Unlikely Words » blake schwarzenbach

Live forgetters Download

aaron cohen — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:49:06 +0000

forgetters were supposed to record a 7" in October, but for those of you who can't wait for it to come out, I found this recording on the Twitter of forgetters at Lit Lounge on 9/19/09 might be able to tide you over. It's 7 songs in a tight 23 minutes, and it sounds pretty good (better than the Thorns of Life Gilman St bootleg). Unfortunately, I don't know the music well enough to provide a track listing, and and more unfortunately, this is all 1 MP3 track.
Although there's some song overlap, I like forgetters better than Thorns of Life, so there.

forgetters, Lit Lounge, 9/19/09

(I'd like to give credit to they that recorded this. If it's you, let me know.)

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forgetters at Great Scott, Allston, MA – 10/4/09

aaron cohen — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:45:12 +0000

Forgetters at great scott When I interviewed Blake Schwarzenbach a couple weeks ago about his new band, forgetters (small f, no the), Schwarzenbach had mentioned that when Thorns of Life started last year, they weren't interested in trading on anyone's past to get a head start. That's apparently still the case as forgetters took the stage at Great Scott on Sunday night for around 125 or so people, the last of 3 bands on a $6 bill. I imagine if they felt differently about playing up the past, the show could have been at a bigger venue, promoted differently, and more widely attended. At the very least, the ticket price at Great Scott could have been doubled. Still, 125 fans for a band's 5th show is a strong showing, and I expect it will be a harder ticket it the next time they're in town.

On stage, everyone looked to be having a good time, and Blake is back to eyes shut, neck strained screaming. I never saw Jawbreaker, but I didn't see this the 2 times I saw Jets. The band seemed more polished than I'd expect for a 5th show, though there was a flub or two ('Fuck You, Dad' stopped after a few beats, reintroduced as 'I'm Sorry, Dad, and started again). Although I don't think I've heard any of the songs, a lot of them sounded familiar. There was the syncopated drumming of Kevin Mahon that punctuated a lot of the early Against Me! catalog. Aside from the drums, the songs sound like a mix between pre-Dear You Jawbreaker punk with bits of Jets to Brazil pop sprinkled in, which, you know, is nice. I don't know how to explain it, but the songs sounded like they wanted to be recorded, which bodes well for the 7" recording in October. Most importantly, the songs are good enough to stand on their own. They're good enough to allow forgetters to build a following of it's own, without trading on anyone's past. I could probably get away with saying that everyone at Great Scott on Sunday was there because of Jawbreaker, but if forgetters lasts for 5 years (or more) as Schwarzenbach expressed hope that they would in our interview, that won't always be the case. I'm looking forward to seeing them again after hearing their record.

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Blake Schwarzenbach Interview

aaron cohen — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:00:28 +0000

Photo by Flickr user n1njadrumJawbreaker, Jets to Brazil, Thorns of Life, and now forgetters. Blake Schwarzenbach, after not performing publicly for several years following the disbanding of Jets to Brazil, caused a stir when Thorns of Life debuted late last year. After only a handful of performances and a recording session rumored to be troubled, it was said Thorns of Life had reached the end, as well. This was confirmed a couple weeks ago when Schwarzenbach resurfaced playing in a new band, forgetters. They play Great Scott in Allston on October, 4, and I recently had the opportunity to speak with Schwarzenbach over the phone.

We discuss the plan for forgetters, English, the nonpossibility of a Jawbreaker reunion, books, healthcare, politics, and more. Instead of breaking the interview into sections it's all in one post below. Enjoy!

Why don't you start off by telling me a little bit about forgetters and what you guys are about and what you want to try to do.

We're a 3 piece band from Brooklyn and we're still kinda getting know to each other as a musical entity. But songs have been happening very quickly for this group so we don't have any huge plans to continue gestating. And we want to play a lot.

So you guys are done with the birth period and you're gonna get out there.

Yeah! I mean we're still writing a lot of songs. I've got a little backlog and there's also been some spontaneous creation, which I'm always looking for. So it's hard for us right now because we're getting a lot of show possibilities and at the same time, we're trying to catch up with learning songs, in order to play them. So it's a good problem, but it is, nonetheless, something we have to negotiate.

