Interview with J. Walker

J. Walker & The Crossguards is a rock band from Detroit led by the man, J. Walker.
Their latest single "Memories" is part of a series of singles the band is releasing over the coming weeks, and they put on a killer live show (for future reference, whenever there are live shows again). We were stoked for this interview with J that covers his history playing in bands, influences, the Crossguards new single, martial arts/meditation, and more. Enjoy!

 J. Walker & The Crossguards

http://jwalkerthecrossguards.bandcamp.com/track/memories

Remove Records: Can you tell us about your background? What bands are you a part of?

J. Walker: First I would like to thank you for wanting to interview me. Means a lot. Well I had my first band back in 05, it first called Velvet Audio haha yeah I know.....then we changed our name Siddhartha and found some success locally. Thats were I met long time collaborator Zenas Jackson. Who has played drums with me in numerous projects over the years. I have played in a bunch bands. Among them were The GO, Magic Jake and the Power Crystals, and John Krautner all bands affiliated with Burger Records. Then theirs my absolute favorite band to play with Ultimate Ovation! For those who don't know, Ultimate Ovation is an old school Detroit Soul band that has a history that stretches back to 70's. I also play occasionally with my brother from another mother, and awesome photographer Carjack. Of course J.Walker and The Crossguards.

Your music blends a lot of different genres, what kind of stuff do you typically listen to?

Haha yeah I'm a genre jumper! I get bored fast. Part of this is that I play with a lot of different musicians each with a different sound. I love the 60s and 70s when you could follow a musicians credits on an album. Like Cornell Dupree or Steve Cropper....they played on so many records. I guess in a way thats what I'm trying to do. As far listening I like a bunch Afro-Beat, Fela Kuti, William Onyebor, Ebo Taylor etc.

What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about the Crossguards?

Surprised about The Crossguards? No surprises what you see is what you get! Full transparency, isn't that what we all want.

Can you tell us a bit about your new single "Memories"? Is it a part of a series of singles?

Memories is about our connections with the past. How those that came before us lived and choices they made, good or bad effect us. Its our 3rd release. Every Tuesday during the months of April and May we will be putting out a new single each with new art.

I've been obsessed with music videos lately. Is there a plan to do any music videos with the singles?

Well I have some ideas swimming around up there. Hopefully we'll make out of this current pandemic! This is truly a mess. But um yeah, watch out for a video later this year.

Do you have hobbies outside of music?

I been really getting into Tai Chi or Qi Gong is I believe the more correct way of saying it. I do deep breathing exercises and different little stretches to move around my energy or Qi. It builds up your Immune system and de-stresses you, which is very important especially in theses times.

Are there any musicians/artists/etc that would be a dream collaboration for you?

A dream collaboration? I would love to just jam with Thundercat, that guys is doing some things. I missed him. He was supposed to be playing Detroit back in March, but this COVID-19 stuff started jumping off and he had to cancel the date. I was a little bummed out by that. I filmed a video of me playing guitar to his song "Black Qualls" I was surprised at how many hits it got. Go figure huh?

Are there any up and coming bands/musicians that you're really excited about?

One local band that intrigued me is a band called Anomaly. Its just weirdo punk and I like it! Another band I like is Shorsey they're good, and really showed us some love a few months back at The Old Miami.

What advice would you give to someone who's just starting out in music?

If you love doing music then keep on doing it!

How do you feel about the future of music/art?

Well music and art is probably going keep on going, finding new ears to listen, eyes see and new hands to create it.

Swatches // The Painter's Comp

Our homies at Painters Tapes dropped their first comp tape Swatches this weekend and holy smokes is it fire. Featuring some of the biggest, baddest, and scuzziest punk outta Detroit and beyond, it's an undeniable, instant classic.


We were extra stoked to see a couple of bands that have released with Remove on the tape!  208 got their heavy as hell "Stoned" on it,  and The Fluids make an appearance with "Brain Rot" off their debut tape from earlier this year. Meanwhile, Toeheads contribute a live cover of Reatards "Blew My Mind."

Snapshots from February 2020

Hey everyone - Shelby here again with another series of local bands that I've snapped photos of over the past few months. I sure miss taking photos at shows. Hope everyone's been hanging in there.

