When I was 13, I bought Never Mind the Bollocks with Christmas money from my grandparents, put a paperclip through my already-pierced ear, and called myself punk rock. I probably could have used some guidance from Bay-Area-based hardcore band Ceremony, who weren’t much older than I was when they decided to “be punk rock,” though they didn’t plan it quite like I did—they just did it, playing super-fast “power violence” music, thrashing and sweating and screaming to crowds of equally enthused kids. And they haven’t stopped since, though their sound has evolved over the years.On their latest album, Zoo, they’ve “cleaned up” a bit, bringing in indie-rock producer John Goodmanson (Death Cab For Cutie, Los Campesinos) to slow the tempos and smooth out the guitar into feedback soundscapes rather than ear-splitting noise (which, of course, still has its place).I chatted with bassist Andy Nelson to get some insight into the life of a real punk rocker, and to learn a little more about Ceremony’s new direction.Hey Andy!
Good morning!Good morning? It’s 3pm?!
Well, you know, I live the punk rock lifestyle. [Laughs] But seriously, I don’t usually start doing anything until at least 4pm.Rock ‘n roll.
Sometimes I need to get up earlier for work. I work for R5, a show promotions agency in Philadelphia—something cool we do is put on all-ages shows at the first Unitarian Church. When I was a lonely punk kid in high school, I’d take the train into the city by myself to see bands there. The venue’s a lot like Gilman over in California, where the other band members spent a lot of time in high school. We talk about the parallels a lot.So you live in Philadelphia and the rest of the guys live in the Bay Area. How does that work out? Do you practice over Skype?
No, we don’t practice over Skype. I have heard of people who practice over skype, but we’re kind of loud. [Laughs] It’s a lot of flying, but it’s not bad. When we recorded Zoo, I flew over there for a week and we did it all then. We play shows together, and we’re all going around the world together this summer to tour.People have been commenting about how your album, Zoo, is a departure from the harder style seen on some of your earlier albums, and how it sounds more like old school punk acts like Wire, Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, etc. Was it a conscious decision for the sound to move in this direction, or did it just kind of happen?
It’s been a constant evolution. A lot of what people have been saying about Zoo isn’t based on our earlier albums, but their idea of what we are and what kind of music they think we should be playing. We all have a wide range of musical tastes, and it’s natural that bands we like, such as Wire, would influence our music.Maybe there are some people out there who sit down and make conscious decisions about how to make albums, but that seems silly to me. It seems like something people in college or suburban moms would do or something. The only conscious decision we’ve made about a record is that we don’t want it to sound like one we’ve already made.Last year, you signed with the Matador Records. Congrats! Did you get to party with Pavement and Sonic Youth? Does everyone ask you that?
Thanks! And no, we haven’t partied with those guys, yet…Yet. But I’m holding out on that. We’ve met Thurston Moore a bunch of times because a friend of ours plays drums in his band. But no, we haven’t brushed shoulders with Stephen Malkmus or anything. We also want to do karaoke with Cat Power at some point.Dang. Does Matador host a bunch of parties and get-togethers for you guys?
Matador’s pretty small, so it’s hard to get everyone in there. I got invited to the Matador Christmas party, but I didn’t go.I bet Cat Power did karaoke at that Christmas party.
Oh no! [Laughs]
Photo by Jimmy FontaineYou guys have toured all over the world. What city do you think has the most punk-rock spirit?
I’m gonna say the Bay Area. But outside of the US, Berlin has a great scene. We’re playing in Russia this summer, and I expect good things.When you tell people you’re in a punk band, they probably have a certain idea about what you’re like. Is there a soft side to the members of Ceremony?
Oh, I think we’re all pretty soft; if you met us you would maybe be surprised. We’re not mohawked, leather-wearing punks like you might expect from listening to our music. We aren’t angry or aggressive or anything.Who’s the softest?
Well…Anthony spends about 15 minutes before each show putting on make-up…Do you think he’d be pissed at you if I posted that?