Are you guys going to put together a tour, or just keep to weekends?

We're starting out with weekends and we'll be recording a couple songs in October for a 7". I think the plan is to be incremental and modest in our aspirations. We're trying to live in real human time.

So a 7" in October?

That's the recording. It will take longer to come out, obviously.

Tell me about the folks in the band.

Well, it's Caroline who plays bass. She was in a band called Bitchn' from Florida and is artist otherwise. Does a lot of different craft work. And Kevin who plays drums. He was in Oogle Orphanage from Brooklyn and Against Me!, long ago. And he plays soccer. Avidly.

Are you an athlete of any sort?

Photo by Flickr user foundphotosljI'm a runner, baby! I was a varsity cross country runner in high school, and I've continued running my whole life. Turning periodically to fight, and then running more.

Which is always the case with anyone who does anything avidly, the turning to fight.

Yeah.

Are you a fulltime rocker now, or are you 9-5ing?

I'm fulltime unemployed right now. Yeah, the band costs money at this point so I can't call that a job. It's a labor of love. And I'm not teaching. I'm trying to do coursework for next semester. But it's hard out there.

Did you finish your dissertation?

I finished my Masters dissertation. So I'm a master of English now.

Did you consider yourself one before?

I considered myself a kind of fetishist of language. A, kind of, pervert of language. And now I can hide that behind some credentials. Like I don't have to alert the community that I'm a deviant with language when I move in.

A language deviant…

A language offender, I guess you'd call it.

Right, right. You're not on any registries.

No, now I'm not. I'm now credentialed as a… What would I be? An MA, a Master of Arts.

Have your studies changed your lyric right at all?

It's made me a little more self conscious about technical matters, you know, punctuation. I don't know that it has. I feel like I'm writing in a pretty familiar vein in this band, as opposed to any others. I think there's just one kind of song writing I do that develops naturally over time. But I feel like the same Blake of the last 20 years when I'm actually writing and playing guitar.

Switching gears. What was it like to play shows with Thorns of Life after not having publicized shows for a long time and to have a bunch of people in the room very excited, but not knowing any of the songs?

It was really great. And I think it's a testament to the honest enthusiasm that's out there and a pretty strong punk scene in Brooklyn. Because we really kind of eased into it, I think, pretty intelligently by just playing house shows. Not trying to trade on any credentials.

Yeah, I thought that was really cool. I was going to try to use this interview to tell everyone you're not punk.

That I'm not punk anymore?

Well, 'you're not punk, and I'm telling everyone…'?

Oh, right.

Ugh, that one went over like a lead balloon.

[Laughter]

Are you familiar with Lucero's Kiss the Bottle? They do a version pretty much every night, I think.

I've seen them do it.

What do you think?

Oh, I love it. I like the band. I think it's nice that they've taken it up.

It's been nice for people to get to see it live that maybe didn't in the past.

Yeah, I appreciate a good cover. I'm not good at them myself, that's the problem. We're trying to find one for this band and I have a very hard time doing other people's songs.

What have the contenders been?

Let's see. I always… Well. [Laughter] We haven't even come close, so I can't say.

How do you feel about Boston? As a place to play? A place to visit?

It's always been very, very good to me as a musician. Jets had really good shows there. Jawbreaker had really good shows there. I've not hung out in Boston much, so I don't know. I know it more from a mercenary, hit and run perspective. I do have a number of friends in the area, so that makes me like it, too.

There was a show that you guys did at the Middle East on the 'Dear You' tour that I didn't go to. I was at a Chili's in Framingham with my German exchange group and my brother called me from the pay phone and said, 'You gotta get down here.' And I didn't and I've regretted it ever since.

That show was great, man. I think it was our best show. [Laughter]

Ha. I was trying to figure out what year it was, and I think it was 13 years ago, which made me feel kind of old.

Yeah, it was a long time ago.

Another Jawbreaker question. In 'Tour Song', there's a phone message saying you're broken down at the top of Massachusetts.

