BITE ME! Avail Interview

An e-interview with GWOMPER of AVAIL -by J

When did you decide that music would be your life?

Right before I sold my soul to the devil.

When did you first discover you could make a living off it?

We're really lucky because our hometown of Richmond is real cheap, as far as living expenses go. So we get by when we spend a lot of time touring, but everybody does what they can to get by when we are home.

How did you get involved with Food, not Bombs?

The band has participated in many benefit shows for the homeless. Food, not bombs is the shit so we support them when we play locally.

Are you involved with any other charities?

It’s not a charity, but we got some good friends in Anti Racist Action and sometimes they will speak at our shows and kick some literature.

Where should people get Front Porch Stories?

Well, you can always get a copy when we play on tour or you can pick it up at some mom and pop record store.

Are you more comfortable writing songs and lyrics on the road, or at home?

At home is the best.

How do you select opening bands for your tours?

Rock, paper, and scissors.

How do you keep your energy so high when you are onstage?

All the kids in your face definitely helps.

What is your favorite tour story?

Going to the Hells Angels’ clubhouse in Barcelona, Spain, and going for a ride with them around the town. That was insane!

Favorite song to play live?

“Blue Ridge” off 4 a.m. Friday.

Will there be any surprises on this tour?

We’ve been relearning some of the old stuff and we are also going to have some Avail bottle openers and beer coolers.

How do you like being on Fat Wreck Chords rather than Lookout?

That's kind of like asking if I like my mom better than my dad; but I think Fat truly loves what we’re doing and, personally, that is all that matters to me.

What are the advantages and drawbacks?

One advantage is that since we are on Fat Mike’s label it would seem feasible that we could do fun things like play somewhere silly with NOFX like Hawaii. The only drawback is that I keep asking him to do it and he just kind of shrugs his shoulders and says, “Sure.”

Do you have a personal quote?

Yeah, "George Bush sucks." Uh, actually no. It would be, “I didn’t vote" is one.

And of course, the ubiquitous “is there anything else that you would like to add?”

See you on tour.