Hey Hey! IBR is not dead, I’m just working hard behind the scenes. I’m basically too busy with work and personal life to update the website, but IBR is still alive and I’m pushing very hard to back on tracks with all the plans I had just before the pandemic.
I’m also ready to announce a very nice tour that we had to postpone twice for obvious reason. It seems like we’re slowly going back to our lives, but damn, let’s stay careful.
Anyway, we have not one, not two, not three but 4 fucking releases coming out this month! I’m very happy to have been involved with these bands as they truly represent the meaning of two simply words: P-U-N-K R-O-C-K.
First album comes from my band Ratbones (follow in case you don’t!) and it’s called Teenage Confusion and Adult delusion. We really worked very hard and I hope you guys are gonna like it. It’s gonna be released together with the help of the mighty Mom’s Basement Records. Bandcamp/CD release day is May 20. Unfortunately, the vinyl release is a little postponed but it should be ready around late June. I’m gonna setup a preorder very soon so you can get it as soon as it’s available. Can’t wait, amigos!
More details are coming from the other 3 releases, just stay tuned. In the meanwhile, two more albums are available from the worst store on the web (click here):
and don’t forget we have still copies of School Damage new album, it’s still damn hot!
I’ll try to update the website as much as possible, but I won’t make any promise. If you wanna get in touch, just reach me through the social media where I’m a little more active.
Who are your favorite bands to play with at shows? We always have a blast with the guys from The Livermores, Chromosomes and Ratbones! Speaking of foreign bands, last year we played with the Haermorrhoids from Germany in Siena and it was really a cool show!
Tell us your favorite memory of Manu Livermores? He was such a sweet guy, one of those people who are really pure at heart. He was truly passioned about punk rock… a real rock n roller. Our favorite memory of him is all the times he sent us funny vocal messages with his heavy accent about new albums or about stuff that had happened in the scene. He really knew how to cheer you up! We will all miss him a lot.
What do you think about the current state of punk rock?
We think underground punk rock is as healthy as it’s ever been, in terms of new albums and hype surrounding it. There are a few crucial factors that have contributed in the last years to this new interest in the scene: cool festivals like Raduno, Puke Fest, The Fest and so on, dedicated podcasts like The Dummy Room, exciting labels like Mom’s Basement, I Buy Records, Striped, Badman, Stardumb, Hey Pizza, Monster Zero and many others that keep putting out cool records. Also a lot of people from the old guard still believing in it. There are a few new bands coming up too, so we think it’s safe to say punk rock is doing fine, at least in our specific bubble. The problem we see is that touring has become increasingly more difficult and less profitable. It’s almost impossible to make a living off playing punk rock and this will affect the new generation, as there probably won’t be the right environment to generate new “higher level” bands. I’m not talking about the next Green Day, but the next Teenage Bottlerocket or even the next Lillingtons. We also need to factor in what will be left of clubs and bars and of live music in general after Covid. We have a big question mark ahead of us.
What is your favorite project that you’ve been a part of? Every album we do is special to us because it’s really exciting to see a project coming to life and becoming real and tangible as you go ahead: the artwork, shaping the songs, sequencing them, going to the studio etc. We really love this process! Besides the albums, we loved working on the “Party time for astronauts” split with The Livermores That split is a memento of our time with Manu and we will always cherish it.
What made you guys want to organize Lobotomy Fest? In the past years we never played too much in Tuscany, because we always preferred to go play around northern Italy, where most of the scene is. Then, a couple of years ago we started talking with the guys from Corte dei Miracoli who run an amazing multicultural space in Siena and we saw that there was the chance to organize something punk rock-related there. It all started like a one night-only event, but it soon turned out to be a much more inclusive project that spanned 5 whole days with movie screenings, art happenings, book readings and many many bands. We had so much fun doing it that we decided to replicate it this year. Unfortunately, Covid put everything to a halt, but we are determined to make it work again, when things will smooth out with the virus. We had big projects for this year.