Oh, yeah.

Can you tell the story about that?

Well, we were trying to get to Maine, actually. And it was one of our first attempts at a, kind of, 5 day tour, as I recall. And we lost the U Joint on our van. We ended up in…did we say in the message where we were?

Just the top of Massachusetts.

You know, it's the town with all the horrible, wonderful fishing tales.

Oh, uh, Gloucester.

Yeah, I think it was Gloucester. And so we had to stay there for a few days while they ordered a part and it was cold and kind of bereft. And we alienated the state of Maine in the process. Because we did NOT make their show.

Did you ever get back to Maine?

Never did. I don't think we did. I don't think I've ever played Maine.

Maybe a place for forgetters to stop.

Yeah. It's closer now.

I was a tour manager for a few years and we were forever going through trailers, so I can commiserate.

You're at the whim of the road.

I saw on the forgetters' blog that you suggested The Good Soldier as a book that delves into Europe after World War. I have a professor that suggested that as the best novel ever written, and I've tried 3 times and can't get through it. For all the people out there that can't get through The Good Soldier, can you give it a recommendation?

I would recommend it highly and it actually gets stronger as you go through the trilogy. I know that's not encouraging to people having trouble finishing the first one, but the second 2 really fly. I think a good way to start with one's interest in that if you want a contemporary point of entry, Pat Barker's Regeneration is a really fun, engaging novel. That's a recent book, but it's about the same period and it kind of gives you some context for that. It's like the movie version of Parade's End, but it's a book.

It's a book version of the movie version of another book?

Yeah, exactly. And there is a film of Regeneration, as well. But it's not wonderful.

Joe Wilson or Kanye West?

Joe Wilson or Kanye West, those are my choices? Kanye! 'Do you have any idea what it feels like to be amazing'? I believe that's what he was shouting from the stage at a recent concert. How can you argue with that?

I don't think it's possible, too.

Well, Kanye summed up the feeling of the nation during Katrina or for many, I think. So I will always love him for that. That offhand remark. It was the greatest thing said on live television. And! The priceless look of Mike Myers, frozen like a deer in headlights.

That's a great video to watch every couple months.

It brings a great joy. I think he was kind of trumped by Muntadhar al-Zaidi, the shoe thrower. That was the maybe the next greatest thing to happen on live television.

But not on native soil, not sure that counts in this awards ceremony.

Well, Jesus, Iraq basically is domestic soil at this point. Wherever the president treads, that's US soil. You could count it as a surrogate domestic incident.

Want to talk about politics for a second?

Sure.

I just read an Op-Ed by Michael Pollan in the Times in which he sounds pretty optimistic that even the worst health care reform bill that passes will include blocks on insurance companies dropping people who get sick, and not allowing them to deny coverage to people with preexisting conditions, and that these things will ultimately get insurance companies involved in improving food policy in the US. That was a long set up to ask, do you have any thoughts on health care reform or the debate of the last 6 weeks or so?

I think it's a disaster. I understand Pollan's point and he's coming from a very specific food/diet perspective and I guess we have to be prepared to take anything we can get at this point? It is health care reform. I'm sad to say that I don't think it's going to be particularly life-changing for most people. I feel like one of the best points I heard made was that by beginning the conversation without universal coverage, that was removed from the outset, the argument was put at a very disadvantageous position. Not that we were necessarily going to get that, but without having that on the table to bargain to the right... I hope I'm not making this too confusing.

No, that's something the Democrats have been accused of over the past couple years. Their initial offering is always a compromise.

Right, and this one just seemed like too great a concession was made from the start, so the only way to move was to the right of the public option, which is now where we seem to be. And, you know, I think that's really sad.

It's a shame to say this but it seems like only one side is negotiating in good faith.

Well, you seem to be living in kind of a model state. What's your system like? Does it work well for you?

I had coverage through my employer until a couple weeks ago, so ask me again in a couple months. But overall, a lot of the fears that were drummed up about the issues this program would cause have not come to pass, similar to gay marriage, actually. I think it's a testament to compromise that, while we don't have an ideal system for those without coverage, you know, businesses aren't being destroyed by it, and people aren't going bankrupt for lack of coverage as often.

