An Interview With The Gamits' Scott Weigel
Matt Ferner talks with Scott Weigel, bassist and back-up vocalist in The Gamits, about their new album “Parts,” punk rock operas, the changing music industry and Iron Maiden.
Matt Ferner conducted this interview over email with The Gamits’ bassist and back-up vocalist, Scott Weigel from Denver, CO, from where The Gamits originate.
The Gamits have been part of Denver, Colorado’s punk rock scene for over a decade and have toured the world over playing their distinct brand of melodic punk rock.
It’s been over six years since the last Gamits record (Antidote) and although The Gamits lineup has changed over the years — Chris and Forrest are original members and Scott might as well be, given how many stages his former band The Fairlanes shared with The Gamits — they are back with an exciting new record.
Arguably the best melodic punk rock release of the year — that sounds like they never stopped playing; fans of melodic punk rock and old school fans of The Gamits will not be disappointed.
Scott and I emailed one another discussing the new album “Parts,” the changing music industry, punk rock and Iron Maiden.
Matt: What is your history with The Gamits and what is the current lineup?
Scott: The current line-up is Christopher Hayden Fogal on vocals and guitar, Forrest Colby Bartosh on drums and myself, Scott Alan Weigel on bass and back-up vocals. I have been in the band for the past year or so, since the reunion was planned. Prior to that, I played bass with them for a Japanese tour in 2003. I have been very good friends with the band since 1997 or so, when my old band, the Fairlanes, played a house party together in Boulder in (circa) 1997. Also, I briefly ran a record label called To The Left Records where we released The Gamits’ “This is My Boomstick” as well as the vinyl version of The Gamits’ “Endorsed by You.”
Matt: How did this record come together and how did you become involved?
Scott: A little over a year ago, InYaFace records in Japan asked Chris if he wanted to do a reunion tour of Japan. I believe initially they wanted to release an album of bands covering Gamits songs as they figured that Chris had moved on to other projects. However, Chris thought that it would be cooler to just do a reunion album and a tour to support it. He immediately got a hold of Forrest and me and asked if we wanted to be involved. The whole thing came together in about fifteen minutes, which was pretty rad.
Matt: How does it feel playing in The Gamits given your history with them as a fan in another band, touring together, playing with them for a week in the past and now recording a new record together and getting ready for tour?
Scott: It has been so much fun. I was always a really huge Gamits fan. The Fairlanes and the Gamits played so many shows together – I would guess at least one-hundred shows altogether. We toured together for about two months in 2001. I watched their set every single night and I never got sick of the music. The one tour that I did with them was one of the most fun tours I have ever done, partially because of the music and partially because Chris, Forrest and I get along so well. There is no bullshit at all.
As for putting new music together, it has been a really great time too. The whole thing came together quite naturally. While writing the record, I was living in San Francisco. Chris and I would send ideas and feedback back and forth. It worked quite well, actually, although it will be nice to be able to just play ideas to each other in person.
Matt: What is this album about, song-wise? What are you guys wanting to say with this record?
Scott: Lyrically, the album deals with a wide variety of subjects, but it somehow is quite cohesive. I loved the randomness and humor of “Endorsed by You” and the serious nature of “Antidote,” but I think that this record is the most interesting, introspective and diverse that Chris has written yet.
Matt: What music (or otherwise) were you guys influenced by when recording this album and coming up with the songs?
Scott: I’m not sure anything, really.
Matt: Why did you guys want to return to punk rock now?
Scott: Simple. It is so fun to play and the opportunity presented itself. Chris, Forrest and I took several years off playing this kind of [melodic punk rock style of] music and did other things. I have been playing mellower stuff in the Absinthe Glow (Scott’s band with his brother Bill Weigel). Chris has been playing in his metal band, TaunTaun. Forrest was playing with a cool garage-y band called the Omens. When the opportunity came up to play this sort of music again and we had a rehearsal – we immediately realized how fun it is.
Also, one thing about the Gamits that always stuck out to me was that the band doesn’t really fit into the “pop-punk” category and so I think the old records have aged a bit better than some other things in the genre. I mean, we do play “pop-punk” in that it is very melodic punk rock, but we sound nothing like the Ramones, or Screeching Weasel or anything like that. Musically, there are a couple of other layers of influence that has formed the band’s sound – namely, Heavy Metal and the Beatles.
Matt: When The Gamits (and The Fairlanes, Scott’s old punk band) were in their prime, they were both phenomenal bands and had a significant following in and around Denver. Both bands could have easily become breakout acts that got national attention, in my opinion. Now, that pop-punk rock fad has passed, does it feel fun or arduous returning to this genre that has basically stepped out of the spotlight over the last several years?