What are some bands that you want to play Lobotomy Fest? We like to dream big and we always nurtured the idea of having the Lillingtons play! Nowadays it seems things aren’t too good with those guys, but we also love Sack very much and it would be awesome to have them play over here! Anyway, 2021 is already lined up, because we want to have all the bands that were scheduled to play in 2020 to play the next edition!
What is your writing process? How do you guys pick a topic and then write such great concept albums that are cohesive as they are fun to listen to?
We always start with a concept that we all like and we try to convey the mood of the album in that direction, both musically and lyrics-wise. We also have a very long working list of kick-ass song titles, which we often use as a stepping-stone to begin working on a new tune. Actually, we consider Space Opera our only true concept album, because it has a single storyline from start to finish. Conspiracy ’66 and P A R A D O X are all centered around a specific theme and topic but the songs themselves are not necessarily related. We like to write about conceptual and specific stuff because we’re not versed in the trivial side. A lot of bands are really good at the girl-songwriting thing and we love to listen to those bands. It’s just not something that works for us specifically. I think our approach to lyrics and themes is a nice thing for the more dedicated fan (given that we have any :D) because the songs contain a lot of references that can be researched and linked to one another.
What other projects or bands do you guys have going on? Brodie and El Leon Blanco play in The Thirtysevens. They’re great, check them out! Alex and Brodie manage Commando Records and lately they’ve been putting out cool cassettes like the first Sack album and the latest MEGA LP. So cool! Matt plays in Bentoniac (garage blues) and I Diavoli Blu (country folk).
Hello guys, how are you? Welcome back to IBR headquarters once again! It’s a pleasure to chat with you again! MIKE: Ciao bello, thanks for having us back. All is good here, hope things are great for you as well.
So, September 5 2012. It’s a very important date to me. Well, being that you guys are such a hard-working band, this day doesn’t make a lot of sense to you but actually it was the date of the first show I booked (together with my buddy Ame) since I moved to Milan. IBR wasn’t a thing at the time but I clearly remember everything and that show really pushed me to start doing something (that I hoped would be cool) in Milan. Do you remember that show/weekend we spent together? MIKE: Of course, I remember, we were with our Chinese bassplayer Zhong at the time and it was one of the first shows of a month-long tour. It was at Ligera and you got us some great pasta, from your mom or grandma if I’m not mistaken. You did a great job there and were a gracious host. Your apartment was lovely too. Do you still live there? There was this abandoned building next door, which our GPS told us was actually your place (haha). I’m happy it wasn’t!
Yes, I still live there but the abandoned building is now destroyed!ahahah! So 8 years later, and after thousands of shows, what has changed for DeeCracks? (Don’t say bass-players! 🙂 ) MATT: Not very much really, We all have gotten a little older but I’d like to say the attitude hasn’t changed.
In Addition to DeeCracks, you all have different side-projects (Matt with Ratcliffs & Jagger Holly) (Mike … I can’t count how many bands that you play with) how do you manage to keep up with all of those different obligations? Also, a bit of news over the past few days. It was announced that Mike will play the drums at Punk Rock Raduno for the Mopes, how did this amazing opportunity come about? MIKE: Yeah, it’s so awesome! I can’t wait for that show! I’m really excited for it. Basically Jughead texted me to see if I could play at Punk Rock Raduno with Mopes and of course I said yes. Jughead teamed up with us and Will from Zatopeks to do a special Screeching Weasel/Mopes/Even in Blackouts set at our Sweet Sixteen Festival last September, so I guess, he must have liked the way I played there. I’m super happy about it! I’m always grateful when someone approaches me to fill in or play in a band with them, it’s always an honour and it fills my heart that people dig my drumming, after all, it’s my happy place.
