interviews

Interviews

From Pure & Simple Rock N’ Roll Propaganda. Summer, 2003. (Holland)
By Marnix van Holland

Marnix: Introduction & history!

Brent: I started Reno Divorce in Orlando, Florida in 1997. We played around the state and recorded one EP (Web of Lies) and one 7 inch for Skankin’ Skull Records (All Throttle, No Bottle). That line-up lasted for about a year and a half. I moved around Los Angels, Orange County, and Las Vegas before finally settling in Denver in 2000. As for the band name, it comes from the old adage “Vegas wedding, Reno divorce.” It basically means the end of the line, the morning after. I’ve been playing in bands since I was sixteen. I’ve really only been in 3 bands during that time. I’m the kind of guy that can’t start a band for being in a band’s sake. There has to be chemistry and the songs have to be there. I’ve jammed with people for weeks trying to come up with something, and it just isn’t there. You can’t force it. My influences are across the board. I was raised in Knoxville, TN, so country music is engrained in me. I also dig just about anything punk that came out of LA or Orange County in the early 80’s. It’s true that I learned to play guitar by listening to Social Distortion and TSOL records.

Andrew: Well, I joined the band in April of 2001. We met through an ad on the internet. We had a lot of the same influences, and Brent just kept calling me and so finally I agreed to meet with him. I gave him a copy of my demo, and he gave me a copy of the first Reno Divorce CD EP, Web of Lies (which is now out of print). He liked what he heard, I liked what I heard- so I came out to a show and was impressed. I ALMOST didn’t join the band, though, because I had some personal things going on at the time and there was another band I had already jammed with, but they weren’t doing anything and Reno wanted to get going NOW. I’ve been in something like 22 bands before Reno Divorce, but this is the one that I feel the most at home in. The music is exactly the kind I want to play and I think we make a great team. As far as influences, I like everything from Black Flag and The Descendents to Turbonegro and The Backyard Babies to The Crown and The Haunted. Oh, and The Ramones and Zeke!

Marnix: So you guys did a European tour with who? You said it was a complete disaster. Howcome?

Brent: Disaster could mean so many things . . . It could’ve been a hell of a lot worse. We were lucky to have the opportunity, to be there with our good friends (The Pavers), and to meet a lot of cool people. We didn’t have the best turnouts, we didn’t sell merch hand over fist, we didn’t get to eat Big Macs for every meal, but we did learn a lot about this band and the people that did come to the shows got to see some of the best punk rock America has to offer. The real disaster was waiting back in the States for me because my father suffered a stroke while we were in Europe. Due to that, we had some cancellations near the end of the tour. But even then, it brought out the best in everyone and I’m still grateful for their support.

Andrew: Maybe it wasn’t a complete disaster- let’s just say things didn’t work the way they should have. All in all, we had a great time playing over there and met a lot of really cool people. And we have to say hello to Dusseldorf and AK-47. Most punk rock club in the world!

Marnix: Any good memories (and stories to back it up. . . )

Brent: Well, there was the time that the Muslim woman fell on Seth (our old bassist) while we were on the escalator in Heathrow. We’d been awake for 24 hours, had just gotten off an overbooked 8 hour flight on Air India, and were basically sustaining life off nicotine and coffee. We’re going up the escalator with all our luggage, and this small framed Muslim woman dressed in full black garb loses her footing and falls backwards onto Seth from a few stairs up. I was standing behind Seth and I looked up and I thought, “Shit, a ninja just attacked Seth!” It took Seth a few seconds to realize what happened, and as he was trying to help her up, she was flailing around in his infidel arms all the way to the top. That was a topic of great discussion on the tour.

Andrew: There are so many stories from the European Tour . . . you know, we had a lot of off time in Europe, which can really kill a tour, but I’m kind of glad we did at least this time because we got to see a lot of really cool sites like The Tower and Buckinghame Palace in London, London Bridge, a concentration camp in Belgium, and all kinds of things we may not have normally seen. Now for a story . . .we were playing this club in Holland and Eric (Pavers guitarist) and I had been talking about this story that was going around our two bands that the place was haunted by a Headless Ghost. After the show ended, we stayed at the club for the night. With it being Holland and all, someone went to a “Coffee Shop” and got some party favors and, one thing lead to another, and the next I know, Eric and I are hiding behind the bar with ours shirts up over our heads, waiting to scare someone into thinking we were Headless Ghosts. We were laughing so hard, it never occurred to us that maybe people would question why there were TWO Headless Ghosts who dressed just like Andrew and Eric. When we woke up the next morning, Eric admitted to me that he’d made up the whole Headless Ghost story! But when we were talking to the club owner about it, he said there WAS a ghost in the building of an old woman that many people claimed to have seen, although he’d never seen her.

Marnix: Do you like The Pavers as a band?

Brent: They’re one of my favorite bands, period. I think they’re one of the best bands to come out in recent years. Scott is a huge influence to me, whether or not he believes it. Whenever I write a song, I give it the “Scott Reynolds” test to see if it will stand up next to his.

Andrew: Yes, definitely. They are one of my favorite bands. I also grew up listening to Scott Reynolds when he was in ALL. No offense to ALL or his other bands, I think that The Pavers is the best thing Scott has done. He only gets better. Actually, my old band The Rhino Humpers opened for Scott’s band Goodbye Harry back in 1995. When I first talked to Scott on our first together with them back in 2001, he remembered my old band we became friends pretty quick after that.