It will be interesting to see where we end up.

Do you have coverage now?

No, I haven't had coverage for probably 15 years. I don't go to the doctor. I mean, I pay per visit in a crisis and I try not to get tested if I can. There's nothing like not having coverage to put you in touch with the price points and machinations of the whole industry. If you ever make the mistake of getting blood work done at a pay per visit hospital, it's really rough. I don't have a lot of money, but I've been bankrupted the few times I have. There's been a lot of discussion of the doctors' cronyism with labs and contracting out those tests. They're pretty eager to assign test to patients and each of those things costs about $600. You know, basic blood work.

It's not always a bad thing to do the tests, because we're paying for it anyway, but I think if there was a way where the savings from not having those tests would get passed on to everyone, that would be better.

I think at least to tell patients up front, 'I think you should have this test, and it will cost you $850'. What's frightening about it is you start getting these bills from Quest Diagnostic and companies like that. Months later, and you're fucked. And there's just nothing you can do unless you can go underground.

Quest Diagnostic is right across from the Middle East in Cambridge, so you can pay them a visit when you're in Allston in a couple weeks.

Oh, they're everywhere. I almost got run off the road by one of their delivery guys last night. Those little Quest minivans are all over New York.

Let's end with something about music. What are you listening to right now? What are you most excited to get back into with forgetters?

We're playing our second show tomorrow night in New York, so that's exciting for us. And we're debuting some songs. I'm listening to Mission of Burma a lot. They were just here and it was the best show I've seen in a year, probably. Really inspiring that a band that has been together that long has managed to improve, I thought. So I've been listening to them and The Wipers. I know those aren't new bands, but those are the bands that have been inspiring me lately.

Mission of Burma got back together a couple years ago. The Pixies got back together. There's a rumor going around now that Pavement is getting back together. Any of your previous bands thinking about a reunion?

No.

Good answer.

No. I have to do new bands so that those bands won't get together. [Laughter]

[Laughter]

This is the one…Ah, I won't even attempt to make the joke. But yeah, I am really interested in doing new work while I can.

You think you have a couple more years in you?

Ha. At least, yeah! I mean, I think it takes 5 years to do a band year well. So I would like this band to have 5 years. Or more.

It sort of a cycle, and it's an interesting way to put it.

I guess having said that, there's bands that can be great for 1 show, too. I don't mean to disparage those loud explosions in the night that disappear. I appreciate that, but I'm trying for a sustainable model here.

Sustainable.

Yeah, I'm into that.

What would make you feel like forgetters had made it?

I think if we can get a recording that we're happy with and do a tour where we like playing, I would feel that was pretty successful.

I hope for that for you.

Thank you. We do too. We're working hard to make that happen.

I really appreciate you taking the time, I know you guys are busy getting things together for your show tomorrow and the week after next.

Yeah, I hope to see you in Allston?

Definitely. Thank you. Take care.

You, too.

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Thorns of Life Broken Up – So That Happened

aaron cohen — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:19:25 +0000

Photo by Flickr user jpdefillippo138Word late this afternoon about Thorns of Life breaking up and Blake Schwarzenbach playing a show last night with a band called 'forgetters' (no the, and no capital f). It's only fitting I post about this as I've tried to keep up on Thorns of Life since last November when they burst onto the internet with a couple unannounced living room shows in Brooklyn. There was an announced recording session with J. Robins which didn't go so hot. And there were rumors of an album coming out called Legislators and Prophets, but that never happened. And there were rumors that Cometbus had left the band.

There are now rumors that the drummer in forgetters is ex-Against Me! drummer Kevin Mahon, who is not the ex-Against Me! drummer that everyone thinks of when they think of ex-Against Me! drummers.

No word yet on whether this blog will cover forgetters as breathlessly as we covered Thorns of Life.

