Until getting my hands on the recent R'N'R full-length, "The Infamous And Notorious," I wasn't at all familiar with the band. But after listening to the record a number of times, I'm trying to encourage others to avoid mistakes simlar to my own and give R'N'R a listen. This band is hardcore at heart, but with a rock n' roll edge that effortlessly distances them from the gigantic pack of hardcore bands. While raw and aggressive, R'N'R plays music that is surprisingly catchy and accessible. For those interested in hardcore and/or rock n' roll, this band is more than worth paying attention to. To get an early start, read the e-mail interview I conducted with R'N'R vocalist Joe Shumsky in July of 2004.
Andrew: There have been a number of bands combining traditional rock n' roll and hardcore of late. I find it to be an interesting and entertaining style when done right. What has driven R'N'R to play this brand of music, and why does it seem to work well for you guys?
Joe: Well, when I came up with the concept of r.’n’r., I basically wanted to start a band that combined all of the elements of music that I love… I have a pretty eclectic musical taste… I enjoy everything from classical to hip hop… punk to pop… hardcore to Motown. I just wanted to start a band that played good, original sounding music. Too many people are, as I see it, too scared to just do something a little different… I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks about it. I mean, I’m glad people like it… it really makes me happy. But we make the music for us, you know? I think that’s the reason that it ended up working out… we threw caution to the wind and it came up roses.
Andrew: So, having said that R'N'R plays hardcore with a massive rock n' roll side, was choosing R'N'R as a band name done to suit the band's sound, or did the rock n' roll influence come about after the band was named?
Joe: I actually had the name in mind before I wrote any of the songs… it was the perfect name to fit what we’re about.
Andrew: As far as R'N'R's discography goes, I'm only aware of your recent full-length, "The Infamous And Notorious," and the split you did with the Suicide File. What else, if anything, has R'N'R released during the band's existence, and exactly how long has the band been together?
Joe: We’ve been together for about 2 ½ years… we’ve put out a demo, a split with the a-team, a 45, and we also have a few appearances on comps.
Andrew: While we're on the subject of the new record, with each listen I give it, the pissed off attitude rubs off on me, but it's still a really fun and accessible album. I don't know if that was a goal, but when recording the album, what did you guys have in mind for the finished product?
Joe: We really didn’t have any sort of goal in mind when making the album… I mean there was really no prototype to try to emulate… we just did what we do.
Andrew: Were there any specific bands or previous records that may have significantly influenced the sound of "The Infamous And Notorious?"
Joe: Every record that I, and my bandmates, love influenced the sound of our record… I don’t think that it ended up sounding like anything that exists now, or has existed, but we definitely have some influences in the hardcore and rock arenas, respectively.
Andrew: Like I already mentioned, your music isn't exactly cheerful as far as the lyrics go. There seems to be an ample amount of condemnation on the hardcore scene, especially in songs like "Weak Ass Shit" and "I Am Not Impressed." For those who haven't heard the lyrics, what do you think are some of the primary problems in hardcore, or what bugs you in the scene?
Joe: The thing that bugs me most about the hardcore scene is how hypocritical it is… most people that are into hardcore get into it because they’re looking for something different… maybe not drastically so, but something different nonetheless. Once a person has emersed himself in the scene for long enough, though, and its corresponding sub-culture, it seems that they lose sight of what originally brought them there to begin with and, if they ever end up even forming a band, they just end up churning out carbon copies of carbon copies of older bands. I mean really, youth of today was/is a great band… but how many times must we re-invent the wheel? I’m absolutely not saying that everyone should run out and start an experimental noise project… I just wish people could just be themselves and not give a fuck about the repercussions of that.
Andrew: Do you feel that addressing such issues in your music will have some sort of a positive impact on the hardcore scene? If so, how?
Joe: I don’t necessarily think that what I say will have a positive impact on the scene… more than likely, what I say will have no impact whatsoever… I just want everyone to know that I know…
Andrew: I personally love "Move Up" for its lyrics. Every show I go to, I stand in a corner because a group of like ten guys has formed a big circle for them to flail around in. I like to see kids supporting bands in any form, but I don't get to go in and sing along because I'll probably get kicked in the back. Does this sort of event tend to occur at R'N'R shows? How does an R'N'R show differ from those of other hardcore bands?
Joe: This type of mayhem seldom occurs at r.’n’r. shows… I think that people just don’t know how to react when we play… I mean, like I said earlier, there’s no blueprint for comparison… people do watch, though, and that’s cool. This is the main aspect in which an r.’n’r. show is different from “insert your favorite hardcore band’s name here…” when we play, people watch… they watch because they don’t know what the fuck else to do!
Andrew: Have you guys been doing much touring in support of "The Infamous And Notorious?" If so, how has it been going?
Joe: We actually haven’t… we are going on tour in august, though… west coast. We’re going to be recording for two records in july, as well… there will be extensive touring for those releases.
Andrew: Maybe I'm not digging deep enough, but I haven't noticed many appearances by R'N'R here in the Midwest. What kind of touring does the band have lined up for the coming summer months?
Joe: Ibid.
Andrew: I always like to know what inspires hardcore bands to do what they do. R'N'R is a generally aggressive and angry band, so on days when you've got a show or you're recording, what gives you the motivation to perform with all of the energy you have?
Joe: For me, I don’t have to search for a motivation to let it out the way it comes out… that’s just how it happens. Honestly, sometimes I wish it came out a little less intensely… that shit can be exhausting!
Andrew: When you guys are out driving from show to show, or from a show to home, what's your favorite restaurant to stop at?
Joe: We don’t eat at restaurants… we eat out of dumpsters… seriously, though, I’m an olive garden fan.
Andrew: To close things out, we'll look to the future. Does R'N'R have any plans for recording in the near or distant future?
Joe: In July we’re recording for two records… a split with fit for abuse on bridge 9 and a 45 for walk all night… sp keep your eyes peeled.
Andrew: Thanks for answering. If you've got anything else you want to say in closing, go for it. Otherwise, thanks for your time.
Joe: Thank you. Peace.
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