Me: State your name and what you play?
Brian: My name is Brian, and I play bass and sing for The Reunion Show
M: When and how did TRS form?
B: We started in the summer of 2000. Me and Skully and Mark were both in different bands, and we were all breaking up at the same time, and all knew each other from playing around with each other. So we decided to start a band together and pretty much by fall of 2000 we got Derek. And we decided to get together to play together. That's how it started.
M: What's the difference from being in Edna's Goldfish to being in TRS?
B: The difference besides the style of music, well it's a smaller band, so it's easier to deal with. 3 people as opposed to 6 other people. And we're playing different kinds of shows. When Edna's first broke up we were in a really good position, doing really good shows ya know, with clubs shows, but with this band we have to start over.
M: yea, weren't you guys on MTV and had a video?
B: yea, we did that, and stuff like that really helped, and we were doing really well. But then we broke up. And basically when you get a new band you have to start over, we're back to playing little shows with 30 people there, and whatever.
M: DO you mind it?
B: no not at all, it's part of the whole thing, we play big shows sometimes, and small shows sometimes. I think right now things are starting to pick up for us, and getting back to the way it was with my old band, and with skully's old band. We were pretty steady with how shows were doing, but now we're getting back to that point, and its good.
M: yea definitely. What about the name "the reunion show"? Is it b/c it was all different bands?
B: Yea, well that, and we were kinda making fun of my friend's band. It made sense at the time b/c we were drunk. Obviously it's a dumb name b/c people keep thinking it's a reunion show of our old bands. We can't get away from it, like the first month of being in the band, we would constantly get emails of people saying "oh you guys are doing a reunion show that's awesome" I'm like "why would we do a reunion show in California." Or wherever we play, and they just didn't really get it.
M: well I think it's a good name, it's kinda random, and not cliché
B: no, it's definitely a gimmick name but ya know I'm not gonna get into it
M: Who are your least and favorite bands to tour with, you don't have to mention the least if you feel uncomfortable (pussy j/k)?
B: We actually don't have any least favorites, just bands that we favor more than others. Our first two tours we did with a band named "Brand new" ( helll yea!!) and we had a lot of fun with them. They are our friends from home, so when we weren't touring we would be hanging out with them, so its like you're basically going on tour with your friends. But besides that we went on tour with a band called Sugarcult and we had a lot of fun with them, they we really awesome. Hopefully we will be heading out again with them soon.
M: Who writes the lyrics or is it like a join effort?
B: It's sort of a joint effort because between me and Mark, we both sing lead, and depending on what song. If he sings a song its most likely he wrote it, or if I'm singing a song its most likely I wrote it. But that's not always the case. They'll be something mark writes and says, "hey I want you to sing this". Mark writes a lot of our music. Pretty much the brains behind the operation.
M: Do you ever fight over who sings more?
B: To me honestly it doesn't matter. We're pretty mellow about it; we never fight about it.
M: what about the Long Island scene? What do you think about it? I'm not from Long Island and I have heard mixed things about what it was and what it has become.
B: There's really no venues. Like things will be open for a month or two and then close down. There's not really any club. A long time ago there was a place called Pwhack? And there would be tons of shows there, I mean the scene was huge back then. and I mean places close and its not so big anymore. Even since this band started, its only been about a year and a half, so many places that we used to play at have closed already, so its so hard to get a scene thriving when there isn't really a place for shows. But as far as bands, I mean there's a ton of bands. In that aspect the scene is healthy.
ROSS: Silent Majority is dead though.
M: I never like Silent Majority.
Ross and Brian: OH MY GOD
R: we're leaving!!
S: Everybody ranks on me saying that they were the kings of LI..and blah blah blah.
R: You gotta see them live.
S: I'm sure,
B: silent majority, like as far as that goes .. 1996, 97 was a great time for LI bands, I mean that was my favorite time for LI bands. Some of the first local shows I went to, is what really inspired me to be in a band. I just saw kids like my age, and I'm like 14, or 15, and I'm like "dude, I can do this." You see a band up there and they're touring and whatever, I'm like "yea totally I can do that." So the LI scene is very important to me. That it stays alive.
M: oh yea definitely everybody says "Strong Island they're the best."
R: "strong island" actually came from public enemy if I'm not mistaken.
B: (to Ross) No man it didn't.. Go pack up my stuff dude..no j/k
M: taking orders huh? I have questions that really have nothing to do with the band so just bear with me. What are your favorite movies? What do you think of Seinfeld?
B: My favorite movie by far is Trainspotting, I love Trainspotting.
M: ahh that movie is great.
B: It's one of the most visually stimulating movies. Everything about it is great. I also love Rushmore. One of my new favorites is "The Royal Tenenbaums." Sooo good. It's put together so well.
M: Actually I just saw "requiem for a dream" if you're into those drug movies
B: oh yea. Some people didn't like it b/c it was so choppy
M: well if you saw pi, it's made basically the same way.
B: I own "requiem for a dream. " I own more movies then I own music at this point.
M: I think that's about it. Do you have any last words?
Ross: Are you aware who Lizzie Grubman is?
B: Lizzie Grubman was the publicist from LI .. oh wait she's not from LI.. Manhattan.. but while she was in LI she backed into a crowd of people at the CPI
R: How has the Lizzie Grubman scandal affected the LI punk scene.
B: it hasn't at all.
R: ok I'm done
M: umm ok.
B: see dude, I knew who she was
R: yea that's good, the Brand New guys didn't know
B: no, I read newspapers. I keep myself informed
M: what did you think of this interview?
B: I love interviews. I love to talk.
R: he yelled at me during my interview
B: (too ross) well you asked such stupid questions. That's why. ( then to me)
What was I about to say before I got interrupted by Ross. Umm. I'm on a lot of medication right now. I had a very serious allergic reaction. So if anyone ever comes to a show, don't bring your cat, I'm very allergic to cats.
M: Me too
B: oh it's miserable
M: Cheryl has a gay cat, he won't come near me. But he loves all the guys.
B: I know someone with a gay cat too. Ok, last words, Listen to music because you like it not b/c it's a certain style, not b/c it's a certain scene b/c everyone likes it. You can like something whether or not somebody puts it down. Just stick to your guns. THAT'S IT "STICK TO YOUR GUNS" that's it this interview is over!