FEATURED INTERVIEWS 07                         

Modern Life Is War

From the cornfields and graveyards of Marshalltown, Iowa, comes Modern Life Is War. MLIW mixes the punishing styles of hardcore, punk, and heavy rock and with a constant coast-to-coast touring schedule, MLIW is tried and true. We talk to Jeff, lead vocals, about their latest release and what we would do in their hometown for good times.

By: Gian Erguiza

Gian: “Midnight in America” is a beautiful mixture of different elements of hardcore, punk, and rock. How much work did you guys put into your latest release as far as production, recording and basically putting it all together?

Jeff: I couldn't really calculate the time we put into writing the songs for the record. It spanned at least 5 months with tours included during that time. We rented a warehouse and did a lot of work there and eventually all moved into a house together and used the basement to finish writing the record. We spent about 22 days actually recording the album in Baltimore with J. Robbins at the Magpie Cage.

Gian: Who came up with the title of your latest release, “Midnight in America,” and what is the idea behind the title?

Jeff: Myself, Harm and Tim came up with the title at Tom's Cue and Brew in Marshalltown while having a conversation about artists who truly captured alienation in war and post-war times. People like Hemmingway with "the sun also rises" and Kerouac's "On The Road." 2007 is darker and more sinister than 1982 during the Reagan administration. Most people in this country are so misled and privileged they have no idea the implications of war, technological advances and widespread moral and spiritual bankruptcy. But it's not political. It's just trying to articulate a feeling through a collection of songs. Not to redeem us...but to give us a shelter from the storm.

Gian: The overall sound on your latest release is a more unapologetic, brash and in your face type of sound. What do you guys think contributed to the sound of the album and how does it differ from the sounds you guys emulated from “Witness?”

Jeff: Our band does not have any songwriters so all the sounds and feelings you get are the way we collectively feel. Witness was a very depressive and confusing time. Midnight in America was a fiery time where we were disgusted by a lot of things and ready to lash out.

Gian: The artwork for “Midnight in America” is awesome. Who came up with the concept and how did it come about?

Jeff: www.qojak.com A big indian man named qojak who lives near our hometown came up with the whole thing. He is a real deal writer and artist and visionary. How it all went down was fairly chaotic and I almost fucked it up.... but basically we gave it to him and trusted him with it and he came through with an amazing layout that really represents the vibe of the record.

Gian: So the fifth song on your album, “F**k the Sex Pistols,” is one bold statement. How much shit do you guys get from Sex Pistols fans about your song, “F**k the Sex Pistols?”

Jeff: No one has given us shit yet. That song is about having pride in busting your ass for very little return, being independent minded and making fun of people who think it was all fairy tale back in 77 or 82 or whenever. Maybe in the UK some old timer will punch me out. F.T.S.P!!! F.T.G.D!!!

Gian: Now, you guys just jumped back on the tour circuit and you guys are going to be out on the road until the end of October. How excited are you guys to play the new songs in front of the people?

Jeff: Very excited. The kids that support us seem to be really into it and the reaction is often times just as good as for our old crowd favorites. Our fans are growing with us and that is an awesome thing to be a part of.

Gian: Which song off your latest release is the band’s favorite song to play so far in a live setting and why?

Jeff: I enjoy playing Stagger Lee the most because I am really proud to be a part of the tradition of that folklore and song. And I like telling stories. And it's got a nice groove to it.

Gian: So tell me guys, after touring over 20 countries in the last 5 years and your fair share of god knows how many dive bars, bars and clubs, what is the most interesting story or most interesting situation that you guys have ever encountered throughout all of those places and stages you’ve laid foot on, traveled and destroyed?

Jeff: The fact that none of us are dead! I can't pick out one thing right now...sorry. It's 4 a.m.

Gian: What are you guys’ thoughts on the current hardcore/punk scene?

Jeff: There are some good bands and some shit bands. I don't really like to talk much about it because Modern Life Is War is what I do instead of talking about that. I will say that I don't like revivals, empty trends or ignorance.

Gian: Hey Sjarm 13, what is up with that name and what did you learn from working the “Night Shift at The Potato Factory?”

Jeff: He is talking to his girlfriend in Dutch on the Telephone right now so I don't wanna disturb him. I think he learned that he doesn't wanna work in no factory and that's no way to waste his youth.

Gian: Being a Californian all of my life, aside from other places I’ve been to and stayed at, if I was to come to your town of Marshalltown, Iowa, where would you take me and what kind of things would we do for a good time? What do you guys consider to be a good time?

Jeff: Eat a maid-rite at Taylor's Maid Rite. Hit up JD's Pub on a Whiskey Wednesday and play some pool and rule the jukebox...then hit up 7 rayos on main street and buy a 6 pack or a bottle and go sit down by the railroad tracks and shoot the shit in the moonlight. Head over to the linn street house and break a vaccum. skateboard home and go to bed. Wake up and go to Riverside Cemetery and put some flowers on Toof's grave and Jean Seberg's little baby Nina's grave. Then go out to John the Punk's house and listen to some records. Then go see a good Iowa band like Helmer, The Beat Strings, Sioux City Pete and the Beggars, Brooks Strause, William Elliot Whitmore, Old Scratch Revival Singers. Go home and go to bed and never wake up.

Gian: Sounds like a damned good time alright! Thanks Guys!

Make sure you guys pick up a copy of "Midnight in America," out now on Equal Vision Records. You can also get more info about the band on their website, http://www.modernlifeiswar.net or their myspace page, http://www.myspace.com/modernlifeiswar