Interview with Ken Fitzner of The Bollweevils

Photo by MXV
By Chris Carlton

Interviewer extraordinaire Chris Carlton chatted with The Bollweevils' guitarist, Ken (Weevil) Fitzner about The Bollweevils' humble beginning, end and lots of interesting stuff in-between.

Squid Pro Quo: The Bollweevils have been a big part of the Chicago punk scene for about the last 20 years. How did you guys get started?

Ken Fitzner: "Bob, our bass player, and I started really getting into punk at the same time. We would go see Naked Raygun. It was such an intense experience, I think it just almost forced us to want to form a band. We met Daryl there. Initially, we thought his friend Paul would make the better singer; turns out it was Daryl. We always battled the front, which meant we had to get the wall of death from the skins, but we held our own. We originally had a drummer, Joe; he played our first two shows with us. The first one was at a place called Club Stodola on the north side. Bob was singing at that point. Then I sent a letter with a tape to Naked Raygun. I had forgot to include a phone number. I just wanted to let them know that I loved the band. One day, I got a letter back asking us if we wanted to play with them at the Metro. It was the Metro's 9th anniversary show. We opened the show. The next night, Pearl Jam played in the same slot we had. After that show, Joe quit, we found Brian and figured out that the only way we could play shows was if we set them up ourselves. The rest is history."

SPQ: I had the chance to see the band live a couple times since your return to the stage and it felt like you never left! What was it like getting back up there and playing those classic songs after so may years away?

KF: "I'll speak for the band first; we have always been the type of band that didn't need a lot of practice. I think we might practice once or twice before a show, so it easy to get back up there. Once we are on stage, it is amazing most of the time. Our new drummer, Pete, is so amazing, it makes it. I can get tired of playing the old songs, but when the crowd gets into it, it makes it worth it."

SPQ: With the release of the "Weevillive In Color" DV, and seeing some old footage, I was wondering how much more footage is in the vaults and will that footage ever see the light of day?

KF: "We have a lot; some of it is good, some not. I'd love to YouTube it. We'll see how embarrassed we want to get."

SPQ: I know Naked Raygun was a big influence on the band. But what are your personal musical influences?

KF: "I could not live without AC/DC, The Smiths, Government Issue, Bad Religion, Steve Earle, Johnny Cash, Johnny Horton, The Cult, Dag Nasty, Minor Threat, Old 97s, Glucifer and Foreigner. Kinda an eclectic mix, I also love ragtime jazz; mostly anything with a huge guitar."

SPQ: As documented in the Weevilive album that was recorded at The Metro on the "Heavyweights" tour, Daryl said the band would never play there again. What was it like actually playing Metro again after that fiasco? (Memo: Security at Metro was roughing up friends of the band and members of the audience, almost causing a riot to break out).

KF: "Ha. Well, interesting story; our first show was with Daryl at the Metro with Raygun. It was fun, we had seen may shows there already. Then when we were part of the Underdog Collective, Ben Weasel came to a meeting and told us about the Metro fucking bands over and how security beat on kids. We signed an open letter stating we would not play there. After a while, as we got more popular, Marc Ruvalo of No Empathy was able to negotiate a deal for punk bands; $5 door, no merchandise cut, no gate around the stage, etc. We decided that it would make sense for us to try it. We have always been pretty independent as far as how we do business. I think that used to get under the skin of some "scenesters", I think it still pisses some people off. Then the infamous 4th of July show. All along, we knew something was different, by the time we played, the crowd was into it. Funny thing is, nothing the crowd did was any different than what they had done at any show. The security got a little out of hand, we were pissed off and Daryl's famous quote, "We're The Bollweevils, we're never playing here the fuck again."
We had had a number of great shows there. I guess time heals all wounds. I remember talking to the guitarist of Pennywise (Fletcher) and him telling me that they told him, "they didn't want another Bollweevils show." It was Big Black banned before us so it was a nice torch to carry. When we did our "comeback" show, it was a benefit. It was at the Metro, we said yes. Funny thing is that most of the people in bands that signed the letter have played there with other bands. In fact, some have worked at the Metro. In some ways, I think we played a small part in making it "OK" for a punk band to play there."

SPQ: I know that Dr. Strange Records isn't doing a lot anymore as far as releases go. Is there any plans to have the old albums re-released? Specifically the out of print "Stick Your Neck Out" and "Heavyweight" albums?

KF: "All our albums are available online, iTunes, Napster, etc. I would love to strike a deal with a small label to get some of it back on LP or CD, I'm just not sure if a label would be interested."

SPQ: At the end of the "Heavyweights" album, there's about 10 minutes of recorded conversation. Anyone who owns the album will know what I'm talking about. I gotta ask you, was any of that filmed? That was some funny stuff!

KF: "Most of that was recorded on a hand-held tape player our drummer Brian had. We went to Missoula, MT to play a festival show for $100 and got payed with a check that bounced. We drove out on a Friday, played on Saturday, drove home Sunday. Needless to say, we were slaphappy."

SPQ: After The Bollweevils split up, you formed The Feds and released an amazing album, "Chicago Bureau" as well as the "Classified" 7". Do you think fans embraced your new band as much as The Bollweevils?

KF: "I don't think we were around long enough for the fans to catch on, although until the new Bollweevils stuff, it is the best-sounding stuff and best songwriting I've done."

SPQ: Any plans for a Feds reunion gig with The Bollweevils?

KF: "Um, Louie the drummer, who I love, lives in LA, who knows where Mark Piss is these days, maybe in a gutter, so no - probably no reunion, although we have talked about The Bollweevils covering a song."

SPQ: You guys have hinted about a show coming up in the summer and a new single. Is there gonna be a new full length in the works? Possibly a tour?