Marnix: What kinda music did you listen to in the tourvan?

Brent: We listened to each other bitch. That drowned out whatever our driver put in the tape player.

Andrew: This was a weird tour for that. The Pavers and Reno Divorce are kind of like a family because we’ve spent so much time together, so we were split up the vans along with drivers and crew. Sometimes the vans got pretty full! Most of what I remember listening to was Ghert’s (the driver in the van I usually rode in) tapes. Everything from weird Belgian punk rock to Pantera. But, I brought a CD player and headphones, too, so there was a lot of that. I think the one CD I really missed from home was Turbonegro’s Apocalypse Dudes- that’s been my favorite album since I first heard it a couple years ago. (Brent and I were in different vans.)

Marnix: What about the fanzine industry? Do you read a lot of fanzines, or is it just mainly Maximum Rock N’ Roll or bigger zines?

Brent: I basically read whatever is laying around. For some unknown reason, I’ve been getting Rolling Stone magazine in the mail for free. I can get through about 3 paragraphs and I’m thoroughly sickened by the music industry.

Andrew: I have to admit to not buying many fanzines, but I do often read them at the store. I can’t really afford to buy a lot of magazines. We do usually get zines that have articles or reviews about us in them. We’ve seen a lot of cool zines from all over the world that way.

Marnix: A new record is planned, right?

Brent: The new record is called You’re Only Making It Worse. It’s finished and will be released June 26th. I’m bringing out more influences in my songwriting. Most Reno Divorce songs are just Country and Western songs set to punk rock. All the elements are the same, though. I wrote these songs on an acoustic guitar, but the sincerity didn’t get lost when the other instruments were added.

Andrew: I think this album will break down a lot of preconceived notions about this band and some people who wrote us off before will have to take notice. The European/UK release might be a little later than June 26th, but we’re working to keep the release dates as close as possible. Regardless, if we have the CDs on June 26th, the Boss Tuneage does, too, so you can always contact them directly to get the album if it’s not in stores yet.

Marnix: Do you think Rock N’ Roll should be evil?

Brent: Hell yes it should be evil. That’s what makes rock and roll so alluring. When you set a positive, friendly message to music like that, it’s hard to take it seriously. Rebellion is the most appealing aspect of any genre. It’s there in the blues, rock and roll, heavy metal, folk, country and western . . . Hell, even Amadeus was a rebel.

Todd: No, I just feel it should make people think. If it shocks, disgusts, surprises, horrifies, soothes, or irritates along the way . . . so be it. I hope it can make people think outside the lines a bit and eventually teach them to think for themselves, to be an individual and not follow along with the rest of the herd or sheep if you will. At least that’s what it did for me when I first got into music.

Andrew: I think Rock N’ Roll should always have a certain darkness and mystery to it. I grew up in the age of Appetite For Destruction-era Guns N’ Roses and the bands I tend to gravitate to these days have a similar kind of dark vibe- like Turbonegro, Zeke, or even Backyard Babies. All of these pop-punk bands on the radio have no darkness or mystery to them and it really bores the crap out of me.

Marnix: How did you get on Boss Tuneage?

Brent: Basically, we tried a handful of the bigger “independent” labels in the US and got little or no feedback. There’s not a big market for what we do here. So we shelved the idea and planned to release it ourselves. The Pavers suggested we Aston (owner of Boss Tuneage) a copy of “Naysayers.” At first he wasn’t very interested, so a harassment campaign ensued. Eventually, he came to his senses, and it’s been a great relationship since.

Andrew: Finding a deal in the States is not easy unless you play emo or pop-punk and look like the Backstreet Boys. Most of the so-called indie labels here are all about money and numbers or who you know, but Aston is just a guy who loves music and wants to put out records.

Marnix: You’ve got the song “Girls I Could Have Fucked.” That’s like the motto of eery geek who never got laid, right”!

Brent: The motto of every geek who never got laid would be called “Girl’s I Never Coulda’ Fucked.” Our song is more about what happens when a guy decides to be faithful for the first time in a relationship, and it turns out his girlfriend was cheating all along. So in the end, in an attempt to make her feel guilty, he’s telling her about all the advances he fended off. I guess the whole song is just about irony. But the saddest part is that no one knows for sure if the guy every really had to opportunity to cheat on her in the first place or if he’s just saying this out of anger.

Andrew: It’s a love song, I think . . .

Marnix: And Todd, will you get a hell of a lot more women now you’ve got your ass on they Ugly Bassplayer site?!

Todd: Hmmm. Is that a question or a statement? Hell . . . I’m lucky if I can get one woman to pay attention to me, and she is sorta’ obligated to . . . she’s my wife. The only rewards I’ve reaped from being featured on UBP.com is a free hat and a coupla’ t-shirts . . . but I ain’t complaining.

Marnix: You did an interview with the “Legendary” Maris the Great. Who the hell is he? And how was the interview?

Brent: Maris the Great is basically a guy (or zombie) who loves local music and believes in it more than anyone else I know around here. He recognizes the talent that resides in his back yard and is hellbent on promoting bands to a larger audience. He doesn’t do it for money, for fame, or for any other opportunist reason. He just loves rock and roll.

