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The Punkhouse Interviews: Timbo Chandler (Mutant Pop) |
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The Punkhouse Interviews: Timbo Chandler (Mutant Pop) |
1.Who the hell do you think you are?
My name is Tim. Who the hell are you?
2.How young are you?
I was born 10-1-61, which makes me about 106 in punk rock years.
3.How long have you had Mutant Pop?
I started the label in March of 1995, which makes the label about 30 in punk rock years.
4.What made you decide to start it?
I got into the music in 1980 and spent the better part of the next 15 years feeling sad that my music, poppy punk rock, had gone away. There were a few punk bands that got me excited in the interim, like Husker Du and The Pixies, but the music basically disappeared from the planet for years and years and years. Then in the early 1990s, against all odds, poppy punk came back from the grave. It was a very exciting turn of events for me and I decided that I was gonna get really involved this time and help make sure that it wouldn't ever totally vanish again. So I started doing record distribution in January 1995 and launched the label in March.
5.If you could change one thing about the label, What would it be?
I don't have any huge regrets at this point. The bands I have worked with have been universally nice people, the colored vinyl and sleeve schticks were both good calls, I still hate LPs and like CDs... So I guess there's nothing too major that I'd switch... I suppose if I could take a mulligan about anything at all, I'd take back my first Punk Planet ad, which included the text "Mutant Pop will be to Lookout! what Fat Wreck is to Epitaph." I think that I called my shot very well in terms of the music, which is what I meant, but it was roundly misinterpreted as having something to do with finances and commerce. I don't give a fuck about that stuff and will NEVER be 1/10th as big as Fat even though I may ultimately put out just as many titles as they do. The only way I'm ever gonna sell 1 million records is by putting out 1,000 releases!
6.What are some of the bands you would like to have on Mutant Pop?
I'd like to do EPs with The Dickies, The Queers, The Lillingtons, The Teen Idols, and Beatnik Termites. When I started the label, I really wanted to do a Screeching Weasel record, too, but I don't think I'd touch one of those at this point. Ben and I do not exchange Christmas cards, which is kind of a pity because I do respect his taste in music and generally like what he has done with his label.
7.What do you like most about punk rock today?
Tons of labels making tons of records for tons of bands. In the 1980s it was a case of NOTHING, now it's a case of TOO MUCH. I vote for the latter.
8.What do you hate most about punk rock today?
Too many people are putting out rasty CD compilations in a transparent attempt to fund labels. Here's how you ethically fund a label: get a job, save a bunch of money, then spend it on your label.
9.Do you look for any certain thing in a band that you "sign"?
I don't use written contracts, so the term "sign" is sorta alien to me... In terms of picking bands to work with, I pay equal attention to the sound the band creates, which should both correspond to the general sort of sounds that I do with the label yet have a certain fundamental distinctiveness, and to whether the band are nice people or dicks. I have a really good bullshit detector and I avoid bands that are playing make-believe like the plague. I want to hook up with people who really believe in the music and don't just chase trends.
10.If you had to choose, What are you're five favorite bands?
Of all time? The Clash, X, The Dickies, Gang of Four, and The Pixies. I just slammed that out -- I might be forgetting someone, but that's pretty close... If the list was of newer bands, I'd include SW, The Queers, Boris the Sprinkler, The Automatics, and The Connie Dungs.
11.If you had to pick three bands to represent punk rock, Who would it be?
There are lots of ways to interpret that question. Here's how I'll answer: SoCal: NOFX, Pop-punk: The Queers, Pogo-Punk: Blanks 77.
12.What is your favorite RAMONES record?
"Leave Home" and "Rocket to Russia" are both outstanding. I'll vote for both by saying the best Ramones album is "It's Alive."
13.Why did you name Snorkel Bob, "Snorkel Bob"?
Because Snorkel Bob cares!
14.If you had to pick a certain drink and type of food to eat and drink every day for the rest of your life...What would they be?
Tostada salads and stout.
15.If you were a Smurf, What would your name be?
If I were a Smurf my name would be Suicide Smurf and I'd off myself by the first commercial break.
16.If you could go back in time and do one thing different in your life, what would it be?
Hmmm, that's a good question. I'd probably have figured out how to do this label five years sooner...
17.If punk was called something else, what would it be?
Hard rock.
18.If you was a toy, what would you be?
A portable grammar dictionary that checked verb tense.
19.Any hobbies?
I do a record label in my spare time.
20.What do you think about the world today?
The politicians run it and it's hard to change, so look at the light side and have a good laugh. Laughter is more healthy than anger or tears. If the shit ever hits the fan, you know what to do...
--T. Chandler
December 1998
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