Let’s talk about Punk Rock Raduno. It’s not the biggest festival, but I’m pretty sure it’s one of the most beloved festival in the world. Being that you played/attended at every edition, what are your feelings about the festival? And what do you think is the secret behind the success of the festival? MATT: Hm… well if you are looking at Europe during springtime and summer you might have noticed there’s a ton of festivals going on! If you ask me, there’s way too many. Every now and then we are playing some of them but I have to say I don’t really like it. It’s just very unpersonal and stressful. Raduno feels a bit different though. It feels more like a family reunion, you know? Everybody’s there for the same cause! Bands and fans! It’s like amongst all of those parties there’s one just for us!
It’s pretty well-known that way back in 2013, you were banned from USA. I don’t wanna go back to that infamous story but is the ban permanent or are you working on finding a solution to be able to go back to USA? MIKE: Yeah, it’s a never-ending story really. As of now we are still banned, but we are still trying to make it back there one day. Never say never! Maybe once Matt will write a worldwide sensational big hit song, we’ll make it (haha).
Although this sad story might have demoralized a touring band, you rolled up your sleeves and toured everywhere possible. We’re talking Russia, Israel, China, Mexico, Turkey, just to name a few, most of which are not really conventional destinations for punk rock bands. What can you tell us about the punk rock scene in those countries? Leather jackets and ripped blue jeans? MATT: Our main goal has always been getting around as much as possible. We hardly ever turn down offers, especially when it’s about shows or tours abroad. The cool thing about punk rock is that it connects the people all over the world. Scenes are the same everywhere.
Of course there are cultural differences In different places. Like for example Japanese bands practice hard until they reach perfection, while we don’t (haha). And by the way, no one should be “demoralized” because they got kicked out of the USA.
Last summer you guys did a great tour with the legendary CJ Ramone. How it was? What can you tell us about CJ? How is CJ behind the curtain? Any funny stories you would like to share with us? MATT: We like to remember it as the ‘No AC Tour‘. It was kinda hard because last summer was brutally hot… But every show was great! It was professional to a certain degree (which we aren’t really used to), but the atmosphere was super relaxed! CJ is a great guy and really down to earth and yet absolutely aware of how big of a impact the Ramones were on thousands and thousands of people (was and still are) We were really grateful that he chose us to support him on his (final???) Euro tour. And yes, there are some funny stories but I don’t think I wanna share them here (haha).
Let’s talk about records, Sonic Delusions is your latest full length album and two years later, are you satisfied with the final result? What is the general feedback or opinions that you got from friends and fans? What’s it like being on a major label now? MIKE: Yeah man, it’s been great. Our fans really seemed to enjoy it and thanks to Pirates Press Records we found some new listeners, that we hadn’t reached before. I wouldn’t do anything differently with it really, maybe the artwork wasn’t our strongest, but that’s a matter of taste. We wanted to stick out and be different then the other bands on PPR, not only sound wise. So, it was all good. It’s not a major label though, it’s a very ambitious punk rock indie label that’s turning the right screws. We’re really happy to be a part of it and thankful for the opportunity. We like the fact that we got a special place in their hearts also, as we are a little different. Pirates Press and DeeCracks is not an obvious fit, but they took a chance on us and we took a chance on them, and we both thrived with our matching work ethics, vision and spirit. So, in my mind, it’s perfect.
For your upcoming italian tour you will release a new 7″ “…Can’t Get It Right” through Striped Records and Bad Man Records which has two brand new songs and two songs that were previously released on compilations. What can you tell us about it? I had the chance to listen to them ahead of time (thanks for doing that!!!) and I can say it’s another solid release in your discography! MATT: Well the “new” songs are actually taken from the 2017 Sonic Delusions session. We always record extra material for 7″s, compilations and so on. (well I guess every band does that…), “Killed by Death” was featured on the Mom’s Basement‘s HEAD tribute compilation and then there’s a newly recorded version of the song ‘Caroline’ (the original one was part of the OCW 30 seconds songs compilation). We are really happy to have Striped with us for this one since they always did a great job taking care of our merch!
