Comments on: “The Believer” Music Issue: Can We Please Ask Ian MacKaye Some New Questions Already?

By: betablog

betablog — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:17:35 +0000

"While I'm not fond of the "schema" format in which Beta jokingly lays out his unsuccessful attempts to find Molam music in Laos"

That schema would be Lonely Planet.

By: Cam/ron

Cam/ron — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:44:53 +0000

@Michaelangelo Matos: I've read interviews where Ian proclaimed his love for 60's psych rock (he was addicted to the Woodstock soundtrack), dub, late 70's punk, and of course, 80's post-hardcore bands like the Minutemen. But yeah, too many interviewers recycle the usual questions about Dischord's business practices, the Incredible Amazing Five-Dollar Fugazi Tickets, what punks means to him nowadays, etc. The better interviews covered his take on the digital music business and the infamous Nike ripoff of the "Minor Threat" record cover.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:35:01 +0000

I’ve heard he thought the Eon McKai thing was funny, if kind of creepy. And I’ve heard his record collection IS insane (and about as far from elitist obscure local band stuff as you can get – the guy LOVES Ted Nugent; seriously). And you’d need to ask Jeff Nelson to re-boot the Egg Hunt t-shirt machine… I can assure you that was all him!

By: bcapirigi

bcapirigi — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:11:45 +0000

I’d like to know what he thinks about Eon McKai.

By: Hamm Beerger

Hamm Beerger — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:10:00 +0000

@highlifer: Or maybe he recommended those bands because that's really all that he likes.

By: mike a

mike a — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:29:31 +0000

I swear, if Ian MacKaye were any better known, someone would have to do a Farley-interviewing-Macca routine. “Remember when you were in Minor Threat? And you had that song that went ‘I’ve got the straight edge?’ Uh…is that true?”

By: Silverfuture

Silverfuture — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:19:49 +0000

@Michaelangelo Matos: Yeah, that guy really needs to do a few bong hits and chill...

By: NickEddy

NickEddy — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:51:02 +0000

One thing I would say to Ian MacKaye:

MAKE MORE EGG HUNT TEE SHIRTS!

kthxbai

By: RaptorAvatar

RaptorAvatar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 06:57:37 +0000

@highlifer: My brother met him a few months ago and said he was really awesome. However, presuming that it was an elitist tool move, MacKaye has the right to make that move more than anyone else.

By: sparkletone

sparkletone — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 06:12:04 +0000

There are only two things I would say to Ian MacKaye:

1) I love your work, it's really meant a lot to me.

2) New Fugazi or GTFO.

By: Michaelangelo Matos

Michaelangelo Matos — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 05:57:58 +0000

@highlifer: That's interesting. I should note that I have no idea what MacKaye does or doesn't listen to; I just figured he probably has something to say about it, whatever it is.

By: Michaelangelo Matos

Michaelangelo Matos — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 05:55:05 +0000

That’s interesting. I didn’t mean my examples to be completely literal–I have no real idea what he listens to. It’d be interesting to hear him discuss it in a relaxed setting, though–not that MacKaye comes off as an especially relaxed guy, but still.

By: highlifer

highlifer — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 05:39:33 +0000

I saw Ian Mackaye at Coachella a few years ago and he did a Q & A. Some teenager in the audience asked him who he listened to. He replied that he only listened to obscure local music, and then proceeded to name obscure DC bands that I, a nearby resident had never heard of either (not that I’m a genius.) It came across as so elitist and tooly. Maybe what he was trying to say was “down with corporate rock, go see young local talent” but it sounded to me like “I’m cooler than you kid, now go play next door with the White Striples.” I mean, wouldn’t this have been a great opportunity to turn a teen on to some music he could actually find? Blah.