Craig Garwood Group @ Bowlero Lanes & Lounge

2/15/2020

The Stools @ Outer Limits Lounge / HMF

2/28/2020

Sugar Tradition @ Belmont

2/29/2020

The Hand @ Outer Limits Lounge / HMF

2/28/2020

Toeheads @ Port Bar / HMF

2/28/2020

Minolta X-700, FujiFilm Superia X-TRA 400 film, and Minolta Auto 360PX flash.

5 Records From: Joey

Hey hey,  Joey here. Hope your quarantine is going well.

I play in The Fluids & also happen to be an editor for this here blog. 

 Today I'll be telling you about 5 Records that I've been jamming the hell out of. There's absolutely no chance I could deliver an "all-time top 5" or "most influential" albums list,  it just wouldn't hold up at all, since I'd have changed my mind in a couple days.  Instead, I'm just shouting out some rippers I think you need to hear! 

I Did It All For You by Murderer

Featuring members of Hank Wood and Crazy Spirit, I knew it was bound to be good. The thing is I can't say I've ever heard anything like this before. Sure, its punk, but there's also a healthy dose of death-rock, country, and weirdo stuff thrown in the mix. It's a concept album that seems to focus on the themes of crippling obsession and desire. Chanty vocal delivery that makes you wanna holler along to every song. Rollicking and roaring from start to finish.

S/T 7" by Pinocchio

Holy hell. One of the best debut releases out there. Pinocchio fuses old school punk, rock and roll, and perhaps some opera. Mary Jane's vocals are top of the line. Every song packs a punch. Clocking in at only 12 minutes long, they have me begging for a full length.


Live 1975: The Rolling Thunder Revue by Bob Dylan

This here bootleg captures Bob at the peak of his powers. Following the release of Blood On The Tracks, a heartbroken Dylan assembled a traveling jug band of old friends and set off for a cross-country tour purposely playing obscure spots and small venues. It's all captured in the new Scorsese film of the same name. What you need to know is these recordings are completely electric. Bob is full of conviction and passion. There's no snobbery or shenanigans- just the kid at his best.  Highlights from the set include "Isis", "Tonight I'll be Staying Here With You", and the definitive version of "Knocking On Heavens Door."


Hejira by Joni Mitchell

This is a record that stands alone. Written while on the Rolling Thunder Revue (mentioned above) and a cross-country road trip that spanned Maine to California, Hejira is a majestic and sprawling album.  It's like a road trip, laced with escapism. It has a cosmic folk quality, with bass from Jaco Pastorius. In terms of lyrics, Joni is at the peak of her powers as she describes vivid stories and surreal vignettes.


I've Had It 7" by Kid Chrome

So, I actually know absolutely nothing about this record or band. In fact, I'm listening to this for the first time as I write up this post. I couldn't think of a 5th record off the top of my head and what I'm listening to here is just some perfect punk. Dirty riffs, passionate vocals, and some cool effects for good measure. I found this on Harakiri Diat, a youtube channel that posts a gold mine of punk-adjacent stuff almost every day. That's what I've been digging on the most lately is these youtube channels that are so damn curated. Through them, I got into bands like Powerplant, Institute, The Black Egg, and now Kid Chrome! Definitely dig in if ya haven't before.

Interview with Ben Wallers

Hello, my name is Dee Putman and today I am very honored to speak to Ben Wallers (AKA The Rebel) from the Scottish band, the Country Teasers. Mr. Wallers is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated provocateurs in the post-punk genre on the level of genius of the late Mark E. Smith. It was a pleasure talking with him.

What have you been up to recently, art/life-wise?

I’ve been mastering and editing via minidisc onto tape my new album for a tape release by a company called Research Laboratories, it is called I'M SORRY ABOUT MY HAIR BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES GOLDILOCKS & THE BARE PORRIDGES SMOKE TRAK CIGARETS G 4 F-ORT BRING OUT YER DEAD. 

Life: I'm totally busy all day without a moment's rest from about 4.30 am to about 7 pm with my daughter who is 9 months old. Her Mum is with her Granny on Lockdown so it's just me & the kid. I adore her like CRAZY.

