Episode #151
05/08/2020
EPISODE #151
1. Old Cross - Miss (Old Cross) [0:16]
2. Heather Ashley - Eyes Shaded Grey (Hear My Heart) [4:26]
3 The Ghost Town Rebellion - Moments (Silver & Gold) [8:32]
4. Second Player Score - Hooked (Nobody's Hero) [11:52]
5. RepresA - United Slaves (United Slaves) [18:17]
EPISODE #151
1. Old Cross - Miss (Old Cross) [0:16]
2. Heather Ashley - Eyes Shaded Grey (Hear My Heart) [4:26]
3 The Ghost Town Rebellion - Moments (Silver & Gold) [8:32]
4. Second Player Score - Hooked (Nobody's Hero) [11:52]
5. RepresA - United Slaves (United Slaves) [18:17]
I've been putting off this episode for the longest time, for no real significant reason other than, I just didn't make time for it. Now I'm (hopefully) making up for it because other people have given their time to help make this happen. Like Matt Danger, head honcho at No Pants Records and main squeeze for Ninjas with Syringes. It's a No Pants Records themed show! Matt was kind enough to do a Q & A for me, and he went into great detail and gave more than I asked for. Also, this Q & A is a bit dated (October 2019), but it's definitely a nice read and gives a lot of insight to the label, the bands and what No Pants is all about.
Be sure to check out No Pants Records
Official Website - HERE
YouTube - HERE
Be sure to check out No Pants Records
Official Website - HERE
YouTube - HERE
Q&A w/Matt Danger
Are you wearing pants?
Yes, but they were painted on and I sweat a lot when I dance so it doesn’t really count.
Why the name No Pants and how/when did the label start?
Because that’s when people are happy, the most relaxed, and themselves, usually in their home or car. I started the No Pants in 2006 to put out the first quality record I ever played on or released called, Bear Market, in 2007. I played drums for Drawback for about six years until it quit being active around 2012 except for a few comeback shows here and there for kicks and to see old friends.
What's the motto behind No Pants?
We tried a few over the years, but “No Pants, No Problems” seems to have stuck.
You have a pretty diverse sounding roster, and a few bands from outside of Portland, how do you pick and choose who to work with?
I let the bands choose me. Most of the time it’s through the scene and word of mouth. We get a lot of submissions online and physically. I take the time to listen to every single one to see what’s out there, but I keep it very discerning, keeping the trajectory of the label in mind with every band / artist we include. I approach bands now and then if I’m really blown away, but it seems to work out better when they approach me first.
Looks like a majority of the bands on No Pants are Punk Rock bands.
Aside from my personal bias and journey of finding punk rock, I feel punk is a breeding ground musically and spiritually that relies on sincerity and grit that grow into whatever direction artists set their sights and sounds on. Everyone evolves and grows over time if they’re doing it right and we support and love to see that.
Why Punk Rock?
Punk rock is that intangible feeling you get when you’re ecstatic and raw. We try to bottle that and its energy permeates everything we do whether it’s punk music, standup or different music altogether. Punk rock is a source of power you can tap into at any time if you want it. Since No Pants is clearly rooted in punk rock, I prefer to not overplay my hand and keep the catalog as diverse as possible and as interesting as good music itself: eclectic, evolving and a little eccentric. Focusing on only punk rock bands can get stagnant pretty fast, so I’ve found that a variety of styles across the spectrum is truly the spice of life and of building an engaged audience. Our goal with the label was never to make it all about one genre of music, even if that genre is clearly awesome and asks for so little in return. Ideally, in a perfect world, I would like No Pants to vertically curate the integration of multiple styles, sounds, and backgrounds into its fold and foster a bouquet of perspectives and techniques. The cultural and socioeconomic soils may be different, but in the end - it’s the quality people and attitude to succeed on their own terms that binds their roots to the same soil we share and makes us all the same at our core.
Do you find that difficult to juggle; or overly idealistic at times?
Yes. But I have this crazy idea that most music listeners actually enjoy a breadth of musical genre's and tastes and punk rock is merely one facet of the diverse spectrum.
