This interview was originally published in Audio Ammunition on May 29th, 2013 When I first started hearing about the Ills, I heard comparisons to bands like The Spoiled Brats and The No Talents. So, when I finally got a chance to hear these Iowa City monsters, they did not disappoint! Those influences are indeed there, but the Ills have taken that sound and stuck their own brand on it. It is theirs, they own it now, and lucky for us they are sharing it with the rest of us lowly dogs! Interview by Jay Castro Who’s answering the questions here? Danny and Erika Who is in the band and what instrument do they play? Erika Ebola - Vox Danny Dysentery - Guitar Molly Marburg - Bass Tommy Tinnitus - Drums Are you all originally from Iowa City? None of us are. Tommy Danny and Molly are all from different areas of Iowa, Erika is from Texas and Iowa. How did Rip Off records find their way into your hands in Iowa? Danny: When I was a kid, Iowa City record stores carried a lot of punk and garag...

This interview was originally published in Audio Ammunition on May 14th, 2013 When I hear a good power pop band, my heart feels like jumping out of my chest and doing a dance like John Cusack’s cheeseburger did in “Better Off Dead”. It happened when I first heard Cheap Trick, then with The Beat, now The Sugar Stems! The tunes are memorable, and the lyrics are emotionally authentic, which makes the entire package multi coated; so you never get worn-out listening to it. “Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears, ” you won’t be dissatisfied, because this is timeless pop music. I am confident that decades from now, The Sugar Stems will still be in heavy rotation on many turntables, including mine! Interview by Jay Castro Who’s answering the questions here? It's me! Betsy! Who is in the band and what instruments do you all play? Betsy - vocals/guitar Steph - bass Andy - keyboard Drew - guitar Jonny - drums Are you all originally from the Milwaukee area? How did the ban...

This interview was originally published in Audio Ammunition on May 10th, 2013 Take some Smokey Robinson, a dash of Dusty Springfield, and a pinch of Punk delivery and you have a Rock ‘N’ Roll band the likes of which this earth hadn’t seen prior to the conception of the magnificent Ballantynes. The band have three 7”s under their buckle on the equally fabulous La-Ti-Da recording label. So, do yourself a favor and partake in the good times that will ensue after you place their records on your turntable. It’s undeniable! It’s unmistakable! It’s the Ballantynes! Interview by Jay Castro Who’s answering the questions? Vanessa and Corey Who is in the band and what instruments do you play? Jarrod Odell - Hammond/Vocals Vanessa Dandurand - Vocals/Tambourine Jennifer Wilks- Vocals/Hammond/Tambourine Corey Poluk- Guitar/Vocals Max Sample - Bass/Vocals Michael McDiarmid- Drums Trevor Racz- Drums Is the band originally from Vancouver BC? Oh ya. How did the band start and what bands/musicia...