Whats next for you guys after the Italian Tour? New album? Big tour in the farest corners of the world? MIKE: You know us, there is no stopping us from hangover hoppin’ all around the world. We’ll be hitting the road again in April around Europe, mostly Gemany, Austria and bella Italia. In May we will record a new album, Pirates Press is gonna release it once it’s ready. So we’re looking forward to that. We will be touring in France and Spain in fall and we’ll do Japan again sometime in 2021. That’s all, more definite plans will come once the new record is ready, so stay tuned.
Before letting you go, this is your chance to say what you want to say and ask me a question!! It’s always a big pleasure to talk to you, see you at NoReason Fest! MIKE: Andrea, thanks again for the interview. Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. But what can I ask you? Hmmm… Can I just ask you to just keep up the good work? Keep booking and playing shows, keep IBR and your bands alive, help shape and build the Italian punk rock scene and bring it to the rest of the globe… just keep your heart out there and keep being you. Can you do that for me?
Oh sure, Mike! I will never give up my friend!
Special Thanks Goes To John Proffitt Jr. for editing the interview
Ho conosciuto i The Livermores 3 anni e mezzo fa, quando ci invitarono con i Ratbones per una data giù nelle Marche.
Erano una band da pochi mesi e si vedeva… così come si vedeva che avevano le idee chiare su cosa è davvero il punk rock.
Da allora hanno fatto un bel po’ di strada, abbiamo suonato diverse volte insieme, siamo diventati grandi amici e li ritengo parte della stretta cerchia che chiamo punkrock family.
Oggi è il giorno in cui vi presentiamo l’album, 13 tracce al fulmicotone che personalmente mi hanno esaltato parecchio, senza dubbio quest’album rientra tra le mie release preferite di IBR.
Il 13 dicembre saranno a Milano per una data spumeggiante al Circolo Svolta con Jagger Holly e Volkov.
Per acquistarlo clicca qui, ultimi giorni in preorder e risparmi qualche euro.
This is it, this is the end of the band announcements for the HEAD tribute album, this is the 24th band that were announcing that made it to the Lp. That’s right, 24 bands on a 12” Lp compilation. All of them are killer, there’s no filler to be found here on the HEAD tribute comp. if you heard last years tribute album to the Manges, then you know exactly what to expect from this one.
Speaking of the Manges, they are the final band that we’d like to announce for the HEAD tribute album. Of course you know that these guys are legendary and have been one of the best punk rock bands running on the planet for decades now. They’re also huge fans of HEAD, check out the Florida Ep if you want some more info on that. It made perfect sense to ask the Manges first to be on the HEAD tribute comp. Their contribution is awesome and once again we’re honored to be able to work with them on something.
Here is what they had to say about HEAD “HEAD! I’m your biggest fan, please reply to my letter. I wrote to your po box, please reply to my letter. I like bmx bikes and US flags, I’m from Seattle and Disneyland, applied for a job at Letterman’s”
That’s pretty catchy huh? Their cover of “Senor Itchy” will blow your mind as will the other 23 contributions on the Lp. Stay tuned next week for the digital bonus band announcements and the big artwork reveal.
It’s Wednesday and that means it’s time for another band announcement for the HEAD tribute! This is the second to last band to be announced so I wanted to save a band that’s near and dear to our heads here at Mom’s Basement Records. Of course we’re talking about Neon Bone from Munster, Germany. Not only are Gumbo and the gang one of the best punk rock bands in Europe, he is also an integral part of this record label. Gumbo does all of our ads and most of our Lp inserts amongst other cool stuff so we had to have him involved.
Here’s what gumbo had to say about HEAD and his song choice.
“They didn’t want to stay at my place when I booked a show for them in my hometown so I picked “The Sissy” for my cover, LoL”
Wow! How scandalous! There’s only one more band to announce so be sure to check us out on Friday afternoon at the usual time!