Tell me about The Rebel, how did the project start and what does the name mean?

The name comes from the film starring Tony Hancock from the 60s. His character was a loser working in the city trying to be an artist; he pulls it off, pretending to be an artist. It isn't a project: it's just my pseudonym. I started recording music in 1989.

What is it about racism, xenophobia, & sexism that fascinates you so much to write songs about it?

I am angry about Humanity being such a bunch of CUNTS to each other throughout its DISGUSTING history. I love satire because it is an attempt to teach moral lessons and criticise moral evils in a way which expresses lots of things like how ridiculous it is, how exasperating; also how humour is how we deal with it; and how the bleakest things are also the funniest; how ironic the whole deal is, the Human Programme. Hypocrisy. Of course there's love too, and altruism. I just don't seem programmed to comment on these aspects: i'm focused on evil. Sexism i love as a topic because it's so complicated. Our sexual instincts are UNFATHOMABLE: men and women. Mystery. Self-defeating' victims of the selfish-gene which just reproduces itself infinitely using us as innocent hosts.

What advice would you give to modern artists?

“You're in deep shit". (that's a quote from a film). ("Let me give you a piece of advice: you're in deep shit".)

Country Teasers had a strong Americana/Country influence. Did that come from a genuine appreciation of that genre of music?

Yes! You've hit the nail on the head; in my opinion, America is the birthplace of Music, as i appreciate it. Forget about the history of music pre 1930 for a minute and all the awesome classical shit that i love; i'm talking about the main genre, the really important one, rock and pop. It started with The Carter Family in the 1930s: they fused black music with white music. Rock and Pop evolved out of that. But then i love 1970s Nashville Country because it represents the decline of the west; and i love rap music; plus in about 1990 i met Robert McNeill and he's American and he introduced me to Pussy Galore and Butthole Surfers, among other things. Country music i used as a template for songwriting when i found myself starting a band because it's a good simple discipline format.

What is your favorite Star Wars film and why?

It's "Star Wars episode 4, A New Hope". I am actually watching Rogue One as we speak, i like that one a lot. Obviously i put on the Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi too all the time, i mean all 3; i'd love to edit out the Ewoks; oh and by the way, i really think George Lucas's remastering of the trilogy in 1997 was a big mistake and i only watch the original 1977 - 83 versions if possible. Actually i'd love vhs copies of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi ... i have to watch old tapes from the tv ...

But really "Star Wars" the first one, 1977, is way ahead of the rest, for me; it's the atmosphere; the realism in the design, acting and script; the myth; the rest are all just bonus discs. Watching George Lucs on the reissue videos talking about his digital remixes, jesus christ ... his face looks like some toilet paper in a ditch with faeces on it, gently flapping in the breeze as Spielberg drives past in his cool truck on the way to the screening of "Ready Player One", a greatly superior film.

Gallery & Interview with Em Fern

Hey rock and rollers! We had the chance to pick Em Fern's brain about making art, influences, and plans for the future. We also are happy to be uploading a virtual gallery of Em's pieces for you to take a look at it! 

Enjoy!

Introduce yourself! What have you been up to lately?

Hi! My name is Em and I live in Minneapolis. I play bass and sing in a band called QQQL and have been starting to make my own solo music lately. I also make fliers, do drawings and collages, and work on a zine called Scream Queers with my friends El and Mikki.

Who are some of your musical and non-musical influences? 

Musically: Girl groups from the 60's, 80s/90s twee (the Pastels, Tiger Trap, anything on Sarah Records), various punk, post-punk and powerpop (Kleenex, Pylon, X-Ray Spex, Girls at Our Best, Shivvers, etcetcetc), and current ""egg punk""/"bedroom punk"/whatever you wanna call it like Neo Neos, Erik Nervous, Liquids, Warm Bodies and Lumpy & the Dumpers.

Artistically/aesthetically: Nature especially carnivorous plants, flowers, insects, deep-sea creatures, slime molds, and fungi; punk flyers/zines/album art/fashion; skateboarding; the Arts and Crafts Movement; the Golden Age of Illustration especially Aubrey Beardsley; professional wrestling; technology especially if it is defective/obsolete/"glitchy"; old cartoons; Sanrio; lots and lots of different movies and books. 