Well he does!Fair enough, right? Anyway, I read an interview in which the other band members talked about playing punk in high school in Rohnert Park, California, and how they were best friends with guys from other punk bands. They talked about how the connection went beyond the music. Is it like that today when you tour with bands and meet people at shows?
Definitely, the majority of the friends I have I’ve made through music, playing shows, touring, etc. The more you play, the more people you meet. And I’m lucky in that I get to tour with my best friends.Sounds like the life. What’s up with the future for Ceremony?
Well we’re going on a full US tour this summer, and playing around the world as well. We haven’t played a tour yet for the record, but we’re really excited about it and can’t wait to get it out there.
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Good morning!Good morning? It’s 3pm?!
Well, you know, I live the punk rock lifestyle. [Laughs] But seriously, I don’t usually start doing anything until at least 4pm.Rock ‘n roll.
Sometimes I need to get up earlier for work. I work for R5, a show promotions agency in Philadelphia—something cool we do is put on all-ages shows at the first Unitarian Church. When I was a lonely punk kid in high school, I’d take the train into the city by myself to see bands there. The venue’s a lot like Gilman over in California, where the other band members spent a lot of time in high school. We talk about the parallels a lot.So you live in Philadelphia and the rest of the guys live in the Bay Area. How does that work out? Do you practice over Skype?
No, we don’t practice over Skype. I have heard of people who practice over skype, but we’re kind of loud. [Laughs] It’s a lot of flying, but it’s not bad. When we recorded Zoo, I flew over there for a week and we did it all then. We play shows together, and we’re all going around the world together this summer to tour.
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It’s been a constant evolution. A lot of what people have been saying about Zoo isn’t based on our earlier albums, but their idea of what we are and what kind of music they think we should be playing. We all have a wide range of musical tastes, and it’s natural that bands we like, such as Wire, would influence our music.Maybe there are some people out there who sit down and make conscious decisions about how to make albums, but that seems silly to me. It seems like something people in college or suburban moms would do or something. The only conscious decision we’ve made about a record is that we don’t want it to sound like one we’ve already made.Last year, you signed with the Matador Records. Congrats! Did you get to party with Pavement and Sonic Youth? Does everyone ask you that?
Thanks! And no, we haven’t partied with those guys, yet…Yet. But I’m holding out on that. We’ve met Thurston Moore a bunch of times because a friend of ours plays drums in his band. But no, we haven’t brushed shoulders with Stephen Malkmus or anything. We also want to do karaoke with Cat Power at some point.
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Matador’s pretty small, so it’s hard to get everyone in there. I got invited to the Matador Christmas party, but I didn’t go.I bet Cat Power did karaoke at that Christmas party.
Oh no! [Laughs]
I’m gonna say the Bay Area. But outside of the US, Berlin has a great scene. We’re playing in Russia this summer, and I expect good things.When you tell people you’re in a punk band, they probably have a certain idea about what you’re like. Is there a soft side to the members of Ceremony?
Oh, I think we’re all pretty soft; if you met us you would maybe be surprised. We’re not mohawked, leather-wearing punks like you might expect from listening to our music. We aren’t angry or aggressive or anything.Who’s the softest?
Well…Anthony spends about 15 minutes before each show putting on make-up…Do you think he’d be pissed at you if I posted that?
Well he does!Fair enough, right? Anyway, I read an interview in which the other band members talked about playing punk in high school in Rohnert Park, California, and how they were best friends with guys from other punk bands. They talked about how the connection went beyond the music. Is it like that today when you tour with bands and meet people at shows?
Definitely, the majority of the friends I have I’ve made through music, playing shows, touring, etc. The more you play, the more people you meet. And I’m lucky in that I get to tour with my best friends.Sounds like the life. What’s up with the future for Ceremony?
Well we’re going on a full US tour this summer, and playing around the world as well. We haven’t played a tour yet for the record, but we’re really excited about it and can’t wait to get it out there.