Few bands have been added to my library this year so far, and I was very pleased to find ‘Cactus Club‘ by these young talented rockers Alternative Radio. Check out such an interesting chat with Corbin and Stark below!
● Hey guys! You’ve got an original rock sound indeed. Tell me more about your band formation and what’s the story behind the band name?
Corbin – The band formed in the summer of 2019. I had just started playing guitar and Stark convinced me to start a band with him. Shortly after we formed we recorded our first single, Julie’s got a gun. The single was recorded at National Recording studios and produced by Danny Zelonky. That was a really interesting experience, it was the first time any of us had recorded anything in a studio. At one point I remember Danny calling the whole thing “a train wreck”. The name just formed out of thin air, none of us can really recall where it came from.
● You tried guys to keep politics away, do you think that politics pollute art?
Stark – It has its place, but we find it quite corny when bands cite specific politicians. We also don’t to be a band for just one group of people. Politics have crept into our companies, our late-night television, and just about every aspect of our life. No one wants to sit down at a bar after a long week of work and be preached to.
● So ‘Cactus Club’ is just about your local bar or Bernie Sanders and the decomrates?
Stark – Those things are referenced or hinted at, but honestly, it was just about feeling out of place as a punk and a conservative. Maybe a cheeky dig or two at liberals and how any independent thought these days makes someone “a jerk”. The song was specifically written by me and isn’t really a band statement or endorsement of a party. I hope that anyone can enjoy our music regardless of politics. Hell, I hate communism, but I can still put on a Dills album and enjoy myself. I think people take things too seriously these days. So far the song has been accepted with open arms and most people just enjoy themselves even if they don’t think exactly like me. The song was never written to sway anyone, just a fun little number with a funny story.
● Tell me more about your album guys and what other topics are discussed?
Stark – The album has a lot of random stuff on it. We have tracks about communist girlfriends, mental cases, and a few pop tracks mixed in there about girls or something.
● If I am right, this is your debut full-length. In your opinion, when a band feels ready to release an album instead of an EP or a demo?
Corbin – By the time we decided to actually put out an entire album we had already released around 7-8 singles. We felt was time.
● “He who has no past has no present and no future” I guess you believe in that proverb guys because your punk rock roots are pretty obvious in your music. Am I right?
Stark – Music is all about taking old ideas and turning them on their head. Very few things created are 100% original in form. Respecting those who came before and pushing yourself to put yourself into your creations is important.
● Billy Idol once said, “I don’t think punk ever really dies, because punk rock attitude can never die.” Do you agree even the invasion of electronic and pop is the trend nowadays?
Stark – I’m not into the game of telling people what they can play and what they can’t play. I will say that a lot of the new adaptations of punk to me are regressive for rock “n” roll. To me, rock “n” roll and punk are different than other genres. To me it is primitive, it is dangerous, and it is raw. I think a lot of stuff today lacks those aspects, and that is why we record most of the instruments on our tracks live together with no click. I wouldn’t listen to any of the “Tik Tok punk bands” that are coming up, but they have the right to play what they want. We could create music that adapts with the times, but the stuff that is considered “new and exciting” sounds like everything else out there. I think playing stripped-down rock “n” roll is more foreign to the younger generations, and it is almost as if we are cheating by repackaging the past and presenting it as new as it was in the ’60s and ’70s.
● Finally, tell me more about your promotional plans in 2021 especially since the live scene isn’t active enough recently.
Corbin – The main plan is to continue to release a steady stream of singles while continuing to perform in several midwest states. As we continue to move towards 2022 we would also like to increase our radio play. We are just starting to get on the airwaves and would like to continue that.
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