FOR THE WEIRD/ BY THE WEIRDER
THE BAD ACID TRIP INTERVIEW
by Don Sill
Hardcore thrashers, Bad Acid Trip, signed to Serj Tankian's (SOAD) Serjical Strike Records last year and their up coming CD is being produced by Daron Malakian. They've been tearing up the Hollywood club scene for over 10 years now finally they’ll be invading a venue near you.
Ballbuster caught up with Dirk Rogers (vocals) and new drummer, Jose to discuss the recording of their CD, upcoming tour, and more.
BALLBUSTER: You guys were the first band signed to Serjical Strike records, How does it feel to be one of the few bands signed to that label?
DIRK: It is an honor not only to be on Serj’s label but, to bring our genre of music to a larger audience.
JOSE: I am new to the band, Keith asked me to join after they had 2 drummers in a row quit on them. It is a great opportunity and it feels good to be realizing something I have been working towards for the last 10 years
BALLBUSTER: How did you get the attention of Serj Tankian in the first place?
DIRK: It is an honor not only to be on Serj’s label but, to bring our genre of music to a larger audience.
JOSE: Being new to the band I have only heard the stories. These guys used to play with SOAD back in the club days in Hollywood. SOAD have been fans of BAT for years.
BALLBUSTER: How would you describe your album "For the Weird by the Weird" as a whole?
DIRK: It is a good album but a very rushed job we would only be aloud one or two takes per song so there is some fuck ups. the production is a little hollow as well. The guy recording us did not have our best interests at heart we later discovered.
JOSE: Again being new to the situation, I first heard the album as a fan and a friend of these guys. I can honestly say that I was impressed with the psychotic energy and intense speed of the music. I had never heard anything like it before.
BALLBUSTER: How long did it take to write and record this album?
DIRK: The album was a collection of songs from past 7 inches as well as a few ( at the time new songs) no songs were written for the album itself as for the recording time it was done in about a week.
JOSE: I don't know. I am the new guy.
BALLBUSTER: As a producer, what kind of dynamic did SOAD's Daron Malakian bring to the band?
DIRK: We are still working together. So far he has had some great ideas towards our material we are all on similar wave lengths for what we want to do as far as the sound and direction of the music.
JOSE: Daron didn't produce "For the Weird By the Weird." But I can tell you that since we started working with him on our new record we are having to challenge ourselves more musically and mentally. So far the songs that we have finished working on with him are sounding better and flow with a more musical sensibility. I don't know how to answer this really, all I can say as a fan of SOAD myself, I am happier than a pig in shit to be working with these guys. We are basically excited and eager to finish this record, as is Daron.
BALLBUSTER: What are some things that inspire your music?
DIRK: Books we read, movies we watch, media we intake, the lives we lead, the drugs we ingest, thinking too much, and the voices we hear.
JOSE: As musicians, we simply try to take our life experiences, all the things we've felt, all the music that we love to listen to, and put it into songs. A sense of humor is a major influence as well. We try not to take ourselves too seriously and always remember that in the end it is all about doing something you love and having a good time while you are doing it.
BALLBUSTER: You have been on the hardcore/thrash scene for over 10 years, how has the scene changed and has it gotten better or worse in your opinion?
DIRK: The scene is what it always has been. The same patches just younger faces , the next generation steps in and reshapes the scene to fit itself .so another splinter group is created or a new name is given to the same old thing. Is it better or worse? Fuck if I know. There is still just as many ass holes and fashion punks as there ever was and there is still those 2 or 3 kids who really know what’s going on. The ones who always get shit on by the very scene they work so hard to keep alive.
JOSE: I was first introduced to this scene about a year and a half ago when I went to my first BAT show. So I don't really know all that much about it other than what these guys have exposed me to.
BALLBUSTER: How would you define music and what does music mean to you?
DIRK: Music is any noise that can invoke an emotional response. In you if it is played right, In other words, music is the soundtrack to life.
JOSE: Music is everything, I can't explain or define "music" in an email interview. All I can say is that without it, the world would be a much more miserable place. Music means, to me, having a purpose in life, having an outlet, and being able to touch people in a way that only music can. It is a part of my soul.
BALLBUSTER: Who are some of your musical influences?
DIRK: Different influences for different things there are just too many to list.
JOSE: Led Zeppelin, Primus, Bob Marley, Hendrix, Luciano Pavarotti, Metallica, System Dead Kennedys, Fear, Jesus Lizard, Tool, Frank Zappa, way too many more to list. I am a fan of music, I do not discriminate because of a genre or time period that the music is from.
BALLBUSTER: What do you think of all the musical trends (pop-punk/ rap-rock/ Garage rock/ Nu-metal ect)
DIRK: Every style of music comes around again the trend and logical evolution would be the combining of different genres to appeal to an even larger target audience. And of course musicians of today are exposed to many more different styles and their influences reflect in their approach to their music.