You accepting demos?
Always!
What's on your current music playlist?
Woof let me think. I have a playlist of 100+ covers I’m working on and trying to discover new music all the time. But I’ve been into the bands Dinosaur Pileup, The Needs, Anderson .Paak, Uncommonmenfrommars, Not Scientists, Blood Command, new blink album, Bones, Trash Boat, new Lagwagon (album, Railer, has been rad) The Bronx, Rhianna, Mariah Carey, The Bombpops, Pup, and The Penske File to name a few.
Among the popular music streaming platforms, how do you feel about Spotify?
Spotify actually has a pretty cool feature that algorithmically scans for new releases based on the bands and contemporaries in rotation. I made a playlist of all the No Pants bands’ music from every full length, EP, and single released that is nearing 400 songs and growing with every band’s original release that I hit shuffle on throughout the week that keeps me refreshed on everything cool we’ve done. Sometimes I forget how far we’ve come, how much work has been poured into this, how much has been sacrificed, and how truly rad the material and bands and quality of people we’ve backed over the years. It brings a tear of joy to my eye and keeps me humble and grateful. That being said, it would be cool to see them (Spotify) pay bands and artists more through digital distribution. It’s something we’re trying to focus on: securing a higher ROI through publishing royalties and ad revenue due to artists from streaming services.
Any particular bands I should check out?
Old Cross, City Escape Artist, The Latter Day Skanks, Question Tuesday, GFL, Second Player Score, The Gutz, RepresA, Stab In The Dark, The Filthy Lowdown, Wild Bill. We’re starting to work with this new band called The Rough from San Diego and releasing their new EP soon. Also The Ghost Town Rebellion have a new full length coming out soon. Our bands are always busy and we strive to meet the demand to get their music out there to new people and fans.
I see you have a stand-up comedian on your roster, how did connecting with Dax Jordan come about?
He posted something on social media asking for help from a label in 2015 and I reached out to him. We knew some of the same people in the comedy and music world and he’s from Oregon (Sandy) too, so we both felt like we had enough in common geographically / culturally to get to know each other in person. We had a lot in common, shared similar philosophies about life, art, music, and comedy, and started working together from there. Dax is one of my favorite people, a truly brilliant stand-up, writer, and consider him family to the Pants to this day. His record #1 Grandson holds up and he kills live every time.
Who are your favorite comedians right now?
Wanda Sykes, Kenny DeForest, Neil Brennan, Ron Funches, Ian Karmel, Tig Natoro, Allen Strickland Williams, Tom Segura, Sarah Silverman, Kyle Kinane, Anthony Jeselnik. Chappelle, Oswalt, David Cross’ latest thing Oh, Come On was good. My buddy Keith Cameron has been busy hosting multiple shows at Helium and Harvey’s in Portland, and Dax Jordan has been keeping busy in Hollywood doing showcases with some amazing comics
I'm a big fan of NWS, can you sign my cds?
Anytime.
What's the superior game, Ninja Gaiden or Shinobi?
Ninja Gaiden. Way harder, but Shinobi is pretty rad too even if it is less challenging.
Where's Hex, and how's he doing?
He’s keeping things Hexual (well). He played in a few bands after Ninjas and has been laying low a bit but I run into him at shows and bars from time to time and we catch up.
What do you have planned out for No Pants for the rest of 2019?
After finishing a 3 week tour on the west coast down to San Diego managing and filling in on bass a little for our east coast friends The Filthy Lowdown and City Escape Artist I’m staying in Oregon for the rest of the year. We’ve got new releases from bands I need to be around to focus on, a new Ninjas record, Punkanomics, out Oct. 19, 2019, and some more touring come 2020. I’ve been getting back on the kit for Rendered Useless and getting our new bass player Nils Shervey tightened up with Omar Cripps, who writes a lot of the material, and if everything keeps going well we might be playing some shows by the end of the year. No Pants just became the music department for a new company I was appointed senior commercial executive for called Storify: a Portland based storycentric creative agency that’s partnering with some pretty cool companies and DIY entrepreneurs doing their own thing who actually produce raw products to market. We just got an office with a fully loaded podcast room to do interviews in, insanely good pro cameras and editing software, and the whole group of friends has been instrumental to bounce ideas off of, work on projects with, and combine energies. All that, and pushing more of our artists music for commercial licensing in film, TV, commercials, and securing publishing rights on behalf of our artists to protect their music in their name and bring home the bacon so we can all get paid more to create more.