I've been jamming your song 'Sally Albright', tell us a bit about it!

I'm glad you like it! That is the first song I recorded using my new Jaguar I got off Craigslist recently. My friend Connie helped me with producing it. The lyrics are inspired by one of my favorite movies "When Harry Met Sally" (1989). I really recommend everyone watch it, even if you don't really like romantic comedies. 

Your Modern Lovers cover is awesome. Why'd you choose that song?

Thank you! I have just always loved that song and decided to cover it since I was bored. I love Johnathan Richman's lyrics because I think he does a good job of making the personal, universal. I've seen him live twice and both times he was done by 10pm and I was able to go to bed at a reasonable time. 

What's your process for making art? 

It depends on a lot of things. For collages, I sometimes find something really cool in a book or magazine and want to build around it. For example, a few months ago I got a bunch of weightlifting magazines for free off Craigslist and I used those to make valentines, and before that I found this sick book called "Living Things that Poison, Itch, and Sting" that I used a lot of pictures from. I have this fucking cool picture of Martin Kratt holding a tarantula I have been trying to develop a collage around for about three months now. For drawings, I practice in my sketchbook almost every night, just messing around with ideas. Then if I like something I will try and develop it into a bigger/more complete piece. For flyers, I usually start with the text since I like for it to be the focal point, and then go from there.

Any themes or messages that you're trying to convey with your pieces?

I'm not explicitly trying to convey anything in particular, but I try to put my feelings into my art/music and hope others relate. I see art, writing, and music as ways of connecting with other people even if they are around long after you are dead and you will never meet them and I think that is one of the most beautiful things about life. I guess if I tried to convey a message it would be for people to be brave and honest about their feelings whenever possible and to question old habits and traditions that may be holding them back.

What advice would you give someone just starting to make art or music?

I think I have better advice about visual art than about music, because I've been doing it for longer, but as far as I can tell the learning process is pretty similar for both. Practice practice practice until you feel like are gonna puke then practice some more. Have an alarm or something every day that tells you when to practice (I say as I have been snoozing mine for 3 hours). Copy people, you admire at first and steal things from them to develop your own style. Even if you are very talented you must accept and embrace that you will suck at first and probably for a long time. and you have to be patient. Visual art specific: learn human/animal anatomy and draw from life as much as possible!! And smoke weed. 

Lastly, what can we expect next from you? 

I made a promise to myself to release one song on Soundcloud every month this year, but I might increase that because of the quarantine. I'm working on a bunch of other stuff but it's all secret, sorry >:)
_________________________________________________________________________________


Gallery

Interview with Billiam

Readers, pack your bags! Today we're taking a trip to Australia to visit the infinitely creative and prolific Billiam of Disco Junk and a million other badass projects. We talked about how he got into punk, the stories behind some of Disco Junk's records, and what it was like playing shows with Amyl & The Sniffers.

photo @space_baget on IG

Also, you're gonna wanna see what Detroit bands he's been listening to lately...

Hows your quarantine been going? What have you been up to?

Pretty Alright I'd say haha. Started off a bit rough but I've adjusted and now I'm trying to make the most of it. Recording as much as I physically can. I've done about 4 albums worth of stuff and done tons of other stuff. I'll have content for probably the next 3 years 

You're involved with a lot of crazy punk happenings. Give us a quick rundown of your bands and projects! 

Alright, I'll try and give a rundown. Disco Junk is my main and first project, it started as me recording songs in my room on my Ipad because I couldn't find anyone else to play with me haha. Eventually I was able to record a 7 inch and that got me a live band. The line up has changed a bit but now its stable and were writing songs together and we have a 7 inch coming out soon!

Collective Hardcore is the Hardcore Punk project I started one day as a joke. It was originally a shitpost on American hardcore of the 80s recorded in one day, then it became a somewhat serious hardcore punk band with a full band nearly starting and now its some weird combination of the two. Its me and a drum machine at 2000% gain. There should be an album by the end of the year (if I get off my arse and recorded the thing) and a 7 inch coming out on Goodbye Boozey.

