the Vandals ***New Interview***

The Vandals are one of the most legendary punk bands around. As a kid, I think I went through about 50 copies of 'Peace thru Vandalism' and 'When In Rome'. They originated out of the OC scene with TSOL, Bad Religion, etc. The band itself has gone through a lot and has still remained one of the foremost legends of the punk scene. They have appeared in a movie called 'Suburbia' (does anyone remember that movie, I miss beta). They have been featured on tons of soundtracks. They even got quoted in the movie 'Triple X'. They have been known for their yearly x-mas show. They have about a dozen albums out. Have survived 2 major lawsuits. Been on some legendary record labels. They have also toured most of the planet.

Joe or Joey is a legend himself. He has been at the helm of the Vandals since the split of the original lineup. He has gone on to play in the Germs as well other reunions for charity. He has been known for his work in supporting the troops. He is also a radio show host in California where he hosts a radio show on various stations giving a legal advice to bands. I encourage anyone who is in a band to tune in and ask questions.

Introduce yourself…
JOE ESCALANTE FROM THE VANDALS

How did the band start?
A GUY NAMED JAN STARTED IT. I JOINED A FEW MONTHS LATER. IT WAS JUST SUPPOSED TO BE JUST ANOTHER H.B. PUNK BAND TO PLAY PARTIES.

How did you come up with the name?
JAN THOUGHT OF IT. IT SOUNDS PUNK, YOU KNOW?
ACCORDING TO STEVE GONZALES, THE ORIGINAL NAME FOR THE BAND WAS GESTAPO, BUT AS SOON AS THE FIRST GRAFFITI STARTED APPEARING AROUND TOWN, PEOPLE GOT NERVOUS. IT WAS ACTUALLY ON THE NEWS. THE NAME HAD TO BE CHANGED, ESPECIALLY BEFORE THEY STARTED LETTING MEXICANS IN IT, LIKE ME.

Who would you say are your influences?
THE DAMNED, DICKIES, DEVO, WEIRDOS, CLASH, BUZZCOCKS, TSOL, ANGRY SAMOANS

What is the punk scene like in Huntington Beach?
RIGHT NOW? A BUNCH OF OLD GUYS GOING TO BARS TO SEE BANDS THAT GOT BACK TOGETHER.

How has is changed since 1980?
THERE WERE NEVER ANY REAL PLACES TO PLAY IN H.B. THE REAL ACTION WAS IN COSTA MESA AT THE CUCKOO'S NEST / CONCERT FACTORY. NOW COSTA MESA HAS A GOOD VENUE CALLED DETROIT BAR. FOR ALL AGES, YOU WOULD PLAY AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES ANAHEIM OR THE CHAIN REACTION IN ANAHEIM.
OR YOU COULD PLAY AT THE SLIDE BAR, IF YOU LIKE OFFENSIVE SECURITY STAFF.

Describe the song writing process...
EVERYBODY WRITES STUFF IN THEIR HOME STUDIOS AND BRINGS IT TO WARREN TO FLESH OUT FILTER. WARREN WRITES THE MOST. WHEN HE'S TAPPED OUT, HE ASKS FOR HELP.

You first released 'When In Rome Do as the Vandals Do', tell us about the album...
BEFORE THAT WE RELEASED "PEACE THROUGH VANDALISM"
WE RECORDED IT AT UNICORN STUDIOS IN VENICE. THAT WAS A STUDIO OFTEN USED BY BLACK FLAG. THE PRODUCER WAS THOM WILSON. I MET HIM WHEN HE PRODUCED TSOL. LATER, THE OFFSPRING HIRED HIM BECAUSE, THEY TOO WERE INFLUENCED BY TSOL.

How do you feel 'Slippery When ill' and 'Fear of a Punk Planet' differed?
WE HAD INTERNAL MUSICAL DIFFERENCES SO SLIPPERY WHEN ILL WAS KIND OF A COMPROMISE. AFTER THAT, WE SOLIDIFIED OUR PERMANENT LINE UP WITH JOSH, WARREN, DAVE AND ME.