Happy Monday everyone! There is 2 more bands left to announce for the HEAD tribute album, rather then announce one of them today we decided to do a quick recap of all of the bands that were announced so far. We’ve announced that…So-Cho Pistons ?????? The Parasites ?????? TOUGH MEGA Deecracks The Putz The Isotopes the SUCK The Lorrainas The MugwumpsThe Ratcliffs Flamingo Nosebleed The Livermores Proton Packs Geoff Palmer Young Rochelles Johnny Terrien & The Bad Lieutenants NECK Ratbones Prozacs Volkov Jimmy VapidThe HEAD tribute will be here very soon. We will announce the final two bands on the Lp and then we’ll announce the digital bonus bands and reveal the artwork next week. Stay tuned folks!
Happy Wednesday everyone! It’s announcement time. We’re very pleased to tell you that the Ratcliffs from Austria have recorded a killer cover for the HEAD tribute. I’m a huge fan of these dudes and their latest album “Hell Mental” is a must have so head over to the I Buy Records webstore and pick that bad boy up. .
Here’s what the guys have to say about: “Our entire existence orbits around HEAD and their spiritual teachings. We have been following them for at least forty years if not even longer. Hence, we feel beyond delighted to pay homage to this formidable squadron of merry-men and pranksters. Aloha”
Alright everyone! It’s time for another week of HEAD tribute bane announcements. This time we’re pleased to announce that Volkov is on the HEAD tribute. They’ve been with the Mom’s Basement Records since the beginning so you had to know that they were gonna be on there. They just released a brand new full length Fat, Rich and Sadon vinyl and/or Cd. The Cd has different artwork, a different album title and another special surprise so you should buy both. Released by Mom’s Basement Records, I Buy Records and One Chord Wonder.
Here is what Mr. Specianin had to say about “Once I was talking to Chris Mugwump and we found out that we both have been trying to write a song in the style of HEAD for over 20 years with no satisfactory results. That’s why they’re so unique. You can write a song that sounds like Screeching Weasel, You can try to write a song that sounds like the Beatles. You can even try to do your best and write a classical Chopin style song. But you’ll never score that goal with HEAD. I dare you to try asshole!”
ATTENTION: DO YOU WANNA BUY A VERY LIMITED HEAD TRIBUTE TEST PRESS? JUST FEW COPIES LEFT (CLICK HERE)
Happy Friday everyone! It’s almost time for the weekend and that means it’s time to announce another band on the HEAD tribute album. We’re happy to announce that Long Island, New York’s own Young Rochelles are on the tribute album! These dudes have been at it for a while now and they show no sign of slowing down.
Here’s what Ricky had to say about the tribute album “The Young Rochelles got good grades in school but nobody cared”.
Check out their awesome cover of Teachers Pet and many more on the HEAD tribute album which is coming at you really soon!
ATTENTION: DO YOU WANNA BUY A VERY LIMITED HEAD TRIBUTE TEST PRESS? JUST FEW COPIES LEFT (CLICK HERE)
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Yes, I still live there but the abandoned building is now destroyed!ahahah! So 8 years later, and after thousands of shows, what has changed for DeeCracks? (Don’t say bass-players! 🙂 )
Every now and then we are playing some of them but I have to say I don’t really like it. It’s just very unpersonal and stressful. Raduno feels a bit different though. It feels more like a family reunion, you know? Everybody’s there for the same cause! Bands and fans! It’s like amongst all of those parties there’s one just for us!
Last summer you guys did a great tour with the legendary CJ Ramone. How it was? What can you tell us about CJ? How is CJ behind the curtain? Any funny stories you would like to share with us?
Let’s talk about records, Sonic Delusions is your latest full length album and two years later, are you satisfied with the final result? What is the general feedback or opinions that you got from friends and fans? What’s it like being on a major label now?
The HEAD tribute will be here very soon. We will announce the final two bands on the Lp and then we’ll announce the digital bonus bands and reveal the artwork next week. Stay tuned folks!