Todd: He has anointed himself “The Zombie Fag Extraordinaire” or something. He puts this skeleton get up on and goes around killing (interviewing) bands who he thinks threaten his and his band’s (Maris the Great & The Faggots of Death) rise to the top of the heap here in Denver. The interview was scary (the Maris part), disturbing (the gay porno part), and hilarious (hearing al the jokes the porn spawned, and our friend Doug walking in the midst of everything) all at the same time. I suppose any press is good press . . . though it was absolutely excruciating.

Andrew: He’s just a cool guy. We played a show that he put on once almost 2 years ago, not knowing a thing about the guy, and he has followed us ever since. I think we’re one of the few bands that aren’t put off by the guy or his “quirks.”

Marnix: Now you’ve done an interview with the Legendary Marnix van Holland from Pure & Simple! I know your all very happy to be in the best fanzine in the world! Do you have anything to add?!

Andrew: Watch out for Headless Ghosts, Holland.
Todd: Thanx . . . and Holland/Amsterdam rocks. I have such fine (and “hazy”) memories of visiting there last fall. The people, the canals, the sights and smells (not to mention the smoke) was very welcoming. It was truly one of the greatest places I have ever had the pleasure to visit. I/the band hope to return as soon as possible.
Brent: Thanks for the interview. We can’t wait to get our asses back to Europe and rock the fuck outta’ you guys again.

From Denverlocalmusicscene.com. Spring, 2003. (U.S.)
Gay Masterpiece Theater w/Maris The Great

It is I, Maris The Great!
Rock and Roll and Porn go together like beans and franks. Because My Greatness deems it acceptable that you make a superior choice with your next, triple X-rated, gay movie rental, I shall now review such films in this section. To assist me in this important endeavor, I have enlisted some of Colorado's most popular straight bands! No doubt their review will be in agreement with mine, being it is not wise to anger someone who has plans to kill you anyway.
Visit Maris the Great @ his home for interviews and other gory details.

MARIS: This month, doomed Punk band, Reno Divorce are assisting me with my review. Influenced by artists that range from Social Distortion to Buck Owens, this Denver based Punk band has been blasting out their redneck flavored rock and roll since the late '90's. They are one of the few successful bands based in the Rocky mountain region that have created as reputable following out of state and out of the country. A successful Midwest tour was followed by an even more successful European tour- one that saw their already sizable fan base grow even larger. Their debut CD, "Naysayers and Yesmen" has sold tons and they have been favorably featured in numerous U.S. and international zines, including. Holland's very popular and widely distributed Aardschok. The band is made up of the ink covered, midnight love snack, Brent Loveday on vocals and guitar, the illustriously long-haired Andrew Erich handling the backbeat and newest member, Todd Grow nailing it all down with his bass. It's stripped down, raw and highly masculine fare, which ironically enough, brings me to this months Gay erotic masterpiece....

(Maris pushes video tape in VCR and pushes PLAY).

MARIS: Now then...listen up doomed Reno Divorce, you will become even more doomed if I find you disagree with my assessment that this months film is a true work of erotic art.

ANDREW: Doomed? Good! I was wondering when you're going to kill us. You've been threatening us for over a year.

BRENT: Yeah, ever since you laid those human hearts on the hood of my car

MARIS: That was to entice you, alluring tattooed mortal. Little did I know that my necromantic gesture would turn you into such an ice cube. Possibly this film will melt you

BRENT: Ok...I doubt it, but we'll see. What's it called again? (Listens to intro soundtrack)

MARIS: It is called "Airborne," from Odyssey Men Video. It boasts a large, manly cast, though the main action revolves around three tantalizing mortal studs: Sirgio Colt, Mike West and Alexander C. All three are in serious competition for the hot stud award. With smooth, muscular bodies, chiseled features and butch demeanors, one is left with immediate goose flesh when viewing their mortal perfection. Whoever casted this film knows what his audience wants. And whoever wrote the screenplay realized the importance of satisfying the artistic demands gay adult films of this caliber require. The thing that makes "Airborne" truly cutting edge is the fact it was filmed in France. All mortals in the film are French and speak in their native language. The producers went all out and spared no expense. One has to read the subtitles to know what sexually acceptable things they are being spoken. Unlike the living, the undead are well cultured and have no problem with subtitles.

BRENT: It has a rocking soundtrack

TODD: Yeah, those are some good riffs.

MARIS: You have spoken correctly mortal! I believe this is the first heavy metal song I've ever heard in gay erotic film; another reason why this film is a masterpiece worthy of notable attention!

ANDREW: Who is that, Steve Vai?

MARIS: I do not know the answer to your mortal question, but. if Reno Divorce were to submit a song to a porno movie, what type of porno movie would it be?

ANDREW: I don't want to admit how much I watch porn....but some great porn film with a lot of girls and dildos. Either that or "The Best of Jenna Jameson." I also could go for some...

MARIS: Ok , Silence! The movie is beginning. While you watch in awe and wish that you too were gay, I shall describe the plot for the mortals reading this. (Clears throat) The action in this masterful film revolves around an undetermined branch of foreign military..

ANDREW: It's the gay corps.