Where do you see No Pants in 5 years?
Getting our own satellite put into orbit and hopefully a small space station with a recording studio with a wet bar in it. Seriously though I want to keep doing what we’re doing, expand at the right pace (slowly), sign more crazy good bands, and maybe hire some more help!
Yes, but they were painted on and I sweat a lot when I dance so it doesn’t really count.
Why the name No Pants and how/when did the label start?
Because that’s when people are happy, the most relaxed, and themselves, usually in their home or car. I started the No Pants in 2006 to put out the first quality record I ever played on or released called, Bear Market, in 2007. I played drums for Drawback for about six years until it quit being active around 2012 except for a few comeback shows here and there for kicks and to see old friends.
What's the motto behind No Pants?
We tried a few over the years, but “No Pants, No Problems” seems to have stuck.
You have a pretty diverse sounding roster, and a few bands from outside of Portland, how do you pick and choose who to work with?
I let the bands choose me. Most of the time it’s through the scene and word of mouth. We get a lot of submissions online and physically. I take the time to listen to every single one to see what’s out there, but I keep it very discerning, keeping the trajectory of the label in mind with every band / artist we include. I approach bands now and then if I’m really blown away, but it seems to work out better when they approach me first.
Looks like a majority of the bands on No Pants are Punk Rock bands.
Aside from my personal bias and journey of finding punk rock, I feel punk is a breeding ground musically and spiritually that relies on sincerity and grit that grow into whatever direction artists set their sights and sounds on. Everyone evolves and grows over time if they’re doing it right and we support and love to see that.
Why Punk Rock?
Punk rock is that intangible feeling you get when you’re ecstatic and raw. We try to bottle that and its energy permeates everything we do whether it’s punk music, standup or different music altogether. Punk rock is a source of power you can tap into at any time if you want it. Since No Pants is clearly rooted in punk rock, I prefer to not overplay my hand and keep the catalog as diverse as possible and as interesting as good music itself: eclectic, evolving and a little eccentric. Focusing on only punk rock bands can get stagnant pretty fast, so I’ve found that a variety of styles across the spectrum is truly the spice of life and of building an engaged audience. Our goal with the label was never to make it all about one genre of music, even if that genre is clearly awesome and asks for so little in return. Ideally, in a perfect world, I would like No Pants to vertically curate the integration of multiple styles, sounds, and backgrounds into its fold and foster a bouquet of perspectives and techniques. The cultural and socioeconomic soils may be different, but in the end - it’s the quality people and attitude to succeed on their own terms that binds their roots to the same soil we share and makes us all the same at our core.
Do you find that difficult to juggle; or overly idealistic at times?
Yes. But I have this crazy idea that most music listeners actually enjoy a breadth of musical genre's and tastes and punk rock is merely one facet of the diverse spectrum.
You accepting demos?
Always!
What's on your current music playlist?
Woof let me think. I have a playlist of 100+ covers I’m working on and trying to discover new music all the time. But I’ve been into the bands Dinosaur Pileup, The Needs, Anderson .Paak, Uncommonmenfrommars, Not Scientists, Blood Command, new blink album, Bones, Trash Boat, new Lagwagon (album, Railer, has been rad) The Bronx, Rhianna, Mariah Carey, The Bombpops, Pup, and The Penske File to name a few.
Among the popular music streaming platforms, how do you feel about Spotify?
