Photo credit: Brian Froustet

When you listen to D.C-based Police and Thieves, it’s almost like you are hearing the perfect union between the new and old school approach to that area’s rich musical history. I could rattle the list off, but that would be a waste of time so let’s just focus on this amazing band and their new record Amor Y Guerra.

I can’t help but think of a recent episode of Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations” when I think about P&T. In that particular episode, Anthony explored the “other” D.C.; the one that exists outside the political spectrum. You don’t have to be from that area to know that Police and Thieves are the sound of that “other”  D.C., just like their peers before them. It’s politically-minded, pissed off, and progressive hardcore.

I had a chance to exchange a few words with lead singer Carlos Izurieta not too long ago. Read on and definitely check out this band.

You have been involved in the D.C. scene for quite some time now; notably with your old band Worn Thin. Over the years, what has D.C.’s music scene meant to you?
C: As I get older, I am beginning to appreciate and see the full scope of the musical history of this city and I am proud to be from here. The thing is D.C. was never a hotbed of commercially successful bands but it had bands that influenced many of those bands. One example of that is how many mainstream bands cite Minor Threat as a big influence. Awhile back, I was reading in Rolling Stone how Jack Johnson learned to play guitar by playing Minor Threat songs. I see the loose connection with surfing and digging aggressive music but it’s more than that. It spawned so many sounds and movements such as straight edge, emo and then later on the whole “Dischord sound” that so many indie and post punk bands have. But I think it’s biggest influence on the underground music scene was it’s sense of community and merging the music being made with political and social activism through concerts/protests and organizations such as Positive Force.

Read more after the jump.

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November 15th, 2008; a date that will live in pop-punk infamy. The Ergs played their final show on that day, to a sweaty and extremely packed in crowd at New Jersey’s Asbury Lanes. Personally, I can’t think of a better way to bow out. I had a chance to ask bassist Joe Keller (aka Joey Erg) a few questions about the last shows and what he wants the band to be remembered for. And, of course, the cleanliness of supermarket bathrooms.

How did the last shows go?
Joe: The last shows were good. By all accounts, everyone had a great time. I’m glad we did the shows in a somewhat smaller venue that we are familiar and friendly with, rather than go with a big room with terrible sound. It may have been a bit of a problem for some people to get tickets but the show experience itself was a tad more intimate as a result.

Was there a particular moment from that weekend that really sticks out in your mind?
J: When I got to Asbury Lanes the morning of the final shows, I really had to take a shit. Now, the Lanes’ mens room is really not suited for projects of this nature, so I had to go elsewhere. But where? Then it dawned on me – Wegmans! Years of touring has taught me which establishments have the cleanest bathrooms and you’ll find no finer in any upscale supermarket. So I drove up to Wegmans on Rt. 35 and the rest of the day went smoothly after that.

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I saw Jay Reatard on my birthday about a month ago. I learned that if you go see him when you are pretty trashed, he will make you feel even more drunk because of how quickly he plays. Try it one time. It’s kinda fun. Jay and crew have teamed up with Dell (huh?) to debut their video for “See/Saw,” which is off their Matador Singles ’08 collection. You can check it out below.

I think it goes without saying that Leatherface is going to be one of the biggest highlights at The Fest 7. I had a chance recently to catch up with band members Dickie Hammond and Graeme Philliskirk to talk about the show and the possibility of new material from the band in the not-too-distant future.

You are finally playing The Fest. I don’t know about your feelings on the matter but it feels like a union that should have happened long ago. Regardless, we are all stoked. How did The Fest’s Tony Weinbender approach you about playing Fest 7?
Dickie Hammond: He approached us in Austin, TX. It sounded like a good idea so we agreed to play.
Graeme Philliskirk: Yeah, we had played at the Chaos In Texas Fest earlier this year and Tony spoke to Timmy Hefner [promoter] there. Timmy told Tony to deal with me to sort it. We had a beer, talked, e-mails were swapped, we all said “yes” and we booked the show. It does feel like a union that should have happened long ago and I think that was why we knew we had to come over.

Was it ever discussed before?
Dickie Hammond: Not while I’ve been back in the band in the past three years. Has it?
Graeme Philliskirk: Actually, it had been mentioned before as we knew a lot about the Fest. It has a great reputation. It’s like a family and you have to experience it and become a part of it. However, it was never discussed as a band. It was more e-mails flying about and then we would go off and do other things so it was never confirmed and carried out.

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If you’re a comic book nerd like me, then you might have been at the Museum of Comic & Cartoon Art convention back in June, checking out the variety of big-name and indie comic artists, writers, and animators. While wandering around on the second floor, I found Things I’ve Seen At Shows, the punk-influenced independent comic by artist Allan Norico. It’s an awesome and funny look at the staples of weird behavior from people you don’t know but always see at shows. Last week, he was nice enough to sit down with me and put up with a recorder in his face to talk about art, music, and working in video games.

What first drew you to art and comics and animation?

Allan: I tried to always do something creative. When I was in college there was a lot of good music going on at the time. I was doing very uncreative things, mostly business and I was a law major for a while. Being in New York is good because if you are creative, it keeps kicking you in the butt to do creative stuff. Comics was mostly a lark. It was a way to fund some other independent creative projects I’m working on, mostly in the video game industry. It was a way to develop merch and also remember the really good times that I had going to shows in New York, which are still some of the best memories I’ve ever had. It was a good marriage of doing art and liking music and remembering the shows that I used to go to.

Read the rest of the interview after the jump.

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