BRENT: No, it's the gay beret! (Everyone laughs)

MARIS: (Pauses)...As I was saying... the action revolves around a foreign military. The first scene shows the Mike West as the commander, putting his squadron through maneuvers- all the while barking orders in alluring French. We quickly discover that the entire lot is made up of beefy, hot recruits who then...

BRENT: Oh man, even the subtitles are in bad English!

MARIS: (Pauses and glares at Brent)...The nubile recruits then go through skydiving simulation by jumping out of a simulated plane door to prepare them...

BRENT: (laughs). Oh man, this is funny! They are jumping through a rusty piece of metal a couple of feet off the ground. I work harder than this in my day job! (everybody laughs)

MARIS: ENOUGH! (Growls at Brent) AT LEAST IN YOUR DAY JOB YOU AREN'T FORCED WITH THE CERTAIN DOOM YOU ARE NOW FACED WITH FOR SPEAKING IN SUCH A DISRESPECTFUL MANNER! (Growls)...Now where was I?!? Oh yes... after the HIGHLY BELIEVABLE jumping simulation scene, two of the soldiers in training, Sirgio and Alexander are obviously distracted by all the testosterone-laden mortals around them. As understandable as this is, it results in them missing an order. This in turn incurs the swift wrath of sergeant Mike West, who, like the rest of us in higher predatory circles, finds it unacceptable when underlings take improper heed of our orders. In fact, Mike West is of such dominating and exceptional beauty, that one wonders if he is undead himself! As punishment for their inaptitude, he repays the two flyboy's incompetence with KP duty. They are required to clean the barracks shower room with small brushes!

TODD: I highly doubt those showers are gonna get clean

ANDREW: This is an awfully long scene without sex for a porn film

MARIS: SILENCE! That is because this is not the dime store variety, Jenna Jameson nonsense that you watch! This is art. They are taking their time getting to the physical ardor, realizing they are building the erotic tension!

BRENT: This is like climbing that first hill on a roller coaster. You know soon you're about to be plunged down a hill, terrified (everybody laughs) You're like, "Hang On!" as the coaster climbs...click, click, click

MARIS: The two punished soldiers scrub the bathroom tile while the alluring commander yells at them the whole time. The two finally have had their fill and overpower him in an action packed, edge of your seat, wrestle to the death, shower room showdown!
(Everyone laughs at the fight scene)

BRENT: That's supposed to be a fight scene? He doesn't look like he's struggling very hard.

TODD: That's because he wants them to overpower him.

MARIS: What are you talking about?!? I find this most acceptable!

ANDREW: Uh Oh, the picture is fading out. That means the next scene is gonna show a naked body...I just know it.
(The next scene fades in, showing Mike West on the shower room floor, engaged in dominant anal intercourse with Alexander C Sergio Colt stands by Mike's side, alternating masturbating and receiving oral sex)

ANDREW: I knew it!
(The band groans and then watches silently)

BRENT: Yeah, he's getting drilled by Mike. That's why he's called the drill sergeant (laughs).

ANDREW: (Laughs) That's just gross! It just looks...wrong!

BRENT: Wait a minute...I need to see if I have wood (looks down at his crotch) Nope...no wood, I guess I'm straight (Everybody laughs)

ANDREW: I think mine went inside of my body

TODD: You have an "Inny?"

MARIS: Haven't any of you ever had anal intercourse with a female mortal?

BRENT: Of course, hasn't everybody?

MARIS: Where's the most unusual place you've ever had sex. On a shower room floor?

BRENT: I once had sex in a Sears dressing room.

TODD: In a park at night.

ANDREW: In a closet. (Everybody laughs)

MARIS: Why do you breathers even bother with female mortals? They don't even know how to provide acceptable oral pleasure.

BRENT: I'll tell ya, that Mike guy might know how to plow that guy on the shower floor, but he's not very good at providing Siigio with acceptable oral pleasure himself. I've seen a lot of porn and that is a shitty blowjob.

ANDREW: He's so bad that Sirgio has to jack off.

MARIS: This sumptuous shower room sexcapade goes on for quite awhile. Therefore, while Alexander C is having his prostate pounded, you shall now talk about your feeble, mortal band, Reno Divorce!

BRENT: What do you want to know?

MARIS: You were a four piece, but lost your original bassist and rhythm guitarist. You shall now tell me why!

ANDREW: Basically, what it comes down to is some people are ready to commit to what this kind of a band requires and some people aren't. Some people don't expect there to be as much work as there is. I think that's what it really came down to. Those guys had some stuff going on in their lives that was more important than being in the band. I wish them all the best, but we're really happy with Todd.

TODD: I'm an older guy and I pretty much thought I was washed up because I couldn't find any other like-minded musicians. I had already known Andrew previously, so I kept in contact. One thing led to another and I'm just glad they have me in their band. This is really my style of music.

MARIS: You've gained a lot of success pretty quickly

BRENT: Things really snowballed. I didn't expect things to happen as quickly as they did. We've toured alot and got to play with all our favorite bands. We earned the respect of one of my favorite songwriters: Scott Reynolds of ALL. We did two nights with Horton Heat, when he was in town. I've been going and seeing Horton Heat since I was 16. That was a big deal for me, personally.

