In the days before streaming and YouTube, the best way to find out about the latest and greatest bands included picking up the various compilation CDs each label put out. Fat Wreck Chords had Fat Music for Fat People. Hopeless Records had Hopelessly Devoted To You. Asian Man had Mail Order is Fun. Not to be left out Epitaph also had their own compilation series as well. Punk-o-Rama volume 6 is where I heard Deviates for the first time. Sandwiched right between Guttermouth and NOFX on the track listing, Deviates had prime billing. They deserved it to. Their brand of South Bay punk rock was blistering. Sonically to me, they drew comparisons to bands like Pennywise, Strung Out, 7 Seconds, and 88 Fingers Louie. Sadly, I never got a chance to see them live, because the band went on hiatus shortly thereafter.
Thankfully, after a 20 year nap, Deviates are back and better than ever.
Today, they released Holding Out, their first proper album of new material since 2001’s Time is the Distance. I’m happy to report that after listening to it, Deviates picked up right where they left off. Holding Out consists of seven melodic hardcore skate punk gems. While this may sound cliché, I mean it with the upmost sincerity. Like a fine wine, Deviates have gotten better with age. Holding Out sounds better than ever. Not only are they celebrating a new release, but there’s also some touring going on this fall with folks like Pennywise, Dead Kennedys, Strung Out, and The Line. I for one welcome them back with open arms. It truly is a good time to be a fan of punk rock.
To help celebrate the release of Holding Out, lead singer Brian Barbara took some time out of his day to answer some questions about the band, the new album, and his thoughts on music today. Take a gander at what he had to say below. After that, make sure you go seek out Holding Out immediately.
When listening to Holding Out, it sounds like you haven’t missed a step at all. What was it like recording new music for the first time in decades?
Thanks a lot. The goal was to come back with the same intensity we had the first time around. I feel like we were able to do that with these songs and the response has been encouraging. Aspects of recording have certainly changed. There are new ways to be more efficient with your time and resources, but we made every effort to capture the raw performance that can be lost in the modern world of automation. Writing the record was pretty much the same and gave us the ability to go into the studio prepared for a great experience.
You worked with Cameron Webb on the new tunes. He works with everyone from Motorhead to The Aquabats. How cool was it to work with him and what expertise did he lend to the album?
This was our first time working with him. Cameron’s expertise cannot be overstated. He’s a musician and a fan of music first. His approach to the record was truly refreshing. There was no distinction of roles. Everyone had a voice. He had great ideas, encouraged us to fight for what we wanted and did the same in return. The band agrees that this was the best creative experience we’ve had in studio, and we’re stoked to call Cameron a friend.
What was the catalyst that got you all to realize it was time to be a band again?
I never stopped writing music. In fact, at our last show I said we’d be back…I just didn’t know when. As the catalogue of songs continued to pile up, there was an overwhelming amount of Deviates material. Deviates is the only band I’ve ever been in. I’ve never known music apart from doing it with friends and so, I guess I’ve been spoiled. There was no way I would ever come back to music without brothers joining me in this. Fortunately, the brothers who were willing and able said yes. The motivation is pure. There are no bills to be paid by the music and no crowd to appease. The timing is right.
In your eyes, how has the scene changed since you originally formed the band in the ’90s?
The scene. That’s a loaded one and I might sound crochety, but…I struggle with the idea that there is a scene or that there is an authoritative voice regarding “the scene”. Too many times individuals attempt to generalize and characterize, based on their myopic experience. A perfect example is the ongoing and nauseating argument of “where punk started”. London? New York? L.A.? I can only speak from our experiences.
For Deviates, our punk scene started in our homes. The experiences that shaped us, the individual and collective response that brought us together…our “scene” happened. Nothing was planned. There was “a scene”, but I’m not sure we ever fit into “the scene”. To quote my 16-year-old self, we were “pissed off kids, living pissed on lives”. Abandoned, distorted and neglected were common markers that shaped our identity and punk rock was the soundtrack for our community.
Today? I’m pretty sure there are as many opinions of what is and what was. What is punk. What is pure. Classification and definition are always applied, whether you seek it or not We certainly have a sound that fits into a time and place and we’re thankful that our experience hasn’t been in a bubble. More than anything we’re stoked to have the opportunity to get back to the crowd that embraced us and friends that we made along the way. Not sure that answers the question.
Now that you’re back as a band, what advice do you have for new bands just starting out?
Have fun or quit now. Yes, stand for something, but anchor yourself in the joy of it, or else it’s just another job or pointless hobby and that sucks!
Do you regret calling it a day 20 years ago?
Calling it a day when I did in 2002 was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I met my wife on the Warped Tour in 2000. Now we have four amazing kids and we’ve been able to give them far better experiences than we ever had growing up…family. I hated my life. I hated myself, but I didn’t quit. I wanted better and I found it. Shutting it down when we did was the right thing to do and that decision preserved the freedom that we have as a band today. Freedom from “needing” the music to be our income. I’m thankful.
You’re kind of picking things up right where you left off by going on a tour with Pennywise. What are you most excited about as you approach the return of live music?
Live music is a great thing. To experience it as a fan is awesome. To experience it as a band is an honor. To have the opportunity to share the stage with friends like Strung Out and The Line right off the bat is great. Playing with Pennywise…we couldn’t have asked for anything better. We would not be who we are or have what we have without Pennywise.
It’s very possible some of the folks who will be hearing you on that tour have never had the chance to listen to you before given your hiatus. Looking at your back catalog, what handful of songs do you recommend as “must listens” to get them ready?
That is a hard one to answer, but I’ll go with the songs that get the most requests. Come With Me, I Remember, One Day, So I Become, The End, Midline.
How are you approaching Deviates now vs. back when you first started?
In all honesty, the goal is to approach it the same way we did when we first started. No rules, expectations, or limitations. No one to impress.
Because I always like discovering new bands, what new and upcoming bands have caught your interest lately?
There is a local band that we’re looking forward to playing with on October 7. Slaughterhouse just released Fun Factory on Recess Records. Go support the band and buy the record.
Any last words?
Thanks for making time for us. To the music fans…when you’re able, buy the music you listen to. Support the bands, artists and local record stores, not the streaming machines.