer punk band out of Hollywood. There live set is amazing and they have many shared the stage with locals and a few bands on Basement. They have a great EP out and working on touring to support the EP. I got John and Adam to tell their story...
Introduce yourself…
John Black: My name is John Black.
Adam Flask: Adam Flask
How did the band start?
Adam Flask: We were in a line up together. It was pretty
much like “Usual Suspects”.
John Black: The band started when we realized we could
do more damage as a group than we do individually.
How did you come up with the name?
John Black: Flask came up with the name.
Adam Flask: It took a while. It’s pretty hard to find an
original name these days. Basically, we’re criminals and the
band is new, hence… The New Criminals.
Who would you say are your influences?
Adam Flask: Too many to list really but some of my
personal favs are The Supersuckers, Social D, Screeching
Weasel and The Swingin’ Utters.
John Black: Crickets, Beatles and Spiders from mars.
What is the punk scene like in Hollywood?
John Black: The punk scene in Hollywood is as glamorous
as the transsexuals on Lexington. I enjoy the general
filthiness of Hollywood. I'm in it for the filth.
Adam Flask: Hollywood is nice and trashy, my kind of town.
L.A. has a great punk scene. You can see a killer show any
night of the week.
Describe the song writing process...
Adam Flask: I suppose we do it like most bands, you get a
riff in your head, start adding some vocal patterns and lyrics,
rob a liquor store and collaborate with the band on a tune.
John Black: The song writing process is: easy, rewarding,
impossible and infuriating all at once.
You released 'CRIME ALWAYS PAYS’; tell us about the EP...
John Black: Flask finished tracking all his drum parts in less
than two takes per song. He then sat in the studio eating chili
fries and talking shit until we had to record vocals. It was one
of the most inspiring things I have ever seen.
Adam Flask: We’re excited about it! It was a lot of fun to
record. It’s also the first piece of vinyl I’ve ever released.
John Black: Mine too.
Adam Flask: I have to say the record pressing companies
are the real criminals.
What else have you released?
John Black: Pheromones
Adam Flask: I’ve released a handful of albums with other
bands over the years but this is The New Criminals’ first
release. We’re already working on songs for a full length.
Hopefully we can get back in the studio soon.
Who are some of the bands you have done shows with?
John Black: The Vice Five, a good band from Whittier; Civil
Satans, old friends of mine from Oceanside; Killing California
from San Clemente...we’re on the same label as Killing
California, they are good.
Adam Flask: Your Mom
Do you prefer to do shows at large venues or small clubs?
Adam Flask: The bigger the better.
John Black: Yes
Have you toured?
Adam Flask: We’ll be touring this summer for the first time.
Look out America.
Is there a favorite band you like to do shows with?
Adam Flask: We recently played with Bobot Adrenaline in
Pasadena and they were amazing to see. They’re a really
talented band.
John Black: Yeah, Bobot rules.
Is there a favorite place you like to do shows at?
Adam Flask: Not really, anywhere with a good sound
system and good people works for me.
What do you see is the future of the New Criminals?
John Black: The New Criminals are the future.
Adam Flask: John said it all…
How can people contact the band?
John Black: Go to Mar Vista Lanes Sunday nights,
the Down And Out on Monday nights or go to
thenewcriminals.com
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