JOSE: Whatever, I can't wait to see what our classification is going to be.
BALLBUSTER: Why are the industry magazines always looking for a band to save rock and roll?
DIRK: Because music isn't as dangerous as it used to be. Every once in awhile shit gets too mundane for the industry mags and so they find a band. that‘s doing something a little different and glorify them in hopes of being the discoverer of some new market.
JOSE: Marketing? I don't understand this question, It sounds like something we should be asking you.
BALLBUSTER: Does rock and roll need to be saved?
DIRK: It should never be saved!!!!! Rock N roll is the music of the Damned.
JOSE: Rock N Roll is alive and well, You just have to look for it.
BALLBUSTER: If it did need to be saved, can Corporate America be the ones to save it?
DIRK: Corporate America is made up of people period. People have brains, (at least most seem to) brains have Ideas, it's up to the people who want something to change to sow the seeds of new ideas.
JOSE: They are the ones that are ruining it, But at the same time without corporate labels we would not have the opportunity that has been put in front of us. So maybe there is some hope.
BALLBUSTER: You guys have a reputation for insane live shows that are jammed packed with energy and chaos. What can fans expect to see at a Bad Acid Trip live show?
DIRK: Kids running around, dancing, laughter, smiles, crotch grabbing,4 guys trying to hide their lack of talent with ever increasingly unusual costumes, cute girls, young boys, and the occasional dwarf.
JOSE: We will uphold the reputation.
BALLBUSTER: How do you mentally prepare for a gig?
DIRK: Listen music, smoke pot, sex, and or, read up on current events.
JOSE: I smoke cigarettes, and drink coffee. That's how I mentally prepare for anything.
BALLBUSTER: Do you guys have any pre-show rituals?
DIRK: We smudge with sage before out of town gigs and we always drink a pint or two of Guiness before every gig.
JOSE: Circle Jerk and then we jump up and down with our thumbs up our asses.
BALLBUSTER: Wildest stage experience?
DIRK: Playing at a strip bar called Star Garden and having beautiful girls take their tops off while we played and then having three hot ladies come on stage and sing brutal grind with us for a song. All the while I slid up and down the pole with a guy who had a blue sun cut into his hair.
JOSE: Ironically, A few years a go I was in a Punk band and we got booked for a night with a bunch of death metal bands. Needless to say they fucking hated us and started throwing shit like bottles and ash trays and whatever else they could pick up. To top it off the promoter tried to keep us playing for the rest of the set. Then a riot ensued, a lot of people got hurt that night.
BALLBUSTER: What is your ultimate goal?
DIRK: To create something a little different, something that lasts and also to have a lot of fun doing it.
JOSE: To make a living doing what I love to do, Playing music.
BALLBUSTER: I want to give you my personal "Behind The Music quiz." These are questions designed to see if you guys have what it takes to someday be featured on BEHIND THE MUSIC. Were you beaten or abused by your parents as a kid?
DIRK: My father beat me
JOSE: Not unless I deserved it.
BALLBUSTER: Are you currently doing any drugs?
DIRK: Yes!!! weed, alcohol, occasionally a bit of dabbling with hallucinogenic, but not much.
JOSE: Caffeine and Nicotine.
BALLBUSTER: When was the last time you were so obliviated that you blacked-out?
DIRK: 1 month ago
JOSE: That is a really good question. I will have to ask some friends and get back to you on this one.
BALLBUSTER: When was the last time you performed a show drunk or stoned?
DIRK: Stoned everytime, Drunk 1 in 3. Jose is the only straight edger.
JOSE: When I was playing in a Neil Young Cover band in Tahoe almost 2 years ago and I’m not straight edge.
BALLBUSTER: Ever been in a rehab facility for treatment?
DIRK: No, but I used to visit our old guitarist in a crack house.
JOSE: 2 times
BALLBUSTER: When was the last time you had a fist-fight?
DIRK: 2 years ago
JOSE: Probably 15 years ago with my brother.
BALLBUSTER: When was the last time you drove drunk?
DIRK: Today
JOSE: Summertime 2001
BALLBUSTER: When was the last time you beat down a band mate?
DIRK: Not yet
JOSE: Never
BALLBUSTER: Have you ever slept with a band mates girlfriend?
DIRK: No, but our old bassist did and that is very bad.
JOSE: Never
BALLBUSTER: Roughly, how many groupies have you slept with?
DIRK: 2
JOSE: One so far, I await touring with anticipation.
BALLBUSTER: Any problems involving a airplane?
DIRK: Yes
JOSE: No
BALLBUSTER: Have you ever served any jail time?
DIRK: No
JOSE: No
BALLBUSTER: Any finally, have you ever done a Pete Townshend?
DIRK: No, I would never smash my instrument because I am too poor to afford another one.
JOSE: What? That is a retarded question, drums aren’t cheap.
For more info on BAT, check out their site: http://www.badacidtrip.com
