Bad Copy

Scott: Andrew, firstly, can’t wait to play with you this fall and hang out!

When the pandemic madness of 2020 started, I had just put in my two weeks’ notice at my job as a social worker with the State of Oregon. It was happening: a full time life as a touring musician. It hurt, but two days before my final day in March of 2020 I had to pull my resignation because, just like so many others in the world, I needed a job (especially with touring  being cancelled). Luckily, I did end up taking that great leap of faith, and quitting two months later.

For those of you who do not know, Flail Records is the label the Sinners started and that I run from my basement. All the support the Sinners and Flail Records got during the pandemic was overwhelming, and the enormous support from the fans really helped us all survive! Flail allowed me to quit my job. I could  hug everyone who bought merch over the last year and half that made it all possible. That kept us going during this pandemic and we can’t thank you all enough. So one of the best parts so far is seeing all the shows coming back.

S: I have a great friend named Tristan. We endlessly talk about music. He’s really into Folk and Country. He keeps making me playlists entitled “Scott,” “Scott 2,” “Scott 3”… So I’ve been putting those on and listening with an open mind. Sometimes we circle back around months later and listen to the music together. The connection of sharing music with a bud… If that isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.

Other albums that have been there for me, too (excluding Flail Records releases):

The Window Smashing Job Creators – Full Unemployment

Onda Vaga – Fuerte y Caliente

The War on Drugs – Lost in a Dream

Svetlanas – Naked Horse Rider (the song “Go Fuck You Self” rules)

Pequeña Orquesta De Trovadores – Self-Titled

Sharpe Knives – Proper Tea is Theft

Get Dead – Dancing with the Curse

Against Me! – Acoustic EP

The song of the quarantine has to be “This Remedy” by Larry & His Flask. It keeps me motivated to love and remember what is important in life. Which I’m still working on.

In case you’re interested…. Here is the “Scott ” playlist from my bud Tristan: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/669TZPtmt8wBImEEbJDTR3

S: Can’t wait for Unholy Hymns to get into the universe. I’d say one of the best parts of being in a band is the “summer camp” like experiences you get to have. “Alright everyone, jump in a van, and drive around the country for two months with your friends and play music,” It rules. We get to live our lives like the “Lost Boys” in Neverland. RRRRRUUUUFFFIIIIOOOOOOOOOO!

COVID pushed this “Summer Camp ” simile in a new awesome direction. After quarantining ourselves in our separate homes, all the Sinners got together for three weeks at my house. For the most part we had all been living in different parts of the country, so that added to the excitement to it (as we missed each other).

It was COVID times, so we all just hung out together in the house the whole time. As far as writing an album, it was by far the best experience thus far because we were in one place together without distraction, having all the time devoted to writing and creating together. We put together eleven songs in around seven days and were able to howl at the moon in the evenings.

S: Our first show back is where it all started, in Portland, Oregon. We hold a special place in our hearts for all the Portland Sinners. 100% we were put on this music journey because of them.

The Sinners started as a “just for fun” busking band maybe five years ago. We’d just go to some street corner, put out the tip hat and play music when we all felt like it. Often with a bottle of wine in a discreet drinking vessel. Haha. We weren’t trying to book shows, but as we would play music on the streets of Portland, people started inviting us to play their backyards, house parties, and, eventually, venue shows. So we went with it. It was a blast.

As we played these shows, more and more people would come out. A lot of the same people came out show after show after show after show. Next thing you know we had a few hundred Sinners packed in a venue singing our tunes. If that isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.

Our first show back being in Portland just feels right! We also get to play with our best buddies Beggars Canyon and Wicked Shallows! We have all played so many shows together, we love each other as musicians and friends and to re-unite together fills the soul. If that isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.

S: Can’t wait to be there with you Andrew! I’m going to ignore the subtleties of the questions and answer my favorite time WILL BE seeing you and Days N’ Daze play “Caroline” live together for the first time ever on stage! It will be the first time y’all have done it together, right?

S: This year… Bigwig, Good Riddance, PEARS, and that angel Andrew Paley.

We did the Fest a few years ago and played with The Get Up Kids (the childhood emo dream that came true). Lagwagon kicked ass too as they played the entire Let’s Talk About Feelings album. Maybe Laura Jane Grace or Against Me! will do us a favor and do a surprise performance as they are from the area.

S: We plan on doing a month or two in Europe in July and August 2022 (maybe February too?). Can’t wait. I’m a really big fan of Stefan’s art (who started SBÄM Records) and I’m excited to sit down for a cup of coffee with him. Everyone at SBAM are sweethearts and I love what they are doing.

Europe is hard to get to geographically and financially. And even if you get the chance to tour there, you never know if you will make it back, which sets the stage for some magical moments. But now that we have this opportunity, we’re all so excited to go and meet all the fans there! I lived in Denmark for six months and Greece for six months, so I am also looking forward to seeing some old friends. I’m looking at you Nikkos Papageorgiou!!! GET READY!

S: We play a few different styles. If you are more into Folk, Jazz, Bluegrass I’d say “Run From the Sun.” Punk fans, “Song of the Siren.” Folk Metal lovers, listen to “The Legend of Olag Hai Pt. 2” from our new album Unholy Hymns (out in late August). And for one more… if you are into cheesy Pop-Country, just get in the van with us after a show and sing along!

S: It feels beyond fantastic to be putting out so much music I love. The best part of running a label is cracking jokes with the badass Flail Records team (Lyz, Heidi, Rebecca, Amanda, Meagan, and Jay) in the Flail basement. The Flail team really helps me balance both running the label and being a musician with the Bridge City Sinners. I couldn’t do it without them.

The worst  part of running a label, it’s taking like seven months to press vinyl right now as all the pressing plants are backed up.

S: Go listen to Andrew Paley. If he isn’t nice, I don’t know who is!