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Blake Schwarzenbach to Write for Huffington Post?

aaron cohen — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 18:07:46 +0000

According to Facebook, Blake Schwarzenbach from Thorns of Life, Jets to Brazil, and Jawbreaker will be writing at Huffington Post starting "Monday, July 25". Seeing as how today is the 25th and Monday is the 27th, it's not clear if this is a joke, but I'll definitely be looking for totalaccord@huffingtonpost.com on Monday. I'll post something on the article if it happens. Still no word on the album that was rumored to be releasing on June 30th.

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New Thorns of Life Album Out June 30th? Called Legislators and Prophets? Rumor Time!

aaron cohen — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:06:44 +0000

Rumor Update 3 (3 months later) Since the album is supposed to be released in 10 days and there has been no announcement from the band or the label the album was supposed to be released on, I'm going to go out on a limb and say Legislators or Prophets is not going to come out on June 30th.

Rumor Update 2 (4 hours later) DeSoto has clarified their email. Of course they know who Thorns of Life are, but they're still not releasing the album. This rumor is looking more and more unrealistic, but we're getting closer to the bottom of it.

Rumor Update (an hour later)! I posted the below earlier this morning before hearing from DeSoto Records. They are not doing the album, saying it's an internet lie~~, and that they haven't heard of The Thorns of Life. I'm skeptical of that last point, though because of the Jawbox/DeSoto/J Robins connections~~. J Robins recorded with The Thorns of Life last month.

Hearing rumors that 'Legislators and Prophets', a new album by Blake Schwazenbach's new band The Thorns of Life, will be released June 30th ~~on Washington, DC's DeSoto Records~~. Can't find much more info than that except for the track listing below, and a mention on a French blog~~, and well, The Thorns of Life Wikipeida page~~ (The Wiki has now been updated with 'no release plans'). This news seems counter to news earlier in the year that the Thorns would self-release an album. This is a living document and I'll keep updating it as I get more info.

From the World Inferno Friendship Society message board a track listing:
1. The Black Arts
2. Kryptonite
3. My First Time
4. Ribbon Head
5. Available
6. Anti-Song for Barthelme
7. Not a Track Bike
8. Mont Blanc
9. I Hate New York
10. Oh Deathly Death
11. Gemini
12. Vivid Green
13. Building Al Qaeda in Washington
14. Tuning Out

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Live Thorns of Life Music Download

aaron cohen — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:22:00 +0000

This Thorns of Life live at 924 Gilman Street recording isn't anything to sneeze at, but if you're dying to hear what Blake Schwarzenbach's new band sounds like, these MP3s do the trick. Sounds good to me and I can't wait to hear more. 3 interviews with Blake: here, here, and here. (Thanks again, Seth!)

Edited to add another bonus. 4 tracks from Thorns of Life show at Bar Pink. Again, iffy quality, better than nothing.

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Blake Schwarzenbach’s New Band – The Thorns of Life?

aaron cohen — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 02:35:56 +0000

Ripping through the internet over the last couple days is word that Blake Schwarzenbach debuted a new band on Saturday, November 8th at the Jerk House in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The band features Aaron Cometbus (Crimpshrine and Pinhead Gunpowder among others) on drums and Daniela Sea (The L Word) on bass. It's not totally clear if the band has a name, and there doesn't seem to be anyone on the internet yet who actually saw the band perform.

Heavy breathing internet speculation leads the netizens to believe the band is called The Thorns of Life. This because Schwarzenbach's Facebook image says the same and because he is currently defending his masters thesis on Percy Bysshe Shelly whose poem "Ode to the West Wind" features the line (emphasis his) "I fall upon the thorns of life! I bleed!"

In an unsubstantiated quotation, Schwarzenbach describes the band as such, "I can say only that it's loud and tender and we're called the Thorns Of Life. whether it's more Jetsesque or Breaker-like I honestly don't know; It sounds like a storehouse of fond hatred from the last few years and in the now."

I'm going to take a cold shower for a week. To say this is exciting is an understatement.

Pic by Brooklyn DIY

(Hat tip to Brooklyn DIY, pop punk bored, Complete Jawbreaker Cigarbox Guitars, and Punknews)

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