ANDREW: "Naysayers and Yesmen" has sold really well. We sold 400 copies of CDR's alone, before it was even pressed. 1500 were made and they are almost all gone, almost half of them in Europe.

MARIS: What is the time table for the new CD?

ANDREW: We start the first week in May. We are recording at 8 Houses Down, in Denver. We should have it finished up by the end of the month.
What is the title?

ANDREW: (Turns to Brent) Are we ready to publicize the new name?

BRENT: It's called "Airborne" (Everybody laughs)

ANDREW: No it's called (in mock French accent) "Fuck me harder in the ass!"

MARIS: An acceptable name!

ANDREW: No...it's called...and you're really getting the scoop on this Maris, this isn't even on our website. The new Reno Divorce record is called "You're Only Making It Worse."

BRENT: (watching movie) Speaking of which, old sergeant Mike is still plowing that poor guy on the shower floor.

MARIS: Your timing is impeccable! We are now coming to the highly anticipated climax scene. You shall now rate the ejaculations. My readers read this column primarily to ascertain the acceptability of such scenes before they rent or purchase such films!
(Everybody watches as the three soldiers reach orgasm, one by one).

ANDREW: Well so far, zero

BRENT: Yeah...zilch. As long as they went at it, you'd think there would have been a better cum scene. They were dribblers.
Are the mortals of Reno Divorce dribblers or shooters?

BAND: Shooters

BRENT: Yeah, I've hit the ceiling.

MARIS: How alluring.

ANDREW: Yeah, but I don't think it's going to happen for awhile. After watching this film I don't think mine (penis) will be able to function for a week.

From KaffeineBuzz.com. June, 2002. (U.S.)
By Kim Owens

"Let's face it. Rock music today is boring. Countless bands on radio and MTV are either making tuneless jock rock or writing whiny ballad after whiny ballad, both appealing to audiences that are anything but rock n' roll."

This taken from their web site bio, you know where Reno Divorce is coming from. After the honeymoon is over, Brent, Andrew, Tony, and Seth, offer a raging does of rock reality. A quick and painless break from the monotonous marriage the music scene has with the diluted and manufactured belly button pop that seems to flood the airwaves, both in radio and on TV.

Reno Divorce's gritty, down to dirt punk rock mantra grabs hold of your metal studded belt, spinning out vocal and guitar energy with the passion of a straight whiskey shot, warming you on the inside while your face clenches on the outside. Their new CD, "Naysayers and Yesmen," took its title from Brent's "every day life. Some people saying, 'You're stupid to be in rock band. I can't take your seriously.' And then there's the other end of the spectrum, 'I really like that. You're doing a great job.'"

On the night we got to rap, the meeting place couldn't be more rock n' roll. Sitting in a 60's Detroit American auto-mo-beel just outside of the Crowbar, with the sound of heavy rain and the aroma of Marlboro Lights permeating the car, the discussion burst right out of the shoot. Tony asks, "So how did you hear about us? Total Request Live? Cover of Spin?" and I couldn't help but think of some of the fashion layouts I've seen in some music magazines, so I had to play along. And so did the rest of them.

"Yes, I think it was that underwear layout you guys did. My girlfriend's love it. They'll be so bummed to find out you're married," I said to Andrew, Seth, and Brent. Not that Tony doesn't have it goin' on, but I found out he's just the only single guy of the group.
Seth popped in, "Andrew had a cucumber stuffed in his pants though."

"It wasn't my cucumber. I borrowed it from Tony," Andrew admits.

Yikes. No wonder I've always lingered in the produce section. Anyway. Who are these jokesters? "Well you spend twenty hours a day locked in a car with these bastards, you get a little crazy," Brent explains with a grin.

Tony and Brent have actually known each other since childhood, which could explain why brotherly razzing occurred throughout the entire interview. But the others fell right into the family when Seth and Andrew joined the group a year ago, finding them through an online musician dating service, Denvermusician.com.

Since then they’ve been fine-tuning their material and working relationship to play more gigs and release their new CD. “Naysayers And Yesmen” is compiled of older tracks written by Brent, including “Good Luck,” in addition to new material. And as with most bands, their struggle was to find a label to release it. Andrew ended up landing the deal through, “lots of emails and harassment.” They discovered Boss Tuneage Records out of the UK while they were on tour with The Pavers, now their band label mates, who recommended they send in their demo. From there, Andrew just kept bugging them until they caved in. Now the label is, “really wanting to work with us. They’re getting us over there for a tour, in hundreds of magazines and distribution all over Europe. But as far as U.S. distribution goes, it’s all up to us.”

Although they are on a label, U.S. distribution is only one aspect of their DIY efforts, “As far as artist development, we did the whole CD ourselves. But what the fuck do we know about development? It’s pretty obvious now. It’s nothing,” adds Brent while chuckling.

“As far as DIY, it’s hard. [Brent’s] thinking about the songs, I’m thinking about the CD cover,” says Andrew, who had to go through five different versions of artwork before it was all over.

Although their individual musical preferences range from Hank Williams Sr., to DMX and the soundtrack to Mary Poppins, Brent doesn’t think “the influences really mess with us. I think we have an idea of what Reno Divorce is.” . . .

From Razorcake Magazine. June, 2002. (U.S.)
By Roger Moser, Jr.

