Matador Lounge Interview: Mike Gent of The Figgs

The Figgs, perhaps the single greatest band, punk or otherwise ever to come out of Saratoga Springs, New York, took some time from their busy schedule to answer some questions for BBBob of The Matador Lounge. Their new album is coming out this spring, and is the band's first ever double album. They were previously the touring band for Graham Parker, and showing up on his live album The Last Rock 'n' Roll Tour. Their current album, Slow Charm, marked a newfound maturity in the band's songs, and is getting critical acclaim from various sources (including the Lounge itself) You can visit their official web page at www.thefiggs.com.

BBBob: Your latest album, Slow Charm, showed the band maturing into a softer, but still quite catchy sound. On the planned upcoming double album, will this sound be more prominent, or will it be more like Sucking In Stereo?

Mike Gent: I think Slow Charm was different from the other records because it had three slow songs on it rather than the standard one slow song per album. Sucking was basically a live set of songs that we had been playing out that spring and went in and recorded pretty fast. The new record, since it's a double, has a mix of fast, mid tempo, slow and weird songs. It also has taken us the longest to record, about a year.

BBB: What was it like touring with Graham Parker?

MG: We have had a blast on all three tours we've done with Graham. There's been talk about doing a studio record with him in the future. I hope it happens. Graham is a pleasure to be around and play with. One of my rock and roll heroes.

BBB: What is, in your opinion, the band's best album?

MG: As far as production and performance, The Figgs Couldn't Get High. As far as songs, Sucking in Stereo.

BBB: When Capitol records dropped you, they put Banda Macho out of print. Do they still own the album, and will it be coming back anytime soon?

MG: They still own it. Maybe at some point we will try to get the rights to it and reissue it with the out takes. There was a ton of stuff left off the record.

BBB: What do you think of such recent punk-pop commercial success stories as Good Charlotte and Blink-182?

MG: I don't think about it because i don't listen to those bands.

BBB: You put on one of the best live shows I've ever seen. Any plans for a live album anytime soon?

MG: Yeah, I have a good recording of a show from the Stinson tour in Chicago that we might put out after the next studio record. I've also, for the last few years, been compiling a three cd, unreleased studio and live box set. Who knows when that will see the light of day.

BBB: What was the last good record you've heard?

MG: The Rudds self titled debut. They are a band from Boston. I'm going to see them play tonight. I also like both Brenden Benson records. I'm still waiting for the next Jonny Polonski record.

BBB: Its been said that file-sharing and mp3s won't damage the big bands whom the record companies are suing over (ex. Metallica), but indie-rock bands. As an indie-rock band, do you endorse file-sharing?

MG: Sure, as long as we get paid!

BBB: One factor as to why less independent bands are getting on non-college radio is multimedia conglomerate Clear Channel's strict playlist policy. By only playing Britney Spears and that kind of absolute crap, are they greatly hurting the industry as a whole?

MG: I've given up the fantasy that bands like us will be played on major stations. I don't know if it's hurting the industry. Those kind of stations have been playing junk for years.

BBB: Besides the obvious (Graham Parker, Elvis Costello) influences, what has inspired the Figgs to keep making good records for far longer than most of your punk-pop contemporaries?

MG: A lot of our influences are american bands. Hüsker Dü, Big Dipper, Scruffy the Cat, Young Fresh Fellows. Good pop bands from the 80's when we started the band in '87, these are the records we were listening to. All of the SST stuff, Homestead, IRS. The Costello, Graham comparisons are obvious but my favorite group from that period is Rockpile. We've stayed together for so long because we still love playing and listening to music. And we love each other like brothers.

BBB: Anything you want to say about your upcoming album?

MG: It should be out in May if everything goes right, then we will be touring for the rest of the year on and off. We wanted to put out a double so we had plenty of new songs to play when we hit the road. It's a cool record. Hope you like it.

The Matador Lounge wishes The Figgs the best and sincerely appreciates Mike's willingness to take part in this interview. Anyone who appreciates Scruffy The Cat is a friend of the Lounge.

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