Vans Exclusive: Trash Talk

I recently caught up with Trash Talk's front man Lee Spielman to catch up with what's going on now, the US punk/hardcore scene compared to the US and exactly why you should check out his band. And who listens to Lady GaGa!? Thanks again Lee for taking some time out of touring to talking with us!

---

So let's start out with what you guys are doing at the moment! You are on tour with my friends Gallows in the UK and they tell me the tour is going well. What's it like for you guys?

We actually just got home to California last night from the UK just in time for Christmas with our families! The tour with Gallows was so rad. We got to play to a bunch of new people who probably would have never heard of us if it wasn't for that tour. Playing to a new audience is the best. It's like starting over from scratch. We went down pretty well with all of their fans and what not so it worked out perfect. Touring with Gallows was super easy too because we all clicked right off the bat. It was like we've known each other forever or something haha. Touring with people you actually like to hang out with/get along with makes tour so much better.



I've also heard your live show is intimidating even Gallows fans. I know their antics are pretty intense, so what is it you guys are bringing to the table?

Haha we definitely scared a few people over there in the UK. When we play we just go for it 100%. There is no reason not too. It's hard for me to get into a band that doesn't give it their all when they are playing. Why should anyone be into a band that doesn't even seem to be into the music they are playing? We all feel that we should put 100% into everything we do with this band. Live show included... even if that means flipping your body off of everything in the building and throwing your guitar to the back of the room.



I've seen you have a release Eyes & Nines planned for 2010. Can you tell us a little more about that? What else do you have going on for next year?

We just finished recording our new LP "Eyes & Nines" with Joby Ford of The Bronx right before we left for the UK. The record is in the mixing stages right now. The final recording should be in our hands within the next few days. We are all super excited about this record. It's the first time that we have actually taken longer than 2 days to record a record! We took our time writing this record/recording it and I think it'll show. There are tons of surprises all over the record that will throw you for a loop. I think it is our best shit to date. It should be out sometime early [this] year. Keep your eyes and ears open for more details on that as they come. After the record comes out we plan on hitting the road full force like we always do. In 2010 I would love to hit Australia/Japan/Europe again plus some new places like Afghanistan and Africa.

What's the hardcore/punk/music scene like in Sacramento? Seems like you've been in the UK for the most part lately as well- how does that compare to the music scene in the States in general?

I honestly can't speak on the music scene in Sacramento that much because I'm barely ever here! We are on the road more than we are home as of late but there are tons of shows that go on here in Sacramento. There seems to be a solid scene with a good amount of bands and people working hard to keep it afloat. Northern California in general is always on top when it comes to hardcore/punk in California! The music scene in the UK/Europe is so different than the scene over here in America. It seems like people over in Europe are so much more pumped when bands come through because it doesn't happen all the time. Here in America it seems like people kinda take shit for granted sometimes cause they get to see every band they want too all the time. Both places are awesome in their own ways.

On a personal note, what music are you guys into? Do you typically listen the type of music you write?

Haha our music tastes are all over the board. It's insane! Our guitar player Garrett listens to a lot Soul/R&B/Rap. He actually just made a sweet soul mix tape for our friends clothing company Actual Pain(www.actualpain.org). You can download it for free from our blog(www.trashtalkca.blogspot.com). I highly recommend checking it out if you like groovin. Our bass player Spencer only listens to David Bowie/Little Boots. Our drummer Sam listens to a lot of different music. It's hard to put my finger on all of the shit he listens too. I exclusively listen to Tegan & Sara/Lady GaGa haha (joking.. kinda). It's pretty wild that our band sounds the way it does with all of the shit we listen too. I would like to think that we take influence from tons of different styles of music and create our own sound out of that.

Who are some of your favorite people you've worked it? Be it label-mates, who you've toured with, became friends, etc. etc.

This is such a hard question! I love most of the people we have worked with in one way or another. I would have to say my favorite person we have worked with would be Keith Morris (Circle Jerks/Black Flag). Having that dude sing on our record was gnarly. I've been listening to his music for a long time so to have him come into the studio and work with us was insane.

And of course I have to ask- if you could pick one style of Vans to live in the rest of your life, which would it be?

Vans Half Cabs! My favorite skate shoe of all time! Real shredders know what's up.

Let's wrap up with 3 reasons someone should check out your band.

1. It's a different experience every time. No two shows are the same when it comes to the crowds and us.
2. We are on tour for about 80% of the year so there is no reason you shouldn't come check us out when we come through your town!. Chances are we will probably be coming through pretty soon.
3. We know how to party.


As always, give them a listen. And luckily for you, Trash Talk will be heading out again soon (in the US) with Anti-Flag and Cancer Bats. It's a small run, but that's a tour you don't want to miss if it's coming near you.

1/19/2010 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
1/20/2010 - Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
1/22/2010 - Hollywood, CA @ Henry Fonda Theater
1/23/2010 - San Diego, CA @ Soma
1/25/2010 - Tempe, AZ @ Clubhouse
1/27/2010 - Austin, TX @ Red 7