Reno Divorce are one of those bands that sonically slice straight through the jugular and then firmly implant themselves into the bloodstream like an unwavering addiction. Their rough'n'ready brand of rock'n'roll abrasion is as gritty, greasy, and down-and-dirty as it gets. Take a huge overflowing barrel full of diesel fuel, toss several liters of liquor into it, douse it with a stiff dose of sin and decadence, and then add an overwhelming whirlwind of amplified liveliness. There ya have the unruly rock'n'roll roar of Reno Divorce in all of their liver-picklin' glory. Ladies and gentlemutts, I now take supreme pleasure in presenting to you the undisputed, hell-raisin' big daddies of over-amped musical madness: Reno motherfuckin' Divorce!

Roger: Please allow me to introduce yourselves; resolutely state your names (including jailbird aliases), your musical/instrumental fields of expertise (guitar, bass, empty wine jug, ragged old washboard, etc.), and your everyday grueling occupational habits (regular daytime jobs, that is).

Brent Loveday: Vocals/lead guitar. FedEx slave.

Tony Owens: Guitar. Tire installer.

Seth Evans: Bass/hack, vocals. Overnight overlord of Kmart.

Andrew Erich: Drums. Office bitch.

Roger: I now drunkenly implore you to inform the inquisitive Razorcake readership about Reno Divorce's illustrious hell-raisin' history to date. All the pertinent details, fellas! When and where did the band form? Just how many beers ago was that?

Brent: Reno Divorce was formed in an Orange County (Florida that is) subdivision in 1989 by Tony and me. He had this fucked-up Epiphone copy Paul McCartney bass and was the only other kid in the neighborhood with a stringed instrument.

Tony: It wasn't even an Epiphone. It didn't even have a name!

Brent: We recorded Black Flag's version of "Louie, Louie" on a 4-track with a drum machine at this old butt-rocker's home studio. We then proceeded to play it for every chick in the neighborhood. We officially started Reno Divorce many beers and years later. We played in Orlando for about two years and released the Web of Lies EP and the All Throttle, No Bottle 7" (Skankin' Skull Records). I moved to California.

Tony: I knocked some chick up in Denver and went there to try and do the right thing!

Brent: I guess the planets were aligned, because my son moved to Denver as well, so my wife and I came here, and we re-formed the band.

Seth: I just woke up and they were at my house. They won't leave. Help me.

Andrew: They had some other drummer, and I had an ad on denvermusician.com. They were looking to get a new drummer, and they answered my ad. My influences were all the same shit that Brent liked, so he got in touch with me, and we met at a Denny's. After I met them, they called my house about ten billion times and, well, here I am.

Tony: Brent went on vacation and called me every ten minutes, "Did you call him?" "Yeah." "Call him again!" Two months later, we made a record.

Seth: Help!

Andrew: Then we did our first tour with the Pavers (Scott Reynolds, ex-ALL singer) and ended up becoming friends with them.

Brent: After much harassment and threats, Boss Tuneage Records decided to take a chance on us.

Roger: It's blatantly obvious ol' reckless Mike Ness and his socially distorted sidekicks profoundly influenced Reno Divorce to rambunctiously unleash an ear-twistin' smattering of sonic sinfulness. But who else indelibly inspired you to robustly grab the proverbial rock'n'roll bull by its horns and raucously crank it up a notch or two?

Brent: Just about any punk music in Southern California in the early to mid '80s. I just connected with that shit. I was born in Knoxville, so country music is also a deep influence, as well.

Seth: Bluegrass, sugar-pop punk rock, pretty much everything that the other guys don't like.

Tony: As far as someone making me want to get up on stage and play guitar, probably Dennis Dannel (Social Distortion guitarist. RIP).

Andrew: Older bands like Black Flag, Descendents/ALL, Ramones and newer bands, like Zeke, Turbonegro, and the Backyard Babies.

Brent: As far as the Social Distortion influence, they were the first band Tony and I ever saw live when we were thirteen. It leaves an impression, I guess. It's not like we were surrounded by positive role models. Great minds think alike, I guess. If more bands were influenced by Social D., you might be able to listen to the radio.

Roger: Since we're certainly boisterous sinners amongst men, what is your favorite form of unadulterated hedonistic debauchery: booze, broads, or billiards? And the reason being?

Tony: Girlies. 'Cause I don't drink and I'm a shitty pool player.

Seth: Broads ain't nothin' but sluts, and billiards are boring, so I guess it's booze. And Frodo.

Andrew: My girl. I'm pretty fucking boring for a rock'n'roller.

Brent: Broads, but I have to live vicariously… through Tony.

Roger: Any naughty, tabloid-style VH1 Behind The Music moments you'd like to boastfully divulge? Crazed groupie encounters, vomit-saturated drunken orgies, decadent near-fatal drug consumption, taboo sexual liaisons with the family pet, bottle-tossin' fist-flyin' bickering amongst the band members, etc.? Intoxicated inquiring minds want to know.

Andrew: One time, on tour, Seth showed his tits to a truck driver. That was pretty wild, man.
Brent: Seth threw beer on Stephen from ALL's wife, "accidentally." (Sorry, Nat!) We drove all night to Chicago (for a half-hour set) after a gig in Colorado Springs and decided it would be a good idea to snort Ritalin to keep us up. We'd read somewhere it's just a molecule off from being cocaine. Evidently, it was the "taste" molecule.

