FOR THOSE WHO WANT... ...their dosage of hard-driving musical intensity to come with a strong sense of technical skill and innovation, consider Prize Country, a group that delivers the goods on multiple fronts. To borrow from Faulkner, the Portland-based band brings both the sound and the fury.
Their latest is 11 tracks worth of guitar-driven assault which highlights the work of guitarists Aaron Blanchard and Jake Depolitte. Their insistent playing is well complemented by the cohesion of bass and drums in the group’s rhythm section. The album’s best songs are those on which Prize Country give themselves the space to explore different textures and shades of the same color ("Lottery" and “Buy In” are stellar examples).
The band also understands how to frame their lyrics with the appropriate emotional release; on another album highlight, “Time in Reno”, instruments are calmed while the words “It’s my moment of clarity” are clearly articulated over the faint but firm notes of a single guitar. With the attitude of punk, the riffing of, in some cases metal, some melodic hard rock and a world of passion infusing each note, Lottery of Recognition establishes Prize Country as a genuine force. - PopMatters.com
Froman: Which of your songs would make for a good porn soundtrack?
Prize Country (in the words of Jake Christ): I would have to say that our song 1988(which was released on limited 7' vinyl) would make the best song for a porn video. It has plenty of groove to get that ass pumping back and forth like a jackhammer invading the sweet caverns of young love...
Froman: Is it true for the guitarist if the audience can’t see your c*ck it isn't rock?
Prize Country: Well, funny you ask. I think most of the continental US has seen my cock in all of its glory. Well, maybe not its glory, but there are plenty of pictures out there along with countless times I have play naked, or dropped trough just for the fuck of it. What can I say, its the best part of my body and it likes to jump right out and make as many friends as possible.
Froman: If you could add one member from any band who would it be?
Prize Country: Dr. Rockso. He is a solo artist, but he 'does cocaine' and always has these cracked out backup dancers shaking their stuff. Plus, who doesn't want to party with a David Lee Roth clone? More sex and drugs than a Columbian whore house! Really, tell me someone who wouldn't love that...
Froman: Drum solos...only good for other drummers or audience pleasing?
Prize Country: Not good for anyone! It shows drummers to be the elitist assholes they really are. Solo's are for classical musicians and wankers!
Froman: Record companies. Need them or want them?
Prize Country: Well, first off there are many types of record companies. Anywhere from the majors, to the indies backed by majors, to guys who put records out from their garage. Bands need to make wiser decisions. A good label that is behind them 100% is a good thing to have. However, when labels start taking over managerial duties for a band it can get fucked quick. Bands see a huge dollar sign thrown in their face, and can't resist. However, 9 out of 10 times you will find that you just signed your soul to the devil(and not in the good way). I prefer working with labels that actually give a shot about the bands on their roster, and want to get good music out there. In this time of internet and information highways, big labels are becoming obsolete. CD sales are declining and no large labels want to work vinyl. However, true music fans will prefer to have art and vinyl is best for this. Stick with your friends who care about putting your records out and you help to bring about a great little scene.
Froman: Do you all have equal say in songwriting?
Prize Country: HAHAHAHA No comment. I would rather not relive the shouting matches and near fist-fights go through while writing. However, the end product is what matters and when you get in each others face, that tension comes through as raw emotion. Can we please get back to the sex questions? haha
Froman: Strangest thing you've snorted?
Prize Country: While sitting on a bus in NYC right after a show I was all hopped up on whiskey and cocaine and thought it would be funny to snort a line of Jack Daniels. WRONG!!! Snorting whiskey when your nose feels like its already been run through a meat grinder is not a good idea. Holy shit! I felt like my face was going to melt off. I remember wishing I could take it back. My eyes were watering so bad I couldn't see. The only cure I found was head back to the slopes for another ski trip...
Froman: Is there anyone in the band that you have to dress b/c he’s embarrassing?
Prize Country: HAHAHA Yes, but only because he wears shorts. What grown ass man wears shorts? Seriously, shorts are for people who need diapers(young or old). Unless that ass is getting in the water to swim, or behind a drum set, wear a pair of pants like a fucking adult.
Froman: What band/artist would you like to beat up?
Prize Country: Well, I don't need to beat anyone up. These fucking clowns out here in the so called 'Industry' don't need any help from me. However, for some reason Jon(our bass player) REALLY wants to beat up that super douche Pete Wentz or whatever his name is. I think anyone that I would want to beat up is going to look back at their pathetic life and regret what they are doing right now anyway, so I am cool. However, ask me this question tomorrow and I could probably give you 100 band names. Today I am in a 'live and let others fuck up their own life' kind of mood.
Froman: Ever play a concert where you were almost too fucked up to go on stage?
Prize Country: HAHAHA Who hasn't their has been WAY to many of those.
Froman: What's the creepiest venue you've ever played? Ever fear for your life on stage?
Prize Country: I have never feared for my life on stage, however there have been some unusual places we have played. We played a pool hall in Little Rock once that had the first band start at 1:30 in the morning. Some of us got way to drunk since we got there at 5:30 in the evening. They wanted us to play a second set at 4:30 in the morning or we weren't getting paid. That just wasn't happening. Luckily the band we were on tour with(GAINER) was able to pul it off. Their set kind of turned into a jam session with me hitting up the guitar to play really bad Metallica and Iron Maiden covers as well as some guy with a bullwhip rapping over a bad Sabbath cover. GOOD TIMES!!!
Froman: Describe your sex: light some candles or lay down the tarp?