Scott: 100% fun. It’s actually kind of nice that there is absolutely no hype around this kind of music. It’s just solid, melodic punk rock. If you like it, cool. If not, cool.
Matt: It seems to me, most people think of or believe punk songwriting, as a genre, to be dealing with political and social issues mostly, but not as much in many of the subgenres like melodic punk or pop-punk which seems to be more concerned with individual personal issues, there are some great exceptions of course like from the old school Dead Kennedys or Adolescents (both seem to be roots of the melodic-punk family tree), to Propagandhi, NOFX or depending on where you put Bad Religion in the anthropological chart of punk bands, but I’m curious if you would you agree? If so, why do you think that is so?
Scott: I would agree with that to some degree. When I first got into the genre in the early 90s, most of the bands playing were not particularly political. Maybe there were undertones here or there, but in general they were singing more about personal things. At the same time, the entire movement was heavily based upon a DIY ethic and having no major label / corporate ties, which was a political statement in itself. Also, along these lines, keep in mind that some bands were “political,” just not in the traditional sense. For example, while Pansy Division did not have too many political lyrics per se, they were arguably as political (and effective in their political message as it were) as a band like Propaghandi.
Why was this? I’m not sure exactly. Some of it probably has to do with the fact that the genre’s roots go back to the Ramones, who were basically about having a good time (even thought they had some politics weaved in here and there). Some of it probably has to do with the age that tended to listen to and play the music. Maybe lyrics about stuff like that just doesn’t fit the music? If you replaced the lyrics of a song like “Totally,” by Screeching Weasel with something political, it would suck the life out of the song. Who knows though.
Matt: Why do you think the pop-punk subgenre became dominated by acts that did not have a long shelf-life and faded from the radio and our memories so quickly?
Scott: I think because, in general, pop-punk is an easily digestible form of music, which makes it easy for record labels to play dress-up with young bands and sell an image. Three minute songs. Verse, chorus, verse chorus. It’s pop music. I would say that the reason many of the bands didn’t stick around is because even though it is a fairly simple genre to play, it is still not easy to write a good song.
Matt: What are your musical influences that have shaped your songwriting and playing style? Individually and as a band?
Scott: Personally, I would say Iron Maiden, The Beatles, Jawbreaker, Beach Boys, Screeching Weasel, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Manu Chao, Kid Loco, John Coltrane and Blind Guardian.
The whole band, I would say The first half of my list as well as Dillinger Four, NOFX, ABBA and Kreator.
Matt: Do you think a Fairlanes reunion is next or at least do you think pop-punk is getting a second chance? In other words, does this feel like a rebirth of the pop-punk subgenre or some good friends having fun, playing music together, regardless of genre or popularity?
Scott: I don’t think this is a rebirth of pop-punk, nor do I see a Fairlanes reunion happening! The Gamits right now is just three dudes having fun writing and playing some music that we love and having the luck to play shows in some pretty cool places.
Matt: When playing songs with The Gamits or writing songs with The Fairlanes, did you guys set out to make a record and pop-punk just sort of came out? Or did you make a conscious choice to play in this genre? If so, what was it about pop-punk at the time (and maybe even now) that felt the most right for your songs (both Gamits and Fairlanes)?
Scott: Good question. To be honest with you, this was one of the reasons I became frustrated with the genre and started the Absinthe Glow in 2002. I found myself shoe-horning songs into “punk” formats, which bothered me. When I started the Absinthe Glow, for the first record, I decided that I was going to sing as many songs as possible at the low end of my range and not use any electric guitars, simply to get away from this. I can’t speak for Chris. I get the impression that he doesn’t shoe horn songs into something that doesn’t feel right, but I could be wrong.
Matt: With a breakout third-wave punk band like Green Day making huge records now and even doing an adaptation of their smash-hit record “American Idiot” as a musical on stage, it’s amazing and exciting to see how far punk rock has come over the last couple of decades and how mainstream it has become, yet there does seem to be a gap from Green Day to The Gamits, in other words, where have all the punk bands gone? And what do you think about the current state of punk or indie rock?
Scott: Yeah, it’s crazy. When we started getting the songs together, we decided that we wanted to make a punk rock record. We could have done something with all of the bells and whistles and added a million guitars and have a big, clean production, but we wanted something a bit more in the realm of Dillenger Four and Jawbreaker. Perhaps we’ll do a big rock opera next though?
