Since the release of their debut album In A Million Pieces (Epitaph) last year, the Draft have been keeping busy, touring the country with bands such as Alkaline Trio, Lifetime, and Planes Mistaken For Stars. But anyone familiar with the band members and their previous groups should know that the ethic is standard practice. The legacy of Hot Water Music is a tough one to top but the Draft have certainly proved the naysayers wrong in their efforts. With the inevitable newness starting to settle, the band has begun to plan their next steps.
I recently had a chance to ask bassist extraordinaire Jason Black a few questions. In the interview, he talks about the band’s upcoming plans, the present and future of their relationship with Epitaph, and the positives and negatives of being the “ex-Hot Water Music band.”
So you announced on your website that the band plans on recording a new album by the end of the year. What’s the status on it? When do you plan on releasing it? Well, that’s still a little up in the air. The status is that we’ve bitten off a bit more than we can chew at this point, so we’re not sure when the record’s coming out. Basically, we’re taking any pressure off of ourselves to meet any kind of deadline for recording or releasing a new records.
Is everything all set for the new 7-inch to be released? Not quite. It’s tracked and all, but we’re still tying up loose ends on the artwork and mastering and everything. It shouldn’t be delayed too badly.
Why do you think that was such an outcry about the digital release for the last 7-inch initially? Well, I think that some people honestly hate iTunes and downloads, and some people just hate what’s new, not that downloading is exactly new. It’s something that folks are going to have to get used to. In my opinion, five years from now, we’re going to have downloads and vinyl. CDs are the VHS and cassette of the future.
Most of the band members have been working with Epitaph for quite some time now. Do you see the band working with someone else in the future or is the relationship so good you don’t see a change in the foreseeable future? Good question. It would be cool to work with someone else, if for no other reason than to see what the results would be. We’ve always taken these things one step at a time, and I don’t see this round being any different. We do have an amazing relationship with Epitaph, but there could come a time where either us, or them, may think it best not to work together on a certain project.
You’ve obviously been touring the country for many years. What are some of the differences you’ve notice touring the country now as compared to ten years ago? Aside from inflation, not that much. I do think that a lot of major cities have cleaned up a bit as far as crime and pollution. Then again, maybe we just play on the nice side of town these days. I guess one thing you start to notice after a few years is how some scenes/towns just change the focal point of what they’re into and what they support.
Back in the HWM days, you were involved with other projects, like most of the other members. Do you see yourself getting involved with side projects again or is the Draft a full-time gig for the most part? We will always be involved with as many projects as time and money allow. The Draft is taking up most of our time right now, but that could change any day. We’ve definitely learned that you can’t inundate yourself with one thing to the point that it takes over your life or your identity, so we tend to be a little tentative about things these days.
There were a lot of rumors at this year’s SXSW that Hot Water Music was doing a reunion show, but that it was shut down by the police because of venue issues. Was this actually the case? Nope. People wanted it, but it just didn’t seem right. First off, we hadn’t practiced, so there was no way. If we play again, it can’t be half-assed, and the first show sure as shit won’t be in Texas.
Do you ever feel bogged down by the HWM legacy when approaching the promotion of the Draft? I’m sure you get people yelling out old songs all the time at shows. Yes and no, because it’s been helpful, but it does bog us down. There’s nothing we can do about it aside from just do our best on our albums and shows and hope people dig it. HWM is a rad thing to be a part of, and none of us would change that for anything.
What’s your suggestion for survival of the Fest weekend for all of those Non-Floridian punk rockers coming down to Gainesville? What food joint must all visitors try while down there? Stay away. Seriously, there’s too many people and too many bands. That being said, I suggest everyone go to Las Margaritas. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but it’s well worth the trip.
The Draft will embark on a month-long tour next month with Dead To Me and the Gaslight Anthem, which hits NYC on October 5th at the Knitting Factory. Check out the dates here.