Prize Country: It depends on the girl. Its nice to be mellow with a shy girl, but there is something to be said about coating the whole room in vaginal fluids and semen. A little light spanking to test the waters, and if it looks like it can go that way bring on the choking and spanking so hard it sounds like someone is getting a Gauntanamo Bay torture treatment. It all depends on the girl and the situation. I have left a bathroom to handclaps from an entire bar hearing what was going on, and have snuck in a quick one in the corner of a party which no one noticed....
Froman: Who gets the most groupies? Or at least give us a best groupie story?
Prize Country: Jon could get the most groupies, but chooses not to. I would have to say that I have had the most sex with the most girls. However, I am not the one who got a blow-job from someone with Hep C and later fucked some poor little girl in a parking garage hatless. Lets not talk about the worry that was going through the head of that guy. haha good times!
Froman: Aquanet or paul mitchell?
Prize Country: Neither. Pomade is best. Glam Rock(modern screamo) is not appealing...
Froman: What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve seen requested for backstage (aside from 1000 brown M&Ms to fill a brandy glass)?
Prize Country: 200 2 liter bottles of Fanta soda pop. Had to be Fanta, and they got it!
Froman: A 17 yr old gorgeous little groupie comes in thru the bathroom window…play ball?
Prize Country: Nope! Gross. I have a hard enough time fucking around with 21 year old. Ask Josh or Jon about that one...
Froman: Any spinal tap moments?
Prize Country: Not really. Although, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Parker Posey and would give my left arm to make love to her for a night or two.
Froman: The day your band dies, what would u like its epitaph to read?
Prize Country: Fuck it! They worked hard, lived fast, and died young. Thanks for al the great times, and great friends we made along the way. We love you all and you will be missed.
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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: THE DEAR HUNTER CLICK PIC FOR INTERVIEW
September Concert Calendar
Manhattan/Brooklyn
9/04: Mavado / Bounty Killer / Beenie Man /
Serani @ Hammerstein Ballroom
9/06: Benny Page / LionDub / Starkey
@ Public Assembly: BK
9/06: Irie Jamboree @ York College: Jamaica
9/08: Rubblebucket @ Brooklyn Bowl: BK
9/08: The Roots @ Highline Ballroom
9/11: John Brown's Body / The Black Seeds
@ Bowery Ballroom
9/12: Bill Laswell Presents: Method of Defiance
@ Bowery Ballroom
9/17: Face To Face / Pegboy @ Gramercy Theatre
9/18: Groundation @ BB King Blues Club
9/18: Dub War / Mary Anne Hobbs @ Love
9/19: Skream / Benga / Drop The Lime @
Le Poisson Rouge
9/20: Thursday @ Bowery Ballroom
9/22: Face To Face / Pegboy @ Irving Plaza
9/25: The Pimps Of Joytime @ Brooklyn Bowl: BK
9/26: Dub Trio @ Knitting Factory: BK
9/26: Brothers Past @ Bowery Ballroom
9/27: Sunny Day Real Estate @ Terminal 5
New Jersey
9/04: Last Days Of Empire / The Casting Out / Chambers /
Stay Gold @ Court Tavern: New Brunswick
9/09: The Janks / Magic Hat #9 Party @
The Saint: Asbury Park
9/11: Westbound Train / Hub City Stompers @
Asbury Lanes: Asbury Park
9/18: Youth Brigade / The Casualties @ Asbury Lanes:
Asbury Park
9/20: Little Joy @ Maxwell's: Hoboken
9/24: Rorschach @ Asbury Lanes: Asbury Park
Philadelphia & PA.
9/04: Rubblebucket @ World Cafe Live
9/05: Dopapod / Turkuaz / Josh Phillips @ The Fire
9/18: Immortal Technique @ Trocadero
9/18: Thursday @ First Unitarian Church
9/19: Mary Anne Hobbs @ SubDivision: Pittsburgh
9/20: Face To Face @ Trocadero
9/21: Face To Face @ Mr. Smalls: Pittsburgh
9/30: Immortal Technique @ Altar Bar: Pittsburgh
9/30: Mike Gordon @ Mr. Smalls: Pittsburgh
Washington DC.
9/05: !!! / Pivot @ Black Cat
9/06: DJ Jerome Baker III / DJ Tom Lim @ Studio 10
9/08: Motorhead @ 9:30 Club
9/17: Yo La Tengo @ 9:30 Club
9/25: Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ 9:30 Club
9/29: BLK JKS / Laughing Man @ Black Cat
9/30: Sunny Day Real Estate @ 9:30 Club
Baltimore & MD.
9/04: Ruiner / Pulling Teeth / Sick Fix @
Talking Head Club
9/06: Medeski Martin & Wood / Karl Denson's
Tiny Universe/ Dumpstaphunk / Traffic Jam @ Sonar
9/08: Down / Melvins @ Sonar
9/10: Akron/Family @ Talking Head Club
9/11: Naked Raygun / Paint It Black / Shot Baker
@ Ottobar
9/16: Mos Def / Talib Kweli @ Sonar
9/17: Matt and Kim / Amanda Blank @ Sonar
9/18: Busdriver / Mickey Free @ Talking Head Club
9/19: Face To Face / Pegboy @ Sonar
9/19: Immortal Technique @ Recher Theatre
9/20: Appomattox @ Talking Head Club
9/21: People Under The Stairs @ Ottobar
9/25: Ponytail / Crazy Dreams Band @ Ottobar
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