Billiam is the name for the softer and weirder stuff I record. I have one poppy ep of bedroom song, one minimalist synth-punk album out at the moment and one in progress album of subtle punk songs. It's a dumping ground for other stuff that I don't find fitting to anything else

The other main band I have is TOR which is a collaboration between me and two friends. Its like if Bis was more of a Synth Punk Band. We have an album done but we're waiting on releasing it until we can actually rehearse which is hard because we all like 2 hours away from each other respectively

There are other things but those are the main ones.

You're incredibly prolific. How do you put out so much awesome music?

I just kinda hit record and see what happens, there's no real method to the madness, I'm just always recording down whatever I write and then putting it out somewhere and just hope people like it. I should probably release a lot less and make my brand stronger but I have fun so  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

How did you first get into punk?

Watchmojo. I know thats unbelievably embarrassing to say but when I was like 12 or 13 I heard a green day song in a watchmojo video and i just fell in love with the band. Every aspect of them I thought was amazing. I bought a little box set of all their music and I think I knew music was my "thing". I continued down the pathway of Blink 182 and Goldfinger until I started to get into more "mature" forms of music (Mac Demarco and Led Zeppelin) until one of my mums friends showed me Modern Living by Living Eyes and then I knew I had to go down punk and abandon anything else (ok I still listen to Mac Demarco occasionally)

Who are some of your favorite bands?

There's a lot, I listen to a lot of music. I guess the top three overall would have to be Ausmuteants (In my opinion the greatest modern punk band of all time), The Mo-Dettes (the greatest post-punk band of all time) and Velvet Underground (my boring choice in the matter). This list changes all the time and if you asked me in an hour I will have changed my mind. Like at the moment all I listen to is Set Top Box on a constant loop so they could count as one of my favorite bands but I feel like my mind will change in a week when ________ band is all I listen too

Tell us a little bit about your scene! Australia seems to have the best punk in the world right now.

It's pretty insane, I'm spoiled for choice in every single way. When gigs were actually happening every single night of the week some band is playing thats absoloutely incredible, theres a great new band starting every week! I'd use to read about stories of Seattle in the 90s or LA in the 60s and I'd dream of being able to just walk to a local bar and see Janis Joplin or Mudhoney. But now that's what Im able to do! (even though that's on pause for the moment) Plus 99% of the time everyone

I saw Disco Junk played with Amyl & The Sniffers. How was that show?

It was incredible! We've played with The Sniffers twice and both times were incredible, the energy in the room was just electric. The entire band are the nicest people and they deserve every little bit of their success. They will do anything to help out smaller bands or venues in any way they can. Plus they're up there with the best live bands on earth, I'm so excited to see what they do next

Disco Junk put out some killer albums. Tell us about'em! Any inspirations? How did they come together? 

Underage Punk

That all came together when I met Todd when he came down for Maggot Fest in 2018. I was in this record store called Lulus that used to be stationed out the back of a bar (its now in a much nicer shop) and I complimented his Lost Kids shirt. We got talking and I slowly realized he was the dude behind Hozac Records which scared the hell outta me but I kept talking and mentioned my band. He told me to send demos over and I did thinking nothing of it. Then one day he just asked if I wanted to do a 7 Inch and I swear I nearly cried tears of soy I was so happy. I went into a studio with Billy Gardner recording and one of my best friends Lachie on drums (Who traveled 7 hours by train to record the drums). It was just an incredible experience to work with one of my idols on a record and it was also funny when I lost my voice doing vocals and then tried to order a burger completely voiceless. In terms of inspiration It's my attempt to do a Killed By Death record, short fast snappy songs. I was listening to a lot of The Eat when I was writing the initial versions of all those songs 

Younger Louder And Snottier

That album is sort of my attempt to create a cohesive punk album. I had done a bunch of smaller demos but nothing substantial so that was my attempt to do a long-form punk album. It was also HEAVILY influenced by Killed By Death which I was really into at the time. It was just me pointing my ipad at all the sound sources and pressing record until it sounded "good" (the comment this album gives me a headache in a good way really describes the sound). It was also the first time I ever put out a physical release of something. I made 10 copies thinking that was enough and I remember how excited I was when someone ordered a copy, it was like man this is the best and it will never sell more than this. by the third pressing, I had sold 25 copies in one day and teamed up with Roolette to do a proper run of 100 which somehow sold out. crazy ey?

