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This self-titled CD is the debut from Avoid
One Thing who hail from Boston, USA. Its members played in
a variety of bands, including Mung and The Raging Teens
before coming together to form this eclectic punk-rock outfit.
The punk-rock scene is a big thing in the States and it is starting
to be embraced by the younger generation over here in the UK where
it has become a part of the skateboard/BMX culture.
Finally bands are going back to writing real
music but with loud guitars and shouty lyrics, it's still something
you can annoy your parents with. Each track on this album brings
to mind so many other bands from early Green Day to Jimmy Eat
World and there are definite hints of bassist Joe Gittleman's
other band The Mighty Mighty BossTones, although there is the
obvious omission of their characteristic trumpet sound.
'Lean on Sheena' is one of the more mellow
tracks on the CD with a really laid back simple feel. That is
until the second half of the song when they really let rip and
out come the bands real personality. This is followed through
in tracks like 'Slip 78' and 'Saturday'. This band certainly has
the 'feel good' factor as each track makes you want to get up
and jump around the room. So if you avoid one thing, don't let
it be this!
Avoid One Thing comprises four members who
grew up surrounded by the punk-rock scene. This has been a strong
influence on their sound creating something upbeat, fun and easy
to listen to. Joe Gittleman, bass player, vocalist and songwriter
for the band drops by the Artists Interview Lounge to give his
thoughts on the band itself and other surrounding musical issues.
NDF: You have all played in a variety of bands would you say
Avoid One Thing is taking the best bits from each?
Joe: You can't help but be influenced by the bands you've
been in, but I don't think Avoid necessarily sounds like any of
our other bands.
NDF: Do you still play with The Mighty Mighty
BossTones? Avoid One Thing is touring with the BossTones, what
is it like playing in both bands on the bill?
Joe: Yes and it is fun, I enjoy working hard. It is great
having Paul, Amy and Alex around too.
NDF: You drummer, passed away early this
year, how hard has it been to carry out without him?
Joe: It has been very hard, especially to find someone
who is as good a friend and drummer as Dave was.
NDF: Have you now found a replacement drummer,
if so how did you go about selecting the right person?
Joe: Yes, we are playing with an awesome guy, Alex. It
took a long time to find him, but it's going real well so far.
Alex is a friend of a good friend, that is how we found him.
NDF: When a new sound emerges, it always
brings a herd of copycat artists, how easy is it to stand out
from the crowd and create something fresh and different?
Joe: I just write songs that I like...I don't really think
about standing out in a crowd or not.
NDF: Are your songs usually based on personal
experiences?
Joe: They certainly reflect a part of me; some of it is
autobiographical, some of it is just whatever comes to me at the
time.
NDF: You have a hand in writing the songs
for The Mighty Mighty BossTones, how hard is it to stop Avoid
One Thing's songs sounding too similar?
Joe: I don't think it is hard. Working with Amy, Paul and
Alex adds a texture that is very different from the Bosstones.
NDF: A lot of people go through life in
jobs they hate, for you it must be a dream come true doing something
you love every day, how does this make you feel and what would
you be doing if you weren't part of this band?
Joe: I've been very fortunate. I am lucky to be able to
play music for a living, if I wasn't doing that, I would want
to be a private detective or something exciting like that.
NDF: How do you feel about people downloading
music for free and how do you think it should be combated?
Joe: I don't really care about that. I've got so much over
the years. If people manage to get music for free, what's the
big deal?
NDF: At the end of the day, it's the fans
that make you famous and let you continue in this career, do you
believe that the majority of people download music from the Internet
cause it is too expensive to buy or simply cause they like to
get something for nothing?
Joe: They like to get something for nothing. Besides, a
lot of CDs are crap anyway and who wants to pay for that s**t.
NDF: 2002 is nearly over, what's been your
highlights from this year and what can fans expect from you in
2003?
Joe: hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, the release of the Avoid record
was a highlight. Avoid touring with Flogging Molly was great.
In 2003...more music, more shows, whatever...
Quick Questions
1. What was the first CD you ever bought? It wasn't a CD, it
was an LP...Barry Manilow live, I think.
2. What was the last film you saw? Eight Mile
3. What is your favourite colour? Black
4. Where is your favourite place in the world? Boston
5. What is your favourite food? Cereal
6. Who is your favourite artist? Joe Strummer
7. Do you prefer Xmas or New Year? Hanukkah
8. What is your favourite Avoid One Thing song? Take a Good
Look
To find out more about Joe and the rest of
the band please visit either their official site www.avoidonething.com
or the site for their record company www.sideonedummy.com/new/avoidonepage.html
Essential web links:
www.avoidonething.com
www.sideonedummy.com/new/avoido
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