In 1996, you released two albums 'the Quinkening' and the famous 'Oi to the World' tell us about the albums...
THE CHRISTMAS ALBUM WAS WRITTEN AND RECORDED IN AUGUST AND RELEASED ON OUR OWN LABEL. IT WAS A THROW AWAY PROJECT BUT IT'S BECOME AN ANNUAL THING FOR US. THERE WERE MULTIPLE DRUMMERS. RAT SCABIES FROM THE DAMNED, ERIK FROM NOFX, BROOKS WACKERMAN FROM BAD RELIGION. NO DOUBT RECORDED THE TITLE TRACK AND THE REST IS HISTORY.
THE QUICKENING WAS TITLED AFTER A THEORY DEVELOPED BY A RADIO HOST NAMED ART BELL. MAYBE THAT CD WAS A BIT RUSHED, I DON'T KNOW.

How do you feel 'Hitler Bad, Vandals Good' and 'Look What I Almost Stepped In' differed?
I THINK MORE TIME AND EFFORT WENT INTO HITLER BAD. THAT'S OUR PEAK I GUESS. MIXED BY THE GREAT JERRY FINN, RIP. THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TOO, I GUESS.

What else have you released?
OH, I DON'T KNOW, BBC SESSIONS, A COUPLE DVDS (SWEATIN TO THE OLDIES, LIVE AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES, OI TO THE WORLD DVD).

In 2003, the band was involved in a suit over music rights, what can you tell us about that?
TAKES TOO LONG TO EXPLAIN BUT IN SHORT, DEALS WERE MADE AND 15 YEARS LATER SOME GUYS DECIDED THEY DIDN'T WANT TO LIVE WITH THOSE DEALS ANYMORE. THERE WAS A DISPUTE, IT GOT SETTLED, WE ALL LIVE UNDER A NEW DEAL NOW.

In 2004, you guys performed in Bagdad, tell us about the concert...
THE MOST FUN AND IMPORTANT SHOWS WE'VE EVER DONE. THOSE SOLDIERS ARE BRAVE, SMART, AND DESERVING OF ANYTHING WE CAN DO FOR THEM. WE HAD TWO BLACK HAWKS, ONE FOR THE GEAR, ONE FOR THE BAND. WE WOULD FLY FROM SADDAM HUSSEIN, INTERNATIONAL EACH MORNING OVER BAGHDAD TO A DIFFERENT FORWARD OPERATING BASE. UNBELIEVABLE EXPERIENCE.

Tell us about the Radio show Joey does... How does that effect the current lawsuit with Variety?
I DO A RADIO SHOW FOR INDIE1031.COM AND RADIO WEEZER ON FRIDAYS, AND KTLK AM 1150 IN LOS ANGELES ON SUNDAYS. I  GIVE ARTISTS FREE LEGAL ADVICE. OFTEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR LAWSUIT. FOR THE LATEST ON THAT ONE, CLICK THIS LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9rFYJw7sfs&feature=channel_video_title

Who are some of the bands you have done shows with?
ALL THE USUAL PUNK BANDS ON WARPED OTHER THAN THAT: PEARL JAM, NO DOUBT, OFFSPRING, SOCIAL DISTORTION, FISHBONE, GRANDMASTER FLASH, PUBLIC ENEMY, LL COOL J, RICHARD MARX IN FRANKFURT, DOOBIE BROTHERS, KISS, PUSSYCAT DOLLS, CAKE, PRETENDERS...

Do you prefer to do shows at large venues or small clubs?
SMALL CLUBS INSIDE LARGE VENUES

Where have you toured?
EUROPE, AMERICAS, JAPAN, AFGHANISTAN, KYRGISTAN, KUWAIT, IRAQ, ICELAND

Is there a favorite band you like to do shows with?
PENNYWISE, OFFSPRING, NO DOUBT, SUM 41

Is there a favorite place you like to do shows at?
JAPAN, ROME

What do you see is the future of the Vandals?
LAS VEGAS.

How can people contact the band?
SAY OUR NAMES, THEN VANDALS.COM THAT'S EASY RIGHT?