Andrew: Then there was Brent's "soma coma." He kept saying to us, "I love you guys! You're some solid motherfuckers!"

Seth: One time, I fucked up a dude's sound board, 'cause he said I sucked.

Brent: Passive aggressive. And one time I firebombed a club.

Roger: What's the sappiest, most disgusting stomach-churning song that's ever mercilessly violated your auditory senses? For me, it's definitely a torturous toss-up between anything by the despicable, loathsome likes of Elton John, Billy Joel, The Eagles, The Doobie Brothers, and Bob Seger. May Satan fiercely defecate on 'em all in the eternal hereafter! Gawd, how I fervently hate that bland, boring FM pap-smear rock from the 1970s!

Andrew: What the fuck is that "Seasons in the Sun" song? Fuck that fucking song! Makes me fucking suicidal.

Tony: Hold on, let me turn on the radio - this'll just take a sec . . . there we go, System of a Down! I didn't think I could hate a band more than Korn, but in comparison, I'm beginning to think Korn had some kind of talent.

Seth: "California Dreamin'" and anything by Sonny and Cher.

Brent: "This Is How You Remind Me." What the FUCK?!

Roger: What are your loudly outspoken opinions about the current cluster-fuck state of affairs regarding the continuous war-on-terrorism saga, the Catholic priest molestation craziness (hell, those sick bastards are fornicating more furiously than I could've ever imagined doing so myself!), and Enron's shameless greed-based corporate tackiness? It's certainly a frivolous media-circus feeding frenzy, and I, for one, am sick to death of it all. I just wanna drink another beer, heartily unleash an atomic belch, and hope that it somehow benefits my fellow man (especially the tree-huggin' hippy-rodent political activist do-gooders who are just as repulsive and annoying as their surrogate-daddy governmental opponents that they so vehemently protest against). Amen, and I will now drunkenly saunter away from the pulpit.

Seth: I'm a commie. I don't care! I don't give a fuck just as long as Cuba is around.

Andrew: The terrorist thing is fucked-up. Other countries have to deal with it 24/7, and it's somewhat of a new reality in the US. It's a wake-up call, in a way, that we need to watch the other person a bit more and not get all fat and happy with the remote control while some motherfucker hides in the bushes, getting ready to take us out. Fuck Enron. Who the fuck cares? Nice publicity stunt. See you in Playboy!

Tony: It's all bullshit. I know a few guys in my neighborhood, give 'em a gun, send 'em over there, and they'll get that fuck Bin Laden - and the U.S. government can't do it?

Brent: You can't have it so good for so long without being called out. You've got to flex every now and then. On those rapist priests, child molestation is fucked-up in its own right, but when you betray a trust like the one that exists between a clergyman and a kid and then the biggest organization in the world bends over backwards to cover it up, it's no wonder why shit like Marilyn Manson sells millions of records. It just goes to show everybody's crooked.

Roger: Here's an irrelevant, off-the-cuff question that just begs to be asked: Linda Lovelace, the esophagus-stretched ex-porn "actress," recently died due to injuries sustained in a car wreck. Do you think she's now diligently deep-throating St. Peter at Heaven's pearly gates to guarantee her eternal, everlasting passage into Paradise? Please do share your profound thoughts on this socially pertinent subject matter.

Seth: She went to hell because she disowned the greatest thing she's ever done.

Andrew: I think all porn stars go to heaven, except the ones in Seth's porn collection. They go to a very, very bad place.

Brent: No, the girls in Seth's collection HAVE to go to heaven for enduring the hell-on-earth that takes place in those flicks. She's (Lovelace) from Colorado, so we're down with her.

Tony: I don't practice any kind of organized religion, so I'm not going to judge her.

Roger: I've been told (more often than I care to admit) that I'm uglier, meaner, and nastier than a one-eyed, runt-tailed rattlesnake. So which one of those unflattering and dishonorable traits (ugly, mean, or nasty) adequately describes you, and why?

Seth: I'm too ugly for that girl to be my friend. I guess I'm more nasty than ugly, though.

Andrew: A little of each.

Brent: I guess I got a mean streak, but only towards my loved ones.

Tony: I don't know. I'm not the prettiest guy in the world, but I guess I can get mean if provoked. That's a question better suited to my ex-girlfriend.

Roger: Well, thank ya ever so kindly for patiently participating in this sorry excuse of an interview, you dastardly Reno Divorce scoundrels. I will now gregariously give you the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tell it like it is as you see fit. Grand future plans and shameful past indiscretions; the final word is all yours, fellas!

Brent: Next thing for us is we're going to Europe in October with our friends, the Pavers.

Tony: I'm celebrating my birthday in Amsterdam, and I'm hoping that the fellas are gonna chip in to get me a nice prostitute. I don't want to say "top shelf," but you know.

Andrew: Our record, "Naysayers and Yesmen," will be out on Boss Tuneage Records on June 22nd. You can check us out online at http://www.renodivorceonline.com and tell me how bad I am at putting a site together. You can also check out http://www.bosstuneage.com/ for our label.

