I know it’s an old cliché that bands always say that their new record is their best one, but I think in your case it’s really justified. How do you feel about your new release?
I like our new record a lot. There are songs on all of our record’s that I like a lot, but at the moment, the new one is definitely my fave.
How did the “emo-boys” react?
I don’t really know because we haven’t toured yet. I always get a better sense of how people are reacting to things when I get to talk to people at shows. That song seems sort of misunderstood. While I guess on some level I am poking fun at emo boys, I’m also kind of justifying emo. I happen to like a lot of emo, and in some wierd way, I’m sort of the kid in the song. I guess people construe that song as ironic because many of our songs are.
Could you imagine working together with a producer other than Ryan Greene?
Not really. We’ve recorded material with other people sitting behind the board, but we’ve never entrusted anybody else with our songs the way we have with Ryan. He’s become a really good friend as well as being a really great producer. He’s taught us a lot about being a band, and he’s so comfortable to work with. There are no surprises anymore. The whole process just runs so smoothly. Its worked out really well. At some point we may feel inspired to try our somebody else, but it’s become such an enjoyable process I don’t really see any reason to go to somebody else.
I think the very special thing about most of the lyrics of Diesel Boy is the fact that you guys sing about stuff some others don’t even dare to think about… Did you ever feel like doing a totally “serious” album?
I’ve never really thought too much about it. But that’s one of the things I really like about Diesel Boy- I have the freedom to be serious if I want to, but I can also poke fun at stuff. NOFX is the same way- Fat Mike writes about some totally serious stuff, but he also takes the piss out of people better than anyone. I think our fans would be mad if we made a record with no sarcasm at all. We get more requests for our dumb songs then we do for our serious ones.
You have a couple of songs that deal with “rockstar” fantasy. I’ve heard that Metallica are searching for a new member –a job for you? (Actually I hate Metallica so I guess you better stay with Diesel Boy;-)
I’ve always been a huge Metallica fan, but I think they’ve passed their creative peak, and the whole Napster thing kind of rubbed me the wrong way. But I’ve always thought they made good rockstars. There’s a lot of things that go along with being a rockstar that I think would be really fun, like I’d love to play on Letterman, and I’d love to headline Wembley stadium, and I’d love to fuck movie stars, but its not a reality for me. Ultimately I know I’d end up hating it, but it’d be fun to take advantage of the perks for a while.
I guess you can be pretty satisfied with the work of your label, aren’t you?
Totally. We’ve had a fucking insane time the last 5 years or so. We’ve gotten to make a bunch of records, we’ve toured all over the world, and we’ve had so many amazing experiences. I can’t think of a better way to spend my twenties. Honest Don’s has always been nice to us. I’ve never been in a band on another label so I don’t really have anything else to compare it to, but I’ve got friends who have been on both major and indie labels, and I think we’ve been pretty lucky.
What exactly is Fat Mike like?
I’m not sure I know how to answer that. He’s always been nice to me. He’s always been there when I’ve had a question to ask, and he’s always given me good advice on band stuff, and he gave Diesel Boy a chance when nobody else would. I guess I know him pretty well, but I don’t really hang out with guy on a day to day basis or call him up at home on the weekends, nor have we ever toured with NOFX- but as the guy who runs our label and whom I respect immensely, I’d say he’s great. I think he writes phenomenally good songs and I think he runs a top notch label. And as a person, he’s always been swell. He’s also trusted us to do our own thing without ever really interfering, so he gets high marks for that as well.
What do you do when you’re not playing for the band?
I’m the punk rock editor at a music website.
You’re coming over to Europe in April. Did you enjoy it last time you were over here?
I always enjoy myself in Europe. Touring Europe is a lot different than touring the US, but its always fun. There’s so much history in Europe, and the landscape is always changing, and the culture changes from country to country. Ist great. This will be my fifth time over there- the third time with the band. I backpacked thru Europe with my best friend for two months when we graduated college.
What’s the most impressive thing for an American in Europe?
Like I said before, all the history and the culture that Europe has to offer. And it’s stimulating for me to navigate around a country where English isn’t the primary language. I like the challenge of that. The beer aint bad either.
Could you imagine living somewhere outside the US?
I think so. It sounds like fun.
Last time I saw you guys played a Ricky Martin cover-version and I’ve got to say that you really beat the shit out of that guy! When will you record this track or will you record it at all?
Yeah, we recorded it months ago for this split EP that will come out on Coldfront records sometime soon. It’s a split with the band Divit. There’s one new Diesel Boy song called “Bad Art”, an song by an old L.A. band called Thelonious Monster, and “Livin’ La Vida Loca.”
Are there other artists you would like to cover?
Tons. I’m always on the prowl for a good cover. We learned a song called “Ana Ng” by They Might By Giants for our last record, but the Lemonheads song came out sounding better. We recorded a Garth Brooks song for that Serial Killer comp, and there’s a version of us doing Kansas’ “Dust In the Wind” on that Coldfront sampler from a few years ago. Covers are fun so I’m sure we’ll keep doing ‘em.
How do you feel after George Bush’s first two month in office? He’s not quite “punk”, is he?
The best punk rock always comes while Republicans are in office, so I think we’ll be alright. Check out the punk rock made during Ronald Reagan’s term, I fucking love that stuff.
Where do you see Diesel Boy going in ten years?
I’m sure we’ll be bored and tired of each other by then. And there’s not much doubt we’ll be happily residing in the “Where Are they Now” file.