Teenage Bottlerocket are making skate a threat again. Hailing from Laramie, Wyo., Ray Carlisle is perfecting simplicity. Their debut album on Fat Wreck Chords is fast, upbeat and a precise breath of fresh air to the wart- and fashion-concerned punk rock scene. You’ll never feel lost with them, as they’re dedicated to their mobile mapping device.
DO YOU WRESTLE BEARS?
A lot of fly fishing. My 3-year-old son, Milo, and I usually hit up a lake with the bobber and worm. You get your occasional rainbow trout in the river, but I have yet to catch one of those fuckers. I pig out on raw tuna in the sushi restaurants, but I’m not a fish fan.
SO IT’S A ZEN ACTIVITY?
It gets me one with Mother Earth.
DO YOU AND YOUR BROTHER STILL SKATE?
Growing up, our dad built a half pipe in the backyard. We were spoiled. I try not to hurt myself. It’s always in the back of my mind, “If I go for this boneless and break my arm, [we’ll] have to cancel the Japanese tour.”
TEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET: FIREWORKS OUT OF CAR WINDOWS?
It’s our first guitar player’s dad’s car—a Colt 49 Ford, a classic hot rod. My car wasn’t worthy of a nickname, a piece of shit Honda. The name has a lot of energy, and our music has a lot of energy.
IS THERE AN UNDERGROUND PUNK REVIVAL?
Ninety percent of the people I talk to in Wyoming about punk are listening to the Buzzcocks, Clash, Ramones. They’re good, but it’s up to new bands to keep writing good songs and keep the scene going. There’s been a lot of good releases recently that have fueled the fire.
ANY NEEDS ON THE ROAD?
TomTom is important, I stand by TomTom’s side. If TomTom wants to sponsor Teenage Bottlerocket, we’ll be happy to take it.
[Teenage Bottlerocket with Cobra Skulls and Banner Pilot. Sun 10.25.09. Middle East Upstairs, 472 Mass. Ave., Central Sq., Cambridge. 617.864.3278. 8pm/18+/$9 adv, $10 dos. mideastclub.com]
FURTHER READING:
MILDLY BELLIGERENT INTERVIEW WITH FAT MIKE OF NOFX
LIFE LESSONS WITH LESS THAN JAKE’S ROGER LIMA
REVIEW: LESS THAN JAKE + REEL BIG FISH AT HOUSE OF BLUES 2015
ANDREW W.K. TIPS FOR GOOD LIVING