KF: "I think we want to release singles ala "Singles Going Steady" (Buzzcocks). We have quite a few things written. Touring would be fun, except we all have jobs and families, so unless it works for everyone, I'm not sure."

SPQ: How can fans get in touch with you and the band? Is there a website you want to plug where we can get news on up coming shows, releases, tour info and merch?

KF: "We have a Facebook and MySpace page. You can e-mail me at kafitzner@gmail.com. I would be remiss if I didn't mention my band after the Feds: Callaghan; probably the most fun band I was ever in. The challenge for you will be to find our releases."

Interview with Denis Buckley of 88 Fingers Louie

Photo by Jordan Lee Photography
By Chris Carlton

Squid Pro Quo: Thanks for taking the time to speak with Squid Pro Quo, Denis. A lot of people remember you as the frontman for 88 Fingers Louie. How did the band get started?

Denis Buckley: "Dan, Joe and our first drummer Dom had been playing under one or two different names with another singer. When he got the axe, they asked my friend Eric to try out and I tagged along since they practiced just a few minutes from me. Eric bombed (nerves), so I was asked to give it a shot. I guess this would have been at the end of 1992/early 1993? At any rate, the band officially started writing and playing in April of 1993."

SPQ: 88 released some now-classic albums. What were some of the high points and low points of being in the band?

DB: "Getting out of the Midwest was definitely a high point! Canada (especially central and eastern) always treated us well, and getting to Europe was amazing. On the low side, the factors that led to the breakups of the band certainly stand out. I'd never been the best communicator and I'd let shit fester and then blow up at the guys. Plus I'm Irish all around so there's the whole temper thing. Basically, I didn't handle being on the road very well-too much drinking and various other vices-and after being away for maybe a week, I'd start to go crazy without my family and would begin to harbor resentments."

SPQ: After the band split up Dan Precision and Joe Principe went on to join Rise Against and Glenn Porter joined Alkaline Trio. What were you up to for those first few years after the bands initial break?

DB: "Upon Jeff Dean's invitation, I joined what became The Story So Far in 1999 and had some of my greatest experiences musically. My time with them ended in 2001 and I didn't do anything until 2003 or so and then started singing with Undercast. That band went nowhere fast...just a weird dynamic. Explode and Make Up began in early 2005 and Zero To Sixty was around from 2007 until Fall 2008."

SPQ: A few years ago, you and Dan formed Zero To Sixty and played around a little bit. Did you guys ever record any material?

DB: "Nothing more than a four-song demo, which is too bad. We had some great tunes that we never recorded, but in the end, those guys wanted to do more than I was comfortable with at the time."

SPQ: When 88 regrouped with John Contreras on bass and John Carroll on drums, did you feel the band got a warm welcome back after so long apart?

DB: "Oh man, that first show back in August of 2009 was mind-blowing! There are so many memories from that show that I'll keep forever, most especially introducing my son before we played "Joyboy" and seeing him stagedive during "Blink" (apparently the song I wrote for him 'wasn't fast enough')."

SPQ: It kinda felt like in the blink of an eye, we had 88 back and just as quick, you broke up again! What forced the second break up? And will we ever see the band back together again?

DB: "In an effort to clear this up, let me first say that the band was only supposed to play one show. ONE. The buzz surrounding the reunion was pretty high and we got a few other offers (Riot Fest, Groezrock) that were too good to pass up, so we went with it. I maintained throughout these shows that we were taking things one show at a time and not looking too far into the future. My time with 88 has always ended messy and I wanted to make sure that didn't happen again. The band for me came to a stop after plans for a European tour fell through (who's going to say no to Europe?). Out of that came a few great shows in Canada, but once that finished, I wanted to walk away, and for the first time do so without malice. I hesitate to say 88 "broke up," but there are no plans to do anything anytime soon. Give it another 10 years maybe."

SPQ: You're currently in the band Explode And Make Up with members of The Bomb, The Methadones and Tomorrow's Gone. How did you four get together?

DB: "Jeff (Dean) had demoed some hardcore jams and just asked me if I'd want to work on them. I've known Pete (Mittler) for a good 20 years or so (he's MUCH OLDER) and we'd never played in a band together, so I knew EAMU would be fun based on that alone. EAMU's had a few drummers over the years and it's nice to be able to play with Ech (Mike Echemendia) again."

SPQ: EAMU released a split and an EP. Are there any plans for a full-length album?

DB: "Good question. We probably have at least another EP in us, but as far as a full length goes, it wouldn't happen very soon. We have other bands we're involved with; Jeff has All Eyes West and Noise By Numbers, Pete has The Neutron Bombs and I recently started playing with some friends and family in Eventuals. I kind of like sporadically recording and releasing EPs, so we'll see."

SPQ: Being from Chicago, you must have a lot of influential bands that have played a major part in your songwriting. Who are some of you favorite local talents?

DB: "Coming up, it was our peers: Bollweevils, Apocalypse Hoboken, Oblivion and The Fighters. Going back further, I loved Gear, Sludgeworth, Life Sentence and of course, Naked Raygun and Pegboy. As far as newer bands, I'm quite fond of Damp Hay and Textbook."

SPQ: Nice! Well, before I let you go, where can people find more info about what Explode And Make Up are up to? Is there a website where we can find info on releases, shows and merch?

DB: EAMU does have a Facebook page (as do all of the aforementioned bands) and you can usually keep current on our happenings through our label: http://undercomm.org/blog/

SPQ: I want to thank you again for talking with us at Squid Pro Quo. I can't wait to hear new music from Explode And Make Up! And look forward to seeing you guys live again in the near future! Thanks again for your time, Denis.

DB: "Thanks for asking, Chris! Now go listen to some (old) Soul Asylum, you nutty bastard."