Spotify actually has a pretty cool feature that algorithmically scans for new releases based on the bands and contemporaries in rotation. I made a playlist of all the No Pants bands’ music from every full length, EP, and single released that is nearing 400 songs and growing with every band’s original release that I hit shuffle on throughout the week that keeps me refreshed on everything cool we’ve done. Sometimes I forget how far we’ve come, how much work has been poured into this, how much has been sacrificed, and how truly rad the material and bands and quality of people we’ve backed over the years. It brings a tear of joy to my eye and keeps me humble and grateful. That being said, it would be cool to see them (Spotify) pay bands and artists more through digital distribution. It’s something we’re trying to focus on: securing a higher ROI through publishing royalties and ad revenue due to artists from streaming services.
Any particular bands I should check out?
Old Cross, City Escape Artist, The Latter Day Skanks, Question Tuesday, GFL, Second Player Score, The Gutz, RepresA, Stab In The Dark, The Filthy Lowdown, Wild Bill. We’re starting to work with this new band called The Rough from San Diego and releasing their new EP soon. Also The Ghost Town Rebellion have a new full length coming out soon. Our bands are always busy and we strive to meet the demand to get their music out there to new people and fans.
I see you have a stand-up comedian on your roster, how did connecting with Dax Jordan come about?
He posted something on social media asking for help from a label in 2015 and I reached out to him. We knew some of the same people in the comedy and music world and he’s from Oregon (Sandy) too, so we both felt like we had enough in common geographically / culturally to get to know each other in person. We had a lot in common, shared similar philosophies about life, art, music, and comedy, and started working together from there. Dax is one of my favorite people, a truly brilliant stand-up, writer, and consider him family to the Pants to this day. His record #1 Grandson holds up and he kills live every time.
Who are your favorite comedians right now?
Wanda Sykes, Kenny DeForest, Neil Brennan, Ron Funches, Ian Karmel, Tig Natoro, Allen Strickland Williams, Tom Segura, Sarah Silverman, Kyle Kinane, Anthony Jeselnik. Chappelle, Oswalt, David Cross’ latest thing Oh, Come On was good. My buddy Keith Cameron has been busy hosting multiple shows at Helium and Harvey’s in Portland, and Dax Jordan has been keeping busy in Hollywood doing showcases with some amazing comics
I'm a big fan of NWS, can you sign my cds?
Anytime.
What's the superior game, Ninja Gaiden or Shinobi?
Ninja Gaiden. Way harder, but Shinobi is pretty rad too even if it is less challenging.
Where's Hex, and how's he doing?
He’s keeping things Hexual (well). He played in a few bands after Ninjas and has been laying low a bit but I run into him at shows and bars from time to time and we catch up.
What do you have planned out for No Pants for the rest of 2019?
After finishing a 3 week tour on the west coast down to San Diego managing and filling in on bass a little for our east coast friends The Filthy Lowdown and City Escape Artist I’m staying in Oregon for the rest of the year. We’ve got new releases from bands I need to be around to focus on, a new Ninjas record, Punkanomics, out Oct. 19, 2019, and some more touring come 2020. I’ve been getting back on the kit for Rendered Useless and getting our new bass player Nils Shervey tightened up with Omar Cripps, who writes a lot of the material, and if everything keeps going well we might be playing some shows by the end of the year. No Pants just became the music department for a new company I was appointed senior commercial executive for called Storify: a Portland based storycentric creative agency that’s partnering with some pretty cool companies and DIY entrepreneurs doing their own thing who actually produce raw products to market. We just got an office with a fully loaded podcast room to do interviews in, insanely good pro cameras and editing software, and the whole group of friends has been instrumental to bounce ideas off of, work on projects with, and combine energies. All that, and pushing more of our artists music for commercial licensing in film, TV, commercials, and securing publishing rights on behalf of our artists to protect their music in their name and bring home the bacon so we can all get paid more to create more.
Where do you see No Pants in 5 years?
Getting our own satellite put into orbit and hopefully a small space station with a recording studio with a wet bar in it. Seriously though I want to keep doing what we’re doing, expand at the right pace (slowly), sign more crazy good bands, and maybe hire some more help!