Interview: Doug Kane of The Generators Talks PRB, New Album and Tour!
PWV talked to The Generators frontman, Doug Kane, about the upcoming album, Punk Rock Bowling, and MORE SHIT. Read the interview below!
You’re about to release your tenth full-length album. Did you expect to release this many records when you first started the band?
No way! When we first started the band back in 1997 I had no real idea that we would last 1 year, 2 years let alone almost 20 years! The Generators came out of the ashes of Schelprock, which got started in the late 1980’s, and once Schelprock broke up I was half- heartedly into doing a new band. It was a strange time for me personally, and I think I was just trying to see if I was even capable of writing another record, let alone going out to do another tour. Its always a vicious cycle with Rock ‘N’ Roll. We as musicians seem to always think we are capable of doing so many things, and it’s so easy to get lost in that world. Looking back, there is no way in hell could I have ever imagined releasing all this music. I am grateful that others believed in the band when there were times I barely believed in myself.
You and Mike have a side project called Bedlam Knives. Will they ever play a show with The Generators?
Mike and I started Bedlam Knives as a side project. We really just meant to go and record a few songs and have some fun. It turned out that people really were into it so we kept things going, and now we are getting ready to go and record a full length record fro Dr Strange Records! The Bedlam Knives are a lot of fun for me, and that band would be nothing if it wasn’t for the energy of the other 3 members Chalon, Mike C and Chris. They made me wanna do so much more with the band. I am not sure if there would ever be a Generators/Bedlam Knives show as I like to keep both bands separated from one another. They both have their own identity, and that is really important to all of us that we keep a different face to each band.
You’re playing Punk Rock Bowling next month! Have you ever been?
Yeah we are really happy to be invited to play on the main stage with some amazing bands. We actually played the kick off party show two years ago with The Cockney Rejects and Youth Brigade. The Sterns have always been really supportive to us, and I am really thankful that they keep us in mind,a nd invite us to play. Its gotta be the best punk festival in the country. Its a whole lot of fun, and a crazy place to be!
Who are you excited to watch at PRB?
I am excited to see Cock Sparrer, and I want to see Naked Raygun at one of the after party shows. The Generators will be out on tour with our good friends The Angelic Upstarts as well as Peter and The Test Tube Babies the week before PRB. I am excited to see those guys, and watch them too. Unfortunately we all have to leave the following day to go and play a few more cities so I will not be able to catch bands like Face To Face, or The Descendents who I think are also fantastic!
What are you going to be doing in Vegas when you’re not playing? Are you gamblers?
I will be hanging out with friends I have not seen for a while, and just having a good time! I do not gamble so I will fortunately not be losing any money in the casinos. It will be a time to hang out with people and just have some fun!
I see a few tour dates after PRB. Are you working on a full US tour to support the new record?
We are going on a big European tour to support the new record. We have been asked to play on some really great festivals all across Europe, so we leave for 4 weeks in July to go do that. We are off to a great start with our new label Randale Records, and we are really proud of the new songs. Now its time to go and bring the music to the fans. That is kind of the easy part. All the long days in and out of the studio are over for the time being, so now its time to go and have some fun on the stage!
It seems most of your musical influences are older bands but are there any up-and-coming or new punk bands that you really like?
Its seems like every time I discover a band I find out they have been around for like 10 years hahah but I recently have discovered a few bands that I like. I dig Bishops Green from Canada, and I like the Strawberry Blondes from the UK and I also just discovered a cool Punk N Roll band from Germany called Electric Love. Its pretty cool when I hear bands that I have not heard before, and I like they’re music. It makes me feel like a kid again!
There’s a track on the upcoming record called Goodbye California- are you guys leaving us?
No not yet!! Its just a story of a person running away from their past. That topic was always easy for me to write about as I spent most of my life running from mine. Now I just write about it, there is no more running away. No matter how far ya go there you are! Like the Rock N Roll song from Cheap Trick “California Man”. I am an Angelino and I love LA so the only time I plan on leaving is to go out on tour.
Tell me something cool about Life Gives-Life Takes.
The songs! The songs are cool! If you like that traditional punk rock sound then you will like “Life Gives-Life Takes”. I admit the record is not ground breaking, but we did not set out to make a ground breaking record. We set out to make the best record we could, and I think that our fans will enjoy the music. I feel it might be one of the best records The Generators have ever made, and that is an extremely cool thing to me!
About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
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