Hi Exploders! Here you are the interview with this super band Only Crime, formed by Russ Rankin (Good Riddance), Bill Stevenson (Black Flag, All, Descendents), the bros Zach & Donivan Blair (Hagfish, Gwar) and Aaron Dalbec (Bane, Converge). The band has just come out with the first release entitled "To The Nines" (Fat Wreck Chords), a true and brave celebration of old hardcore mixed up with much more modern atmospheres! Here're Bill and Russ ready to answer our questions. Check it out!

When, how and why did you form Only Crime? Why did you choose this monicker? Does it hide some particular meaning?
Russ: I had been considering a new band since 2001, but it wasn't until Good Riddance and Bane toured together in the summer of 2002 that I took some action. I approached Aaron and then Zach. From there it was a process of about a year where the 3 of us stayed in touch by phone and email until Bill signed on to play drums in January 2003. We named the band sometime in the fall/winter of 2003 after a long debate where literally hundreds of names were thrown out and Pete (from Bane) actually thought of the name Only Crime. No "hidden" meaning, as far as I know.

We have to consider Only Crime just as a side project or does it have the same priority of Good Riddance, Descendents and All?
Bill: Descendents doesn't do much touring these days, and lately all hasn't been doing a lot either, so this is a perfect time to really focus on Only Crime.
Russ: I think Only Crime is a much higher priority for me than Good Riddance. Good Riddance will still play but, due to a lot of different factors, it is no longer a priority for any of us, although we'll still play and function as a band albeit at a much more casual level.

Which bands of the past did influence you deeply, since the beginning of your career?
Russ: Sex Pistols, Sham 69, Black Flag, Adolescents, Dead Kennedys.

Let's introduce to our readers your fist work entitled "To The Nines":
Russ: We wanted to create a body of material which had some (if not all) of the elements to heavy music (punk before MTV) which we all found compelling when we were younger. We wanted to play music that was menacing and huge; like creating a monster that we could barely control. Lyrically, "To The Nines" is real interpretive. The listener can take several things away from each song, I think depending on their mood, musical background etc.

What can you tell us about the songwriting process that you use the most?
Russ: One of the cool things about this band is that, although most of this material was brought in (at least in its formative stages) by Zach and myself, there is no reason to think this will be the status quo in the future. We have 5 songwriters and we all have the same musical backgrounds more or less so I am looking forward to an even more collaborative thing in the future.

Now is time to question about life on the road and the emotions linked to the live shows. Could you already tell us some anecdotes, or something particularly memorable of your experience till now?
Russ: Well, Only Crime have only played a handful of shows so far... stay tuned for stories and anecdotes. Mostly we just take turns laughing at Bill's take on the world and covering our noses 'cuz he stinks.

Bill what would you like to tell us about your experience in Black Flag?
Bill: I was very young, and really just happy to be there. I learned a lot from Greg and Chuck, and had a lot of great times.

Which are, in your opinion, the main differences between the early 80's American hardcore scene and today's one?
Bill: Back then everything was very underground, so, without the media behind it all, things were a lot more creatively driven, without people worrying about the idea of becoming popular.

Many old punk bands join together again; what do you think about it? In particular what's your idea about the reunions of Stooges, MC5 and New York Dolls?
Bill: I saw the MC5 and it was real cool. The Stooges seemed a little weak to me. The Dolls I have not seen. To me it really depends on what their motives are, and even more importantly, how well they pull it all off.

Many people say that nu-metal is the modern hardcore music, I don't agree with their opinion. And you? What do you think about it?
Russ: I don't know what nu-metal is. I don't care. We won't be wearing any make up or dressing in black anytime soon. I have never been a fan of metal except for some Slayer and Metallica and Killing Time.

In August you'll play at Warped Tour, I know that's an important festival. What can you tell our readers about it?
Bill: Warped Tour is a lot of fun. I enjoy the festival atmosphere quite a bit.
Russ: Warped Tour will help us immensely as far as name recognition and we'll be able to network and hang out with other bands.

Ok we've already finished. Thank you for this interview. Would you like to say something else to our Exploders?
Russ: Thanks for the support and we hope to be getting to Europe sometime this year!

Intervista realizzata da Bruno Rossi
Traduzione e supervisione di Margherita Realmonte