Interview With CRANKED UP
PunkRockReview Interview with Cranked UP
- How did Cranked Up get started? I started it in 2000 with jason
who was playing in our other punk outfit Violent Society. I was annoyed
and concerned with the amount of nazis and nazi sympathizers attending
punk shows in Philadelphia and thought it was time to do something
about it. I then contacted my good friend danarchy (ex 2.5 Children) to
play guitar and that was what got the ball rolling. - Was any of in you bands prior to Cranked Up? Jason and i were in
Violent Society, Andy was in Bomb Squadron and dead Empty and Sid was
in Super Hi Five.
- Tell Us About your band. We are a punk band plain and simple. We
mix out political and social views in as well. Our influences range
from early77 punk to uk82 hardcore punk. We are not the token "punk rock"
band of today into fashion and pop tunes. - Style of Music (political, EmO, Funny, hardcore, rockstars, ..etc)
Punk aka Real Punk
- Favorite place to play and why- Philadelphia. Its got a good mix
of a scene. Political, Street, Oi!, Skinheads, all the kids come out. - Funniest thing you've seen at a show? A Grandmom letting the
Casualties put her hair in Liberty spikes in north Western Pa. - Craziest place you've played? A shed on an Indian Reservation in
Arizona. - Are you on a label? If so, who? Yes Creep/Black Out! records.
- Any groupie stories? nah none this time round....we try to stay
away from the easy girls and guys....haha
- Who's your favorite bands right now? Kill Your Idols, Eastfield
from the UK, Caustic Christ, Anger and Addiction, the Ghouls and The Low budgets. - Who writes your songs and how are you inspired to write them? I
write all the lyrics, Andy and Sid write the majority of music. As for
what inspires us.....everyday life. We don't write sappy love songs or
songs about drinking beers. Everyday life experiences..weather it be
social or political. Whatever angers us.
- When you play at a show are you all serious or do you just fuck
around?? combination of the two. We are real people and we take a piss on each
other.
- Any pre-show rituals? Make sure i take a piss.
- Does or did any of you get stage fright? None yet.
- What's your favorite song that you play right now and why? "Get
Out", guess because I hate nazis coming out to shows and this was a good
way to state our case on the matter...it angered them. - What does it mena to you being in Cranked Up? Means I still
love punk enuff to keep playing it. - What do you do when your not playing? I play hockey ,Sid drinks,
jason is and artist and John likes to plant things in his garden. - How does your families evaluate the fact that your musicians and
not a banker or whatever? Oh we have been thru that subject many times, they are
hopeing one day I'll be coming around to their side and get a degree
and become a republican, but no shot. They've slacked off a bit ...I
guess they are giving up. - If you check out TV on any given day often you see "punk" video
clips or sound bites from bands like Something Corperate, Rise Against, AFI,
Greenday, etc.. What are your thoughts on the influences of Punk Rock on the
mainstream?
Well I have mixed views. I think its good cus some bands have something
actually good to say...ex Green Days "American Idiot", whether or not
you like the band in my own opinon it offers a chance to open your mind
to the subculture of punk and its ideals, rather than the mindless
drugged out moans of Pink Floyd for another generation to follow. but in
other ways I hate my fashion and subculture i grew up with in the
mainstream.
- What is your current evaluation of the current punk scene? Its
died alot. Punk was so much more underground in the 80's and early 90's.
- Who are your musical influences? Mine Sex Pistols, GBH,
Exploited, newtown neurotics, kill Your idols, The Clash, Eater.....so many
more. Slaughter and The Dogs also ...hence the name "Cranked up!" from their
first single.
- Any bands you really want to do a show with and why? I always
wanted to play with the Eater . I've been fasinated with that band since i
was a kid. - Descibe the stage presence of Cranked Up- Reality in its rawest
form.No rockstar bullshit...like these glam punk wannabes with mudflap
haircuts and eyeliner.. - Has your style of music changed at all since the band started? If
so, why? nah we are set in our ways musically you are not gonna get us
to be influenced by HIM Or Something Corporate.
- Favorite Band of all time (from each band member please)
Jason:Circle jerks Sid: Bad Brains, John: The Clash, Pat: Sex Pistols
- What are your general thoughts on the world today? negative, very
negative
- What's your favorite part of being in a band? writing music and
putting out cds
- What are personal thoughts on the mentality of today's america?
drugged out.
- What are your thoughts of the whole Warped Tour traveling circus?
its ok, it exposing kids to better bands than the whole mainstream rock
circus. I mean there is some shit bands on it from time to time, but
thats life.
- When you look into the crowd, what would you say are the kind of
people at the shows? Punks, Skinheads, hardcore kids - How did you come up with the name Cranked Up? Got it from the
Slaughter and the Dogs Single "Cranked up really High"
- What makes Cranked Up different from other bands? we say whats
on our minds and We don't give a shit it pisses you off.
I want to thank Pat Society & the rest of Cranked Up for the interview! - Jonny Taint