Have any future plans to tour? And if so will ya visit us in Detroit?

Oh absolutely! I am so desperate to come over to the US, its really my only item on my bucket list. Detroit seems really cool, been listening to a lot of The Stools and The Dumpsters lately. Its just really expensive and scary to do, Disco Junk hasn't had a stable line up until fairly recently so we havent been able to tour and obviously we cant tour at the moment but once we try touring this country and we finish the damn album I hope we can pop over to the US!

Lastly, what's your goal with music?

I guess its to entertain either myself or others. There's no real logic to me making music and I don't record anything with a goal of doing X or Y, I do it because its the most fun in the world and when someone says they like my music or buys something I put together it means the world. I'm just here to make some weird sounds

Questions by Joey Molloy

Interview with Will Lorenz

Will Lorenz is a guitarist in the punk band The Stools. The Stools put out a killer 45 "When I Left" in 2019 and put on one of the best live shows in town. Will is also a part of Scenthounds, Pharma, and other projects I forgot to ask him about, plus he's one of our favorite visual artists. We talk about his art, the Stools, and more. Enjoy!

Photo by Jake Aho

https://thestoolsdetroit.bandcamp.com

https://www.instagram.com/fuckwilllorenz/

Remove Records: Can you start by telling us how you got into music? How long have you been playing music for?

Will: Surprisingly my Mom accidentally first got me into music as a kid. I was/am an only child so I would ride along on errands and as a reward she would buy a CD for the day if I wasn’t being a monster. Sometimes it would be whatever was the most popular album of the week was, but usually it was a greatest hits compilation or an album she grew up with. A lot of classic rock and Motown and funk. As punishment for being too loud or annoying she would crank the cd super loud which quickly became not a punishment at all and probably why I’m a maniac now. I started playing cello and upright bass and bass guitar around 4th grade not sure how old that is though.

Do you have a preference of listening to old music vs new music?

I don’t know if I prefer old music but I feel like I always have so much catching up to do it’s hard to keep up with new stuff no matter how hard I try. Whatever’s popular now I’ll probably get into in 10 years (not in a cool way). 

Is there any guilty pleasures or genres/bands people would be surprised to hear you listen to?

I have zero guilt about it, but easily 3rd wave ska. I have seen Reel Big Fish an embarrassing amount of times and there was a two year period where I only listened to Operation Ivy. Pick it up. 

Are there any musicians, producers, or artists that you would like to collaborate with given the opportunity?

I would really like to experience David Lynch yelling about literally anything in my general direction.

I think you have a very unique voice and approach when singing. Could you tell us a bit about your singing style?

During the early practices I was afraid to sing (still am) so I figured yelling would be a lot less scary. When I was writing the first few Stools songs I was only listening to Negative Approach and Howlin Wolf so I wanted to combine those the best I could. If there’s any technique to it, it would be that I let my voice grind/push/stay in my throat as much as possible.

Is there anything people would be surprised to know about The Stools?

We know about the secret tunnels. Most of them. 

Will we ever see a Stools music video?

Once we can all agree on which found footage flick to rip off. 

What kind of car do you drive?

A formerly pristine Pontiac G6... It was recently vandalized and has an unremovable Korn decal now. I will kick anybody out of my car that plays the song (you know which one). 

You've shown your artwork at a number of different shows around town and consistently post interesting pieces on instagram. Where do you get the inspiration for your art?

I owe a lot to Michael Kolesky for letting me show whatever I’m working on at shows no questions asked... and I take a lot of inspiration from things the people around me say and  I try to keep a mega list of quotes that sound too ridiculous to be true. I’m sure a few people have recognized something they said and hopefully been okay with it. I’m very inspired by graphic/product design which is constantly everywhere. I try to be as confessional as I can and I want to make people laugh at me or confused or worried about me. Lately I’ve been inspired a lot by lost dog and garage sale type flyers and I’m trying to incorporate that look somehow.

What are you working on next?

A lot of New Stools songs and some unrelated covers for fun when my brain starts to hurt.

What advice would you give to somebody just starting out in music?

Listen to only Operation Ivy for two years so that you can’t connect to any other humans.