From Artist Interviews. Spring, 2001. (U.S.)
By Mauricio Saravia

Reno Divorce is one of the finest punk rock bands ever. The strenght and energy places them along the status of The Clash, or the Sex Pistols. They are currently playing in Denver on several different venues, such as Herman's Hideaway and Cricket on the Hill. They are one of the hot new groups to look out for. They have produced a CD that has the raw energy from the late seventies and still manages to maintain a pop feel throughout the songs.

ARTIST INTERVIEWS: You began "Reno Divorce" in Florida. How does the punk scene in Florida differ from the one in Denver?

Brent Loveday: Florida is a really strange, strange place. There are hardly any venues doing punk shows, except national acts, and even those are reserved for big tours. I would say the Denver scene is more local oriented. I've noticed local bands open up for national acts pretty regularly, which gives them a lot of exposure. It's good for a scene to see their peers placed up to a level like that. It inspires them to support local music.

AI: If you think of groups such as Prodigy, Nine Inch Nails, Mirwais and Death in Vegas you can find a punk influence there. How do you see the post-punk scene in the year 2001?

BL: Punk rock to me isn't a three cord mold, it's an attitude. I can listen to DMX and hear punk rock rearing it's ugly head. I definitely see it getting louder and faster. I think bands like Green Day and Blink 182, who the layman calls punk, have taken the masculinity from the music. I think people want real attitude, songs with more content than jacking off or watching TV. I foresee a real trend towards a more rock n roll (Supersuckers, Nashville Pussy) based post punk 2001.

AI: Your CD (Web Of Lies) is energetic. How long did it take you to record the CD? Do you have any anecdotes?

BL: The CD is broken into three sessions. Two of the songs ( Good Luck, It hasn't happened yet) were recorded in a "real" studio for too much money. The rest were recorded on a four track with surprisingly good results. The "real" studio songs may have a better sound quality as far as the technical aspect goes, but the four track recordings definitely captured the energy of the band. The whole CD is really meat & potatoes, minimal overdubs and guitar parts. We feel that it's easier to honestly reproduce the music live that way. All said and done it took us about 3 months to get it all together. For three of the self produced songs, each member had to be in a separate room of the house while we recorded with no headphones, trying to play off the closest guy next to us. Ironically those recordings came out the best.

AI: I remember that Kraftwerk used to jam together for hours and then they would go in a studio and record what they remembered the most. How do you approach songwriting?

BL: Practice! Practice! Practice! I come up with music first, and then fill in the blanks with lyrics. Then I usually spring it on the guys without any notice and tell them to play it, hopefully not at a show. The songs evolve from there as each member adds his personality.

AI: Do you think that computer software home studios will change the way musicians work in the future by allowing them to try different approaches that they wouldn't think of doing in 'sound studio'?

BL: Definitely. Computers are bringing the quality that sound engineers have dangled above bands heads for years into the musicians living room. It also makes it possible for musicians to take a relaxed approach to recording without worrying about watching the clock. You don't have some overpaid engineer telling you that you can't put a mic here or there, or you don't have enough tracks for another vocal.

AI: Which bands have inspired you to play?

BL: The early 80's Southern California punk scene has been my biggest influence. TSOL was the first punk record I ever had. Bands like Social Distortion, Agent Orange, Descendants, pretty much anything that was coming out of there was what inspired me to start playing. But on the other side of the coin, 40's,50's & 60's country and western were and are still a big influence on me. Guys like Hank Sr, Johnny Horton & Buck Owens have definitely played a role as well as bluesmen like John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters. It's like I mentioned earlier, it's their attitude that transcends any genre and gives it universal appeal.

AI: Which CDs are you listening to right now?

BL: A band called the Pavers (Scott Reynolds, ex front man for ALL) is one of the hottest bands out there. I'm also pretty hooked on WATTS, ex members of the Monomen. I'm also listening to a little bit of Hip Hop these days, guys like Outkast and DMX.

AI: Playing live from Florida to Denver, which band has captured your attention?

BL: I think the Bellrays from Los Angeles have one of the best live acts going. We had the good fortune of opening up their show in Ft. Collins last month. An hour and 45 minutes of rock n roll madness with an encore. Those cats really get down. Locally The Volts and The Down n Outs are great bands that put on awesome shows. That's what it's all about, owning the stage you're on and commanding it.

AI: Did you have anything unusual happen to you when you were playing live?

BL: We were playing Halloween night in Miami at a dive called The Backstage. Everyone was dressed up in the audience (I've never seen so many Alexs' from A Clockwork Orange) and to add to the madness, it was free beer all night. The band before us dressed up like the Misfits and did all Misfits covers. Everybody was going wild, spilling beer and smashing Jack O Lanterns. Sensing the crowd was hungry for some more punk covers we opened our set with Mommies Little Monster. All hell broke loose, I mean a full fledged bar room brawl. We played through it until our amps got knocked over, then we took the brawl into the street. It was fucking awesome. No cops showed up and the whole thing lasted about 20 minutes. We went back inside covered in strangers blood and finished our set for those who weren't knocked out.

AI: What's your advice to musicians who want to begin their own group, or are about to publish their CD?

BL: The best advice I can think of is to never give up. Don't listen to the critics and just keep trying. You don't need a big label to be a band or to publish a CD, with the technology out today and the Internet it is easier than ever to make things happen on your own.