Matt: What other genres of music do you listen to and love currently?
Scott: Iron Maiden, the band and the genre.
Matt: What’s your favorite song right now?
Scott: Where the Wild Wind Blows by Iron Maiden.
Matt: What is your favorite album right now?
Scott: The Final Frontier, by Iron Maiden.
Matt: If you hit shuffle on your iPod right now, what are the first ten songs that come up? Explain each song if you like.
Scott:
UnBiloTitled – Babyshambles
Say Yes! To Michigan! – Sufjan Stevens
This Shell – The Gamits
Prevent This Tragedy – Alkaline Trio
At Dawn – My Morning Jacket
IV – Kid Loco
Satellite 5… The Final Frontier – Iron Maiden
Mi Corazón – Bajofondo Tango Club
Sabali – Amadou et Mariam
… and Then There Was Silence – Blind Guardian
Matt: What do you think about the current state of the music industry (big label to independent) and where do you see it headed?
Scott: Well, the industry (major + indie) is certainly not what it once was. People don’t buy music the way they used to and the younger generation doesn’t see music as something with a value associated with it. If you were to try to make money being in a band, I guess you’d have to play live and sell merchandise (which is nothing new) and perhaps license music to be used elsewhere. It’s not sexy, but I know a band who licensed a song to some lame TV show on NBC a few years ago. The song played once during an episode and they made several thousand dollars. Because it is so hard to make it in the music world, I can’t blame them at all, however, I admit I hate seeing songs I love being used to sell crappy fast food.
Matt: What are ten of your all-time favorite records and why?
Scott:
1. Iron Maiden – Seventh Son of a Seventh Son – The band’s best combination of melodies, lyrics, riffs and guitar playing.
2. Iron Maiden – Live After Death – The quintessential live album. This was really a “best of” for the first 5 Maiden records and I prefer the live versions on here to most of the studio versions.
3. Rolling Stones – Exile on Main St – Yeah, it gets lots of hype, but this really is a fantastic album. It really takes work to get through, but when you do, the experience is totally worth it. The layers are amazing and you can pick it up every few months and find a new favorite song on it. A couple of months ago, I was jamming it in my car and Loving Cup came on. Perfect song. I have no idea why it was never a hit, but I’m glad it wasn’t.
4. Screeching Weasel – My Brain Hurts – Probably the best album in the genre with great lyrics and melodies. Simple, raw, powerful.
5. Kid Loco – Kill Your Darlings – A wonderful combination of trip-hop and pop.
6. Kid Loco – The Graffiti Artist (soundtrack) – No songs have names. Two of them are over 25 minutes. Literally every single time I have had friends over, I have put this on. About 15 minutes into it, somebody says “this is rad.. who is this?”
7. Beach Boys – Pet Sounds – Not much more needs to be said about this one. A perfect album.
8. Beatles – White Album – I always have trouble picking my favorite Beatles record. Most of them are great. I always come back to this one for the diversity of the material.
9. Blind Guardian – A Night at the Opera – Most metal folks think this one is too overblown, but that’s what I like about it.
10. Metallica – …and Justice for All – I realize that Master and Lightning are probably better records, but I love the aggression here. Kirk Hammett owns this record.
Matt: What is your favorite Iron Maiden album and why?
Scott: “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.” It is flawless (with the exception of the one time in “Infinte Dreams” that Nicko hits the rim and not the snare). Every single aspect works. The lyrics and vocal lines fit Bruce Dickinson’s voice perfectly. Adrian Smith’s pop sensibilities melded perfectly. “Infinite Dreams” is one of the best songs Maiden ever recorded. I could go on and on about this…
Matt: What’s next for The Gamits, recording, touring, etc?
Scott: Well, the new album Parts is coming out in September. After that, we have some shows in Colorado. Then we are going to Japan and Russia to play some more shows. Then, we’ll probably do some more shows in Denver. We are talking about doing an intimate show where we play the Parts record start to finish for the hardcore fans. After that, I’m not sure. Honestly, I’d love to still be doing this with Chris and Forrest in ten years.
Matt: What’s next for you – playing, recording, touring, writing?
Scott: Besides the Gamits things mentioned above, I am working hard with my brother to finish up the third Absinthe Glow album, called Fool’s Gold (check out Absinthe Glow’s last album La Guitarra). Beyond that, I’d just love to keep recording and playing shows with the Absinthe Glow and the Gamits.
Learn more about The Gamits here and The Absinthe Glow here.
Check out the album Antidote here.